Dedicated to 9cybam😊

Zarinna stood frozen, disbelief clouding her mind as she stared at the man before her. Why. The word echoed in her head, steady and cruel. Why in the world does it have to be him?

"I—uhh," she began, voice trembling. "I—I don't know if I should—"

"Ma'am," David interrupted gently, shaking his head. "It's already dark and the other teachers had gone ahead. It's not safe for you to be walking around here—alone."

"Y-yeah," she admitted softly, biting her lip. "I guess you're right."

She glanced behind them—and froze. The man who had been lingering earlier was now much closer, his staggering steps heavy on the pavement.

"The guy's drunk," David muttered. "Come on."

Zarinna's pulse quickened. She swallowed hard, releasing a shaky breath as she walked toward the motorcycle.

"Hoy!" the man bellowed from behind, his words thick with alcohol and fury. "Menpaltugak tupay dakayun am-in!"

Zarinna's heart lurched as the slurred curses echoed through the empty street. She bit her lip hard to stop the trembling.

Without thinking, she reached for David's outstretched hand and climbed onto the motorcycle, her fingers brushing his briefly—warm, steady, sure. The engine roared to life. Wind rushed violently against her skin as the motorcycle leapt forward, stealing the breath from her lungs.

Then, suddenly—silence. The wheels screeched to a halt. Zarinna's eyes fluttered open. Her arms were wrapped tightly around David's torso. Her breath caught. Heat burned up her neck. She yanked her hands back in a panic. "I—I'm sorry," she stuttered.

"Don't apologize," he said without turning, voice calm but edged with amusement. "I was just about to ask you to do that again."

Her eyes widened.

"Hold on tight," David continued, glancing over his shoulder. "I'm supposed to get you home. We don't want to end up in a hospital instead."

"Oh," Zarinna murmured, fists clenching against her lap.

Zarinna, what is wrong with you? her mind screamed. Do it now!

But her body refused to move. Every muscle stiffened in embarrassment.

Then, from behind, the drunk man shouted again—louder this time, his voice laced with menace. He was only a few steps away now.

"Oh no."

Her hands darted forward instinctively, clutching the sides of David's jacket.

"Thank you," he murmured. "Now, let's go."

The motorcycle surged forward, this time smooth and fast. Zarinna squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her lips together as the wind whipped her hair around her face.

"Oh, Lord," she breathed, her voice barely audible. "Just a few minutes. Just a few minutes and this will all be over..."

The road blurred beneath them. Darkness folded around the edges of her vision until the lights of the small clearing appeared.

When the motorcycle stopped, Zarinna slowly opened her eyes, relief flooding her chest.

"Thank you, Sir Awiyao," she said softly, her gaze still lowered as she tried to compose herself.

"No problem," David replied. "But we're not in school anymore, Ma'am. You can call me by my first name."

"Oh," she said quickly. "Right... then—Sir David. Take care!"

The tall trees whispered above them, their shadows swaying in the faint moonlight. Dim lanterns flickered from a few nearby homes. Despite her words, Zarinna couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. Every time she thought of him, that image came back—the spring, the shame, the blanket.

Oh Lord, when will this end?

"U-uhm," she began, clearing her throat. "I'll head off now, Sir. I still have a bit of a walk before home. Have a blessed night!"

"Wait, Ma'am," David said, stopping her.

Zarinna lifted her gaze, startled.

"I have something to return to you."

Silence fell. The hum of crickets filled the air, and her heartbeat quickened. What now?

"I believe you remember what happened a few months ago..." David said carefully, pulling out his wallet.

Oh no. Here we go.

"When you were bathing at that spring and—"

"What!" Zarinna blurted, cutting him off, her face burning. "What is it you're returning, exactly?"

David exhaled through a laugh, shaking his head. "Right. Sorry. Here."

He opened his palm. A soft glint caught the moonlight—the delicate shape of an infinity pendant shining in his hand.

"My necklace," she whispered. A small, genuine smile lit her face as she reached for it. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Sir David."

"No problem," he said, smiling back.

"I thought I'd lost it forever." Her voice softened, eyes shimmering with quiet joy.

"That necklace must mean a lot to you," David said.

"It does," Zarinna replied. "It's from my father."

"I see," he murmured. "It's always different when something carries that kind of love."

Zarinna nodded faintly.

"Well," he said at last, climbing back onto his motorcycle, "I guess I should go. Have a wonderful evening, Zarinna."

"I will," she replied, clutching the pendant to her chest.

"Oh—and by the way, you can ask Gina for your clothes."

Her jaw dropped. She froze, biting her lip as her face flushed a furious red.

David chuckled, straightening his back as the motorcycle roared to life. "And one more thing, Ma'am Zarinna," he called, glancing back at her with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Don't go bathing in springs when it's broad daylight."

Zarinna's mouth fell open. "What a—!"

But before she could finish, the motorcycle sped away, leaving her speechless in the middle of the road.

"I wouldn't have if I knew every person in this province went there!" she muttered, stomping her way toward home. "Why? Why him? Of all men in this entire country, why him? Why become a co-teacher? Why even my pastor?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "Just bear with it, Rinna. This will all get better. Somehow."

"SO he drove you home?" Gina asked the next day, eyes wide as they ate lunch together.

"Yeah," Zarinna sighed. "I didn't have a choice. That drunk man scared me half to death. I panicked when he started yelling."

"Oh dear," Gina said, shoulders tensing. "Good thing Pastor David showed up."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Gina smirked. "He seems to always be around whenever you're in trouble."

Zarinna rolled her eyes. "True. Ever since I got here, I've had a lot of strange coincidences. And he's part of a few too many of them." She pushed her empty plate away and stood. "I'm done. Shall we get back to school?"

"Yeah, let's. I've got to finish a PowerPoint for this afternoon's lecture," Gina said, grabbing her bag.

"Alright then!" Zarinna said, slinging her own bag over her shoulder. "Oh—did you hear about that Teachers' Camping activity thing the headteachers were talking about?"

"Yes!" Gina exclaimed, grinning. "I'm so excited for it! We had such a good time last year. I promise—it'll be fun!"

"What do we even do there?"

"Uh, camp?" Gina said with mock seriousness.

Zarinna laughed. "Other than that?"

"Well, mostly games, team-building stuff, forums. There'll even be a hike before the final night!"

"Oof," Zarinna grimaced.

"What's with that reaction?" Gina asked, frowning.

"It sounds fun, but... I'm not really into games and stuff," Zarinna admitted. "My body just won't cooperate when it comes to anything sporty. Can I just opt out? I could really use the registration money for next week's allowance."

"Nope!" Gina said flatly. "It's compulsory. No one's allowed to skip."

"Aw, really?" Zarinna groaned. "Fine. But can I at least skip the games part?"

"Rinna," Gina said seriously, gripping her shoulders. "It makes no sense for you to come if you don't join the activities!"

Zarinna sighed, shoulders slumping. "Alright, alright. You're right. It'd be a waste of money if I—"

Her words faltered.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Across the schoolyard, by the principal's office, she saw a familiar face.

"Rinna?" Gina asked, brows furrowing. "What's wrong?"

No. No, it couldn't be. Her pulse quickened, confusion and dread gripping her all at once. She forced herself to look again—and her heart sank.

It was her.

Lauren.

"Gina, look," Zarinna whispered, voice thin. "Who are those ladies coming out of the principal's office?"

"I'm not sure," Gina said, squinting. "But I heard today's the interview for the new Guidance Counselor. So... I guess that's them?"

Zarinna didn't respond. Her mind was already spiraling.

Lauren. Here.

After all this time.