Breaking Free From Envy

Kabanata 51

I sighed. Hindi ko alam kung pang-ilan na iyon. I've been observing Sef mula pa kahapon pagkatapos ng confessions niya. After that, we don't talk anymore. Kasa-kasama ko sina Shaza at Ladyma. Mabuti na lang talaga at nandito sila. Or else, sa mental na ang bagsak ko nito.

"He's hiding something..." komento ni Ladyma habang nanliliit ang mga matang nakatingin kay Sef na kasalukuyang kausap ni Pastor Xenon at Pastor Geoffe. I just found out how he got here when I heard Shaza's story.

Nagkakilala daw sila ni Pastor Xenon from his trip in Germany. At dahil parehong artistic, they became instant friends. Nalaman ni Pastor Xenon na nandito sa bansa si Sef. So, he contacted Sef and ask to join the professional summit para makapag-bonding sila.

"What would it be that he can't tell me?" Wala sa sarili kong tanong. I saw Pastor Xenon say something to Sef that made him look at me.

"I can not totally read him. More like, something happened in the past." Pagdidiscern ni Ladyma kay Sef. Kaya muli akong napabuntong-hininga. The activities for the first day just finished. May lecture type kanina tapos team building type activities. Hindi ko naman nakagrupo si Sef kasi he's like more of a spectator than a participant.

We are having our dinner sa kitchen ng Lodge. Nasa mahigit 50 kami. There are 10 Pastors who administer the activities and lectures. After the dinner, we'll have the worship explosion. Kaya busyng-busy si Paco sa isang silid kung saan sila nagrerehearse. Kasali siya sa praise and worship team. He will be the lead guitarist.

"You won't back up?" tanong ko kay Ladyma. Kasi once in a while she volunteers to be a backup singer. Umiling lang siya.

"Baka ma-distract si Paco..." pagbibiro niya. 

"Wow! Gandaaa..." pang-aasar namin ni Shaza. Si Kuya Saul naman baka sumunod dito  kinabukasan pa with Bhabes. Plano nilang magpaiwan para makapamasyal. Sana all, di ba? Ayoko namang sumabit. Siyempre, it's a  family thing.

Lumipas ang tatlong araw ng professional summit. Nag-iwasan lang naman kami ni Sef. Everytime na magsasalubong kami, it's either ako or siya ang lilihis ng daan. It's like a mutual agreement on both party to avoid each other.

I planned to stay for a few more days. Kaya magpapaiwan ako. Nakapagpaalam na ako kay Pastor Geoffe. Marami akong gustong libutin dito sa Sagada. Nang makaalis ang van at lahat ng participants, I checked out too and decided to walk and enjoy the scenery.Malapit lang naman dito ang mismong bayan ng Sagada where I can book another hotel and request for a tourguide para sa mga tourist destinations dito.

Bukod diyan, I also wanted to think. To ponder things ahead, ganoon.  Nakatulong naman yong Summit . It sorted some of my emotions and feelings and priorities in life. Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang mapansin ang lalaking naglalakad din sa kabilang bahagi ng kalsada. Pababa na iyong daanan sa downtown. We're on top of a hill.