Rays of sunlight touched Zarinna's face as she stepped out of the jeepney. The news she would be bringing to her mother both excited and saddened her. Besao was hours away from where she lived, and that would make it hard for her to see her mother often. The thought of leaving her mother behind seemed to dull the excitement she felt, but then again, she didn't want to remain jobless forever.

Afrer walking a few meters, she finally saw the familiar cottage ahead. She smiled. She missed this place. She could only imagine how much she would miss it more when she moves to Besao. Ever since she passed her licensure exam, Zarinna had been applying to public schools in the city, but all of those schools required years of experience as a qualification, and that she didn't have.

She drew a deep breath and opened the door. Dinah Bunhiyan's gaze flung towards the entrance, her lips curving to a smile as she saw her daughter step in.

"Hi, Mamma,"

"Hello My Dear." Her mother stood, "You didn't tell me you were visiting today,"

Zarinna smiled and sat on the couch, pulling her mother back down. Their gazes locked.

"So, how have you been doing? You haven't called me all week." Zarinna smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Mamma," She bit her lip, tempted to share all that have happened in the past days. But once again, she felt shame grip her, preventing her from saying any more. What she did would break her mother's heart. "I've just been so busy..."

Dinah nodded, "So how are you, Child?"

Zarinna took in a breath, forcing as smile as she prepared to speak. "Mamma, I have news for you."

Dinah's brow rose, "What is it, Child?"

"I-" She bit her lip in excitement, " Mamma, I just got my first teaching job!"

Dinah gasped as she heard the news, obvious joy gleaming in her eyes."Oh congratulations, Dear!" She exclaimed, "Which school?"

For a moment Zarinna couldn't say anything. How? She knew that the information will shock her mother.

"Besao National High School, Mamma."

Dinah's smile faded as she heard her daughter's words, confusion gripping her. "Besao? You mean Besao, Mountain Province, Rinna?"

"Besao, Mountain Province, Mamma." Zarinna echoed in confirmation.

"B-but..." Confused, her mother continued to speak. "Besao is hours away from here! How is that going to work?"

Zarinna lowered her gaze and began to explain. "When I went to Mountain Province last month to apply, I spoke to Uncle Dennis Mamma. He said he had an extra room in their house that his family's not using and that I could live there with them." Dinah nodded, her gaze downcast as she processed the information. "I would help with the bills as soon as I get my pay, of course. I wouldn't want to be a bur-"

"Of course," Dinah cut her off, "The bills aren't my concern. I know you would. I raised a good girl," Zarinna lowered her gaze, "I'm just worried how you'll do in there. It's eight hours away! You have never lived that far from us!"

"Mamma," Zarinna took hold of her mother's hand, "Don't worry about me. Didn't you say you raised a good girl? I'll be fine. Plus, Uncle Dennis and Aunt Helen will be there. They won't allow a thing to harm me."

Dinah nodded in surrender. That's right. The presence of her brother sent a wave of relief to her heart.

"So, don't worry about me, okay?" Zarinna held Dinah's hand tighter, "Your prayers have always kept me."

Zarinna made her way to the small garden behind her mother's house and took a seat on the stone bench near the fence. Her mother was cooking and insisted that Zarinna rest instead of helping.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind. I've raised a good girl. She had no doubt about how good her mother raised her. But was she? Was she good? How would her mother react if she found out her daughter was an adulterous wretch? The thought shattered her being.

She brought out her phone, pushing the painful thoughts off her head when instead, a text from a familiar name occupied her perception.

'Hey, how are you doing?'

She immediately shut the phone off, returning it inside her pocket in haste lest she be tempted to respond to the man. Zarinna felt her heart sink as memories from the church began to flood her mind, memories she had with Nathan.

A sigh escaped her lungs. She loved singing for God, she loved being in His Presence and soak there to her heart's content, there was nothing else in the world that satisfied her as much, and the fact that she may never be able to do so again made her shiver in fear.

How am I supposed to go on living now?

Her thoughts drifted to Nathan. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. How? How am I ever going to be healed? She lowered her gaze and clasped her hands.

"Oh Lord, please... please... I beg you! Set me free from this bondage." She bit the inside of her lip and lifted her gaze. The glorious blue sky peered down at her. Finally, a set of tears rolled down her face, soft sobs now escaping her lips as she felt hollow emptiness dominate her spirit.

Am I ever going to see Your Glory again?

David Awiyao took in a breath of fresh air as he walked towards the church's fence. It was a beautiful day. He lowered his gaze and began to think of Pastor Henry's news. The tribal attacks in their outreach church were intensifying, and the fear it inflicted on the members was tremendous. He couldn't help but feel worried about the congregants there. He took in a breath. Take care of them, Lord.

His prayers were halted as he saw movement from the house adjacent to the church. The door swung open, revealing a woman as she walked out to the garden. He felt his heart seem to halt, fascinated as he watched the woman shift her long jet black hair. White blouse tucked in loose denim jeans gracefully enveloped her slender form. He felt his heart tighten, a familiar voice echoing in his spirit.

Her, Beloved.

Lord? He looked up, then returned his gaze to the woman. An atmosphere of sorrow clothed her being. His brows knit in confusion. Was she crying? His heart raced oddly.

"Manung!" He jolted upright, turning his head towards his brother Daniel as the young man approached.

"Hey," David gathered his thoughts, "How are you?"

"Stressed," Daniel sighed, "Its finals week and every single student is in a panic trying to finish requirements, and all." David smiled. Not too long ago, he was a student himself, and the relief it made him feel that he already finished school was liberating.

"Well, God bless you guys on that. I'm sure glad that I'm done with school." David chuckled, making his brother frown.

"What's the difference? You spend your life in a school anyway, being a teacher I wouldn't say there will ever be a time that you'd get out of a school." David's laugh heightened.

"At least I ain't the one fussing about school assignments," He grinned.

"Well, I give you that," Daniel smiled in surrender. "Anyway, I do need your help for this essay I'm doing, Manung. It's a reflection about the causes of World War II and I need your input about the things I've written." David nodded as he listened to his brother's request.

"Sure Dan. Go to my office and I'll be with you shortly." He patted Daniel's back.

"Alrightie," Daniel replied and began to step back, patting his older brother on the shoulder before he went for the church.

Immediately David returned his gaze towards the cottage, but to his dismay, the woman was gone. Once again, he felt a familiar stirring.

Pray.

He recognized the voice, and immediately he clasped his eyes. Questions raged like waves in his mind, his throbbing heart adding to it all. Did I hear you correctly, Lord? He released a breath, peace flooding back to his heart as the woman's face flashed through his thoughts.

Whatever she may be going through Lord, deliver her. May Your will be done.

After praying, one recurring thought plagued his mind. How can he can meet her again?

Manung- Ilocano term for Older Brother/older man.