ZARINNA KEPT her gaze fixed on her lap, her heart throbbing violently as she heard the nearing voice of Mr. Sepnayen from outside the faculty office.

"Ma'am Zarinna, are you alright?"

She looked up at once, forcing a faint smile toward the teacher beside her.

"You look pale," Ma'am Mel said, her brow creasing. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"N-no," Zarinna replied softly, shaking her head. "I'm alright, Ma'am Mel."

But her trembling fingers betrayed her lie. Her eyes shifted toward the newly added table beside hers, its surface still gleaming with varnish. So this is why there was a new table here, she thought, drawing in a slow breath. It's for the new teacher.

The door creaked open, and the two men entered.

"Good morning, Sir!" the other teachers greeted cheerfully.

Zarinna swallowed hard, her body going rigid as Mr. Sepnayen's deep voice filled the room, introducing each member of the faculty one by one. She wanted to look up, to seem composed, but her courage failed her. Instead, she stared at the hem of her blouse, tugging at the threads as if the fabric could anchor her trembling spirit.

Her chest heaved once, twice. She heard them getting closer—footsteps drawing nearer to her table—and she silently prayed that somehow, this moment could be delayed. Lord, please, not now. I'm not ready.

"This is Ma'am Zarinna Bunhiyan, David," Mr. Sepnayen finally announced, his tone bright. "She's new too—started only a few months before you came."

For a fleeting moment, Zarinna's body went still. She didn't dare look up. Would he recognize me? the thought pulsed in her mind. Would he remember that night? How could he not?

"Ma'am Zarinna?" Mr. Sepnayen's voice pulled her back.

She blinked, realizing her silence had stretched too long. "I—I'm sorry, Sir," she stammered, forcing herself to rise. "It's nice to meet you..."

With every ounce of courage she could summon, she lifted her gaze—and froze. "...Sir David."

The world seemed to tilt. For one heart-stopping moment, time itself paused as their eyes locked. His expression faltered—surprise, recognition, disbelief—all flashing in the space of a breath. Zarinna's stomach twisted. He knows. He remembers.

Her pulse thundered in her ears, and she barely heard him when he spoke.

"It's a pleasure to meet you..." His voice was low, careful. "...Ma'am Zarinna."

Hearing her name from his lips sent a rush of heat to her cheeks. She bit the inside of her lip hard enough to sting, trying to suppress the surge of emotion clawing its way to the surface.

"I—I need to get to class," she said abruptly, snatching her books from her desk.

"Ma'am Zarinna?" Mr. Sepnayen called again, concern softening his tone. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, Sir," she said quickly, her voice trembling. "Just need to prepare for my lesson. Excuse me."

She shot David one fleeting glance before darting out of the room, her steps unsteady but swift.

Once outside, the cool morning air met her flushed face. Zarinna pressed a hand against her chest, her breaths coming fast and shallow. That's Pastor David... Gina's words echoed in her head like a haunting refrain.

"Oh, Lord Jesus," she whispered under her breath, shutting her eyes tight. Her mind spun like a storm—past and present crashing violently together. How could this world be so small? she thought bitterly. Why him? Why here?

"Great," she muttered, voice trembling. "Just... great."

BY THE END OF THE DAY, exhaustion clung to Zarinna like a second skin. She stepped out of her last class, exhaling in relief as she finally closed the door behind her. Her lectures were over, but her thoughts had been anything but peaceful. Every time she tried to focus, her mind betrayed her—dragging her back to the faculty office, to that brief but shattering exchange of glances.

"Oh, there you are," Gina's voice rang out as she spotted her in the hallway. "You look like you've just seen a ghost. Are you alright?"

Zarinna managed a weary smile before slumping onto the bench beside her.

"Rinna?"

A small groan escaped Zarinna's lips as she leaned her head against her friend's shoulder.

"What happened?" Gina asked softly, wrapping an arm around her.

"That man," Zarinna muttered into Gina's sleeve. "That man."

"Who? What man?"

"David," she said, sitting up straight. "That David you were talking about—Pastor David."

Gina blinked, confused. "What about him?"

Zarinna hesitated, wringing her hands. "I've... met him before."

Gina's eyes widened. "What? You've met him? Where?"

Zarinna sighed, glancing away. "Three months ago. At a... spring."

"A spring?" Gina echoed, brows rising. "Why a spring?"

And so, hesitantly, Zarinna told her everything—the secluded waters, the sudden fear, the strangers, the blanket. Her voice trembled as she spoke, but she forced herself to finish.

As the story unfolded, Gina's expression changed from confusion to shock—then to utter disbelief.

"Wait—wait," Gina said, raising her hand. "Zarinna... This spring. It's in Agawa, isn't it?"

Zarinna nodded slowly, unsure where this was leading.

Silence fell between them for a long moment. Then, slowly, a knowing grin spread across Gina's face.

"Oh my," she whispered, chuckling softly. "This story sounds much more familiar than you think."

Zarinna blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about those lost clothes," Gina said with a teasing smile. "They're in good hands."

DAVID LINGERED by the faculty door, taking one last breath before stepping out. His heart pounded in uneasy rhythm as he walked toward Zarinna's classroom.

He hadn't planned for this—neither the meeting, nor the request from Mr. Sepnayen asking him to fetch her. Part of him wanted to decline, to avoid the awkward tension that still clung between them. But another part—quiet, insistent—knew this might be the moment he was waiting for.

The necklace he'd kept tucked in his wallet weighed heavily on his mind. He needed to return it.

When he reached the door, he saw her—arranging textbooks, sleeves rolled up, a strand of hair falling loose as she grunted softly under the weight of a pile.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?"

She turned—and froze.

"Oh," she breathed. "Sir David. I—uh—do you need something?"

"May I come in?" he asked politely.

"Of course," she said quickly, stepping aside.

David smiled faintly as he entered, eyes briefly sweeping the room. Piles of books, dust, and scattered papers filled the space.

"Wow," he said, amused. "Why didn't you ask your students to help with this?"

"I meant to," she replied, brushing hair from her face. "But today's been... hectic."

He nodded lightly. "Well, we'd better be quick. Mr. Sepnayen announced an emergency meeting at five."

Zarinna gasped, checking her watch. "Oh no—that's in twenty minutes!"

Without thinking, David grabbed a broom. "Two heads are better than one."

"Oh—no, you don't have to—"

"It's fine," he interrupted gently. "We've got eighteen minutes, give or take."

Despite her protests, he started sweeping. Reluctantly, Zarinna gave in, moving briskly from one task to another. Within minutes, the classroom began to take shape again.

When they finally finished, she exhaled deeply, smiling in relief. "Thank you, Sir."

"You're welcome," he said softly. "Shall we go?"

Zarinna checked the wall clock. "Oh my, yes—let's hurry."

As they walked down the corridor, David found his gaze drawn—unintentionally—to her long, raven hair swaying lightly with each step. The memory of that night—the trembling girl wrapped in the ules—flashed unbidden in his mind.

He looked away, chastising himself.

Zarinna glanced back suddenly, catching his gaze. "Sir?"

David cleared his throat, awkwardly. "Let's—uh—keep going."

She nodded, her cheeks warm as they stepped into the faculty office together.

"There you two are!" Mr. Sepnayen exclaimed. "I was about to think you'd gone on a date instead!"

The teachers laughed, and Zarinna's face burned crimson.

They took their seats quickly. Mr. Sepnayen began his announcements, but Zarinna could barely hear a word. Her heart was in turmoil—confusion, embarrassment, and something she didn't dare name.

Oh God... please grant my heart peace.

By the time the meeting ended, dusk had fallen.

Gina had texted that she'd gone ahead, and so Zarinna packed her things alone. Stepping outside, she quickened her pace—the streets were dim, and no tricycles waited by the gate.

She drew her jacket close. It's fine, she told herself. It's just a short walk.

"Lord, protect me," she whispered as she started down the road. The shadows deepened around her, and soon the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps behind.

Her heart leapt. She walked faster—then faster still, until she was nearly running.

"Jesus... Jesus..." she whispered under her breath, repeating His name like armor.

The footsteps grew nearer. She dared to look back—and saw a hooded figure only a few meters away.

"In Jesus' name," she gasped, fear tightening her chest.

Then—suddenly—headlights. A vehicle slowed beside her, bathing the road in light. She stopped, blinking in confusion. It wasn't a tricycle. The motorcycle came to a halt, and the rider removed his helmet.

"Hop on," the man said, his voice calm but familiar.

Zarinna's breath caught. Her eyes widened.

"Sir... David?"