Umupo ako kasabay ng iba naming mga kaklase sa bleachers habang hinihintay ang ibang makarating. Hindi ko maiwasang kabahan, ngayon na kasi ang PE performance namin. Okay lang yan. I assured my self. Kahit papaano naman eh memorize ko na ang mga steps, mabuti nalang at magaling ang partner ko.

Once again, I felt joy bubble up from my core. Hanggan ngayon 'di pa rin ako maka get-over sa nangyari noong sabado. It was one of the things that I'm sure I would never forget. Tuwang-tuwa din si Ma'am Johanna nang kinuwento ko ito. She said I should expect it to happen more often. Bilang isang Kristiyano, she said that these things should be deemed a normal scenario for us. I will try to do that, but I'm sure kahit gaano pa ito maging ka-normal sa akin, the thrill of it would never diminish.

Thankfulness gripped my heart as I though of Ma'am Johanna. Ilang buwan ko lang ba siyang nakilala? Pero feeling ko she's become a spiritual mother to me already - and I couldn't be happier than that.

Inangat ko ang paningin at tinanaw ang entrance ng gym. Nasa'n na kaya si Rhoe? Nagpa-practice palang kaya sila? Three minutes nalang magta-time na eh. I kept my gaze on the door, anticipating to see her fare face, when instead, an image of a man filled my gaze.

I felt my heart leap - literally. Nangunot ang noo ko nang makita si Gabriel na papasok sa gym. I couldn't seem to believe my eyes. For the first time, his face looked so radiant, as though he glowed as he walked in. His every movement exuded gentleness, yet his eyes held authority.

It was as though I was looking at another man - a totally different man.

I blinked rapidly and gazed at him intently once more, and was caught off guard when he met my gaze. Much to my surprise, he began to smile. For the first time widely that I came to see his perfectly proportioned teeth.

I glanced sideways. My goodness. Hindi lang ako ang nakahalata! Pati mga kaklase ko titig lahat sakaniya. Rinig na rinig ko ang kinikilig na tilian ng mga babae sa kabilang klase sa likod namin. I wouldn't blame them, for a face like that to have such a radiant countenance, any woman would be held captive.

His eyes remained on me, and at that moment I feared for myself. No, no, no Grace. You cannot do this! Guard you heart!

Ibinaba ko ang tingin at 'di nagtagal nang maramdaman ko siyang umupo sa tabi ko. I turned my head and gazed at him. What in the world happened to this man?

He shifted his gaze and looked at me as well. I was taken aback. Gone are his eyes of empty hollows. This time, there was warmth to it, like a fire kindled in its embers - and I couldn't resist the urge to look. Hindi ko alam, pero a verse kept repeating in my head as I looked at him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Hindi ko maipagtagpi-tagpi ang mga kaganapan. Pero I was sure, if there was anyone who had the power to bring life to these empty eyes, it was God.

"Good morning," Bati niya, "Ba't ganiyan mukha mo, okay ka lang ba?"

I could only stare as I listened to him speak. Gracious, even his voice sounded somewhat different. At teka, Good Morning? My eyes widened. When had he learned to greet people like that!? Tatlong buong buwan ko na siya nasakama, pero never ko pa siyang narinig nagsabi ng gano'n, not even to a teacher!

"Grace?"

I snapped back to my senses.

"A-ah," I forced a laugh, "Wala naman. Good morning!" I spoke with a smile.

Ilang sandali pa at dumating na rin ang teacher namin, now in his formal uniform dahil siguro 'di naman siya magtuturo ng steps ngayon.

"Good morning class!" His voice resounded in the gym.

"Good morning Sir!" The class responded in unison.

After a few announcements, he began to call the pairs and announced the performance que. Pang-apat kaming magpeperform ni Gabriel, along with three more pairs.

Nang matapos ang announcement ng que, nagsimula na ang performances. Grabe, unang grupo palang nakaka-nganga na ang mga exhibition na ginawa nila. Biruin mo may pabuhat-buhat pa ang iba? Hay, nga naman oh.

Screams and applaud were heard as the pairs showcased their own choreographies. Para tuloy akong nahiya do'n sa sayaw namin. I'm sure kami ni Gabriel ang pinaka simple ang routine.

Pagkatapos ng dalawa pang grupo, tinawag na rin ang grupo namin. I released a breath and stood, following behind Gabriel as he walked down the bleachers along with our other classmates.

Hindi ko kailangang ilibot ang paningin para mahalata ang mga titig nila sakaniya. I can clearly sense from the corner of my eye the stares that the women were throwing at him. What do I expect? Kung noon nga eye-catcher na siya, 'di mas lalo na siguro ngayon na...

The music began to play, and as soon as it did, he held my hand and stood straight, preparing for the dance. I gazed up at him once more, following in his movements as he lead me through each step.

As much as I tried, it became more evident that the sounds I was hearing partly came from the loud beating of my heart. I sucked in a breath, refocusing of the dance instead. Huhu. Lord, please. I need Your help. Bakit ganito? I've tried having crushes and all, but never had I felt so drawn!

Each minute passed with each step, and before I knew it, we were already dancing the last of the routine. I tried my best to focus, but to my dismay, as I took a step to execute the last footwork, I tripped over my other leg, causing me to lose balance before I could establish my foot on the floor.

The law of gravity took its toll, and before I knew it, I was on my way to the floor. Mariin kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata, anticipating the cold floor against my back when instead, I felt arms around my waist, sustaining my balance as I opened my eyes.

Nag-init ang mga pisngi ko nang makita ang kaganapan. I bent backwards halfway, leaning only on the arms that held my weight - his arms.

"Grabe Graaace!!!" Bahagya kong inilayo ang tainga mula kay Rhoe. Natawa nalang ako. Hype na hype ah! "Ang-cute niyo talaga kanina! Never kong nahalata noon, pero my gasss! Bagay na bagay kayo!"

Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa sambit niya. "Ano!?"

"Oo kaya, Girl!" She exclaimed. "Tapos wow ha yung choreo niyo kanina. Pa-simple simple lang kayo sa una tapos may gano'n pala ha!"

My palm made its way to my forehead, wincing as I thought of the embarrassing event. Hindi ba talaga nila nahalata? Patid 'yon hindi choreo! "May sikreto akong sasabihin sayo Rhoe," Tinitigan ko siya, "Hindi 'yon choreo! Napatid ako sa sarili kong paa no'n at muntik nang madapa sa floor kung hindi lang-" natigilan ako sa pagsasalita, unsure of how to put it in words, "-basta 'yon," bumuntong hininga ako.

"Talaga!?" A big smile adorned her lips, "Well, well, well. That's what we call a right mistake!" I only looked at her as she laughed, gaze narrowed as I thought of her words.

"Right mistake ka d'yan?" Ngumuso ako, "Nakakahiya nga eh,"

"Okay lang 'yon girl!" She beamed, "Gabriel didn't seem to mind?" Immediately, I saw the whimsical look in her eyes. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"Tsk!" I bit my lip in rebuke, "Tama na nga 'yang ini-isip mo Rhoe. 'Kaw talaga," Inangat ko ang tingin at pinagmasdan ang gate sa harap namin. "O siya, ingat sa pag-uwi ha?"

She grinned once more, "Okay! Ingat din, Grace!" Kumaway siya at nagtungo pakanan. Sa kabilang subdivision kasi siya, kaya hanggang sa gate lang kami pwedeng magsabay. Kinawayan ko rin siya at nagsimula nang maglakad.

Hindi pa ako nakalayo nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses mula sa likod ko.

"Grace!" Lumingon ako. My brows lifted, smiling as I watched Gabriel walk towards me. I felt a breath of fascination escape my lungs. He's smiling again.

"Oh, bakit?" Tanong ko.

"Ah," panimula niya sabay lakad sa tabi ko, "Gusto sana kitang maka-usap."

"Tungkol saan?"

He turned his head and anchored his gaze upon me. "Salamat," Sambit niya, "Salamat sa ginawa mo sa ospital no'ng araw na 'yon. Hindi mo alam kung gaano naapektohan ang buhay ko pagkatapos kong makita ang nangyari."

I swallowed as I heard him speak, listening to his low pitched voice as we walked. For the first time, there was a genuine tone to it, something I've never actually heard from him before.

"Dahil lang 'yon sa Panginoon, Gabriel." Sagot ko, "All glory to Him alone."

Tumango siya at iniangat ang tingin, now gazing forward as we walked. "Nga pala Grace," Panimula niya, "'Yong alok mo sa'kin noon about church,"

My head jolted upward, gazing up at him in haste as I heard his words. "Oh, bakit 'yon?"

I saw him take in a breath, meeting my eyes with his intent gaze, "Pinag-isipan ko ng mabuti kahapon. Maybe I'll come visit some time,"