Faith leaves home and enters a new world

"Mom, may I ask your blessing?I am now leaving",Faith said to her mother who is tilling the soil in their spinach garden, as the former took the latter's hand for a goodbye kiss.

"It hurts me to see you go off but it hurts more the thought of holding you back, of depriving you of great opportunities for a better and brighter future. I wish you all my children to be intact with me. But that wish would only make me too greedy of a parent. There is nothing your father and I could give you for a good education. That's why even if it tears my heart into pieces. even if your leaving may cause me so much pain, but for your future's sake I'm letting you go. I am sorry if you have sprung from poor trunks and that you need to do this. You need to be away from the family. Good fortune may have never been ours but don't forget that God is always watching us. When you go, when you're there,always remember the Most Powerful One. In times of loneliness, in times of weariness and in times of hardships keep believing that God will always lighten the burden. And in case you make mistakes, be sorry enough to acknowledge your shortcomings and be humble to accept your fault and be more cautious the next time in order not to make the same mistake again. In the school where you will be in, be kind to all you meet. Be friendly. If possible, keep yourself away from trouble. Remember my line?'I'd rather be hurt than to hurt', bear it with you for it may be applicable in your own life as well. Be courteous all the time. If you respect, you will also be respected. Above all, don't forget to pray. This is our only weapon in the battle of life. Keep safe my child. And always bear this in your mind, though I don't say this often,but, mom loves you".

These are the words that Faith's mother instilled to her the day she left toward Mrs. Malinaw's house where she spends her next five years of life's existence. She lives and stays in there as a working student.

There are only four including Mrs. Malinaw in the new family she now belongs. Mrs. Malinaw introduces her to the family members: her daughter- Ma'am Benie who is a high school Biology teacher, teaching at the school where Faith get enrolled,who was married to Doc Alfie Verano-the Rura Heath Officer/Doctor in the municipality and their only son who is a college student studying in the city who is named Joemar.

"Tic", came the sound of the second hand of the clock, "Oh, it's already 4:00 o'clock in the morning,I must get up now."Faith hastens to to get ready for her early routine. "Good morning, Lord, thank You for this another day", she always says upon getting up from bed..

Then, she gets the coconut husk and broom and begins scrubbing the floor and sweeps it afterward. It takes her almost an hour to finish the work since the house is quite huge. After cleaning the inside of the house, she then proceeds to clean the outside, at the front part in particular. Right after, she goes to the kitchen, and cook rice for breakfast, never mind cooking the viand, since Doc Alfie always takes care of it. So, she just then hangs the laundry which she washed the night before and then takes shower.

" Ma'am Benie, breakfast is now ready", Faith calls as she prepares the table. Usually, during schooldays, only the two of them eat breakfast together, since they go together to the same school. After dining, Faith has to wash the dishes before getting dressed with her uniform and then leave for school.

She gets enrolled as freshman in the only Catholic-private school in their town. Gary, on the other hand, has entered first year high school in the town's public high school.

"Hey dud", Gary approaches his close friend Cleo. " Hey!Dud, what's up?", replied Cleo.

"Is there something interesting?",Cleo asked with a smile on his face.

"I plan to attend mass this Sunday, do you have plans?", Gary told Cleo and asking at the same time.

"Well, I guess, going with you is the best", Cleo remarked and they both laughed.

Gary and Cleo attend the mass in the morning. In the church, Gary's eyes are in search for something or maybe for someone. Unluckily, the person he's looking for isn't found in any corner of the church.

"Maybe she will attend the mass in the afternoon", Gary thought to himself.

The next Sunday, Gary alone attends the afternoon mass. He's still hoping to see the girl he longs to see for months. But even her shadow wasn't there to be found.

Years later, in the last week of January, the town celebrates the Sinulog Festival. Gary attends the morning mass. In the middle part of the mass, Gary didn't expect to finally see what he has been hoping to see. The expression on his face is filled with joy beyond explanation, when he saw Faith walking in the aisle toward the altar carrying her offerings in her hands together with other offerers.

It's the first time since they graduated grade six that he sees her. After many times of attending mass with hopes to at teast see her, the day has finally come. Deep inside him, he wishes to talk to her, but in his perspective, she seems very busy with school and church activities that made him hold himself from approaching.

He just couldn't explain how he feels. Even at a distance, seeing her makes his day complete. And he goes home with a delightful spirit.

Four years have passed and they finished high school without having seen each other at all.

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