Dedicated to 9cybam😊

Zarinna stood in disbelief, not certain of what she is to do as she stared at the man before her.

Why. The word echoed in her head. Why in the world does it have to him?

"I-uhh," She began, "I- I don't know if I should-"

"Ma'am," Zarinna was interrupted mid-sentence, taking in a sharp breath as she saw David shake his head, "It's already dark. It is not safe for you to be walking around here - alone."

"Y-yeah," she admitted, "I guess you're right." Zarinna turned her gaze towards the man walking behind them, and was shocked by how close he had gotten, this time thundering his way towards their direction.

"The guy is drunk. Come on," She heard David speak. Zarinna cleared her throat, releasing a deep breath as she walked towards the motorcycle.

"Hoo!" The man's voice echoed behind them. "Menpaltugak tupay dakayun am-in!" Zarinna peered over her shoulder, eyes widening as she heard the man from behind bellow, his words dripping with ire as he howled curses and threats. She bit her lip. He is drunk. Taking David's outstretched hand, Zarinna mounted the vehicle in haste, shifting her body on the motorcycle's seat.

David started the motorcycle once again, the engine roaring to life as he manipulated its throttle, and before Zarinna can take another breath, wind blew aggressively against her skin as the motorcycle advanced, forcing a gasp off of her lungs.

The motorcycle came to a sudden halt. Zarinna's clasped lids lifted open, and instantly she realized her arms around David's torso. Zarinna's cheek burned, and in a split of a second gathered her arms to her chest.

"I-Im sorry," She stuttered.

"Don't apologize," She lifted her gaze, "I'm about to ask you to do it again."

Zarinna's eyes widened. "Hold on tight. I'm supposed to take you home. We don't want to end up in a hospital instead."

"Oh," Zarinna's palms clenched to a fist
.
Zarinna what is wrong with you? Do it now! She heard her mind beckon, but she couldn't seem to move, embarrassment clouding her will. Her heart came to a halt as the man's bawling intensified. He was only a few steps from them now.

Oh no,

Reluctantly, her arms reached forward, grasping the sides of David's jacket.

"Thank you. Let's go," David spoke.

With this, the motorcycle advanced once more, this time in peace as Zarinna held on to the man before her.

"Oh, Lord..." She breathed, squeezing her eyes shut in hopes to chase away the mixed emotions that crowded her heart.

Just a few minutes. She consoled herself. Just a few minutes and this will all be over.

"Thank you Sir Awiyao..." Zarinna breathed. Gaze lowered as she composed herself.

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

"Oh," Zarinna nodded, somehow relieved to have reached home safe. High trees surrounded them now, a few dim lights emanating from a few of the houses in the clearing where they stood. "Alright, then Sir David. Take care!" she managed to say.

As much as she tried, Zarinna couldn't raise her gaze. Unable to erase the utter embarrassment as the memory of the man that covered her shame flashed in her head whenever their gazes met.

Oh Lord, when will this end? She questioned in silence.

"U-uhm," Clearing her throat, Zarinna took a step back as she began to speak, "I'm going ahead now Sir. I still have a couple of meters to walk to reach where I'm staying. Have a blessed night!"

"Oh, Ma'am," Zarinna lifted her gaze. "I do have something to return to you."

Silence. The sound of Cicadas and Crickets ensued in their midst as Zarinna's heart began to race. What now?

"I believe you remember what had happened a few months ago..." David began, discomfiture ringing from his voice as he reached for his wallet.

Oh no, here we go.

"When you were bathing on that spring and-"

"What!" Zarinna interjected, cutting David off in hopes of erasing the event from their conversation. "What was it that you were gonna return?"

"Ah yes," David drew in a breath. "Here, I found this along the bank of the spring that day." A silvery glow was revealed as David unclenched his fist. The Moon's light tracing the curved lines of the Infinity.

"My necklace," Zarinna whispered. A smile crept upon her lips, gladness now filling her heart as she gazed once more upon one of her most prized possession. "Thank you," She breathed, "Thank you so much, Sir David!" for a moment, the embarrassment she felt was overshadowed as she took the necklace from the man's hand.

"No problem, Ma'am," David replied with a smile.

"I thought I lost it forever!" Zarinna beamed.

"That necklace must mean very much to you Ma'am Zarinna." David mused.

"Yes," Zarinna lifted her gaze, "Yes, I do. It's from my father."

"I see," David nodded, "It really is different when it's from one we hold dear, isn't it?" Zarinna nodded with a smile. "Well! I guess it's time for me to go ahead then. Have a wonderful evening Zarinna."

"I will, thanks again..."

"Oh, by the way, you can ask Gina for your clothes Ma'am." Zarinna bit her lip, nodding as she watched David mount his motorcycle. "And one more thing, Ma'am Zarinna," Zarinna peered over her shoulder, wonder overtaking her mind as she was met by David's whimsical smile. "Don't go bathing in springs when it's broad daylight."

Heat overtook Zarinna's face, embarrassment again claiming her being as she watched the man drive away.

What a!

"I wouldn't have if I knew every single person in this place went there!" Zarinna thundered, muttering to herself as she turned around.

"Why? Why him?" She asked with each step. "Of all men in this whole men-filled country, why him!? Why become a co-teacher? Why become even my PASTOR!?" Zarinna shook her head, wincing as she thought of the idea. "Just bear with it," She whispered, "This will all soon get better." She hoped...

"So he drove you home?" Gina queried, lifting her gaze to Zarinna as they ate.

"Yeah," Zarinna sighed, "I had no choice but to get in the motorcycle with him. That drunk man had me really nervous just by looking at him. I panicked immediately when he began yelling curses around."

"Oh dear," Gina replied with tensed shoulders. "It's a good thing Pastor David showed up then."

"Yeah, I guess so..."

"He seems to always be around when you're in need or something," Gina mused.

"True. I've been in a lot of funny coincidences ever since I got here, and he surely is a part of a number of it." Zarinna spoke, pushing her now empty plate away. "I'm done. Should we get back to school?"

"Yeah let's go. I have to finish a PowerPoint presentation for a lecture this afternoon." Gina replied, standing to her feet as she spoke.

"Alright then!" Zarinna conceded, "By the way, did you hear about that Teachers Camping activity thing that the headteachers were talking about earlier?"

"Yeah!" Gina exclaimed, a grin now upon her lips. "I'm really excited about it. We've had really good times the last year we did it. I can assure you, it will be fun!"

"What do we do exactly in that Teacher's Camping?"

"Uhm, I don't know... camp?" A laugh escaped Zarinna lips.

"Other than that?" Zarinna insisted.

"Well, mostly we play games; do forums, you know team-building stuff. I even heard there'll be a hike before the final night!"

"Oof," Zarinna whispered, pursing her lips as she listened to Gina speak.

Gina's brow furrowed in wonder. "What's with that reaction?"

"It sounds really fun, but uhh... I'm not really into games and stuff. My body," Zarinna paused in her tracks, eyes now lowered to her chest. "My body just won't cooperate when it comes to that sporty stuff. Can I just opt out or something? I can use that amount of registration money for a week's allowance y' know."

"Nope!" Gina replied bluntly, "No one's really allowed to opt-out. It's a compulsory requirement for all the faculty."

"Aw, really?" Zarinna sighed in surrender, "Well I guess I have no choice then. But can I just skip the games-slash-sports stuff?"

"Rinna," Zarinna came to a pause, her eyes now upon the woman who held both her shoulders. "It will make no sense with you coming if you don't join the activities!" Gina insisted. Zarinna's gaze dropped, nodding in ascent as the woman before her, spoke.

"Fine," Zarinna finally replied, "You're right. It would be such a waste of money if-"

Zarinna felt as though her heart skipped a beat; images of her past suddenly flooded back to her memory as she caught sight of a familiar face from afar.

"Rinna, are you okay?" Gina's voice echoed in her ear.

No, no it couldn't be. Why would she be here? It's impossible. Zarinna lowered her gaze, confusion, and fear gripping her with every second that passed.

Once more, she mustered the courage to lift her gaze, and with this, she felt her heart sink in despair. She's not mistaken. It is indeed her - Lauren.

"Gina, look there..." Zarinna breathed, turning Gina towards the direction of the School's main building. "Who are those ladies coming out of the Principals office?"

"Uhm, I'm not really sure," Gina replied, her eyes narrowed towards the ladies who are now walking towards the main gate, "But I heard today is the interview for the Guidance Counselor applicants. So, I guess that's them?"