Discomfort gripped Laurens’ heart. Unable to look towards the altar, she kept her gaze downcast. She knew that unforgiveness and hatred were a sin, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to fully surrender especially around Zarinna. And the fact that she again sees the woman in a church intensifies that. Lauren released a silent groan as she heard words of worship being sung, aware of whom this voice belonged to. She knew it very well, for this was the voice deemed so anointed by her church mates back in Baguio City, but this was also the voice of an adulterer. How dare she even step into an altar to be used?

Lauren released a sigh as Pastor Nestor began to close the service in prayer, thankful that the voice she listened to ceased.

As much as she tried, Lauren couldn’t anchor her attention to words being prayed, her thoughts still plagued by frustration. She never understood why she never quite liked Zarinna. Ever since they met, the woman somehow had something that triggered her dislike. She didn’t want to consider the thought of envy. She never envied that adulterer, had she? She pushed the idea off her mind. Perhaps it was the Holy Spirit all along that gave her the discernment. Perhaps she never liked her cause the Spirit of God impressed upon her that Zarinna was going to sin – and a shameful sin at that.

She didn’t deem herself highly. She knew she was a sinner as well, but thankfulness gripped her heart that she was not as sinful as… her.

The service finally came to an end, and Lauren shook the thoughts off her head. She scattered her gaze around the church and spotted David. A smile crept up her lips. The man never failed to amaze her. She has never heard someone preach so mightily – so anointed. And it made her even happier that he was her close friend, ever since she was a child.

“David!” She called out, and she saw the man turn his head. With a smile, he made his way to her direction. How she loved that smile, how his dimples showed when his lips curved up. She remembered the time when they would meet up each afternoon after school and went swimming in the river back in their high school days... Those were one of her happiest memories, and she hoped she could have more – with him.

“Hey!” The man grinned, “I’m glad you’re able to come!” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Of course!” Lauren replied, lowering her gaze in hopes of hiding her blushing cheeks. “I was so sad when I heard our old church had been burned down again. Thank God that we were able to build a new one, and with new members too!”

“You’re right!” David agreed, “And I am so glad you’re back. When I heard you were hired in BNHS I was so happy!”

“Uhuh, you know I really wanted to come home and work here in our hometown when I graduate. I want to bless our fellow men too with what God had blessed me.” Lauren replied with a smile. “So, what are you doing this afternoon? wanna come to our house for lunch? I’m sure Mamma has missed you,”

“Oh,” David lowered his gaze, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to come this Sunday. I have some stuff to do.” He informed. “Next Sunday, maybe?”

“Uh, sure!” Lauren replied, quite dismayed at his refusal. “What were you gonna do today?”

“Ah, I have to take Zarinna to Allapo Lumnay’s house. Says she wants to learn how to weave.” The smile upon her lips slowly faded. For a moment, she couldn’t utter a single word. Lauren lifted her gaze, disheartened of what she has heard.

“Z-zarinna?”
 
“Yup,”

Lauren swung her gaze to the woman in a peach dress, unsure of what to think after hearing her name on David’s lips. She returned her glance to David.

“Be careful around that woman,”

Zarinna stretched her legs towards the grounds, careful not to push David as she got down the motorcycle. Mixed emotions plagued her being as they rode to Allapo Lumnay’s house. As happy as she was to have this chance to learn to weave, she could never bring herself to fully forget the incident months ago – an incident that might have been worse had the man before her didn’t intervene. Was there ever freedom from such embarrassment?

“We’re here, Zarinna. Just a few more steps and we’ll reach the cottage.” David informed.

“Oh, that’s great.” She remarked, “Allapo Lumnay rode a tricycle ahead of us, surely she’s already there right?”

“Yup, most likely.” David affirmed, “So, by the way, you told me weaving was a dream of yours since high school, what made you have that desire?” Zarinna flashed him a glance and spoke.

“I was a cultural dancer from 7th to 10th grade,” She began, “And you know, when one performs ethnic dances a lot, one gets to wear a lot of woven tapises and such too. I really love how they looked and the impression they gave. So, because of that, I had this desire to be able to weave a tapis of my own.”

“I see, so you’re a dancer too.” David nodded in appreciation.

“Don’t get into assumptions that quickly," Zarinna cautioned, “Those are the only dances my body can actually perform. Other dances are either too seductive or just plain hard for my rigid bones to handle.”

David pulled his head back in laughter, revealing a set of perfectly proportioned teeth, “Really? Well, I must say, I’m glad you survived ten years of P.E. in school!”

“Ugh,” Zarinna rolled her eyes, “Don’t even get me started about P.E. All that hurdling, running around the field, and tango dancing were nightmares during daylight,” Zarinna replied. “By the way, is that it?” She asked, pointing towards the hut that occupied her perception. Calming down, David gave a nod of confirmation.

“Yup, that’s it.” He replied.

“Hmm,” Zarinna sniffed the air as the smell of brewed coffee filled her lungs. “I smell barako.” She exhaled in satisfaction.

“Yes, indeed. Grandma must’ve begun preparing lunch already.”

Zarinna slightly ducked as they entered the door, going ahead as David signaled.

“Hi, Allapo!” She greeted with a smile. Her gaze upon the lady with fully grayed hair.

“Hello, balasang!” She greeted back, “Gawis ta natuloy ay naka-ali ka,” She continued, saying in applai how glad she was to see her.

“Yes, Allapo,” Zarinna replied, “Talaga pay adi ay umali ak tay laydek ay makasuro’y talaga…” Zarinna spoke, declaring in their tongue how determined she was to learn to weave.

“Oh, that's wonderful, my dear. Finally, someone that I can teach and pass this skill on to.”

“Thank you, Allapo,” Zarinna replied. Glad as she listened to the old lady speak. Relief filled her heart that Allapo Lumnay was very willing to teach her, other skilled weavers would have reservations when teaching others – especially from those of other tribes.

“By the way Allapo, what are you doing now?” David cut in, walking towards the fireplace and checking the pots.

“Uh right, I was going to start cooking when I heard you two come in,” She replied, walking behind him. She took hold of the knife and began cutting the meat upon the chopping board. Zarinna gasped in discomfort as she saw the woman struggle to chop the bony meat.

“Oh, Grandma, please hand me the knife.” Zarinna volunteered, “Allow me to help. I can do the cooking for today.”

“Oh no, Balasang, you just came here today. You’re a guest, not a maid.” The old lady refused.

“Please, Allapo, watching you struggle with cutting that meat would only make me uncomfortable in my seat.” Zarinna insisted, “Plus, I can’t have you cut your hands, you still have to teach me how to weave!”

Lumnay laughed in amusement as Zarinna spoke, her eyes now upon her appreciatively. “Alright then, child, go ahead.” She replied in surrender, handing the knife to Zarinna with a smile.

“Thank you, Allapo,” Zarinna grinned, taking hold of the knife as she sunk to her knees by the meat before her.

“Well, in that case,” David spoke, “I’ll start the fire. By the time you finish chopping, we can begin cooking.

“Okay, Pastor,” Zarinna replied with a smile, her gaze upon the fireplace on the edge of the house. The house was totally old fashioned, every part of the house that would normally be in compartments were all in one big – actually small – space. The ceiling wasn’t even concrete, it was made of hay. The house reminded Zarinna of the Native house that they had back in Ifugao. It was very similar, but then again the Cordilleran tribes pretty much had the same cultures anyway, only differing in a few things.

Typical appearance of a Cordilleran Native House

“Pastor, can you hand me that pot?” Zarinna requested, pointing towards a pot among the ones placed by the fireplace, to contain her chopped masterpieces.

"Here ya go," David spoke as he gave the pot. "It's so weird being called Pastor in my home. Manung will do Zarinna."

"Oh, okay..." Zarinna nodded slowly, "M-Manung..."

"That's better," David remarked with satisfaction.

Allapo lumnay now sat on one of the benches beside the window, watching as the two got on the cooking.

“I was just wondering, child,” Zarinna heard her speak.

“Yes, Allapo?”

“I’ve heard from Gina that you are from Baguio City. Why did you choose to come here?”

“Ah, I came here for my first teaching job Allapo.” She saw the older lady nod, “Back there in the City, when you have just graduated and you don’t have a teaching experience yet, you have a low chance of being hired in a Public School. So I decided to try applying here, and by the grace of God, I was accepted. Thankfully, I have an Uncle that lives here so I am living with them right now.”

“Ah, I see,” Allapo Lumnay replied, “It must’ve been God’s plan that you come here, Balasang. In church, we are so blessed to have such a singer like you with us.” Zarinna lowered her head, honored upon hearing Allapo Lumnay’s word. There was always something so fascinating when older people speak, the authority of their words are tremendous.

“Aw, I’m glad that I’ve been blessed with such wonderful church mothers like you as well Allapo. Glory to God!” She saw a smile form in Allapo Lumnay’s face. Awe gripped her heart, such joyful eyes she had. Zarinna turned to David who was now beside her chopping onions. Seeing the fire blaze, Zarinna reached over him to get a pan, but to her dismay, the feet she counted on to establish her balance failed, leaving her to David's arms for support.

Zarinna felt her cheeks burn. “Oops,” She breathed, pulling away instantly as their gazes locked.

“Them rigid bones bothering you again?” David joked.

“Sorry,” Zarinna mumbled.

After a few minutes of cooking, Zarinna began to set the food on the floor. Knowing that the place had no room for a table and a few chairs, she swept the wooden floor before placing the potholders. As the last of the pots were placed, David prayed a short prayer over the food and they began to eat.

“Mm, the food tastes lovely, my dear.” Allapo Lumnay remarked, lifting another spoonful of soup to her mouth.

“I agree,” echoed David.

A smile crept up Zarinna’s face, “Oh really? I’m glad you like it!” She beamed, “For a moment I thought I placed a lot of salt in there.”

“Oh no, Zarinna,” David spoke, swallowing as he prepared to speak again, “It tastes perfectly fine.”

“Such a lucky man your future husband will be,” the old woman before her spoke, “How happy I would be if my David here married someone like you.”

Zarinna almost choked up her food as she heard Allapo Lumnay’s remark. Taking a sip of water, she anchored her gaze to the man beside her. He seemed equally surprised.

Zarinna forced a laugh, “Oh, Grandma, you didn’t tell me you were this humorous!”

“Who said I was joking?”

Balasang - Ilocano term for Young Lady
Allapo - Applai term for Grandma/Grandpa
Manung - Ilocano term for Older Brother (Oppa in Korean if that helps😅)
Tapis - The woven wrap-around skirt worn by Igorot women, and a few other non-Igorot tribes.