ZARINNA'S GAZE drifted across the classroom, lingering on each student who had sat before her these last three months. "Once again, class," she began, her tone calm but commanding, "I present these views to you objectively. I will not persuade you to believe in a particular one, but I will require you to examine them closely—to see how each aligns with reality, and how its logical outworkings might shape the way you live."

A few students straightened in their seats, pens ready.

"Every worldview has an implication," she continued, pacing slowly. "Every belief has a consequence. That's why it's crucial for us to reconsider all that we believe—whether theistic or not—because our beliefs dictate the kind of life we live."

She turned to the board, writing as she spoke. "By the end of this chapter, I want you to be able to answer three questions: What exactly is my worldview? Is it coherent? And does it answer the four main questions of life—Origin, Meaning, Morality, and Destiny?"

Pens scratched furiously. The room was quiet except for the hum of ceiling fans.

"Got it?" she asked, glancing back. A wave of nods followed.

"Good. Let's begin with the Evolutionary Theory by Charles Darwin. We'll look at how this worldview works."

A murmur of anticipation rippled through the room. Some students leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in their eyes. Zarinna smiled faintly.

"I believe most of you have heard this theory tied closely to science," she said. "Many educated people today regard it as the most rational explanation—because it doesn't demand a 'leap of faith.' Because, as they say, it has scientific evidence."

She inhaled slowly. "But before we get into this, let me tell you something that few teachers will: believing we evolved from apes—without ever witnessing it firsthand—is also a leap of faith."

The class fell silent.

"So, let's begin," she said, opening her book. "The Evolutionary Theory believes that in the beginning, there was nothing. And from this nothingness came everything."

She explained patiently, guiding them through the concepts of the Big Bang and Natural Selection, careful to ensure understanding rather than mere memorization. As she spoke, her thoughts flickered briefly to her own college years—to the professors who had preached tolerance for all beliefs, except the one she held dear.

How ironic, she thought. How eager they were to tolerate everything but Christianity.

That irony had become the fuel for her calling. She vowed to teach differently—to be fair, patient, unbiased. To guide her students toward Truth, not merely toward opinion. She didn't want to force belief; she wanted to awaken hunger. After all, she believed what Scripture said—those who seek will find.

"Alright," she said at last, setting her book down. "Let's examine this worldview's implications, coherence, and consequences."

She wrote the words Big Bang on the board. "According to this theory, everything began with an explosion. But one of the primary principles of science is this: something never comes from nothing."

A few students chuckled quietly.

"Pretty self-explanatory, isn't it?" Zarinna smiled. "We can't observe such a thing. We can't use the scientific method to prove a something-from-nothing phenomenon, because science requires observation through the five senses. And yet—evolutionists use those very same five senses to disprove the theistic worldview."

She folded her arms. "Has anyone here ever seen something come out of nothing? Or a bomb explosion produce an intricate, beautiful design?"

Heads shook.

"Exactly. It's logically impossible. And as we analyze this theory, I want you to ask yourselves—how scientific is scientific?"

She continued with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, simplifying it for them: "In essence, everything decays over time. The universe moves toward disorder, not improvement. Evolution claims the opposite. Once again—how scientific is scientific?"

By now, the students were silent, thoughtful, the air heavy with inquiry.

"Finally," she said softly, "if we are, as this theory claims, products of time plus matter plus chance, what then is the meaning of life? If this worldview is true, then are we not all merely born to die? If life is a random accident... does it truly have purpose?"

Her words hung in the air like incense—weighty, fragrant with conviction.

The bell's sudden clang broke the spell.

Students blinked, exhaled, and began packing their notebooks.

"For our next session," Zarinna said, smiling, "we'll examine the theistic worldview, using the same measure of scrutiny we've applied here."

Satisfied, she gathered her things and stepped out of the classroom—only to hear a voice behind her.

"Ma'am Zarinna!"

She turned. It was Reuben, one of her quietest students, clutching his notebook like it held his heart.

"What is it, Reuben?"

"M-ma'am," he stammered, "I'm sorry to bother you, but... I couldn't rest until I asked this." He swallowed hard. "Do you really think that... life is meaningless?"

Zarinna's heart softened. She smiled gently. "No, Reuben. I don't. That's the beauty of searching—you begin with questions like that, and one day, you find the answers that give life meaning."

"WOW, RINNA—that's fascinating!" Gina exclaimed, "Do you think he'll come this Sunday?"

"I invited him," Zarinna said as they stepped off the tricycle. "He said he'd think about it. I really hope he does."

Gina grinned. "Thank God it was you he asked that question to. If it had been Ma'am Rafael—oh, imagine the chaos."

Zarinna chuckled. "I know! I still can't believe she's an atheist. I respect her, of course... but I do pray her heart opens one day."

"Better to pray for her than gossip," Gina teased. "Anyway, how was your trip to Baguio?"

"It was wonderful," Zarinna replied, smiling. "I got to see my mom again, and my brother—he made it to the top ten achievers in his school!"

"Wow, that's amazing! He must be really smart."

"He is," Zarinna said with mock envy. "I just wish I had half his brain for math."

Gina laughed. "Well, you've got a gift he doesn't—your singing. The people at church adore your voice."

"Glory to God," Zarinna chuckled.

"Oh, and speaking of church," Gina added, her tone brightening, "Pastor David arrived last Sunday! He was ordained Associate Pastor that very day—you should've been there."

"Wait—Pastor David? Pastor Levi's spiritual son?" Zarinna asked curiously.

"Yes!" Gina nodded. "And there's more—he's joining our school! He'll be teaching in the Social Studies Department."

"Really?" Zarinna tilted her head. "He's a teacher, too?"

"Yup! I think he's two or three years older than us."

Zarinna lowered her gaze, curiosity flickering beneath her calm expression as they walked past the school gate. She couldn't help but wonder who this David was. Gina had always spoken so highly of him—and knowing that he was Pastor Levi's spiritual son only deepened her quiet intrigue.

The two chatted a little longer before parting ways for their respective departments. Zarinna took a deep breath and quickened her pace, glancing at the clock as she entered the faculty room.

"Good morning, Zarinna!"

She looked up and smiled. "Good morning!" she greeted back, waving at Ma'am Mel before settling her bag on her chair.

The bell rang just as she sat down, prompting the teachers to rise and head for the door. Flag ceremony time. Zarinna ran her fingers through her hair, straightening her blouse as she followed.

Outside, lines of students already filled the courtyard, their uniforms crisp under the morning sun. Zarinna took her place beside her advisory class just as the National Anthem began, followed by the school hymn.

Fifteen minutes later, as the voices faded, Mr. Sepnayen stepped onto the stage with a clipboard in hand. Gina nudged Zarinna lightly from behind.

"Good morning, students!" he began with his usual cheer. "I come with good news. Starting today, we'll have another teacher joining our Social Studies Department."

Zarinna's brows lifted slightly.

"He will be teaching Araling Panlipunan to the 9th and 10th graders beginning today," Mr. Sepnayen continued. "Everyone, please welcome—Mister David Awiyao!"

Zarinna's eyes immediately swept across the crowd as the name sank in.

"That's Pastor David," Gina whispered excitedly behind her, pointing toward the man now walking up to the stage.

And then—Zarinna froze.

Her heart lurched violently as her eyes locked on the figure before her. The world seemed to still. The man's face—familiar, achingly familiar—came into focus under the pale morning light.

Her breath hitched.

The spring.
The water.
The shame.

It was him.

She shut her eyes for a heartbeat, willing it away, hoping she was mistaken. But when she looked again—he was still there. Calm. Composed. Completely unaware of the chaos unraveling inside her.

Her pulse pounded in her ears, her hands growing cold.

This cannot be real.