Faith.Hope.Love

9. The Serenade

"How many should we buy?" Rachel was referring to the Cornetto ice cream when she asked Aimee.

"Twenty-five pieces Rachel," Aimee replied.

I overheard Rachel and Aimee talking while I was choosing juice drinks. Before we went to the convenience store, we ordered food in the nearby food chain.

My phone rang. It was Justin.

"Hey Justin, where are you? We're all here at the convenience store," I told him.
Rachel and Aimee were already waiting for me at the counter to pay for the Cornetto. I hurriedly came to them to give the juice drinks.

"I'm almost there, Faith." I saw him approaching the door of the store.

"You're just in time, I'm so proud of you!" Aimee teased Justin.

They were really close since college. Justin got the paper bags filled with Cornetto ice cream and juice drinks from Rachel and Aimee.

"Let's go ladies!" Justin said as he led the way out.

We arrived at Today's Hope Center for Children at 8 am. We went early to spend time with the kids before checking on the stories and artworks they submitted. I also brought with me some stories contributed by other friends for the book. Pam and Gabriel also emailed stories for this book project.

"Good morning Teacher Angelo" We all greeted Teacher Angelo when we went inside the center.

"Good morning everyone, I'm so happy to see you all." Teacher Angelo greeted back.

"Good morning Ate Faith, Ate Rachel, Ate Aimee and Kuya Justin!" The children welcomed us. They just finished eating breakfast.

The children gathered at the receiving area after washing the dishes.
"Kuya Justin, would you like to hear our rap composition?"

Wesley asked Justin. Wesley was 16 years old. He once lived in the streets until Today's' Hope rescued him. He's in second-year high school now.

"Wow, I like to hear that! Justin agreed.

"We also love to hear it." Rachel said

The children arranged the chairs facing us all. They sat one by one and Wesley led the rap. Ron, 13 years old was on the beatbox, and Zaldy was the second voice.

"One, two, and three..." Wesley started.

(Wesley)
"Today, The Lord has proven again
He is our only strength in everything.
Praise Him, for His goodness and mercy.
He restored our souls and spirits.

(Zaldy)
We were rejected by people around us
Even the people we cared and loved
But God saved and accepted us
He gave us hope and another chance

(Wesley and Zaldy)
God gave us unending love
That dwells within us now
We're here to share this
To everyone whatever it takes.
(Wesley)
People would see
Our new lives now
We will follow the path
The Lord set before us

(Wesley and Zaldy)
We praise God
He never gave us up
He knows us by name
He holds our hearts.
Forever we will praise our God.

That was so beautiful. These children were just so amazing. I was holding the tears from my eyes. But when I turned my back, I saw Justin drying up his eyes.

"Good job!" Justin commended the children.

"Thank you Kuya Justin!" the children replied.

"More, more..." We all urged the children.

"Kuya Justin, you should join us," Wesley suggested.

"All right I think I can do that! But what's the title of your rap composition?" Justin inquired

"We titled it 'Serenade'" Wesley said.

They were singing and laughing with each other. They sometimes urged me to sing but I really couldn't sing, I just joined them in the laughing part.
After some time, we had to end our activity to start checking the materials for the book project. Justin and Rachel concentrated on the artworks while Aimee and I read the stories. We had 18 stories. Aimee and I agreed to write two additional stories.

"Faith, the food is here already". Justin called.

The food delivery was on time for lunch. We ate together with the kids. They really enjoyed the food especially the Cornetto ice cream. Teacher Angelo also prepared cassava cake and coconut juice.

The rest of the afternoon became busy for the four of us. At around 5 pm, we packed up and said good bye to the kids and Teacher Angelo. Ma'am Carmen was not at the center. She visited the Open Day Center of Today's Hope in another town.

"Teacher Angelo, I will just update Ma'am Carmen about the progress of our work here. I'll try to email her tonight. " I said.

"Okay Faith, that's fine. Thank you so much for your hard work.
This means a lot for us. " Teacher Angelo said.

'We'll go ahead now, and we'll see you again." I said.

"Wait, Faith, you should bring the cassava cake!" Teacher Angelo said while giving to the four of us the packed cassava cake.

"Thank you so much!" Justin said.

"Thank you!" Rachel and Aimee said in unison.

We decided to go the coffee shop after we completed our work in Today's Hope.

"I missed this place," Justin exclaimed as we walked in the coffee shop. The overview of the lake was just so amazing.

Aimee and I went to the ladies room first while Rachel and Justin find a table for all of us. When we returned, I heard beautiful voices singing with guitar accompaniment.

"Oh no, don't tell me another proposal is about to happen!" I whispered to Aimee.

"What? Wait a minute. Is it...?" Aimee was so surprised.

"Rachel and Justin?" We said almost in unison.

We almost ran to approach the table. The group was singing the song "It might be you".

The song ended.

Aimee and I were confused and excited at the same time.

"Do you have any song request?" The singer inquired.

"That's enough, for me, unless they want to have another song?" Justin pointed to us.

"I am okay with it!" I nodded.

"Another song please?" Aimee requested.

Aimee requested her favorite song "Realize" by Colbie Caillat.

The chorus says:

"If you just realize what I just realized
Then we'd be perfect for each other,
And we'll never find another.
Just realize what I just realized.
We'd never have to wonder if
We missed out on each other."

"Lovely song! Thank you." Aimee said to the band.

Then it was time for us to confront Justin and Rachel.

"So, are you two? When did this happen?" I crossed my arms when I asked them.

Rachel and Justin just laughed.

"Oh no. " They both denied.

"The band started to sing here every Saturday. So they'll serenade customers like us." Justin explained.

"I see, I thought I miss out something here," I said.

"Same here. " Aimee agreed to me. And we had high five.

"That's not possible ladies!" Rachel concluded.

"Yes, once a friend, always a friend!" Justin seconded.

We placed our orders. We just laughed and updated each other. As I watched how Justin cracked a joke and how Rachel would laugh, I couldn't help but think that if there'd be one person that I'd bet for Rachel, it would be Justin. Justin could have been perfect for her. I was hoping that they'd realized it someday. They could be perfect for each like the lyrics of the song that Aimee requested a while ago. I felt like I was having the last song syndrome here. Enough already. I laughed at myself.

But of course, I will not play a matchmaker to them. I knew that Rachel has been praying for her God's will. If only I could tell her that the man he's waiting for was already in front of her. But I would not do that. I still believe that love will find a way.

I could sense Justin was not yet ready for a relationship. That was why I think Rachel and Justin would be a perfect couple in God's perfect time. Rachel described him as an ideal man. He's responsible, kind, good-looking, meticulous, family-oriented and most of all he has unwavering faith in God.

I was just observing them. Aimee. Rachel. Justin. How blessed I was to have them as my friends. Aimee was already married while Justin, Rachel and I chose to be singles still. They'd been my friends since college. Though we had our different endeavors, we'd still find time to meet especially if we have special projects.

It was really true, not all angels have wings. And I didn't have to look for them. They were right here with me. I ate the last bite of the chocolate cake and started to drink the black coffee I ordered. Rachel was surprised because I didn't order blueberry cheesecake and cappuccino.

I just missed the taste of the chocolate roll and black coffee I had with Pam and Gabriel last time.