Gabriel

I could only stare at her as she spoke, my mind processing the weight of her words. So it's her. Siya pala si Aginaya. I felt joy grip my heart, like a wave it overcame my being. God had already gave me an answer long ago, but I didn't even know.

"Gabriel?" I heard her speak, "Ayos ka lang ba?"

I smiled, "Grace, alam kong magtataka ka, pero may kailangan akong sabihin sa'yo."

She narrowed her gaze, "Hmm?"

"Ilang buwan na ang nakaraan, pero tandang-tanda ko parin ito,"

"Ano ba 'yon, Gabriel?"

"Naaalala mo ba noong mabasa tayo sa ulan pagkatapos ng unang session natin ng Campus Bible Study?"

Tumango siya, "Oo, bakit 'yon?"

"Nang gabing 'yon Grace, nagtanong ako sa Panginoon. I asked Him about the person He has willed for me to love," I lowered my gaze, recanting in my mind the words I have heard "That very night, I heard Him say that very name - Aginaya. H-hindi ko alam noon na ikaw 'yon! Ni hindi ko nga alam na pangalan pala ang salitang 'yon. I-" Inilipat ko ang tingin at tumitig sa malayo, "Ilang buwan na itinago ko ito. Ilang buwan na hindi ko naunawaan ang kahulugan n'on, until... now."

I saw wonder gleam from her eyes, her gaze wide as she listened to my words. "T-totoo ba 'yan, Gabriel?"

"I swear, Grace, God is my witness." I swallowed hard, shutting my eyes as I prayed in silence. Lord, it was You that showed me her name. My word may not be enough to prove it true, but Yours will. Holy Spirit, if this is truly Your Will, confirm it in her heart.

Silence reigned in our midst, and as I opened my eyes, I saw hers clasped shut. "Grace?" For a few more seconds she remained still, and slowly, she began to lift her head, a smile on her face as she met my gaze.

"Wow," I heard her whisper.

"Alam kong maaaring hindi ka maniwala," I began, "I understand. But I trust God, the Holy Spirt will confirm it. If it's really from Him, He will-"

She placed her hand on mine, "He has," Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang sambit niya, "If God declares it, then who am I to decline?"

I felt as though my heart leapt at her word, "Y-you mean-" A smile made its way to my lips, "Are you, are you saying that-"

She nodded and smiled once more, "Yes. Yes, Gabriel. I have been praying about this for a while now as well."

Extreme joy bubbled from my core, and in a split of a second, my hand made its way to her arms, pulling her in an embrace. In an instant I felt her tense, then slowly release her weight against mine.

"At least now," I heard her whisper, "Now we are sure our waiting will not be in vain."

I pulled away from her, eyes now filled with her tear stained face. A smile made its way to her lips, her eyes gleaming from the moon's rays. With every passing moment my heart seemed to double in it pace at her sight. I leaned closer, now in full view of her face. There was no denying how much I wanted to claim her as mine, to fully take hold of her now that I fully understand. I knew, the Lord certainly knew. But deep within me was a strong urging, a conviction to remain... still. I shut my eyes and released a breath, lifting my head as I brushed my lips against her forehead.

In His time. All will be beautiful in His time.

"Thank you," I heard her speak, "Thank you for taking care of me."

Grace

Rays from the sun glared my eyes even before I could gather my consciousness fully. Pinilit kong iminulat ang aking mga mata. Alas-singko na nang matulog ako kanina. Hinanap ko ang phone mula sa kamang kinahihigaan ko at tinignan ang oras. 9:27AM. I released a heavy sigh, pulling myself off the bed as I prepared my mind for the day.

Inilibot ko ang paningin. Nasa bahay ako ngayon ni Auntie Lucia. Muli kong tinignan ang phone at binasa ang text ni Gabriel. Nandoon na siya sa bahay namin. Napangiti nalang ako nang mabasa ito. Oo nga pala, siya ang magpepreach ngayon bago ang libing ni Mama mamayang hapon. I could still remember the shock in everyone's faces when I told them he was a preacher. All seemed amazed, especially when they found out how young he was.

Despite the joy it bringed however, the sorrow for my mother overshadowed it. It had been a week-long wake. Pero paano? Paano na pagkatapos ng araw na ito? I swiped my face with my palms and released a breath. How many more tears? How many more tears will I have to shed before it runs out?

My thoughts were altered as I heard my phone ring. Kinuha ko ito at halos malaglag ang puso nang mabasa ang salitang 'mama' sa screen. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ng mapagtanto ko. Si George na nga pala may hawak ng phone niya.

"Hello, Ading?" I spoke as I held the phone to my ear.

"Manang? Magstart na po ang service dito sa'tin in fifteen minutes. Sa'n ka na po?"

"Dito palang kina Tita Lucia, Ading. Pero dibale maghahanda na ako."

"Okay sige po, Ate. Bye."

"Bye 'ding,"

I lowered the phone to my lap and took in a breath. Sobrang pag-aalala ang nararamdaman ko tuwing naiisip ko ang mga kapatid ko. Paano na kaya? Paano na sila ngayong wala na si Mama? Fourteen palang si George, ten naman si Gohan. Ang masaklap ay meron pa si Gerald na five years old palang. I bit my lip. Lord, how will we get on now?

Slowly I bowed my head and uttered a short prayer, standing to my feet as I said amen. Naghanap ako ng masusuot mula sa bag at nagtungo na sa CR. Pagkatapos maligo ay isinuot ko na ang damit at sandaling nagsuklay bago lumabas ng bahay.

Ilang minutong lakad lang mula sa bahay nila Tita papunta samin, kaya makalipas siguro ang siyete minuto ay natanaw ko na rin ang bahay namin. Lush green grasses decked the uphill path, and trees were scattered around the wooden house upon the hill's top.

Immediately, the voice of Gabriel filled my ears as I approached the house. Nagstart na pala sila. Pushing the door open, the view of people who sat in all corners of the small dwelling occupied my gaze. Ini-angat ko ang tingin, eyes in admiration as I noted Gabriel's blue polo.

I was about to take a step when a memory seemed to flash across my eyes. Sandali, nakita ko na ito. Once more I gazed at Gabriel, eyeing him from the shoes he wore to the polo that clothed his torso.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. H-hindi ba... ito ang napanaginipan ko noon?



Nanatili sakaniya ang titig ko habang pinapakinggan itong nangangaral. Sabi ko na nga eh, bagay niyang mag-teacher. Associate Preacher palang siya, pero tila ba tunay nang Pastor na kung magturo. Hay, iba talaga kung may Anointing ang Panginoon.

"Ang nakikita natin dito, Kakabsat, ay isang patunay lamang na ang kamatayan ay hindi natin alam kung kailan darating," He spoke, getting on now to his conclusion as he clasped his Bible shut, "We don't know what may happen tomorrow. We don't know what may come. Hindi natin hawak ang mga buhay natin. This is why right now, I want to challenge everyone in this place ... to make right with God."

He placed the Bible upon the chair beside him and continued to speak, his voice rising as he began to urge the people to action. One by one, the people began to stand, responding to his call for everyone who wants to be saved. I could only smile as I watched him pray for the people. Kinuha ko naman ang gitara at nagsimulang tumugtog. Hindi ko alam kung anong kakantahin, pero iisang kanta lang ang tumatak sa akin mula sa ng mga gabing nagbantay ako rito.

"Because He lives....
I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,"

Sounds of people crying resounded in the room. Maybe it was because of my mother's death, maybe because of the Presence of God evident in the place, or maybe both, but I kept my eyes shut, the song now a personal cry with each word I sang.

"Jesus ...
Because You live...
I can face tomorrow
Because You live,
All fear is gone,
Because I know, I know,
You hold my future
And life is worth living just,
Because You live..."

Kasabay ng pag-awit ko ang pagtulo ng luha mula sa aking mga mata. Hindi ko na alam kung paano kami mabubuhay pagkatapos nito. Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa mga kapatid ko. Napakasakit. Ang-hirap. Tila kung ini-isip ay hindi na mawawala ang bigat kahit ilang taon pa ang dumaan. Pero ilang beses nang ipinakita ng Diyos ang kapangyarihan niya sa akin. To doubt now and retreat ... is impossible.

Yes Lord, because You live, only because of you, will I be able to face tomorrow...

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A/N: The events in this chapter are not fully fictional. Ang kaganapan pong nangyari kay Gabriel with regards to his confirmation about Grace is actually a true story.

This happened to the well-known man of God Kenneth Haggin. God revealed to him the name of his future wife, but when he met this woman she came by a different name. It was only after a time that her real name was revealed - and its the name that God showed to Keneth Haggin. Kaya, credits to him ang wonders sa chapter na ito!

Anyhoo, just a quick question, how do you guys think of this chapter? Or about this story in general? Paramdam naman kayo dear readers! I'd love to hear your thoughts. ❤