Hatsukoi

Chapter 22:

“What was that you wanted to say?” ulit niyang muli habang paalis na siya.

“Ah... kalimutan mo na ’yon, good luck on your race.” Ngumiti na lamang si Kiko at kumaway siya, Leni just nodded and she ran to the tracks.

“Let’s both do our best, I’ll root for you!” Kiko shouted one again, nang maakalis si Leni ay napayuko na lamang siya. Kinuyom niya ang kaniyang mga palad at pumukit.

“Ang tanga mo, Kiko.” He whispered to himself.

***

“Humayo kayong lahat at ipakalay ang mabuting balita ng ating Panginoon.” Ngiti ni Padre Juan sa mga nasa loob ng simbahan ng San Jose, malugod naman siyang tinugunan ng mga taong nakinig sa kaniyang misa.

“Salamat sa Diyos.” After a while, umalit na ang choir ng kanilang pangwakas na awit. Nang magsilabas na ang mga tao sa simbahan ay naiwan si Bongbong sa loob at nagtungo siya sa candle area para magtulos ng kandila at magdasal pa.

There’s a row of candle wicks aligned, in the center is a wishing fountain.
Nagtungo muna siya sa sentro at kumuha ng barya upang ihulog sa fountain. Matapos iyon ay kinuha mula sa kaniyang bag ang tatlong pirasong kandila na may iba’t ibang stamp ng kanilang simbahan.

Green for health, blue for thanksgiving, and red for wishes. Kinuha niya ang kulay bughaw at pulang kandila at sinindihan ito gamit ang apoy na mula sa iba pang mga kandilang nasindihan na sa candle wick. Itinuloy niya ito kalaunan at ginawa niya ang sign of the cross.

“Glorious Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, I call your on your strength and courage to help my friend, Leni Gerona, on her difficult trial.”

“Mukang nininerbiyos si Leni.” Saad ni Antonio habang hawak niya ang kaniyang cellphone at nakatutok na ito sa posisyon nila Leni upang ivideo siya.

“Leni, kaya mo ’yan!” Salvacion cheered her.

“Go, Leni!” sigaw naman ni Antonio.

Saglit pang inunat ni Leni ang kaniyang mga kamay at pinunas ito sa kaniyang salawal dahil namamawis ito, she looked straight at the tracks. Seryoso na siyang kumilos patungo sa kaniyang posisyon sa laban nang paghandain na sila ng facilitator.

“Commander at the Roman Emperor’s court, You chose to be also a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King of Kings, for which you were condemned to die.”

“Ready, get set...” Huminga nang malalim si Leni at ihihanda ang kaniyang hiya at mga paa sa nakaambang tunog ng baril na nagbabadya sa lahat upang tumakbo.

And that gunshot was heard.

“Your body, however, proved athletically strong and the executing arrows extremely weak. So another means to kill you was chosen and you gave your life to the Lord.”

“Lane five takes the lead, Leni Gerona of Epiphany Christian Academy.” Tumakbo nang mabilis si Leni. Not minding anything, she ran like the calming wind.

“May athletes be always as strong in their faith as their Patron Saint so clearly has been. Intercess for us we pray, that our faith may imitate yours and that God may protect us as we seek to use the gifts He has given us to glorify Him this day.”

“Let Leni lead! Let Leni lead!” Kiko and the other club members shouted as they support and encourage Leni to run faster. Leni was indeed joyful of the support, she didn’t let her guard down as she ran.

“Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you. I ask for your intercession that Leni would also survive that which threatens to destroy her beliefs in the mercy of Christ.”

“Amen.”

“Lane five was first to finish, from Epiphany Christian Academy. Lane eight was second, from the Saint Paul’s Academy. Lane three was third, from the Santo Tomas National High School.” The announcer announced the winners of the girls’ one hundred meter sprint.

The members of the track and field club cheered when Epiphany Christian Academy was called. Once again, Leni snatched the gold. Masayang-masaya naman si Leni dahil sa kaniyang nakamit, pagdating niya sa kinalalagyan ng iba niyang mga kasama ay pinaulalan na kaagad siya ng pagbati ng mga ito.

It was just then, Bongbong finished his prayer and he smiled as he watched the candles he lighted burn. He took a deep breath and he proceeded to his next agenda for that day—his folk dance practice.

~Spiritual Guidance.