𝑁𝑜 𝑇𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘

C h a p t e r 4 9

Bumungad ang napakalaking bus na paparating nang mag-angat ko ng tingin. Ito na siguro ang bibiyahe. The blue and white painted bus came to a halt before us, releasing a loud hiss as the engine died down.

Liningon ko sila Ma'am Johanna. Kasalukuyang inihahanda na ng mga ito ang kanilang mga gamit. Agad namang tinapos ni Gabriel ang pagpapanalangin sa mga taong naipon sa terminal nang makita ang bus. The people began to disperse, shaking hands with him and returning to their own businesses.

Huminga ako ng malalim at muling tumitig sa bus. Unti-unti na itong napupuno. Along with Gabriel, we scaled the huge vehicle one by one, settling in the seats as other passengers walked in too. Incitement boiled in my being, and all the more so as the dispatcher announced the bus' departure. Unang beses ko itong makakabisita sa Apayao, at sa bawat sandaling lumilipas, I found it more exciting especially that I go there for the Lord's cause.

I smiled and rested my head upon the seat, shutting my eyes momentarily as I did. Have Your way today Lord, may Your will be done. Slowly I lifted my lids, my gaze now occupied with the people outside the vehicle as the bus  began to move. I shifted mt gaze towards Gabriel.

"Nasubukan mo na bang pumunta sa Apayao?" Tanong ko.

Umiling siya, "Hindi pa, Dear. Unang beses ko palang ito."

"Ah," Tumango ako, watching him as he shut his eyes and reclined against the bus' seat. "Antok na antok ka na siguro 'no? Sabi ni Pastor Melchour alas singko ka na nakatulog..."

Tumango siya, "Medyo nga eh," A playful smile adorned his face, "Tulog muna tayo."

"Sig-" A silent gasp escaped my lips, caught off guard as his arms went over my shoulders, pulling me close in a split of a second. "G-gabriel?"

"Hmm, sleep well, Dear..." Is all he said, releasing a breath as he shut his eyes.

For seconds I could only look at him, tracing out his chiselled features. Hmm, how long had it been? For many weeks I wasn't able to see his face this close. Dahil na rin siguro sa pagka-gamit niya ngayon. Every time I looked at him for the past weeks, I always saw a Preacher, an anointed vessel of God's Power and Presence. I must admit, it was a fascination to see him like this again – a man.

"Sleep well..." I whispered, lowering my gaze before I shut my eyes. My face now lay upon his chest, and I could clearly hear the beating inside of it. I felt my heart lurch. It was one thing to be held by a man, but to be held by an anointed one, is something else.

Napamulat ako ng mata nang maramdaman ang biglang pagtigil ng bus. Inikot ko ang paningin sa paligid. Full-stop ang sasakyan at unti-unti nang bumababa ang mga pasahero.

I gazed up at the man beside me, "Dito na ba tayo?"

He smiled and shook his head, "Hindi pa. Stop over lang ito." He lifted his hand from my shoulder and looked over the couple behind us, "Pastor, ilang oras pa po bago tayo makarating?"

"Ah," I heard Pastor Melchour's voice, "Mga dalawang oras pa siguro,"

"Ah, okay po," Tumatanong sagot ni Gabriel.

"I see, I see," I remarked, looking over the window as the people went for the bathrooms. "Baba muna ako, Dear," Paalam ko. Gabriel smiled and stood to his feet, making way for me as I vacated my seat.

Dali-dali akong bumaba ng bus at nagtungo na rin sa CR. A line of women were before me, and I came to a halt as I stood with them. Ilang sandali pa ay naubos na rin ang mga nakapila. I made my way to one of the cubicles and as soon as I was finished, I excited for the mirrors. Naku, ang-init naman dito! I swiftly splashed water upon my face, savoring it's cool as I did.

In a split of a second I felt my body gravitate downwards, an image of myself flashing before my eyes.

Moonlight ...

Blood...

My eyes snapped open, catching my breath as I tried to comprehend what I saw. Nervosity slowly gripped my being, and with this I began to walk out the bathroom.

Oh, Jesus... What was that? With a deep breath, I scaled onto the bus, calming my nerves as utterances of prayer slipped my mouth.

"Grace, okay ka lang ba?" Rinig kong sambit ni Gabriel.

I forced a smile, "Ah, oo. A-ayos lang ako."

"Sigurado ka?" He asked once more.

I nodded, assuring him with another smile. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Ayos lang ba talaga ako? Panginoon, Your blood is my covering. Please, please grant me peace...

I shook the thought off my mind and gazed forward, a memory flashing through my mind as I looked at the pole in the midst of the bus aisle.

"May naaalala ako kapag nakaka-kita ako ng ganyan," I mused.

"Ang alin?" Gabriel looked at the pole, "Yung poste doon?"

"Mmn," I nodded, "Noong unang pumunta ako noon sa Baguio, merong nagpreach noon sa bus habang naka-hawak sa poste ng bus tulad niyan."

"Ohh," Gabriel remarked, "Mayat ah,"

"Wen ya," I spoke in assent, "Manghang-mangha din ako noon sa lakas ng loob ng preacher na 'yon."

Ilang sandaling natahimik si Gabriel, as though pondering my words before he spoke again, "What do you say we do it now?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, gazing up at him as he spoke, "Ah-uhm," I smiled, somehow excited as I heard his words. "Pwede! I'd love to see you do it!"

He nodded, smiling at me before he reached for his Bible inside his bag. Liningon niya sandali sila Pastor Melchour, whispering words to them before he stood.

"Naimbag nga malem kadatayo, Kakabsat!" He greeted, lifting his voice as he walked towards the front end of the bus. "Mabalin kadi nga alaek 'ti sumagmamano nga minuto 'yu, apo?" He asked, holding on to the bus' pole as the passengers all agreed to his request.

I gazed at him appreciatively, listening intently as he began to open his Bible. I felt my heart flutter, its beat spiking as he read through verses in Romans of how everyone had fallen short of God's Glory.

Hindi lang naman siguro ako, 'di ba? Other women find men who can play the guitar appealing, others find those who can play sports appealing, others find those who are CEO's and are very leader-like appealing, but as for me, a man who could preach this boldly and powerfully, was so-so much more attractive. Goodness, the fact that he looked handsome was the cherry on top of it all.

I released a breath and transferred to his seat beside me, getting myself a better view as I listened. Maraming salamat, Panginoon. I've never imagined he'll someday turn out to be like this, but Lord, thank You. He was more than anything I've ever prayed for.