Seconds ticked, and all the more did the awkward feeling increase.

"Uhm," I cleared my throat. "A-ano 'yon?"

"Pumanaw ka'ta" He ordered in our local tongue, beckoning me to vacate the seat.

It took me a few moments to register what he just said. I hurriedly looked over my shoulder, searching for any identification that may be found. Agad kong nakita ang isang apilyedo na nakadikit sa sandalan ng upuan. I looked around. All the chairs were named. Ay.

Agad akong tumayo at lumipat sa katabing upuan, head lowered as I saw him pull the chair abrasively. A silent scoff escaped my lips. Possessive ha. Malay ko ba na may mga pangalan pala upuan dito? I shook my head. Hay! Focus, Grace! Unang araw palang 'to.

I lifted my gaze and gathered my thoughts, shifting in my seat as I saw the teacher once again enter the classroom. Oh Lord Jesus. Help me through this day.

Silence overcame the class as all my classmates began to leave. Gusto ko na ring umuwi. It had been an exhausting day.

I stood to my feet and walked towards the window, eyes gazing down the student-packed grounds below.

"Hi," Napalingon ako nang may marinig na boses, "Grace, right?" Tanong ng babaeng pumasok sa room. She wore the same uniform and was more or less my height.

"Hello," I breathed, "Oo, Grace nga. Ikaw anong pangalan mo?"

"Rhoe," She stated, a smile on her face as she raked her brown coloured hair. "Angganda nga pala ng boses mo kanina,"

"Ay," I smiled, "Thanks."

For a brief moment, silence settled around us, broken only by the faint rustle of papers as she pinned them to the bulletin board. I inhaled deeply, and once again, the curiosity about the earlier events stirred within me.

"Uhm," panimula ko, "Rhoe?"

She looked at me, "Yes?"

"May tanong ako."

"Ano 'yon?" She asked

I lowered my head in thought, my mind refreshing what had happened earlier in the morning. "'Yong lalake kaninang umaga... 'yong late pumasok?"

"Ah," A smile adorned her face, "Si Gabriel?"

"I'm not sure. Oo siguro? Basta 'yong late pumasok. Uhm," Sandali akong tumigil at nag-isip, "Bakit - bakit siya ganon?"

"Hmm," Tumango s'ya at ibinalik ang atensiyon sa inaayos na papel. "Oo nakita ko nga kanina. Mukhang unang araw palang nabiktima ka na." Napabuntong hininga sya at muling nagsalita. "'Wag mo nalang pansinin. Ganon talaga'yon, medyo bastos pero hindi ka naman aanhin pag wala kang ginagawa sakaniya."

"Hmm," I nodded, "Oo nga eh. Napansin ko rin."

"Pero 'wag ka," She gazed at me briefly and smiled again, "Kahit mukha 'yong barumbado, matalino 'yon."

"Oh," I processed her words, "Ganon ba?"

"Mm-hmm!" She confirmed, "Gano'n lang talaga style no'n, pero topnotcher 'yon dito sa school."

I could only nod as I listened to her speak. Talaga ba? He looked like the sort of guy who didn't care a bit about academics.

"Tsaka naging factor din siguro yong age niya," Pagpapatuloy niya. "He's two years ahead sa ating lahat."

"Ha?!" I narrowed my gaze in thought, calculating in my head. Two years. Then that means, he's already 20!?

"Grabe, no?" She chuckled. "Hindi lang obvious kasi may itsura, but yes."

"Kuya pala natin siya." I remarked. "B-bakit?"

"Mm," She paused, her eyes gaze now afar. "Not sure, actually. Ang narinig ko noon from Shane, he was gonna enroll sa college pero he had to stop for a few years to manage their family business, and then the K-12 happened. So he had to come back and finish these two years before he can get to enroll in the new college curriculum."

"B-business?" My gaze widened.

"Yes!" Ngumiti siya at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkukuwento. "His mother started Engine City."

"Teka," I scurried my mind, "Engine City as in yong motor parts and service provider?"

Tumango siya. "Number 1 in the whole CAR, I heard." She added. For a moment I remained idle, shocked as I processed her words. Him? Managing a business?

"Anyway, Grace?" The woman before me spoke, tearing me from my thoughts. "Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?"

Umiling ako, "Kailangan ko pang hintayin si Ma'am Johanna eh. Brief orientation daw about class rules and regulations."

"Ah," Tumango siya,"Okay then. By the way, it was nice talking to you." She smiled sweetly. "Kailangan ko nang umuwi. If you'd like since bago ka pa dito, sabay ka na sa amin bukas mag lunch."

"Okay lang sainyo?" I smiled widely.

"Wen adi," She confirmed in Ilocano, "Bukas ha? See you!"

Kumaway siya at nagtungo sa pintuan, the sides of her hair blowing as she walked. The smile remained on my lips. What a kind girl. At least may mga makaka sama na akong kumain bukas. I turned my attention back to the window, wonder filling my mind. Nasaan na kaya si Ma'am? Gusto ko na talagang umuwi. I was about to sit when echoes of heels against the concrete floor filled my ears. After a few seconds, a smiling ma'am Johanna made her way into the class.

"Hi, Grace!" She greeted. I felt a sigh of fascination escape my lips. Grabe. Ang ganda naman talaga ng teacher na 'to.

"Hi po, Ma'am," I greeted back.

"Sorry, medyo natagalan. Nagkaroon kami ng brief meeting. Here," She stretched her hand towards me, handing a piece of paper as she walked to the shelves. "'Yan na ang class rules and regulations natin, Grace. I've typed it out para kahit basahin mo nalang."

I took the paper and began to read,

"You can go home now, Grace." She spoke with a smile, "But before you do, pwede bang i-assist mo muna ako saglit dito sa shelves? Let's arrange the books." She pointed towards the box of orange covered books on the floor. Mga bagong books nanaman siguro. Ever since the curriculum had changed, books for the differing levels have been issued out almost every year.

"Sige, Ma'am, no problem po." I walked towards the box and began to remove its seal, watching momentarily as Ma'am Johanna cleared a row on the shelf.

"By the way Grace," I heard her speak, "I've noticed do'n sa song mo kanina. You're a believer, no?"

I lifted my gaze towards her, nodding with a smile.

"Wow, that's wonderful, Grace." She remarked, "So, since you're from Ifugao, where do you attend church here in Baguio? I'm also from Ifugao, by the way."

My eyes widened at her words. "Talaga, Ma'am?" I beamed, "Taga-roon ka din po?"

"Ohm, narpuwah ad Banawe," All the more I gaped at her in amazement, astounded as I heard the sound of our dialect slipping her lips flawlessly, informing me where in Ifugao she'd come from.

"Woah," I mused.

"Uh-huh," She nodded, "Kaya I understand the struggle when you first come to a city. Kailangan mo talagang mag-adjust."

Napatango nalang ako sa sambit niya. That's true, napakarami talaga. Ibang-iba ang kultura dito. Again I questioned in my mind how long it would take to actually be able to adjust.

"Oo nga po Ma'am, totoo po 'yan," I replied in assent, "As for 'yong sa church po, wala pa po eh."

"I see," She uttered with a nod, "So if that's the case, would you like to try sa amin? Kung gusto mo lang. Malapit lang siya dito sa school."

I grinned, "T-talaga, Ma'am?" Nong bumiyahe ako papunta dito sa Baguio, I knew I would have to find a church to actually attend. It was something my mother had emphasized before she sent me off. I had thought it might take a while since I knew no one here except my cousin. I felt relief surge my thoughts. Perhaps this was the reason I felt so at ease around this teacher.

"Sure! You should come some time. Importanteng panatilihin mo ang service mo sa Diyos at fellowship mo with other believers while you're away from home," She looked at me intently, "It will keep your fire burning."

I released a breath and surveyed the room one last time, satisfied as I saw the neatly organized space. Hay, finally. Makakatulog na rin ako.

Hanggang ngayon parang hindi parin ako makapaniwala na mayroon na akong sariling kuwarto. Back home, sama-sama kami ng tatlo kong kapatid sa isang kwarto, lying on a thinning matress na ilang taong na naming gamit. Nakaka-tuwa lang, I've never experienced having a room of my own. It feels quite liberating.

I slumped upon the bed as I thought, feeling its soft texture in comparison to our thin matress back in Ifugao. Sabagay, ano pa bang i-eexpect ko? My cousin has married into a well-off family, and the comfort that their house emits proved to that.

The room wasn't to be considered large though, it was probably the smallest among the other rooms in this house, but it was large enough for me.

I shifted my gaze to the right, my perception now occupied with the study table beside the bed. Kakulay ng dresser na kaharap nito.

A gush of wind entered the room, pushing the curtains right across my face. Immediately, starry skies filled my gaze. Agad akong umupo at isinara ang bintana, shifting closer to get a better view of the skies. The moon set the whole evening alight, allowing me a clear view of the whole subdivision. Huge houses, wide yards, large garages. A stark contrast to the small village of traditional houses where I came from. There is no denying this place emitted this feeling of, luxury. It seemed to lack one thing though. Something I have been trying to find since I came here - warmth.

Agad kong naalala ang mga kapatid ko. How no matter what I do to shush them quiet, their voices would still fill the whole house. Yong tunog ng mantika sa kawali habang nagluluto si mama. Yong mga kaluskos ng manok sa likod ng bahay tuwing matutulog na kami. Yong boses ni papa na kumakanta ng country songs tuwing alas singko ng umaga. That warmth.

I never wanted to leave. Isang taon nalang naman ay ga-graduate na ako ng senior high. Pero sadyang, hindi na siguro talaga kaya ni mama. My father's absence proved each day to be a challenge for us. Mabuti nalang at nagvolunteer itong pinsan ko na pag-aralin ako dito.

I lifted my gaze, once again in awe as countless stars filled my perception. I wonder what my brothers are doing? Could they be looking at the same skies?

Sana okay lang sila. Ilang buwan ding hindi kami magkikita. I shut my eyes, words slipping my mouth silently.

Lord, I put my family into Your hands. You are a Father to the fatherless. So Lord, take care of us...

The weight I felt upon my heart gradually lifted as I prayed, unearthly peace flooding back to my heart.

Ayeh... Mabuti nalang talaga at mayroon ang Diyos. Anong klaseng tao kaya ako ngayon kung hindi ko Siya nakilala? Ano na kaya nangyari sa amin kung wala Siya?

I lay in silence and savored the peace in the room, pulling the blanket around my body as I felt sleep gradually draw me in.

"Good morning, Grace!" Bungad ng pinsan ko mula sa kusina. I waved towards her and shifted my eyes to the dining table, the view of my two nephews occupying my gaze as I approached.

"Good morning!" I greeted, sniffing the air that filled the room, "Woah, angbango naman ng niluluto mo 'te!"

She chuckled and placed a bowl-full of Adobo in the table, "Sige na, kumain na kayo at nang hindi kayo malate sa school."

Tumango ako at kumuha ng plato among the pile, gulping as I caught sight of the food before me. Tsk, tiyak mabubusog nanaman ako dito!

After serving rice to both my nephews, I turned towards my plate and began to eat, gobbling down the tasty soup along with the rice that filled it.

Grabe, talaga namang iba kapag may kaya ang pamilya. Almost every meal is served with mouth-watering types of food, something we only get to experience a few times back in the province. Goodness, talbos ng kamote lang masaya na kami do'n!

I smiled as I took another spoon-full of rice. Even in small things such as these, ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagmamahal ng Diyos. God, You are so good!

"Mauna na po ako, Ate," Paalam ko, wiping my mouth in haste as I stood. "Maglalakad pa po ako kaya kailangan ko na pong umalis."

"Ah sige," She smiled and took a 100-peso bill from her pocket. "Ito pang miryenda mo."

"Hala, ate!" I took a step back, "Okay lang po! Binigyan niyo naman na po ako ng allowance for the week kahapon."

"Ha?" She put her arms to her waist. "Anong whole week allowance? 300 pesos lang 'yon, Ading!"

A soft chuckle escaped my lips, "Okay na po 'yun Ate! Kasya na siguro yun pang buong linggo."

"Ah, ganon ba?" She nodded and sat back down, "Naku, Grace. Iba ang presyo sa probinsiya at dito sa siyudad! Sabihan mo nalang ako kung kailangan mo ng extra ha?"

"Opo, Ate. Salamat po!" Kumaway ako at muling nginitian ang dalawa kong pamangkin, "Bye, a-ading!"

"Ba-bye!"

"Bye, 'nang!"

I heard both of them say. With one quick glance I turned around and went for the door. Bigla akong nanginig, cold wind blowing against my skin as soon as the door swung open. My goodness. Kailan kaya ako masasanay sa lamig dito?

With a shudder, I pulled the cardigan closer to my body and began to walk.

Instinctively, I lifted my wrist and checked the time. 7:02AM. Sakto, pagdating ko sa school mga 7:20 na, just in time for the flag ceremony. Mabuti nalang at malapit lang dito yung school namin.

After a few turns, I finally saw familiar landmarks, the towering school building coming to view as I reached the main road.

"Wit-wiw!" Gulat akong lumingon, taka nang may boses na marinig.

"Hi miss!" I shifted my gaze frantically.

Four young men in uniform were revealed, sarcastic smiles and mischievous stares plastered all over their faces. I immediately resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Inis akong tumalikod at muling naglakad.

"Uy, Miss!" Sigaw ng isa, "Wag ka namang snobber!" I kept on walking, my eyes forward.

"Miss!" I felt an arm on my shoulder. I squeezed my eyes shut, restraining myself. I looked up at the man.

"Bakit, anong kailangan mo?"

"Sungit mo naman." Kumento niya. "Wala, gusto ko lang makipag-kilala."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Gra-"

"At ano naman itong nasa bag mo?" I jolted backwards in surprise, words interrupted as I felt a force pull on my shoulder.

"Hoy!" Sigaw ko, my eyes now on my bag as one of the boys pulled it further away. "Ibalik niyo 'yan!" I groaned internally.

"Please," I breathed on a calmer tone, "Ibalik niyo 'yan." But my words fell on deaf ears. Instead, they gathered in a circle and unzipped my bag, laughing hysterically as they found ladies' products.

What in the-!

I charged towards them - furious. "Amin na 'yan!" Utos ko. Pero sakto nang hawakan ko ito ay lalong itinaas ng lalake ang bag.

I jumped to my feet in desperation, my hands reaching for the unzipped bag as they laughed. Ano ba 'yan! I saw items from my bag fall to the ground, one by one with every step the boy took.

"Ano ba!" I shot each of them a glare - breathless.

They all came to pause, fear strangely occupying their expressions as they looked forward. Nangunot ang noo ko. Am I missing something?

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon, curious of the cause of their sudden dread. My eyes narrowed.

A man walking from behind filled my vision, and upon a few more steps - I began to recognize his face.