Getting Away with Gluttony

Kabanata 53

(Saul's POV)

"Saul Matthew, right?"

Napalingon ako sa isang pamilyar at maputing babae na lumapit sa akin habang nasa lobby ako ng admin building. Pinilit kong inalala ang pangalan ng babae na nakilala ko sa church na madalas puntahan ni Shaza.

I suddenly missed her at the mere mention of her name. Her cheeky smiles. Yong tawa niyang ang sarap pakinggan. Everything about her.

"Emilia." Siya na ang nagpakilala. And I remembered. Napatango na lang ako.
"What can you say about testifying in front of the crowd?" Tanong niya.

"Testify what?" Naguluhan ako. Ito ang unang beses na nilapitan niya ako at kinausap ng ibang bagay bukod sa isasagawang concert mamayang gabi sa gym ng BCA. Initially, I accepted this program for advertisement and school campaign. Pero nang tumagal, nakita ko kung paano sila mag-effort para sa preparation. I've seen how great their intentions and purpose are to win souls for the Lord. And I was convinced to support this kind of mission.

And seeing how Shaza put her time, passion, and commitment into this kind of ministry, I felt like I have to, as well. Not that I am obliged to do so. But I want to love everything that concerns her. She inspired me.

Madali lang naman. Dahil kung gaano siya kadaling mahalin, ganoon din kadaling magustuhan ang mga bagay na ginagawa niya para sa iba.

"About miracles. You're blessed enough to survive."

Napatitig ako sa mga mata niya. She has this look like she knows something. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang itanong kung may alam siya o wala. She gives off this aura that she knows things that are not visible to the eye.

"I'll think about it."

"Your worries and doubts, you have to let it go," pahayag niya.

"I don't think it's needed. I can keep it myself," rason ko. Mas mabuting hindi ko na sabihin. Tapos na. Bakit pa kailangang balikan at ungkatin.

"Come on! This is the reason why you came back. Well, aside from Shaza, of course." She encouraged me like an older sister.

"If she ever finds out, she might b-"

"You can't hide this forever. Sooner or later, she'll find it out. Tonight would be the best time, don't you think?"

Huminga ako nang malalim at pinag-isipang mabuti ang alok niya. I've been thinking a lot of the why's and how's. But one thing is certain, my life is a miracle. That it was not pure luck, but a providence from a supernatural power that even science can't explain.

Maybe God has purposely allowed everything to happen for this one particular event.
Whatever His reasons are, I should give it a try.

"Okay," pagpayag ko. Instead of feeling burdened, I actually felt at peace and okay with the set-up. Emila briefed me shortly about what to do and what to say since it would be my first time.