I lifted my bag in haste and walked to the bathroom's exit, mind wondering as I thought of Ma'am Johanna's message.

Sabi niya it's an emergency - that we all have to meet on the quadrangle this afternoon. I narrowed my gaze in curiosity. Bakit kaya? And why do I have this strange feeling that it wasn't a good thing?

I lifted my gaze, surveying the wide school grounds as I advanced. Natanaw ko ang grupo ng mga studyante na nakatayo sa tabi ng flag pole, some sitting on the side of the stage as others gathered closer. It had been only five weeks, but the number of students attending had doubled since we began.

Nagtaka nga lang ako nang malapitan sila, all had this downcast expression to them, as though something bad had taken place. I felt my heart race in nervosity. Agad kong nilapitan si Ma'am na sa kasalukuyan ay kinaki-usap si Gabriel.

I anchored my gaze on the sheet of paper he held. "Ano 'yan?" I gazed up at Ma'am Johanna, "Ano pong meron, Ma'am?"

She took in a breath and placed a hand on my shoulder, "The Campus Ministry had been withdrawn, anak. The Principal didn't sign our permit for the next month."

My gaze widened, brows furrowing as I heard her reply. "Ho?" I took in a breath, "Bakit daw po, ma'am? Bakit nagbago ang isip ni Ma'am Lipaen?"

Ma'am Johanna bit her lip, leaning in closer as she spoke, "Someone had informed her daw that there was an occultic manifestation during the Bible Studies, kaya naman winithdraw niya."

I shook my head in confusion, "Occult? Ma'am, paano daw pong occult? How could prayer, worship and sharing of the Word be occult?" I paced the ground with my gaze, still unable to make sense of what was going on.

"Anak, yes Ma'am Lipaen is a Believer, but she is part of a Christian Denomination that believes that Gifts of the Spirit such as Tongues and Miracles are no longer in operation today." She began to explain, "Some people call them 'Cessationists'. The teaching is that present signs, wonders and speaking in tongues are of the devil - meaning counterfeit."

For a few seconds I couldn't speak, taken aback of the information I just heard. Ano!? I blew out a sigh of frustration. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did I understand it correctly? Just 'cause of a difference in doctrine, some Christians just outright shut other Christians down - even though lives are being impacted for the greater good of God's Kingdom?

Umakyat si Ma'am Johanna sa stage at nagsalita, "I'm very sorry, mga anak," We heard her speak, "But unfortunately we won't be able to meet here at school again for this activity."

Remarks of dismay and shock was heard, and with this Ma'am Johanna resumed to speak, "The Principal had cancelled our activity permit, and continuing to do so will put us all under punishable grounds."

She lowered her head, listening as voices of complaint and confusion intensified. I felt my heart sink.

Bakit ganito Lord? Weren't you preparing a revival for this school? Pero bakit? Bakit ganito ang nangyayari?

"Ma'am!" We all shifted our gazes as a student spoke from the back, "Venue lang naman ang kulang, 'di po ba?"

"Basically, yes," Ma'am Johanna confirmed.

"Ma'am, I think Ryan here has a suggestion," Dana spoke, pointing towards the man beside her.

"Yes?"

"Ma'am," the guy began, stepping closer to the front as prepared to speak, "Kung venue lang po ang problema, I think I can ask my father for permission so we can use the upper floor hall sa apartment namin. It's only a few steps away from school - Taylor's Apartments."

Mixed remarks were heard, and with this I felt a ray of hope surge my heart. For a moment, I was able to breath freely again.

Ma'am Johanna nodded and began to speak, "Oh, you mean 'yong Apartment just beside the Burger Place? Do you own that Building?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang sambit niya. Woah, I've only seen that building for the few times that I've passed through, but goodness, that building is huge!

"We can use that as a venue, Ma'am, as long as we schedule it with my father. He will understand."

A wide smile was formed upon Ma'am Johanna's face, "Praise God!"

The group broke into applause as we heard the man's offer, and with this I felt my heart calm.

Oh Lord, I'm so sorry for doubting You. Indeed, if You split the red sea for Your children in the Old Testament, then surely You can make a way for us.

Inischedule ni Ma'am Johanna ang activity at dinismiss na ang grupo. The group initially gathered in sadness, now dispersed in joy. Laking-pasalamat ko at ginamit ng Panginoon ang buhay ng lalaking 'yon.

I spotted him among the crowd, smiling towards me as he approached. I smiled back, "Thank you, ha," sambit ko, "God had used you mightily today."

"It's a pleasure," He replied with a smile. I gazed in admiration. I had not paid much attention earlier, but now that he was near it wasn't so hard to notice the charm he possessed. Light brown eyes met my gaze, his skin the perfect shade of olives. Para siyang foreigner! "See you tomorrow then, Grace,"

"See you, Bro," Sagot ko, nodding as I watched him walk away. I probed the ground with my gaze, glancing from side to side as I sought for Rhoe's face. Nasa'n kaya 'yon?

Nagsimula akong maglakad at tinunton kung nasaan siya, smiling in relief as I saw her walk towards me with Gabriel. "Nakita niyo ba si Leah?" Tanong ko.

"Oo, andito siya kanina eh," Rhoe scattered her gaze, "Pero nong nagsimula na mag-announce si Ma'am, 'di ko na rin napansin."

"Baka nauna nang umuwi siguro?"

"Siguro nga," Rhoe nodded, "Eh tayo, 'di na rin ba tayo uuwi?"

"Tara na," I clung to her arm, "Gutom na 'ko eh,"

We began to walk and as we reached the gate. Upon stepping out, we said our good-byes and parted ways.

"Mabuti nalang at meron nagvolunteer ng venue no?" I remarked, "God always makes a way, indeed,"

"Indeed," Gabriel echoed, "At mabuti't saktong malapit rin para hindi na natin kailangang lumayo pa sa school."

"Angbait ng lalaking 'yon 'no?" I gazed afar, taking into remembrance his face as I thought, "Plus bakit ganon? Para siyang may lahing 'kano eh. May foreigner blood kaya 'yon?"

"Ammo pay*," He spoke, a sudden monotony to his voice. Ini-angat ko ang tingin sakaniya. He resumed to speak, "Bakit, type mo s'ya?"

Napakamot ako ng ulo, taka sa biglang pagbabago ng ekspresyon niya. May nasabi ba akong mali?

"Ha?" I scoffed. "Grabe ka naman Gabriel, type agad? Curious lang ako kasi ganon nga hitsura niya,"

"Ahh," He nodded, doing so almost sarcastically, "Talaga nga namang guwapo kapag 'kano 'no?"

Naningkit ang mata ko. Pambihira, ano ba sinasabi nito? Bumuntong-hininga ako at nagsalita. "Mas guwapo parin ang Igorot para sa'kin,"

I saw his head turn towards me, "Oh?"

"Oo, bakit?" I eyed him, "Ikaw nga eh, mukha ka kayang hapon."

Natawa nalang siya at umiling, "Marami ngang nagsasabi. Normal na 'yon, ilang taon 'din naman tayong nasakop ng Japan noon."

"Tama ka," Pagsang-ayon ko, "Kaya siguro talagang maraming mga Cordilleran ang nalahi- ahh!"

A loud gasp escaped my lips as I felt my feet twist, gravity pulling me to the ground as I felt a sharp pain shoot through my ankle. I winced in pain, eyes shut as I felt hard cement against my skin. Nagsitigil ang mga taong naglalakad sa paligid namin, glancing down me in wonder.

Dali-dali akong nilapitan Gabriel, helping me back to the sidewalk in haste. "Anong nangyari?"

"Uh," I looked at the elevated sidewalk, "Kinulang yata ako ng tancha. Hindi ko nakitang mataas pala 'yong side walk kaysa mainroad kaya-hssstt," I shut my eyes forcibly, biting my lower lip as pain engulfed my feet the moment I tried to move it.

"Tsk, tsk," He shook his head and touched my ankle, studying it with his glance as he did so, "Makakalakad ka pa ba?"

I took in a breath, "Oo, kaya ko naman siguro."

I saw him stand and offered his hand. I reached for it, wincing in pain as he lifted me up. I now clung to his arms, but the moment I took a step, the same sharp pain engulfed my very being. Napatigil ako, releasing a breath as I recovered from the intense pang. Naku, pa'no na 'to?

"Nako," I heard him remark. He released a breath, brows knitted as he seemed to think of what to do. Ini-angat niya ang paningin at tinitigan ako. I felt my heart stop. Now what?

"Please allow me to help you." He said with concern, almost pleading.

"Aren't you, already? Anong-"

"-Will you?"

I blinked in confusion, "S-sige?"

A smile adorned his face, and in an instant, I felt my feet leave the ground, his arms lifting my body with much ease.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, cheeks burning as I realized what had just taken place. I gazed at him in wonder, embarrassment clouding my ability to reason as he began to walk.

I so badly wanted to speak, but no coherent sentence would form in my head. I tried my best to keep my gaze down, filling my mind with every possible thought apart from him. Him. Subukan ko man ay hindi ko talaga maikaila. I discreetly lifted my gaze, the side of his face now in full view. He really did look so attractive. But it wasn't just that. It was they way he carried himself, the way his eyes eminated both gentleness and authority that always seemed to draw me into its depths. Hay, ano ba naman 'to. Sabi kong aayusin ko utak ko eh. Tapos ganito? I bit my lip in frustration. I saw his eyes shift, meeting my gaze as he did. My heart doubled in its pace.

"Sorry," I finally blurted out, "Naabala nanaman kita,"

"Hindi naman," he replied, a small smile now upon his face as he shifted his gaze forward, "This is quite enjoyable actually,"

My heart raced. I gazed at him with wide eyes.

Ha!?

Dahan-dahan akong pumasok sa bahay, clinging to every possible thing available as I went in. Agad ko namang nasulyapan ang pinsan ko na siyang dali-daling lumapit nang makita ang sitwasyon ko.

"My goodness, Grace, anong nangyari sa'yo!?"

"Napilay po yata ako Ate," I replied, wincing as I sat on the couch, "Nagkamali po ako ng tapak kanina sa sidewalk eh,"

"Naku 'tong batang to," swiftly she stood and walked to the kitchen door, "D'yan ka lang at kukuha ako ng ice."

I nodded, gazing down at my now swelling ankle. Huhu naku, mukang kailangan ko na ding i-layhands sarili ko nito ah. Ayokong mag-absent bukas!

"Marla!" My head jolted upright, turning my gaze to the door as I heard my cousin's husband. Oh, maaga yata siya ngayon ah.

"Hello po, Kuya," I greeted, but instead of smiling back like he usually does, I saw him pierce me with a glare.

"Grace, ano 'to?" He lifted a sheet of paper before my face, and immediately I saw the initials of my school. He pulled it away before I could read the rest. "You've been given a warning for participating in religious occult in school!"

Nervosity gripped my being. I swallowed hard, gaze lowered as I felt my heart pace faster.

"Anong nangyayari?" Tanong ni Ate Marla, walking towards us with a bag of ice in her hands.

"Itong pinsan mo!" He pointed at me, "She's been involved with religious activity in school!"

Napabuntong-hininga si Ate, "Dan, I don't think that's-"

"-So this is why!" She was cut off mid-sentence, "Kaya pala wala 'tong pinsan mo tuwing lingo! I knew my suspicions were right." He gazed down at me with ire, "Sa simula palang sinabi ko na ang regulasyon ko sa bahay na ito. I'm willing to help her with everything she needs, but I do not tolerate religious lunacy in this house!"

"Dan, please huwag namang-"

"I'll ask you one more time, Grace," I lifted my head reluctantly, "Stop this nonsense or I'll send you back to Ifugao."

"Dan!"

"Tumahimik ka!" He growled.

All joy seemed to drain off my being.

"Ho?" Tears began to well up my eyes.

"Stop this," Pagdidiin niya, "Or I'll send you back to the province."

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(*) Ammo pay - Ewan ko