I could only smile as I heard her words, Leah's charming smile filling my perception as I listened, "Thank you for that message, Grace. It had somehow been a wake up call for me. Noong una mong sinabi saakin ang tungkol sa consecration, I had a lot of doubts about it. I reasoned with myself using the one I've mentioned to you before, pero, only now did I have the courage to admit that, it was all because of self-centered ambitions."

Huminga siya ng malalim at tumingin sa malayo, "I've always wanted to be known, to be famous for something, pero habang tumagatagal na nakakasama ko kayo, I began to learn that seeing God's Glory revealed is much better than receiving glory from man."

"That's really fascinating, Sis," I breathed, a smile upon my face as she spoke.

"Thank you, once more, Grace." She took hold of my hand, "For this I will forever be grateful."

Umiling ako at nakangiting sumagot, "All glory to God, Leah. It is He who deserves our thanks. Ang saya kong naririnig 'yan mula sa-"

Natigilan ako sa pagsasalita nang maramdaman ang pag-vibrate ng phone ko mula sa aking bulsa. Agad ko itong inilabas at tila na na-excite nang mabasa ang pangalan sa screen. "Sandali lang Leah ha. I need to take this call."

Tumango siya at ngumiti. Immediately, I rose to my feet, making my way outside the classroom in haste.

"Hello, Ma'am?" I spoke.

"Is this Miss Grace Ngatiyon?"

"Yes, Ma'am, speaking po."

"We're very sorry Miss, but unfortunately, there are no more available scholarship slots for this semester. You can try applying again this coming semester."

For a while I was held speechless, downcast as I heard the news. I swallowed hard, releasing a breath as I thought.

"O-okay po." I breathed, "I understand, Ma'am."

With this, I lowered the phone to my side, gaze forward as I felt anxiety once more take its toll. Three unaccepted job applications, plus four unsuccessful scholarship applications. I shut my eyes forcibly. Paano na po, Lord? I know You will not forsake me, but Lord it's so hard to have faith when all seems hopeless. What now? What now do I do God?

Ibinaba ko ang tingin at bumuntong-hininga. I was about to turn to my classroom when surprisingly, I saw Ryan, back against the wall beside the class door.

"Oh, ba't ka nandito, Bro?"

"Ah, may tatanungin sana ako kay Bro Gabriel eh pero mukhang wala yata siya." Paliwanag niya.

"I see, ganon ba?" Tumango ako, "Oo wala siya kasi nagpatulong 'yong mga kasama nating Grade 10 students para sa debate daw nila mamayang hapon."

"Ah kaya naman pala," He stood erect and released a breath, "Kung ganon balik nalang ako next time."

"Oo Bro, mas mabuti nga." Kakaway na sana ako nang makita ang paglapit niya. My brows lifted in wonder, all the more so when he placed his hands upon my sides, gaze intent upon me as he did so.

"Grace," he began, "You can tell me if you are in need of anything, okay?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang sambit niya, "W-what do you mean?"

"I know your situation Grace," he smiled, "I am willing to help."

Lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang itaas niya ang kamay at ipinagilid ang buhok sa noo ko. What the - were foreigners really this ... touchy?

"A- eh,"

I heard someone clear his throat, making me shift my gaze as soon as I heard it. Immediately, Gabriel's stern face filled my vision, his hand folded to his chest as he eyed the man who stood before me.

"Ah," Tumayo ng husto si Ryan, "Andyan ka na pala, Bro. I thought you were in the 10th graders' building?"

"I was," Gabriel briefly replied, "Is there anything you need, brother?"

Hindi ko mapin-point, but there was something in the way they said the words 'bro' and 'brother' that electrified the atmosphere with tension. The two were of the same height, making their eye contact look like those you'd see in boxing posters. Napalunok nalang ako habang pinapanood silang mag-usap. They spoke for a few minutes at tuluyan na ring nagpa alam si Ryan.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. I lifted my gaze to Gabriel, his face still stern as he looked at me. I lowered my head in haste. Grabe naman ito, daig pang galit na teacher makatingin.

"What was that all about?"

I swallowed, "Ah, hinahanap ka niya kanina eh. Saktong may tawag naman ako non kaya lumabas ako at 'yon nakita ko siya dito."

"Hmm," He only nodded slightly and resumed to speak, "Kumain ka na ba?"

I bit the inside of my lip, "H-hindi ako gutom eh." Rason ko. Sa totoo lang, I had 100 pesos left and I didn't know how to stretch that for another month.

"Halika na," He took hold of my hand and began to walk.

"Teka, ano?"

"You don't eat cause you're hungry, you eat cause your body needs it." He spoke, his gaze forward as he led me to the Seniors' Building Canteen.

"Pero-" Kinabahan ako nang makapasok kami sa canteen, knowing full-well the meals in here cost atleast 50-60 pesos. Kaya pinipili ko nalang magbaon eh. Nalate naman din kasi ako ng gising kaya... hay. "Hala Gabriel, ang mahal dito, h-hindi ko-"

He shifted his gaze towards me, "Who said you were paying for anything?"

Natahimik nalang ako nang marinig ang sambit niya. My goodness, was he really serious about this?

"Naku, Gabriel," I held his arm, "Nakakahiya na ang ganito. Imagine, I'm not your wife, not even a girlfriend for that matter! You don't need to do this for me."

He released a breath and gazed at me once more, "You're right I don't need to, but the thing is, I want to. Hindi naman kailangang maging girlfriend kita para gawin ko ang mga ito."

With that, he continued to walk, hand gripping my wrist as we approached the counter. I suppressed the tears that threatened my eyes. Oh Jesus, thank You. Thank you that through him, I'm again reminded that indeed, You are a God who provides.

Nagsimula nang magsitayuan ang mga mag-aaral nang mag-ring ang bell. Liningon ko si Gabriel. "Uwi ka na ba?"

"Ah," umiling siya, "I-check ko muna saglit yung mga bata. I'll ask how their debate went."

"Ooh." Tumango ako, "Alam mo Gabriel? Ngayon ko lang napagtanto, pero parang bagay mo mag-teacher."

Inangat niya ang tingin sa akin, "Talaga, bakit mo nasabi?"

"Wala, feel ko lang." I smiled, "Maraming matututunan ang mga students pag ikaw nagturo, for sure."

He nodded with a smile, lowering his head as I spoke, "Ahh," he chuckled, "We shall see."

Ngumiti ako at tumayo, waving to him goodbye as I lifted my bag. Agad ko namang linapitan si Rhoe na siyang nakatayo na sa doorway.

"Kamusta ang meeting niyo sa Journalism Club no'ng lunch?" Tanong ko.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at nagbaba ng tingin, "Ayon stress. Kailangan na naming magsubmit ng mga accomplishment report eh dehado na sa oras."

"Naku ganon ba?" Lumabas kami ng classroom at bumaba na rin ng hagdan, "O 'di ano nang plano niyo?"

"Ano pa nga ba? Edi rush nanaman." Sagot niya, "Nabigyan kaming each officers ng activity na gagawan ng A.R. Ang masama, sa'kin napunta 'yong report para sa extension activity namin. E napaka haba pa naman ng activity na 'yon!"

Kitang-kita sa muka ni Rhoe ang pagkastress. I smiled inwardly, hiding the amusement as I watched her cute reactions. "Anusam baket*," I spoke, "Kaya mo 'yan, by His Grace!"

May ngiting namuo sa mukha niya bago tumango, "True." Inilibot niya ang paningin, "O siya, see you bukas, girl. Ingat ka!"

Kumaway ako at sumagot, "Ingat!" Nagsimula na rin akong maglakad nang tumalikod siya.

Iwasan ko man, hindi matanggal sa isip ko ang pag aalala. Paano na nga kaya? Ilang lingo ko rin ginamit ang ini-abot ni Ate Marla noon nang bumisita siya. Pero kahit gaanong tipid kung may mga kailangan talagang bilhin, mauubos at mauubos parin ang pera. Napatingala nalang ako sabay isip. Lord, how will I survive now?

Akmang ibinaba ko ang tingin nang bigla namang magvibrate ang phone ko mula sa bag. Dali-dali ko itong inilabas at nakita ang isang unrecognized number.

"Hello?"

"Oh hello!" Rinig kong sambit ng isang babae mula kabilang linya, "Is this Miss. Grace Ngatiyon?"

"Ah, yes po, speaking. Sino po sila?"

"This is Vina from Shekinah Glory Books and Café, I've just opened your online application last night! Sakto, we are in need of part timers this time of the year, are you available for an interview this Saturday?"

It took me a few seconds before I could reply, excitement and a bunch of other emotions in a tug of war in my being.

"U-uhm," I shook my head, "Y-yes po! I'm available on that day!"

"Great! Then I'll see you this Saturday, 10:30AM, okay?"

"Noted, Ma'am!" I exclaimed, "I'll be there at that time!"

"Alrightie! God bless you!"

"God bless you po."

With my head still in a daze, I lowered the phone, joy bubbling from my heart as I processed what had just happened. Shekinah Glory books and Café was the last company I expected to ever even glance at my application. Minsan palang akong nakakabisita doon dahil kay Leah, and as much as I wanted to go there often, the funds I had did not quite match the place's standard.

I respired in disbelief. To think that I'd be walking in there as an employee was beyond my imagination. I shut my eyes, a smile upon my face as I let the tears flow from my eyes.

Thank you Lord! Thank you so so much, Jesus!