Our gazes were anchored to Rhoe as she spoke, dismayed of the news she had disclosed. Hay, sayang naman. Gusto ko sana talaga silang makasama.

"Ngayon na daw ba talaga sila aalis?" Tanong ni Grace.

Rhoe nodded, "Oo daw eh, ako nalang hinihintay nila." Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Sorry ha, bawi nalang ako next time, okay?"

Magsasalita pa sana si Grace pero nagsimula nang maglakad palayo si Rhoe, "Ba-bye na, ingat kayo!" She waved towards us and began to run.

"B-bye," Sambit ni Grace, her gaze upon Rhoe as she slowly disappeared into the dark streets.

I tapped her shoulder, "Tara na?"

Tumango siya at naglakad, following behind us as I walked beside Gabriel. I couldn't help but glance up at him as we talked, still somehow shocked of how much he had seemed to change. Totoo, kahit noon naman talaga ay guwapo na siya, pero ngayon? Not only was it something physical, it seemed as though, his very being glowed with peace - and I couldn't process how that could've taken place in just a few months na tulad ng kwento ni Grace.

Ibinaba ko ang tingin nang makapasok kami sa Burger Place, my gaze now in search of a seat as the warm air welcomed us.

"Do'n tayo?" Alok ko, pointing to the table beside the large window.

"Sige," Tumango si Gabriel.

"Punta na kayo do'n at mag-order lang ako,"

The two nodded once more and walked towards the table, conversing as they did so. I turned towards the counter and ordered, and as soon as I was able to take the food, I walked towards the table as well.

"Woah," Grace remarked, eyeing the food-filled tray I placed on the table, "Angdami naman nito Sis! Pwede na 'tong dinner ah,"

I could only smile as I heard her words. "Eh di maganda, para mabusog tayo. Namiss ko ang school na 'to eh, at masaya ako na sa pagbalik ko, kayo ang mga naging kaibigan ko."

I saw her smile as I spoke, nodding as she did so, "Wow naman," She chuckled, "The same goes for us Sis. Nga pala," She looked at me intently as I sat beside her, "If you don't mind me asking, bakit ka nga pala nagtransfer last sem?"

"Ah," I took in a breath, shutting my eyes momentarily as I felt a lump of pain up my throat, "Mahabang kuwento eh. Gabriel?" I gazed at him.

"Hmm?"

"Mind praying for the food first? Baka lumamig 'tong pagkain pag nagkwento na ko't 'di pa natin 'to nasimulan."

"Oh," He chuckled, "Sige, let's pray." He bowed his head and shut his eyes. Grace did so too, but as much as I tried, I couldn't. My gaze remained on him, fascinated of what I was seeing. A few seconds ticked by, and I too shut my eyes.

"Thank you for this food, Lord. I pray that you would bless it as we eat, and that you would bless the life of the one who've provided it too. In Jesus Name,"

We all said amen as he ended the prayer, reaching out towards the food at his word. Grace returned her attention to me, anticipating as I began to speak.

"About sa tanong mo, Sis," I began, "Noong last sem kasi, nai-assign ang papa ko sa branch ng business na pinagtatrabahuan niya sa La Union. So originally for about two years, doon kami titira hangga't matapos ko ang Senior high. Kaso nitong nakaraang pasko lang, may nangyari kay mama kaya-" I sucked in a breath, suppressing the tears before it was again stirred.

"Leah?" Gabriel spoke up, "Okay ka lang ba?"

I gazed up at him, forcing a smile as I saw the concern in his eyes. "Oo," I breathed, "I'm okay. Since that day, my father decided to come back here sa Baguio. Inoffer naman ni lola na bumalik ako dito sa school kaya heto ako ngayon."

"Lola mo?"

"Lola niya si Ma'am Lipaen, Grace," Gabriel spoke up.

"Talaga?" Grace looked at me in amazement, "Akala ko coincidence lang na magka-apilyedo kayo ng Principal. Directly related pala kayo!"

I nodded in confirmation, "Oo, lola ko siya,"

"Pero, about sa mother mo kanina. Ano bang nangyari?" tanong ni Grace.

Muli, huminga ako ng malalim at ipinagpatuloy magsalita. "Ano kasi," I gazed at her, "On the day of our Family Reunion, we had an accident. Pauwi na kami no'n galing sa event nang may malaking truck na bumangga sa sasakyan namin."

A gasp escaped her lips, eyes widening as she listened to my words.

"Luckily, my father and I survived. Pero si mama," I lowered my gaze, "Siya kasi ang talagang nadali dahil naggaling sa right side 'yong truck na bumangga sa'min." I swallowed with difficulty, "She didn't make it."

"Oh dear," I felt her palm upon my shoulder, "I'm so sorry for your loss. So, just nine months ago?"

"Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nangyari sa'kin ang ganito eh," I took in a breath, "I never understood why God would allow such a thing to happen."

Silence dominated our midst, a sudden heaviness in the atmosphere as I thought of the painful memory.

Bakit nga ba, Lord? Questions began flooding back to my mind, and with this the tears I've suppressed began to fall. Bakit Mo hinayaang mangyari 'yon? Didn't we serve You all our lives?

"I'm sorry to hear that, Leah," I heard Gabriel speak. I lifted my gaze, "Alam mo ang nakaraan ko. So I know you'll understand when I say that I know what you feel."

I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Alam kong masakit, Leah... but listen," He shifted forward and gazed at me intently. "May nakapag sabi saakin noon na ang mga trahedya at masasamang bagay na ito ay hindi nanggagaling sa Diyos. Hindi Niya plano ang mga ito. Hindi kailanman Siya natuwa sa pagdurusa ng mga anak Niya." Yumuko siya at itinuloy ang pagsasalita. "Pero kaya Niya itong gamitin sa mabuti kung hahayaan natin Siya. Sometimes He allows these things because through them we can learn to depend on Him."

I was taken aback as I heard him speak, surprised to hear such words coming from him.

"Just cling to him, Leah," He spoke, "He will see you through."

I could only stare as I listened to him speak. Kailan pa? Kailan pa niya natutunan ang mga ito? He said words that I've heard so many times before, but somehow, there was something in the way he said it that pierced my heart.

"Amen, pastor."

Napa-ngiti ako nang marinig ang sambit ni Grace, turning towards her with a smile as I wiped the tear upon my cheek.

"Pastor ka d'yan?" He looked at her with his brow lifted, and all the more we began to laugh. Oo kaya, he spoke as how a pastor would have, heck, even the way his voice sounded seemed different.

"May tanong pala ako, Grace," the lady turned her gaze towards me.

"Ano 'yon, Sis?"

"Nasabi kasi ni Shane sa'kin eh," I took a sip of the juice and resumed, "Sabi niya; ikaw daw dapat ang representative para sa singing competition, pero tumanggi ka." Ibinaba ko ang tingin at inalala ang nakita ko kanina, "Narinig ko naman kaninang ang ganda ng boses mo. Bakit ka tumanggi?"

"Ah," She shifted her gaze towards the table, smiling as she seemed to think of a reply, "Ano kasi, naka-dedicate na sa Diyos ang boses ko."

My gaze narrowed, "Huh? What do you mean?"

"It means nakalaan lang sakaniya ang pagkanta ko. I vowed to Him that my voice is His' and will be used to worship and glorify Him alone. Kaya naman ganon."

"Oh, that's interesting," I blew out a breath as I processed her words. "Never quite heard of that one before. Pero may tanong ako,"

"Hmm?"

"If you sing and win, won't you be able to glorify God with that too?" I gazed afar and thought, "I mean pag nalaman ng tao na believer pala ang nanalo at mga believer ang nagiging successful sa mga ganito, then won't they be more interested to know about God?"

"That can be," She confirmed with a smile, "But it's difficult to say one is glorifying God, when it is done in the parameters of the adversity. We can't sing in the way of Egypt and expect to please the God of the Promised Land."

Natigilan ako sa nasabi niya, quite taken aback as she spoke.

"At isa pa, Sis, this is but my personal conviction. Para saakin kasi, I want God's Anointing whenever I open my mouth to sing - and I came to understand that in order to have that, I must set my voice apart. God responds to consecrated things, you see."

"Ah," I could only nod as she finished to speak, taking to consideration her words. "I see. That's really fascinating, Sis."

"Oo kaya nama-" She was cut off mid-sentence, gazing down at the bead of ketchup that feel to her sleeve.

"Ay sus!" I rummaged through my bag, looking for a tissue, but before I could hand it to her, I saw Gabriel extend his hand, using his handkerchief to wipe the ketchup from her arm. He did it so gently, glancing up at her from time to time as he worked.

I stared in confusion. It was normal to help, but why did seeing him care for her so gently make me feel uncomfortable?

I discreetly put the tissue back in my bag, lowering my gaze as I watched his expressions toward her out of the corner of my eye.

My gaze remained upon the ceiling, mind in a pool of thoughts as I let the events of the day flash through my mind. Napabuntong-hininga ako, turning to my side and pulling the blanket closer to my skin.

Today had been filled with so many exciting things. For the first time after my mother's death, I felt life surging my veins again.

Hanggang ngayon, tila ba panaginip parin ang nakikita kong pagbabago kay Gabriel. I've been wishing, praying, for this happen for the whole year noong kami pa, but seeing it come to pass today was more than I had ever wished for.

A year ago, I would mention a verse to him, and he wouldn't even care to listen. But now? My goodness, who knows-he might know more Bible passages than I do!

My thoughts drifted back to the Bible study earlier, and I felt goosebumps again as I recalled the event. I've attended many Bible studies, sure-I've been going to them since I was old enough to remember. But that? That was something I had never experienced in any Bible study before.

There was no fake kindness, no hypocritical smiling and holy speech, only hunger - raw, tangible hunger for God. It was so amazing, and I couldn't help but feel somehow envious. They clearly have something that I don't.

I released a deep breath. Until when? Until when will You refuse to show me Your Presence Lord?

Nakaka-mangha ang mga nakita ko kanina. Pero 'di ko mapigilang kabahan at magduda tuwing na-aalala ko 'yung style nilang magpray. What was that even about? I've never seen anything so strange, yet at the same time... so mysteriously inviting.

I was about to shut the light beside my bed when I felt my phone vibrate from my side. I turned once more and swiped the answer button, seeing my grandmother's name on the screen as I did.

"Hello, 'la?"

"Hello, apo," I heard her speak through the phone, "Kamusta naman ang araw mo?"

I smiled in delight, hearing the undeniable concern from her voice. Ever since my mom died, my grandmother had been giving me much more attention than ever. And for that, I was really thankful.

"Okay naman 'la," I replied, "Naki-join po ako sa Campus Bible Study ngayon!"

"Wow, talaga apo?" I heard her chuckle from the other line, "That's wonderful! Why don't you tell me more about it?"

"Uhm," I pursed my lips and thought. "Una po, I really love how they worship, Lola. It was sooo heart-felt! As in hindi lang parang isang grupo ng mga studyanteng kumakanta, but literally a group of souls that want to worship God!" I bit my lip in excitement, "And even how they pray... it doesn't sound scripted or anything like that at all! Everyone had something to say to God. Hay grabe lola, it was really amazing!"

I paused for a moment, thinking of a good way to speak my mind. "Pero Lola, may isang bagay lang akong nakapagtatakang napansin,"

"What is it, apo?"

"I've noticed kasi kanina the way they pray. There were times that they spoke words that were not understandable, they were literally talking gibberish!" I began to recant, "I just remembered something kasi, 'la. I've heard Pastor Gary teach before about that, and he said it was demonic, that those stuff had already ceased. What do you think po?"