Sinking Deep (Z SERIES #1)

Chapter 42

Nagkakaroon ako ng matatapos-na-ang-story-kaya-parang-ayoko-pang-tapusin-thus-delay-palagi-ang-update syndrome. Pasensya na po. Hahahaha.

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Valentine's Day

"Thanks be to God," pagsabay ko sa sagot ng mga nagsisimba. The people clapped as the mass has ended. It's always like this. This is one of the ways of praising God.

Natuto narin ako simula nang makilala ko si Haley. Matapos ang araw na nakilala ko siya ay palagi akong nagbabaka-sakaling makita ko siya sa simbahan. Kaya noong nakita ko siya ulit ay nakipagkaibigan na ako. I even joined their church group.

I don't know what's happening to me. The changes were drastic but I didn't mind.

One of the changes in my life is Haley and I didn't regret anything.

Lumabas na ako ng simbahan. May fellowship ngayon ang church group nina-- I mean, namin ni Haley. New members are welcome to join so...

"Job!"

Agad akong napangiti nang makita ko si Haley. Oh God, that smile. Thank you for creating such a beautiful woman like Haley.

"Hey," I answered and smiled. My heart is damn fluttering. Ang cheesy. "Saan tayo?"

"Doon tayo sa bahay nina Yuki. Kaso nauna na sila, eh."

Napangiti ako. "Okay lang." Tayong dalawa nalang. "May sasakyan naman ako."

Tumango siya at ngumiti. "Tara?"

Ngiting-ngiti ako habang nagda-drive. I look like a dimwit having his first date. I've never felt so alive. I've met so many girls. Dated so many girls. Even slept with them but Haley is one of a kind. Tignan ko palang 'yong ngiti niya, ang saya-saya ko na.

I can't understand myself anymore.

Nakarating kami sa bahay ni Yuki. Agad siyang nilapitan ng mga kasamahan namin para batiin. Sanay naman ako sa mga gathering, pero nang makita kong kinuha si Haley ng mga kasamahan namin ay para bang mag-isa nalang ako.

I just looked at Haley. How she smiles. How she interacts. It's so genuine. And the people also treat her genuinely.

"Hello! Ikaw si Job? 'Yong bago?"

Nginitian ko ang lumapit sa aking babae. Tinanggap ko ang nakalahad niyang kamay.

"Yes. You are?"

"Arianne. Nice to meet you! Feel free ha? Magsisimula na 'yong fellowship natin."

Tumango ako at nginitian siya. Nahagip ng tingin ko si Haley na nakangiti rin sa amin. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko.

I really like her.

Nagsimula ang fellowship. I didn't have any idea what kind of fellowship is this. But then, I had fun. Especially when Haley started to sing.

At break of day, in hope we rise
We speak Your Name, we lift our eyes
Tune our hearts into Your beat
Where we walk, there You'll be

Everybody was singing, clapping and even dancing. Nakakatuwang isipin na may ganitong mga kabataang sobra ang papuri sa Diyos. Nahihiya akong makisama sa kanila. I was once a non-believer. But because of Haley, I believe that there is God.

You will never fade away, Your love is here to stay
By my side, in my life, shining through me everyday

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko para kuhanan ng litrato si Haley. She's done singing but her eyes are still closed. She raised her hand and smiled as a new song was played.