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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Stirring and footsteps filled my ears, my consciousness aroused as I heard voices around me. Pilit kong inimulat ang mga mata. I lifted my gaze, and as soon as I did, I came in contact with his. He smiled, "Andito na tayo,"
Slowly I pulled myself from his warmth, gazing through the window of the bus. Madilim pa, at ilang mga streetlights lang ang nagpapaliwanag sa daan. Burnham's pathway became evident as my blurry vision cleared. Oo nga, andito na kami.
Nag-inat ako ng likod at hinarap si Gabriel. He was now preparing to stand, gathering the bags in his hand as he did so. I did the same. Inayos ko ang sarili at agad naring tumayo kasunod niya. Naglakad kaming palabas ng bus kasabay ang ibang mga pasahero, at sa paghakbang ko sa labas ng sasakyan, agad yumakap saaking katawan ang napakalamig na hangin. Hsst, Baguio weather.
Saktong pagbaba namin ay agad namang pumara si Gabriel ng isang taxi. Pagkatapos nilang ilagay sa bagahe ang mga karga ay umandar na ang taxi. Mabuti nalang talaga at meron si Gabriel. Anghirap ng may dalang kalahating sako ng bigas tapos mag-isa mong babae. Noon kasi sa Pinsan ako titira eh kaya 'di ako pinabaunan, pero ngayong nalaman nila Tita ang sitwasyon, 'di naman sila nag-atubiling pabaunan ako. Konti lang man, malaking tulong parin iyon.
Ilang minuto lang at natanaw ko na ang gate ng church. Madilim ang buong paligid, mabuti nalang at may mga streetlights. Pagkabigay ni Gabriel ng bayad ay tinungo na namin ang simbahan. Naku, angdami naming dala.
Darkness from the Pastoral House welcomed us as soon as we stepped in, and with this I scurried for the switch upon the wall beside the door. Agad ko naman itong pinindot ng mahanap ito. Immediately the place was set alight, the tiled floor gleaming to life as the light touched it.
Isa-isang ipinasok ni Gabriel ang mga gamit, fixing the fruits upon the kitchen table as I sat on the couch. Pagkatapos niya itong ayusin ay lumapit siya't naupo sa aking tabi. I gazed up at him, unsure of what to say.
"G-gusto mong magkape?" Aya ko.
He smiled and shook his head, "Alam kong pagod ka. Magrest ka muna ha? I'll see you later."
I could only nod as I heard him speak. "Okay," I smiled, "Ingat ka sa pag-uwi,"
"Salamat," He began to stand. "Magrest ka ng husto. Magduduty ka mamaya hindi ba?"
"Wen," Sumunod ako sakaniya papuntang pintuan. He glanced once more and smiled towards me. Akmang lalakad na siyang palayo nang matigil ito. I held on to his hand, "S-salamat ng marami, Gabriel, salamat talaga."
He stood still, locking gazes with me. I couldn't put everything into words, how thankful I was of all his efforts in the past few days. More and more I begin to understand, to see the kind of man God is building him up to be.
I felt my heart race when he seemed to charge towards me, his hand wrapping around my waist as he approached. His face drew near to mine, and before I could fully see I shut my eyes instinctively.
