Sa isang mundong patuloy na sumasalungat sa salita at kagustuhan ng Diyos, paano matututunan ng isang babae na panindigan ang kanyang pananampalataya?
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto...
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I took in a breath before entering the church building, tensed as I recalled what had happened that Friday evening. Napalunok nalang ako't ipinikit ang mata. The idea of it made me feel so uncomfortable... and worried.
Ano kayang inisip ni Grace nang makita kami ni Leah? I let Janice sit on one of the pews before sitting beside her. Inilibot ko ang tingin sa buong church. Oh, first time yata ah, hindi siya maaga ngayon.
"Kuya, okay ka lang ba d'yan?" Narinig kong tanong ni Janice. "Kanina ka pa parang asiwa eh.
"Ah," I forced a smile and gazed down at her, "Ayos lang ako, Ading,"
"Sure ka, Kuya?" She narrowed her gaze towards me.
"Oo," I chuckled and gazed forward. I released a silent sigh. Nasaan na kaya siya? I don't why, but I feel as though I owe her an explanation, especially seeing how she had reacted that night. I shut my eyes forcibly, the memory flashing through my mind.
...
"Gabriel?" Lumingon ako, taka nang may marinig na boses mula sa likod.
"Oh Leah," I breathed, walking ahead as I saw her come out from the ladies restroom.
"Gab, wait lang," natigilan ako nang maramdaman ang kamay niya sa braso ko. I turned around and gazed down at her. The mere sight of her brought many memories back. Lovely as always. Only God knows how everything I felt for her seemed to have totally faded.
"Ano 'yon, Leah?"
"Wala naman," she lowered her gaze and lifted it again, making me all the more wonder of her strange behavior. "I just-" huminga siya ng malalim. "I missed you,"
I was struck silent at her word, unsure of how to respond.
"A-ah," I chuckled and lowered my head.
She was silent for a while, as though anticipating for a reply. Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Don't you," she anchored her gaze upon me. "don't you feel the same?"
Naka-tungo lang ako habang pinapakinggan siya. Do I? For the months I haven't seen her, I've always thought I have, but now that I see her, why does it seem as though ... it all had dwindled away?
"I'm happy to have seen you again, Leah," I finally said. I met her gaze, immediately noticing the melancholy in her eyes. She lowered her head and took in a breath.
"Sorry nga pala," sambit niya. She lifted her head, revealing her tear-filled eyes as she did so. Wonder filled my mind.
"Sorry saan?"
"K-kasi, ako yata ang rason kung bakit tayo napa-alis sa school." She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Nakwento ko kasi kay Lola 'yong mga nangyari no'ng first na umattend ako eh. Hindi ko naman akalain na-" she sucked in a breath, words interrupted as another set of tears fell from her eyes.
