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 naisip ni Grace nang makita kami ni Leah? I let Janice sit on one of the pews before sitting beside her. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa buong church. Oh, first time yata ah, hindi siya maaga ngayon.
"Manung, 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, Manung?" 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 across my mind.
...
"Gabriel?" Lumingon ako, nagtataka 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. She was as pretty as I first saw her. Only God could explain now how my feelings for her could have changed.
"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 to her words.
"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 years I haven't seen her, I've always thought I do, but now that I do 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.
BINABASA MO ANG
𝑁𝑜 𝑇𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘
Spiritual||Written in Filipino - English|| COMPLETED || She loves God. He hates the very mention of His Name. She is anointed by God's Spirit. He plays with demons. She is God's. He is lost. A woman of light comes to cross the life of a man whose life can...