"David!" Zarinna's whimpers turned into screams as the man lay atop her unconscious, she gazed down the child in their midst, her face marred by charcoal. She felt an intense sting of pain as the fire raged beside her. Oh God, deliver us!

"Help!" She yelled, her gaze towards the door, "Help, please!!!" Faint voices became eminent as she saw shadows approach, and to her relief she saw men in uniform barge through the blocked door.

"Oh thank You, Jesus," She whispered, watching carefully as they lifted the metal bar from David's back, revealing all the more the blood that flowed to his chest and arms. She averted her gaze, unable to sustain the courage to perceive his bleeding flesh. A man took the child from her arms, supporting her up as the others carried David outside the building.

The sound of an ambulance ringed in her ears as they stepped out, allowing a breath of fresh air to fill her lungs. She turned towards the men, her gaze anchored on David as they laid him on a stretcher.

"S-sir?" She frantically approached and tapped the nearest personnel, "He's going to be okay, isn't he?" The man simply lowered her gaze and tapped her shoulders.

"We're not sure yet, but its looks like he's losing a lot of blood." His words sent a wave of nervosity over her. She swallowed with difficulty. "Let's get into the ambulance Ma'am. The man needs to be brought to the hospital, quick."

Zarinna shifted in her seat anxiously, her fingers fiddling the bloodied hem of her shirt - his blood. Her mind flew to places she didn't want, creating imaginations in her head of things she feared. She stood to her feet, placing a hand on her chest as she paced the floor.

Oh, Lord... she buried her face in her palms, please, please sustain him!

The door swung open, tearing Zarinna from her thoughts. Immediately she rushed towards the doctor, her gaze alone demanding an answer.

"Doctor? How is he?" She asked, distress ringing from her voice. "Is he okay?"

The doctor turned towards her, a small smile upon his lips, "He's okay, Ma'am. Possibilities of infection is greatly reduced since we've successfully removed the shards of metal that pierced through his skin," A sigh of relief escaped her lips at the doctors word, "He's already transferred to a private room you can go see him now."

"Thank you!" She exclaimed, "Thank you so much!"

With a nod, the doctor turned and walked away. Zarinna lifted her gaze, peace now flooding her being at the news.

"Thank you Jesus," She whispered, wiping the tear that escaped her eyes. And with this her tongue erupted with silent praises.

"Rinna?" She turned around, the view of Gina and Allapo Lumnay occupying her vision.

"Balasang," The old woman held her hands, worry gleaming in her eyes, "H-how's my grandson? Is he okay?"

Zarinna placed her other hand upon the older lady's shoulder, "He is fine, Allapo," She smiled, "David is fine."

Zarinna peered down the window, watching as people went in and out of the emergency room building. She spoke a silent prayer for each she saw, knowing in her heart they must be worried sick as she had been when she too was there. The skies have now began to darken, its bright blue fading to indigo as the sun hid away.

She shifted her gaze, releasing a sigh as the view of David lying on the bed filled her vision. He'd been lying there for three whole days, yet he hadn't opened his eyes once.

Zarinna lowered her glance, her heart crying with prayers as she sat. She'd spent her nights here beginning the day he was confined, teaching in the morning and watching him by night. Allapo Lumnay had informed her that his Brother would come to assist, but till this day no one has arrived. Leaving Allapo Lumnay to care for him both in the day and night would be too exhausting for the old dame.

"Zarinna?" Her gaze shot open, her heart coming alive as she heard his voice. She stood to her feet and walked towards him in haste.

"David?" She sat on the chair beside the bed and placed her hand upon his arm, "You're awake!"

"How is Hilda?" Zarinna was taken aback, stunned of the first thing that he mentioned. Despite his condition, he still managed to be more concerned of the child.

"She's fine, David," She smiled, "Nothing serious happened to her. Sis Fe came and fetched her that same night,"

David's lips lifted in relief, shutting his eyes once more as he took in another breath.

"How about you, how do you feel?"

David gazed up at her, a smile still on his face, "I feel fine, Zarinna,"

Zarinna moved her hand, gently tracing the wound on the man's upper shoulder with her fingers. She clasped her eyes contrition, the look of it flashing in her mind as she felt the pattern that had been sewn to clasp his torn flesh.

"This is going to scar," She felt tears well up her eyes, and she lowered her head in haste.

"I don't mind it scarring," David gazed towards her, "Better my scars than yours,"

Zarinna released a breath as he spoke, all the more astonished with each remark he made. How could he be so selfless?

"I want to get up," David requested.

"No, you shouldn't be getting up yet, your wound sti-"

"Please?"

For a while Zarinna eyed him intently, "Okay, but you inform me if begins to hurt badly, yes?"

David smiled in amusement. "Yes, ma'am,"

She nodded and stood to her feet, sitting now on the side of the bed as she took his hand. She placed her arm around his back and slowly pulled him up, her arms in support as David sat up. She swallowed with difficulty, a wave of guilt washing over her being as she caught a glimpse of the sewn-up wound upon his shoulder.

A lone tear escaped her eye, "I'm sorry,"

For a moment she couldn't pay attention to how near she was, focused only on what she's requested to do, but it didn't take long before she felt her heart skip a beat, held captive as their gazes locked. She couldn't move a single muscle, lost in the depths of his raven dark eyes. Had any other man ever gazed at her this way?

David lifted his hand to her face, "Don't cry," he breathed.

She felt her heart race, struck speechless as David swiped her face with his thumb, wiping the tears from her cheek. The gesture all the more moved her to tears, she took in a breath.

"I'm really sorry," Another tear rolled down her face, "If it wasn't for me, you shouldn't ha-"

Her words came to a halt, gaze wide as she felt his lips collide with hers. The warmth of his mouth sent a current running through her body, and before she knew, her eyes clasped shut in surrender to his touch.

He pulled away momentarily, leaning his forehead against hers. Zarinna's eyes remained shut, but David gazed at her longingly, and it wasn't long till he sealed their distance once more, yielding his lips to hers.