What if the saints of old walked among us today-would we honor their triumphs, or whisper about their secrets?
Zarinna knows the weight of hidden truths. Once devoted, now marked by choices she cannot undo, she carries shame like a shadow she cannot...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"SO," Lauren began, her voice smooth but heavy with undertones Zarinna could still recognize. "I see the rumors are true. You did move here to Mountain Province, Zarinna." She smiled, or at least tried to. "It's nice to see you again!"
Her eyes, though, betrayed the sweetness in her tone—carefully measuring, weighing the woman before her as though trying to make sense of what she was seeing.
"Indeed, Lauren..." Zarinna managed, forcing calm into her trembling voice. "I'm guessing you're here for the interview for guidance counselor applicants, right?"
"I am!" Lauren beamed, clasping her hands together with practiced enthusiasm. "And what about you? What are you doing here?"
Her gaze traveled from Zarinna's shoes to her hair, an unspoken prayer running through her mind—surely she's not an employee here... please, no.
"Ah, I teach here, Lauren."
The words landed like stones. Lauren's expression faltered for just a fraction of a second—long enough to reveal her disbelief. What?
"Oh," she breathed, recovering quickly. "I don't see you wearing the DepEd uniform. Since when?"
"Since June," Zarinna replied with a polite smile. "My uniform hasn't been sewn yet, that's why."
"Ah..." Lauren nodded absently.
"By the way," Zarinna continued, her tone brightening, "this is Gina Gacusan—one of the Math teachers here."
Lauren's lips curved again, the smile carefully arranged. She reached out, shaking the short-haired woman's outstretched hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Lauren!" Gina said warmly.
"Nice to meet you too, Ma'am," Lauren replied, forcing air into her lungs before stepping back. "Well, I best be going now. I still have a lot of paperwork to finish."
"Alright, Lauren. Take care," Zarinna said softly.
"Have a wonderful day, Ma'am Gina," Lauren replied sweetly—then turned to Zarinna. "Zarinna."
Her tone flattened, her eyes sharp and unreadable. Zarinna only nodded, unwilling to feed the silent tension stretching between them.
Lauren turned on her heel and walked away, her steps quick and heavy. Each stride stoked the frustration twisting in her chest. Of all schools... why here?
A sigh tore from her lungs. She slowed, pressing a hand to her chest as if she could calm the turmoil inside. Lord, You have to help me, she prayed. Take this thing away.
ZARINNA quickened her pace as she reached the school gate, slipping into the guard's office to register her time-out. She had to get home early—papers waited for grading, her mind already crowded with the weight of tasks. She slung her bag onto the table, pulling her jacket closer as the mountain air began to chill.
