Echoes of crickets from the outside mingled with the voices that filled the room. Unti-unti kong inimulat ang aking mga mata, at sa pagbukas nito ay muling bumungad ang mga taong nakaluhod sa sahig na sa kasalukuya'y nagdarasal. Others we're on their feet, singing and praying as the piano continued to play.

Tinanaw ko ang pintuan ng simbahan at dahan-dahang tumayo. Si Pastor Melchour ang siyang umi-ikot at nagle-layhands sa mga tao. I stood to my feet, suddenly feeling the extreme heat that had filled the place. I had been carried away completely that only now do I actually realize. Nagbuga ako ng hangin at nagtungo sa labas ng simbahan. The Holy Spirit continued to minister, and it was He who was moving. This was not going to end anytime soon - that I'm sure.

I walked off the building, at sa saktong paglabas ko ay bumungad ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. A slight shiver ran down my spine. My gaze lifted, vision now occupied of the star streaked night-sky. A smile made its way to my lips. Oh God, truly, the heavens declare Your Glory.

I was about to turn and walk when a man emerged from the darkness, walking towards me from the trees that surrounded the church building, Nangunot ang noo ko, taka nang makita ang uniporme nito. RPA.

Immediately I felt tension in our midst, and it wasn't very long that apprehension mixed with it.

"K-kabsat," Sambit ng lalake, "Ikaw si Gabriel Daw-as, hindi ba?"

"Wen," I confirmed, "Bakit?" I eyed him from head to toe, gaze in observance of the Reformed People's Army mark that adorned his clothes. A mark of the terrorism that ravaged the highlands. Muli ko siyang tinanong, ngunit ilang segundo ang lumipas bago siya makasagot.

A look of worry and uncertainty painted his face, "Ah, ikaw nga,"

"May kailangan ka ba, kapatid?" I tried all my best to contain the nervosity, but with each moment passing by, it increased.

"P-pakawanen dakami," Lalo akong nagtaka nang makita ang pagtungo nito. Isang luha ang tumulo mula sa mata niya, na siya namang agad din nitong pinunasan. "Nang marinig namin ang pag-punta niyo rito, sobra ang galit na naramdaman namin. Mga manloloko at lunatiko ang tingin namin sa mga tulad niyo," Nag-angat siya ng tingin, "Pumunta ako ditong kasabay ang iba naming kasama upang gumawa ng masama, pero-" Natigil ito sa pagsasalita at humingang malalim, "Presensiya ng Diyos niyo ang sumalubong sa akin nang makarating ako dito," Isa pang luha ang tumulo mula sa mata niya.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin, somehow in my heart I knew I had to pray for him, but worry mingled with every breath I took, and I couldn't seem to move. "A-anong-" I took in a breath, "Anong ibig mong sabihin na 'gumawa ng masama'?"

His eyes snapped open, "Puntahan mo na ang mga kasama mo," He spoke with urgency, "B-baka-" He began to pace the ground, all the more intensifying the tension I felt.

I heard footsteps from behind, and soon after Pastor Melchour's voice was heard. "Anong nangyayari?"

"Baka?" I echoed, my gaze demanding an answer.

"Baka-" He placed a hand on his head, "Baka nasalubong na sila ng mga kasama ko. P-plano nilang-"

My gaze widened, and without another word I began to run, following the uphill path as I realized what his words meant. Agad namang sumunod si Pastor Melchour. Nabalot ng takot ang buong pagkatao ko, nervosity gripping my very being with each step.

Oh Lord, Lord let her be safe. Please...

Sumabay sa pagtakbo namin ang lalaki kanina na siyang 'di nagtagal ay nanguna na sa amin. Patuloy naming siyang sinundan. Oh Lord, Lord, protect her. Natigilan kami nang makita siyang yumuko, catching his breath as he halted. I lifted my gaze - breathless as my vision was occupied by the people that stood atop the hill.

My chest heaved heavily, and it did even more so as I came to recognize the lady who stood in the midst of the hill. Si Grace - hair in the grip of a strange man, and a gun towards her head.

My mouth went dry, and I couldn't speak a word. Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng hawak ng lalake sa buhok ko. Oh Lord, what do I do? A lone tear lined my face, terror surging my being as I felt the gun's tip upon my forehead.

"Uulitin ko, balasang," Pagdidiin niya, "Simple lang naman ang hinihingi ko. Itanggi mo ang paniniwala mo, bawiin niyo kung ano mang kalokohan ang mga itinuro niyo dito, at hahayaan namin kayong mabuhay."

Mahina ang boses niya nang tanungin ito, pero bakit ganon? Parang umaalingawngaw sa isip ko ang bawat salitang nasambit niya. Sobrang takot ang bumalot sa pagkatao ko, at sa bawat pagsinghap ko ng hangin ay tila ba lalo itong lumalala. I shut my eyes, taking in a long breath. I knew the answer, but why can't I say the words?

Once more I met his gaze, this time mustering courage as I looked into his the man's deep set eyes. "H-hindi," I croaked, "Hindi ko 'yan gagawin."

I saw a sinister smile adorn his face, as though amused of what he has heard. I lowered my gaze, a wave of relief overwhelming my body as he withdrew - this time laughing.

"Talagang wala na kayo sa tamang pag-iisip 'no?" He laughed, "Mas pipiliin mo talagang mamatay?" He lifted the gun towards me once more. "Ha!?"

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin, hands trembling. Lord, Lord I'm afraid. What now? My hands curled to a fist, body tensing as I heard his words echo in my head.

No turning back was something I thought I had known, something I thought I would be willing to do, I even thought I'd stand by it till death, but now that death stands before me, I realized I wasn't ready - not even close.

"S-sig-" I shut my eyes forcibly, a pair of tears flowing to my cheeks. A verse tugged in my heart even as I considered backing away.

'Whoever denies me before men, I will deny before the Father in Heaven'

I hung my head in defeat. Ano na? Ano na, Grace? Once more I found myself in a dilemma. Bakit ganito, Panginoon? Had I not chosen You over my Education? Had I chosen to serve You despite my pain? What more will I have to give? I have nothing. I have nothing now. Only-

Reality slit my heart like a sword. Yes, only my life.

Guilt surged my veins, an uncertainty so strong that it seemed to contaminate my ability to think. Namatay ang mga apostol para kay Hesus, namatay ang maraming mananampalataya noon dahil sa paniniwala kay Hesus. Pero bakit? Bakit parang hindi ko kaya? Had those believers ever felt such fear? Had they also felt uncertainty like this?

Once more, reality struck me like a painful blow. I lowered my gaze to my palms, and with this I felt my being surrender.

"Hindi," My voice resounded in the silence of the night, "Hindi ko 'yan magagawa." With all the courage I could muster, I anchored my gaze on him, "Kill me if you please,"

Napasinghap ako ng hangin nang muling maramdaman ang paghawak niya sa buhok ko, anger dominating his countenance, "But I have one request," I kept my gaze upon him, feeling the warm tears that flowed from my eyes, "Pagkatapos mo itong gawin," I smiled, "Consider Christ."

It was at that moment that I felt all fear drain off my being. A wave of warmth surged my body, and overflowing love flooded my soul. Tears now flowed incessant from my eyes, and my hand made its way to the man's arm,

"Panginoon," I whispered, "Forgive them, forgive them, Lord."

Ilang sandaling hindi ko narinig ang boses niya, only the sobs and whimpers from the teacher behind me. I heard her say my name over and over, and it wasn't long before I heard a man's voice chant with her.

My gaze snapped open.

Gabriel?

Bago pa ako makalingon ay muli kong narinig ang boses niya. In panic I turned around, but as soon as I did, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder, and my knees surrendered to the ground. Instinctively my hand made its way to the pain, my fingers coming in contact with the warm liquid that now flows from it. My whole body trembled.

Whimpers of pain escaped my lips, but even more so as I saw Gabriel charge towards the armed men. My heart spiked, gaze widening as I watched the event take place. Umalingawngaw ang mga putok ng baril sa paligid. My gaze narrowed, squinting through the dark as I struggled to keep my consciousness. Pain writhed all over my body, but I couldn't surrender. I couldn't close my eyes.

Men wrestled before my eyes, and with much effort I scattered my gaze, peering over my shoulder so as to see the entirety of what took place. My eyes widened, for behind me was a man, his gun lifted as he aimed at his target. As though in instinct I returned my gaze affront, now terrified as I saw Gabriel.

No. Not him.

Without much thought I pulled myself from the ground, grunting as I stood to my feet. With all my strength I charged to his direction, tears lining my face. One last time at least. Let me embrace him one last time... pero bago pa ako makarating ay isa pang putok ang umalingawngaw sa ere.

I reached for him, but not before I found myself on the ground again, catching my breath as I felt a shooting pain against my back. I took in a sharp breath, wincing as more gunshots echoed around me. I felt each breath that escaped my lungs, air never to return again.

Arms surrounded me, and with this I lifted my head. Almond eyes met mine, the depths of it familiar to my sight. My body gave way to the pain, and I rested upon his.

Hmm, ang init niya. Somehow, his warmth provided a brief comfort to my soul. Thank you, Lord. Thank You, at least I get to embrace him like this one last time.

"Grace?" I heard his voice, "Grace, please-" I felt warm hands upon my cheek, wiping the tears of with each swipe. Hindi ko na lubusang makita ang paligid, but I knew it was him.

"A-"

Sinubukan kong magsalita, pero sa bawat subok ay tila ba lalong nauubos ang hangin sa sistema ko.

"Grace? Please," I heard him speak. Even in the pain I heard the sorrow in his voice. "Hold on, please,"

"G-gabriel," I managed to say. He met my gaze once more. This time I saw tears from his eyes. My heart broke.

Is this- is this really how it ends, Lord?

"Mag-magtuloy ... k-ka," I took in a breath, struggling as I did so.

"Grace!!!" His voice echoed with pain, and I felt another tear fall. "Huwag ganito, Grace. Please."

With all the strength I had, I lifted my hands to his face, smoothing it as I traced out his cheeks, "Hindi k-ko nasabi noon ... per-" My lids tugged, my body numbing with each word, "I..." I rested my head on his chest, hearing its beat as I felt peace, a light overwhelming my sight, "I love you too."