Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21

Johanna
"Seriously, Anna... you two looked perfect!" Mercy squealed as she caught sight of the picture of me and Melchour dancing last Sunday.

"Shh, Mercy!" I hushed, but she just grinned and shot me a playful look.

"You've definitely got something going on between you two, haven't you? Come on, spill!"

I couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment rise to my cheeks. "Mercy... stop. You're giving me goosebumps," I said as we climbed down from the jeepney. "There is absolutely nothing going on between us. And if you saw how Geneva was slicing me with her glares last Sunday, you wouldn't be saying that."

"Well, who cares about Geneva!" she scoffed. "If you were the one he danced with and not her, that should tell you something!"

I sighed, letting her words settle. The more I thought about what she was saying, the more confusion began to engulf me.

Why did he choose me when Geneva was right there? Oh goodness... he couldn't possibly have taken that dance seriously. Besides, I'm not even the kind of woman he'd want—am I?

"Whatever, Mercy. I think it's best if we just change the subject," I muttered, snatching my phone from her hand. "We're already here at the church, so... let's go."

"Come on, Ann—woah!" Her reply was cut short as I tugged her toward the church gate. I didn't want to hear any more of her theories. Not when I already felt this unsure.

As we made our way to the pews, my eyes landed on Geneva standing on the platform.

Hmm... she must be the worship leader today.

Curiosity stirred in me. I realized I'd never actually heard her lead worship before.

"Good morning, Anna!" I turned at the sound of Pastor Fernando's deep voice. "I know it's short notice, but could you go ahead and back up Sister Geneva for worship today? None of the youth showed up to practice yesterday, so no one was assigned. It's her first time leading here at the main church, so she might need a little support."

I glanced back at Geneva, considering his request. I genuinely wanted to support her... but how would she feel if I did?

"Pastor... there's really no one else available to back her up?"

"I'm afraid not," he said, scanning the room. "I don't see any of the other youth right now."

Where did everyone go?

I hesitated, then nodded. "Alright then, Pastor... but did you tell her already?"

"Oh yes, I told her someone would definitely back her up today. I'm sure she'll be happy about it."

I hope so, I thought, taking a deep breath as I made my way toward the platform. I wasn't sure what to expect.

"Will you be alright?" Mercy whispered beside me.

"I think I'll be fine," I replied, squeezing her hand. "Pray for me, okay?"

"Sure, Anna..."

A wave of assurance washed over me at her words.

"Thank you."

"Oh, by the way, Anna, the song lyrics are in the pulpit drawer," Pastor Fernando added.

I gave him a quick nod and stepped onto the platform.

Oh Lord... may Your will be done.

Melchour
"Quite cold, though, isn't it, Melchour?"

Pastor Ryan's comment pulled me out of my thoughts. Come to think of it, it was Geneva's first time leading worship. Maybe she just felt the pressure... or something like that?

"Well, I'm not really in the right place to judge, Brother," I replied with a chuckle. "You know I don't know much when it comes to singing."

Pastor Ryan laughed at my remark. "Ah... playing it safe, huh? Well, I suppose we'll leave it at that. Worship leading is something you grow into over time."

"True enough, bro," I said, then shifted the topic. "By the way, do you know where the youth have been? They've been missing since last Sunday. First it was Marienne and her boyfriend... and now the rest are gone too."

A heaviness tugged at my chest as the memories played back in my mind.

"Oh... I'm not sure, Melchour," Ryan answered, his voice dropping. "I've been thinking about that too. Marienne told me she's finally decided to commit to the church she's attending now. As for the others... I haven't heard from them since. Maybe, like many before them, they've been sent out after being trained here. You remember when we were the youth here, right? We were just seventeen... now it's just the two of us."

I sighed deeply. He was right. This church had long been called a "Hospital Church." The kind of place where people with broken hearts and lives would come, be healed, and then be sent out to new places—probably to pass on the fire they'd received.

But even though I knew that in my head, my heart struggled to accept it.

Could that really be the reason? Or... is it something else?

I looked back at Ryan and said quietly, "I guess you're right, Ryan... Maybe letting go and letting God is all we can really do right now."

"Amen," he said with a small smile. "Well! My wife's already calling, so I've got to get going. Are you staying until this afternoon?"

"Yeah. I think it's still best to go on with the youth service. Who knows? Some of them might show up."

"Alright then. Pastor on duty—what else is new?" he said with a laugh as he stood.

"Take care, Brother," I said, watching him nod and head toward the door.

A stillness settled over the sanctuary once he left. Despite the encouragement Ryan had offered, I couldn't shake the weight in my heart. The silence of the empty pews felt louder than ever. A whisper of guilt stirred in me.

Was I not enough?

Doubt crept in as I made my way to the altar and knelt. I needed to hear from God. More than anything, I needed His voice.

In surrender, I reached for His Presence. I poured out everything—my fears, my failures, my desperate longing to know what He wanted me to do. Tongues broke from my lips, unfiltered and raw. Tears of hunger streamed down my face.

I want to hear Your voice, Lord. Please... speak to me.

I drew in a deep breath and waited—waited in the stillness for His response. My heart ached to hear something, anything. As the minutes passed and silence lingered, doubt began to creep in once more. Another wave of tears came, this time not from hunger, but from heartache. Was He choosing not to answer me?

And then—suddenly—in the dead silence, a woman's voice echoed in the sanctuary.

My eyes flew open. I recognized that voice instantly.

Turning my head, I saw Anna and Mercy walking through the door... and with them, four men and five women.

A surge of hope rushed through my chest. I stood quickly, wiping away my tears as I watched them enter. My heart overflowed with gratitude. I didn't need to hear a voice from heaven anymore—this was His answer.

God had heard me.

And He had answered.

Johanna
The cold wind blew through the doorway as we pushed it open.
"Anna... isn't that Pastor Melchour standing in the middle of the altar?" Mercy whispered beside me.

"Well, yes... I wonder what he's doing."

As we walked closer, I noticed a bright smile form on Pastor Melchour's lips. But his eyes... they looked like he'd been crying.

"Hello, Pastor," I greeted, reaching out my hand. His met mine immediately.

"Hello... I see you brought some company. Care to introduce them?" he asked, smiling warmly.

"Of course! I believe you've seen some of them around school—they're from Kingsford University too."

"Oh really? That's nice... come to think of it, they do look familiar."

"It was Mercy and Jason who invited them. They came last Sunday, but with all the busyness from the anniversary, we didn't really get the chance to introduce them." I turned to the group. "Guys, this is Pastor Melchour—he's the overseer of the Youth Ministry here."

Everyone nodded in greeting. Mercy continued the introductions, and soon we were all seated in the pews.

A few minutes later, Geneva and her sister arrived and joined the fellowship. As much as I tried not to be affected, I couldn't deny the tension that crawled down my spine every time she was near. Something about her presence made me deeply uncomfortable.

Soon, Mercy announced that the Youth Fellowship would be starting.

Focus, Anna. This is for the Lord. Don't let anything else distract you.

⸻

"Johanna, I've asked Jason to buy some food for us. Would you mind helping with the preparations?" Melchour asked gently.

"Sure, Pastor... I'd be glad to. I'll head to the pastoral house while you fix things up here," I said, picking up my bag.

"I'll assist her," came Geneva's voice.

She stood and started walking toward me. Immediately, the tension I'd tried to suppress came rushing back.

"Oh, thank you, Geneva," Melchour said with a smile.

She returned his smile and clung to my arm. "So, shall we go?"

"S-sure..."

I noticed Mercy glancing at us, concern evident in her eyes. She knew something felt off too.

Jason met us on the way. "Oh, Anna—the food's already on the table. Need help with anything?"

I opened my mouth to say yes—

"Actually, no," Geneva cut in. "She and I can handle it. I think the others at church need more help, Jason."

I blinked. That didn't sit right with me at all. But I nodded, swallowed my unease, and followed her.

"Alright then!" Jason said and returned to the church.

As soon as we entered the room, I went straight to the table and took out the powdered juice. A strange silence settled over us.

"So, Anna..."

Her voice made my heart jump.

Oh Lord, please don't let this get worse.

"Yes?"

"I heard a lot of comments about the dance last week."

"The... dance?"

"Yes. The way you danced the Sakiki with Melchour. People said it looked... perfect."

A stiff smile crossed her lips. It didn't reach her eyes. She wasn't happy—her glare last Sunday had already made that clear.

"Well, uhh... it was just a dance. I don't think—"

"I know you've noticed how kind Melchour is, haven't you?"

"Uhh, y-yes. He's... quite kind."

"He's actually very endearing sometimes. That's why a lot of women mistake his kindness for something else." She placed the pitcher down and turned to me, her eyes narrowing. "I know you've felt it too. But consider this a reminder from a concerned sister: don't take his kindness the wrong way."

Her words struck like a swarm of bees. I stood frozen, unable to speak.

"I-I'll keep that in mind," I finally managed, lowering my head.

"Men like him deserve women who aren't just... ordinary. You've seen his ministry, haven't you? If he were to like someone, we wouldn't even be able to imagine it."

My chest tightened. Her words stung more than I expected. I knew what she said was probably true—but hearing it out loud felt unbearable.

"I... I couldn't agree more," I said quietly, wiping a tear from my cheek.

Just then, we heard voices approaching. I quickly composed myself and arranged the pizza and juice on the table.

"Hey... thank you for the help, Anna," Melchour said with a warm smile as he walked over.

I tried to return the smile, but Geneva's words echoed relentlessly in my mind. I couldn't look him in the eye anymore.

"You're welcome, Melchour... Shall we begin to devour the food now?" I said, forcing a light tone.

"We should!" he grinned.

Mercy led the prayer, and we turned our attention to the food.

But I couldn't eat. My appetite was gone. The room felt suffocating—like I was sitting in the middle of a burning house.

"Are you alright, Anna?" Mercy whispered. "What happened? Did she say something?"

I let out a shaky breath and turned to her. The words wouldn't come.

"I-I'm not really feeling well, Mercy... I think I should go ahead."

I reached for my bag and began walking toward the door.

"Anna, are you sure?" Mercy caught my wrist, her eyes full of concern.

"Yes... I'll see you tomorrow at school, Mer," I said gently, slipping past her.

"Are you leaving, Anna?" Melchour's voice stopped me.

"Yes... I'm not feeling well. I think I need some rest," I replied, watching him approach. From the corner of my eye, I caught Geneva's sharp stare—and my stomach turned.

"Really? Well then, let me walk you home. If you're not feeling good, I should come with you."

His voice was sincere, his concern genuine. But I couldn't allow it. If I let him treat me this way... I might start believing it meant something more. Just like Geneva said.

"Uh... no. I'll be fine on my own. Thank you, Melchour."

Without waiting for his reply, I stepped outside, my heart pounding so loud I could hear it in my ears.

Guilt washed over me as I walked. I knew I shouldn't have let my admiration grow this deep—but the farther I walked away, the more it became clear.

I had valued him... more than I should have.