Ilang segundo rin siguro ang lumipas bago ko naprocess ang sinabi niya. I stared at him in disbelief. I knew that if he really desired it, he'd be baptized too eventually, but... now? Like this?

"Seryoso ka? Ako talaga gusto mong mag-layhands sa'yo?"

Nangunot ang noo niya, "Bakit, kailangan bang Pastor?"

"Ah," Umiling ako, "Hindi naman, kaso..." I lowered my head in thought.

Paano ba ito? How do I pray for someone to receive the Holy Ghost? Ibinalik ko ang titig sakaniya. His eyes were still upon me, probably wondering why I sat silent. I took in a breath.

"S-sige,"

I saw a smile form on his face, and with that I became even more nervous. My goodness. Lord, turuan mo po ako.

I stood to my feet sheepishly, unsure of how to do what I was asked. Hmm, nakatayo kami noon no'ng nilay hands ako eh, so maybe we should stand too?

Agad din naman siyang tumayo kasabay ko. I lead him towards the altar and faced him. Gracious, angtangkad niya. How in the world would I be able to properly lay hands on him?

I shook the thoughts off my head and took in a deep breath. Hay, bahala ka na nga, Lord. I'm worrying as though I'll be the one who'll baptize him, when all I should do is allow the Holy Spirit to do His work.

Sinenyasan ko siya at sa pagtango ko ipinikit na niya ang kaniyang mga mata. I did the same, placing a palm upon his shoulder as I prepared to speak.

"Lord, I know that You have seen this man's hunger and thirst for You. So Lord I pray right now that you would allow him to experience Your infilling." Muli akong huminga ng malalim at ipinagpatuloy, "Right now, Lord Jesus... let him receive the promise that the Father had given. Holy Spirit..." Ibinukas ko ang aking mga mata at sinulyapan siya, "Infill him with Your Power!"

I began speaking in tongues, gradually increasing in intensity as I noticed a lone tear escape his clasped lids. Fascination filled my being, and little by little I felt the atmosphere change. A weight so heavy seemed to drop upon my shoulder, and my palms began to tingle.

I gazed up at him, "Gabriel," He opened his eyes, "You have to open you mouth. Open your mouth and praise, just worship Him,"

At my word, I saw him shut his eyes once more, and gradually I saw his lips begin to move. Ipinikit ko na rin ang aking mata at ipinagpatuloy ang panalangin. I heard his voice heighten in volume, uttering words of praise. Heat overwhelmed my body, and with this I lifted my voice.

"In the name of Jesus, who baptizes with Spirit and fire," I placed a thumb on his lower lip, "Receive the fire of the Holy Ghost!"

Laking gulat ko nang maramdaman ko siyang mapa-atras, falling backwards as I declared the words. My body fell along with him as my attempt to keep him upright failed, falling to my knees beside him as I heard his voice.

I was caught off-guard, my focus altered. I returned my gaze to him in haste and was taken aback. Joy flooded my heart, a wide smile now upon my face as I heard his praises - his praises... now in tongues that only he and God understood.

"Sige na, Grace?" Pagmamaka-awa ni Shane sabay lapat ng kamay sa braso ko, "Wala na talagang pag-asa 'tong klase natin kung hindi ka sasali eh. Please?"

I gazed at her intently. Paano na 'to? Paano ba ako tatanggi nang hindi ko sila masasaktan? Was that even possible?

"Sorry talaga, Shane," I placed a palm on top of hers, "I can't go against my conviction. Hindi ko kaya..."

I saw her sigh in surrender, sadness tainting her face. I heard Karen scoff.

"Grabe naman yan, Grace!" Pagalit siyang tumayo, "Ang OA naman niyang paniniwala mo. Hindi na yata praktikal yan ah!" Tumalikod siya at nagsimulang naglakad palabas ng classroom. Binitawan ako ni Shane at nagsimula na ring tumayo.

"Daig mo pang nagmadre," Bulong naman ng isa bago tumayo at umalis. Their words felt like knives to my heart, and I felt a bitter lump rise up my throat.

I lowered my head, releasing a breath as their words re echoed in my mind. Panginoon, anghirap po. Angsakit pala ng ganito... tulungan Mo po ako.

"Oh Grace?" Inangat ko ang tingin nang marinig ang boses ni Rhoe, "Akala ko ba kakausapin ka nila Shane? Nasa'n sila?"

"Umalis na sila,"

Umupo siya sa tabi ko at tinignan ako ng maigi, "Anong nangyari? Bakit, ano bang sinabi nila?"

"Ano, about ulit do'n sa singing competition."

"Ha?" Nangunot ang noo niya, "Eh 'diba tinanggihan mo na 'yon?"

"Oo, pero..." Bumuntong-hininga ako, "Inalok ulit nila ako eh. Sabi nila wala daw pag-asa ang klase natin pag 'di ako sasali."

"Hay. Naku 'yan na tayo eh," umiling siya, "Hayaan mo na, Grace. Maiintindihan rin siguro nila 'yun after some time."

I nodded in agreement, "Sana nga." Inayos ko ang gamit at nagsimulang tumayo, "Tara na? Wala sila Ate ngayon kasi umattend sila ng Family Reunion kaya walang tao sa bahay kailangan ko na umuwi."

"Okay, sige. Tara?"

Naglakad kami palabas ng classroom at bumaba sa hagdan, nag-uusap patungkol sa nangyari kahapon.

"Grabe Grace, kung hindi ko lang siguro narinig ang pagta-tongues ni Gabriel, baka iba na ang na-isip ko," Kumento niyang naka-ngiti.

"Ha?" Nangunot ang noo ko, "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Her laugh heightened as we walked out the building, "Eh sino ba namang 'di magtataka? Dadalawa lang kayo do'n tapos nagkahiga siya at ikaw nama- aray!" I looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Sakit ng kurot mo ah!"

"Kung ano-ano kasing iniisip mo eh! Pambihira 'to." I blew out a breath, shaking the embarrassing thought off my head.

Muli siyang tumawa, "Masyado namang defensive 'to!" She clung to my arm and leaned closer to my face, "Aminin mo, crush mo siya 'no?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "Aist!" She took a step back, "Tama na nga 'yan, Rhoe! D'yan ka magaling eh," Umiling ako at binilisan ang paglakad. She ignored my word and giggled behind me. Mariin kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata. It can't possibly be true. No, no.

I lifted my gaze towards the gate, wonder filling my mind as I saw a group of students gathered on the waiting shed beside the gate. Naka-upo silang pabilog at pinapakinggan ang lalaking nagsasalita sa gitna. I knit my brows, si Gabriel ba 'yon? Only the man's back was visible from where we stood, but it wasn't hard to recognize his frame. Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Anong meron?

Pagkarating namin nagsimula na silang tumayo at maghiwa-hiwalay. Nilapitan namin si Gabriel na kasalukuyang nakikipag-usap kay Vince.

"Anong meron?" Tanong ni Rhoe.

"Kinwento ni Gabriel 'yong nangyari sa kapatid niya no'ng last week," Paliwanag ni Vince, "Grabe! Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng gano'n! Anong sikreto mo Grace? Paano mo nagawa 'yon?"

Umiling ako, "Hala, hindi ako 'yon! Ang Panginoon ang nagpagaling kay Janice, hindi ako."

Lumapit ang isang babae kasama ang dalawa pa naming mga kaklase, "Eh kung magschedule kaya tayo ng ganito every week?" Suhestiyon niya, "Angdami kong gustong tanungin eh!"

Nagtinginan kami ni Gabriel bago makasagot, "P-parang Bible Study gano'n? Sharing?"

"Oo, ganon nga," kumpirmasyon niya, "Pwede kaya?"