FAYE woke up early to finalize her commission of Solomon's characters and illustrated book cover. She checked to see if everything were flawless and perfect.

It was a cold Friday morning when someone rang the bell. Naglakad siya papalapit doon. Who could that be? Wala naman siyang pina-deliver. Maybe it was Corin? Pero mamaya pa ang date nila.

Binuksan niya iyon at bumungad sa kaniya ang isang delivery boy. May suot itong black na cap at may dalang puti at malapad na box. Napakunot pa ang noo ni Faye dahil nakangisi ito nang nakakaloko sa kaniya.

Tinitigan niya nang maigi ang mukha nito. Nang makita niya ang nunal sa labi, doon niya nakilala ang lalaki.

"Sikre?"

Napakamot ito sa cap. "Grabe ka naman po, miss. Ang tagal mo naman po akong makilala."

"You're working early in the morning?"

He nodded. "Kailangang magsipag para sa kinabukasan. Here po, miss. This is for you."

Nag-sign muna siya sa papel na binigay nito bago inabot ang malapad na box. "From Corin?"

"Yep. Yiee! Si miss, kilig na 'yan. Oh my talaga kayo, miss. First delivery ko 'to ngayong araw pero ang tamis na. Hays, paano naman akong walang lovelife nito." Inangat nito ang tingin sa makulimlim na kalangitan. "Lord, when po kaya?"

"Ang daldal mo talaga kahit saan ka magpunta, 'no? Anyway, salamat dito."

Nag-salute naman ito at saka umalis na. Pumasok na rin siya. Nilapag niya ang box at pinagmasdan muna ito.

Ano kaya 'to?

May note na nakadikit kaya kinuha niya iyon at binasa.

Good morning, my Psalms 139:14. See you later.

"Ang gulo ng penmanship mo," natatawa niyang komento sa note.

Binuksan niya ang box. Her heart almost melt when he saw what was inside.

Mini-paper bouquets.

50 mini-paper bouquets of different colors: red, pink, yellow and orange. Kinuha niya ang isa at napangiti siya nang makita ang detalye nito.

Hindi lang paper bouquets ang laman ng box, may bouquet rin itong katabi na malaki. But this time, it was a bouquet of chemical compounds made from the ball-and-stick model. Twelve chemical compound tied together with a ribbon. Inalis niya ang ribbon na nagtatali sa mga compounds at inabot ang isa. Parehas lang ang lahat at para itong tangkay ng kahoy na naka-zigzag at may isang sanga.

"What compound is this?" Napakamot si Faye sa kaniyang ulo. Napakagat siya sa labi upang kontrolin ang kasiyahang umuusbong sa kaniyang puso.

Kahit hindi niya maintindihan ang mga compounds, tumatalon pa rin sa tuwa ang puso niya. She never once in her life thought of receiving a gift that involved science, chemistry to be exact.

Binalik niya iyon at kumuha ng litrato. Hindi na niya mabilang kung ilang beses siyang nag-picture. Naubos na yata lahat ng anggulo pero 'di pa rin siya makuntento.

Why did he give her gifts, anyway?

Bigla siyang napaisip. Sumagi sa isip niya ang binigay niyang paper rose no'ng Lunes.

He chatted Corin while squeezing one yellow bouquet in her left hand.

Nasta:
Aren't you competitive?

Corinthians:
When it comes to gifts, I can't afford to be bested by my woman.

You can best me at anything except that ୧( ˵ ° ~ ° ˵ )୨

Bahagya siyang natawa at pinasadahan ang mga bouquets. Simpleng paper rose lang ang ginawa niya pero punong-puno ng effort ang binalik ni Corin sa kaniya. She loved how the paper were folded. It was perfect. Even the sizes were exactly the same. Ilan kayang construction paper ang naubos nito?

Nasta:
Mahilig ka pa lang gumawa ng paper bouquet?

Corinthians:
Nope. Tinuruan ko lang sarili ko kasi gusto kitang bigyan.

So, how was my art, miss artist? (◕ᴗ◕✿)

Lihim siyang napangiti at naisipang pag-trip-an ang lalaki.

Nasta:
Hmm. Hindi flawless. Maraming hindi pantay ang sizes sa pag-fold.
Good but not enough.

Corinthians:
Ó╭╮Ò

Nasta:
Hindi ko rin gets ang bouquet mo ng compounds, so 5/10 ang rating ko sa gift mo.

Corinthians:
(╥﹏╥)

I guess, my sleepless nights weren't enough (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Gusto niyang puntahan si Corin ngayon at pisilin ang pagmumukha nito dahil nanggigigil siya sa mga emoticon. Ang cute. Ang cute ng boyfriend niya. Hindi mawala-wala sa isipan niya kung gaano siya kasuwerteng mapasakaniya ang lalaki.

Nasta:
HAHAHAHAHAH ang drama mo, 'no?
Kidding aside. I loved it. I love you

Corinthians:
Really?

(つ≧▽≦)つ

I love youuuu

Nabitawan niya ang phone at saka sinubsob ang mukha sa kutson. Sinapok-sapok niya ang kaniyang ulo ro'n habang na-i-imagine ang nakangiting mukha ni Corin.

"Tang--ang pogi mo!" tili niya habang napapasuntok sa kaniyang kutson.

Bago pa siya makapag-reply ay muli itong nag-chat.

Corinthians:
Class time. See you later at the Black River, Fayeee

By the way, if you're wondering about the compound, study how to name alcohol and you'll understand what it is.

---

NANG makarating si Faye sa Black River, nandoon na rin si Corin. Nakaupo ito sa tela na nilatag sa damuhan habang nakatalikod at nakatingin sa ilog. Sa tabi nito ay may mga box ng tupperware.

Dahan-dahan siyang naglakad papalapit sa lalaki. Nilapit niya ang mukha sa tainga nito.

"Hi," bati niya pero walang reaksyon ang lalaki. He didn't even flinch. Mukhang hindi yata siya narinig nito.

Sa kabilang tainga naman siya nito bumulong pero hindi pa rin siya narinig ng lalaki.

"Corin," bulong niya ulit pero wala pa rin.

Pumunta siya sa tabi nito at saka tinapik ang balikat. "Hoy! Corinthians!"

Napaigtad ito sa lakas ng kaniyang boses. "Faye!" Napahawak pa ito sa dibdib. "Kanina ka pa ba r'yan?"

"Wala ka yatang hearing aid ngayong araw?" tanong niya habang nakaturo sa tainga.

"I'm still waiting for my new set." Huminga ito nang malalim. He wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a kiss on her forehead. "So, did you get it? The compound?"

"3-ethyl-1-hexanol? Nag-search ako kanina."

"Yes."

"Tapos? Hindi ko pa rin gets." Napakamot siya sa kaniyang ulo. Akala niya magpapaliwanag si Corin pero tinawanan lang siya nito.

"Huwag mo 'kong tawanan. Bobo ako sa Science."

"Tama naman sagot mo."

"Tapos? Ano message mo para sa akin do'n? Wala lang? Ginamit mo lang 'yon para pag-aralin akong mag-name ng compound?"

Muli itong tumawa, ang kamay ay nakahawak sa gilid ng noo dahilan para matakpan ang isang bahagi ng mukha nito. The usual gesture he used to do when he laugh or find something really funny.

Sinimangutan niya na lang si Corin. Mukhang wala talaga itong balak na mag-explain.

Nang matapos itong tumawa, hinawakan nito ang kaniyang kamay at hinila siya patayo. Ngayon niya lang din napansin na may hawak pala itong white daises sa isa pang kamay.

Naglakad sila papunta sa bridge ng river. Nang makarating sila sa gitna, hinagis ni
Corin ang bouquet ng Daisy sa ilog.

Nagtaka siya. Hindi umimik si Corin kaya pinagmasdan na lang niya ang mga naaanod na mga White Daisy. 

"Today is my parent's death anniversary," panimula nito at sinandal ang siko sa railing ng tulay.

Napatingin siya. "Patay na mga magulang mo?" gulat niyang tanong.

"Yeah. They died here. Together. Ilang taon na rin." Nilingon siya nito at nginitian. Isang ngiti na may bahid ng lungkot. Kumirot ang puso niya dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon na nasaksikan niya ang pagsusumamo sa mga mata ng lalaki. "Mom likes Daisies and Dad never fails to give her one everytime he gets home from work."

"Wait . . ." She paused when she realized something. She remembered the rumor about the Black River, the tragedy that made the lively river silent. "Are they . . ."

"Yes. One week after a typhoon hit Maranatha, nangyari ang trahedya sa Black River," said Corin and looked at the flowing water. "I was nineteen that time. I was in my room, reviewing for my finals. While my parents are here, having their date." Naramdaman niya ang pagpisil nito sa kaniyang kamay. "They're playing with the waters without knowing na malalim ang gitna ng river. According to the witnesses, my mom slipped so my dad helped her. But then, a sudden surge of water flashed through the river and they got drowned and . . . yeah, sadly, I lost both of them."

She was unable to move. Almost crying, her lips parted while looking at Corin.  Hindi niya inakala na wala na pala itong mga magulang. Faye thought that the commission he requested before was supposed to be a gift for his parents. But, it was more like a remembrance of him and his family, and of those times they were still together.

"After knowing their death, I was devastated. I thought I will end up becoming like a crazy, wasted man because I was totally defeated." He paused before continuing, "I was young. How am I, a nineteen year-old, suppose to go on with life without mom and dad? So, I forget about everything. I forget about life. My dreams, my plans, I gave up on them and indulged myself in alcohol, drugs and even . . . lust."

She remained silent while still in an awe.

Corin let out a small laugh. "Maniniwala ka ba? Na ganoon ako dati? That the wasted young man and the 27-year old you're with are the same?"

Bumitaw siya at hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi nito. Pinakatitigan niya ang mukha ng lalaki. "You've gone through a lot."

At some point, she understood him. She knew how it felt. She knew very well, because until now, she was still feeling the pain and regrets after losing her parents.

"I did, but you know, while I was at my lowest, the most craziest thing happened to me." Corin smiled once again, but this time, with excitement. "It was . . . whoa, until now, I'm still so--I can't explain it, it was just so good. I thought I'd be wasted forever but I was saved in the most unexpected time."

Corin held her hand and shook it, as if he was celebrating.

"You were saved by Him?"

He nodded, repeatedly. His eyes were glimmering, as if he found the greatest treasure he could have. "Yes! It isn't easy to follow Him at first. Inconsistencies, doubts and shame are always taking me over. But I was able to overcome it all."

Faye stared at him. His face was the epitome of happiness. The sound of his voice getting higher as he talked about the things he loved and his eyes again, even if how exaggerating it may sound, it sparkled. It was the brightest.

Is this man really hers? She wondered as she couldn't believe how lucky she was.

As she listened to Corin, she had the urge to open her heart again to Him.

"Corin."

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you angry at Him? He took everything away from you. You were wasted because He took them, so how can you be so thankful to have Him? How can you trust Him so much?"

Natigilan ito ng ilang saglit pero agad ding ngumiti ulit. Nilapat nito ang kamay sa kaniyang ulo. "He didn't take everything away from me, Faye. If He did, I will not be standing here with you. He Has his ways and I may not fully understand everything, but I trust Him because he is God and I am His servant. Pinatunayan na Niya sa akin kung sino Siya at kung bakit patuloy akong magtitiwala sa Kaniya. He is near when we are at our lowest. Kung kailangan pa rin natin Siya sa masasayang araw, hindi ba dapat na mas lalo tayong kumapit sa Kaniya kapag nahihirapan tayo?"

Isang maliit na ngiti ang pinakawalan niya. "I wish I can do that too."

She wished to rely on Him, but what she did was runaway. Tinalikuran niya lahat matapos mawala ang kaniyang pamilya. 

"I lost my parents too but I never found Him, Corin. I was lost and I'm still lost." Tumakas ang mga luha sa kaniyang mga mata.

Hindi na niya napigilan pa at napahagulgol sa harap ng lalaki.

She felt an arm embracing her as tight as possible. Hinahaplos nito ang kaniyang buhok upang patahanin siya. He laid his chin over her head as he continued to caress her hair.

Biglang pumatak ang butil ng ulan. Isa, dalawa, hanggang sa dumami at nagsunod-sunod ito. Palakas nang palakas ang ulan dahilan para unti-unti rin silang mabasa.

Kakalas na sana siya pero mas hinigpitan ni Corin ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya. Hindi ito gumalaw sa kinatatayuan at hindi siya nito binitawan.

Muli niyang sinubsob ang mukha sa dibdib nito at nagpatuloy sa pag-iyak.

Sabay nilang hindi pinansin ang mga butil ng tubig na nagmumula sa kalangitan. Kasabay ng malakas na pagbuhos, binuhos niya rin lahat ang mga luha sa ilalim ng ulan.

"You don't have to find Him, Faye," bulong ni Corin sa kaniya at hinalikan ang kaniyang buhok. "He will find you."