Warning: Work of fiction. This novel contains red flags and contexts which was derived from the author’s very own perspective that might contradict your principles and beliefs. Read at your own risk.
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Fun fact: King Solomon is a polygamist. He has 700 wives and 300 concubines.
Verse for today:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
— Hebrews 11:1
Chapter 1
There are 7 billion people in the world. Maraming nagsasabi sa akin na sa pitong bilyon na iyon, makahahanap ako ng lalaki na mamahalin ako. A man whom I can beat my heart for. Pero bilang parte ng pamilyang Kristiyano, mayroon akong tanging lalaki na minamahal ko. Iyon ay ang Diyos Ama at si Hesu-Kristo.
Romans 5:8 says, 'But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us'.
That's how God loves us, that he gave up Christ to save us from all of our sins. And for me, loving God and Christ isn't an obligation but an everlasting and forever passion.
"Sister Serene, tama na 'yang pagmu-munimuni! We're gonna distribute bibles!"
Napabalik ako sa ulirat nang marinig ang matinis pero mahinahon na boses ni Aleah. Napapahiya akong tumayo dahil ngayon ko lang napansin na kanina pa pala akong tulala habang nakatitig sa labas ng bintana. I pick my bible gently and went out the van. This is the King James version. Sa lahat ng bersyon ng bibliya ay ito ang pinakapaborito ko.
"Medyo mainit din pala sa labas. Dapat ay nakapagdala tayo ng payong," ani Savy at iniharang ang kamay mula sa araw.
"It's okay, sister Savy. Sa loob mall ng naman tayo mamimigay ng bible," I softly uttered.
"Sa bagay." She giggled in an embarassed way.
Tumungo kami sa loob ng mall. The bodyguard also checked the big black bag that was carried by Aleah. Walang ibang laman iyon kun'di mga bible.
"We should've bring brother Abraham with us. Mas magaling siya sa akin sa preaching. At ang bigat pala nitong bag," buntonghininga ni Aleah.
"Ako na po muna ang magbubuhat, sister," I volunteered.
"'Wag na! Malapit na tayo, Serene. Kaya ko naman." She smiled assuringly.
"I have eco bags with me. Dito na lang natin ilagay," Savy mouthed.
Pumunta kami sa bandang gilid ng mall. We grouped the bibles into three inside the eco bags. Bahagyang sumayad ang bestida namin sa lapag nang lumuhod kami para ayusin ang pagtatali sa eco bag dahil sa haba nito.
We are members of a youth organization who promotes words of God. Mas focused kami sa bible kaysa pag-e-ebanghelyo. Sa relihiyon kasi namin na Katoliko ay mas pinagtutuonan ng pansin ang pagkukumpisal at mga kaganapan na tungkol sa Diyos. They don't even put too much care about the verses, basta makadalo sa Maka-Diyos na gawain ay ayos na. That's why we're working for the development. Bible should be our one and only superior.
"Do you wonder where should the dead go after death?" mahinahong tanong ni Aleah sa isang matandang babae.
We sat on a kiosk and waited for the woman to answer. Nakangiti lang ako rito, hawak ang bibliya na ibibigay.
"Oo naman. Sa langit," sagot nito.
Aleah smiled. "Wrong. All of the people that is living should be in the lake of fire, which means hell o impyerno."
Tumaas ang kilay ng babae at tumango. Tumingin sa akin si Aleah bilang hudyat na ako na ang magsasalita.
My eyes broadened. I opened the bible and read the verse.
"Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and come short to the glory of God," malambot at malinaw kong basa. Nang tumunghay ako ay ngumiti ako kay Savy na matamang nakatingin sa akin.
"That's it. The humanity failed to put their faith on God. And instead of pleasing God, they committed sins. For the wages of sin is death, says by Romans 6:23. People were bound to die. And as sinners, this is what Revelation 21:8 says, 'But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and the murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:which is the second death'," mahabang paliwanag ni Aleah.
"But although we are all yet sinners, the Father above loves us that he let his one and only Son to die for us to live. And because Jesus Christ, our savior saved us, we don't have to suffer. For God is our God and Christ our way to heaven," Savy said.
I felt embarassed because I only said few words. Kapag ganito ay mahina talaga ako. I am not that introvert but I really stutters when public speaking. Kinakabahan kasi ako at pakiramdam ko ay mali-mali ang mga salitang lalabas sa bibig ko.
Nagpatuloy kami sa pamimigay ng bible. Nang maubos iyon ay 'tsaka ko lamang naramdaman ang pagod. Tumigil kami sa isang maliit na tindahan para bumili ng tubig. Marahan kong inabot ang bote ng tubig mula sa kamay ni Aleah at uminom doon. The dryness of my throat washed away. I silently thanked God for the benefit it gave me.
"Sa isang araw na ang anniversary ng WABOC. The choir is now practicing songs and the others are organizing the event," deklara ni Aleah.
WABOC is the acronym of the name of our organization which is We Are Believers Of Christ. Apat na taon na ito at simula 16 ako ay kabilang na ako rito. Now that I am 19, I'm still here.
"Excited na ako, sister Aleah." I clasped my hands and smiled.
"Ngi, sino bang hindi?" natatawa niyang sagot.
I laughed. Wala naman talagang hindi gugustuhin na sumali sa mga events ng WABOC. Lahat ng okasyon na nagaganap sa amin ay may impluwensya ng bibliya. No alcohol beverages, no smoking, and no too much intimate interaction with the opposite sex.
Kung sa iba ay mababagot ang mga ito dahil strikto ang mga patakaran namin. Pero ang totoo ay sobrang saya lalo na kung alam mong iniaalay mo sa Panginoon ang bawat mabuting gawain na iyong ginagawa.
"Ayan na pala sina sister Serene! Kumusta ang pagpi-preach niyo?" tanong ni brother Abraham pagkarating namin sa building.
"Okay lang po, brother," sagot ko.
"Okay lang po, brother," Savy imitates me, replicating my soft voice.
Nagtawanan sina brother Abraham at ang mga kasamahan niya.
"'Wag nga kayong ganyan kay Serene," Aleah said.
Nakangiti lang na tumingin sa akin sina brother Abraham pagkatapos ay nagpaalam na sa amin dahil mag-b-bible study pa sila.
Pagkarating namin sa dorm ay naabutan namin doon si Castellina. Nakasuot siya ng mahabang puting bestida at nagbabasa ng bible sa sofa. Nang makita kami ay tiniklop niya ang aklat at ipinatong sa mesa.
"Good afternoon! Nagluto ako ng adobo. I hope you had a fine distribution of bible and preaching."
"Wow, chef." Humagikhik si Savy.
Nagbihis muna kami ng pang-bahay bago nagpahinga sa living room. I blew off some air before to sit on the sofa.
"Samahan mo ako bukas sa mall, Serene." Napalingon ako sa sinabi ni Castellina.
"Bakit po, sister?" I asked.
"Bibili ako ng regalo. Malapit na ang anniversary namin ng boyfriend ko," she said, smirking.
"Hindi ba bawal 'yan sa atin? Sasama sa isang lalaki?" tanong ni Savy.
"Hindi kaya!" sagot ni Castellina.
Aleah looked at us. "Hindi naman, as long as you are not doing something that is oppressing the bible. I myself have a boyfriend and I don't think it's bad." She raised a brow. "Wait, are you even Christians?"
"Aleah!" sabay na sigaw ni Savy at Castellina.
I chuckled. Pumaling ako sa bintana dahil hindi ako maka-relate sa usapan nila.
"Ikaw, Serene? May boyfriend ka?" tanong ni Aleah.
I shook my head. "Wala akong boyfriend."
Wala sa isip ko ang pagkakaroon ng boyfriend. Sure, God has plans for me regarding it but I am more focused on serving the Lord, than proportioning my time for a guy.
"For sure you are not planning to look for one, right?" Savy guessed.
"I am not looking for a man in the future. I am waiting. I know God already shipped me with the right man who would be my catalyst. Hindi naman po ako atat," I said.
"Wow! I love the mindset! Ano bang gusto mo sa isang lalaki? Mabango? Gwapo? Badboy? Mabait?" Castellina beamed.
"I want a man who loves God. I want someone who believes that everything is according to no one but God. Because if he is a believer of Christ, everything is perfect and I don't have to worry for anything because I have the assurance that the man I love, also love the man I love first before him."
That is my preference. But never did I know that in my life, that would be broke.
--✿✎◒◓✐✿--
Written by: Illuminativity
Verse for today: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. — James 1:5 Chapter 2 "Pupuntahan ko muna sa site ang boyfriend ko, sister Serene. Gumala ka muna rito at bumili ng kahit ano." Inabutan ako ni Castellina ng limang daang piso. "Site? Ano po bang trabaho ng boyfriend mo?" nagtataka kong tanong. Ngumiti siya. "Construction worker. Sige na, aalis na ako. Malaki ka na naman, sister Serene. Hindi ka naman siguro mawawala rito. Mwa!" Nagmamadali siyang naglakad paalis. Luminga-linga ako na parang nawawala. I don't know where to go. Wala naman akong alam na bibilhin. And I don't go out without a friend. I decided to distribute biblical booklets instead. I have ten copies of this inside my tote bag. Mabuti na lang at nagdala ako, this save me! "Booklet po..." and I handed it to a woman in my age. She stared at th
Verse for today: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. — Romans 12:9 Chapter 3 "Paano ko makukuha kung ang layo mo?" He was smirking while waiting for me to step closer. I took two small steps and gave him the ID. I was waiting for him to thank me but he didn't. Bumuntonghininga ako at nagsalita. "Sige po, babalik na ako sa loob. May bible study pa kami." "Wait!" he took a hold on my shoulders. Mabilis akong napalayo doon. I become uncomfortable when someone, especially strangers would touch me. "You won't even ask how I got here? O kahit bakit hindi ako nagpasalamat sa'yo?" he asks, raising the side of his lips. Tumikhim ako. "Sorry po, male-late na talaga ako sa bible study namin." Nanatili akong nakayuko. It's not really required to put too much gap with men in our religion but I couldn't help it, always.
Verse for today: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. — Proverbs 15:1 Chapter 4 Autograph? Why is he asking for an autograph? I decided not to reply. I was hesitant but I chose to stalk his account on 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚖. Ang sabi sa akin ni Savy, kapag nag-s-stalk ka sa isang tao ay magmumukha kang kriminal. But I'm not doing something illegal, right? I tapped his icon. Bumungad sa akin ang profiles niya na mayroong 700 plus followers. I read his bio. You're the bottle of my Margarita. The key of my motorcycle. The ace of my playing cards. The intensity of my stares. And the love of my I love you's. Naningkit ang mga mata ko. I easily comprehend his bio. King Solomon also has sweet and capturing words that's why I'm not new to this. I scrolled on his timeline to view the photos. My forehead creases with the photos. Mayroon doong litrato na may hawak siy
Chapter 4 Autograph? Why is he asking for an autograph? I decided not to reply. I was hesitant but I chose to stalk his account on I*******m. Ang sabi sa akin ni Savy, kapag nag-s-stalk ka sa isang tao ay magmumukha kang kriminal. But I'm not doing something illegal, right? I tapped his icon. Bumungad sa akin ang profiles niya na mayroong 700 plus followers. I read his bio. You're the bottle of my Margarita. The key of my motorcycle. The ace of my playing cards. The intensity of my stares. And the love of my I love you's. Naningkit ang mga mata ko. I easily comprehend his bio. King Solomon also has sweet and capturing words that's why I'm not new to this. I scrolled on his timeline to view the photos. My forehead creases with the photos. Mayroon doong litrato na may hawak siyang billiard stick at ina-asinta ang mga bola. Only his sideview is visible and his pointed nose is perfectly defined. There was a caption of 'not minding
Verse for today: O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is that he giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. — Psalms 68:5 Chapter 5 "Samalamig, samalamig!" Sumasayaw ang ilang mga kasamahan ko habang tumutugtog ang stereo. I am just smiling while watching them having fun, although I am also having fun with watching them. Katatapos lang ng celebration and we are having an after party. This is what happened during the celebration— Aleah and brother David introduced the group of dancers to start the opening prayer which is doxology. We also sang the national anthem and other provincial songs. We had a speak about Godly histories and read of biblical books. A mass also happened and the holy water was inflicted to us. Marami pang nangyari at alam kong lahat kami ay nagsasaya. "Sino'ng hindi takot kay Fares?" tanong ni James. All of us took a glimps
Verse for today: But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. — John 15:21 Chapter 6 "Bakit naman kasi dito nagkakalat ang mga hindi naman miyembro natin?! Tayo rin tuloy ang napeperwisyo," reklamo ni Castellina habang nagpupulot ng mga kalat at isinisilid iyon sa sako. I wiped the sweat of my forehead using the back of my hand. Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagwawalis habang nakikinig sa usapan ng mga kasama ko. We toured the whole part of WABOC here and find out that the neighbours are throwing garbages to a hidden part of the field. May village din kasi sa harap namin kaya ang iba sa mga nakatira ay ginagawang tambakan ang parteng ito ng lugar namin. Tatlo kami nina Savy, Castellina, at ako na naglinis. The others were also busy on gardening, quizes, and bible study. Walang masyadong pagala-gala sa labas ng building kaya aakalain ng iba na kaunti lang kami, alth
Verse for today: Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. — Proverbs 12:25 Chapter 7 I glanced at the two guys who's awkwardly staring at me. I smiled at them but they only flew their eyes away from me. They are the guys that I saw haft-naked earlier. The one is Theo who smiles all the time, and the other one who has a mode expression is Cain. They are good, actually. They apologized when I told them that I am uncomfortable with that state. "Don't mind them. Let's just eat," paalala sa akin ni Dacia. I nodded at her. Tumingin ako kay Isaiah. I caught him looking at me. Nagtaas siya ng kilay. Sabay-sabay silang akmang susubo na ng pagkain nang pumigil ako. "W-wait!" Napalingon silang lahat sa akin. "Oh, why? You want this?" Isaiah pointed the chicken on his own serving b
Verse for today: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. — Psalms 46:1 Chapter 8 "Huh? Nasaan daw ang driver?" Castellina confusedly asked. We were already leaving but then, the driver of our van wasn't here. Kaya narito kami sa harapan ng caretaker namin, and Castellina's the one who's talking with him. "Umalis at nakabangga raw ang pinsan niya at siya ang mag-a-asikaso. Mag-tricycle na lang kayo, Ma'am Aleah," magalang niyang tugon. "Give me the keys." Inilahad ni Aleah ang kamay niya sa matanda. Nagugulat na tumingin sa kanya ito. As I always perceive, Aleah can confidently do anything that is related to professionalism and talent. Even driving vehicles, that's why no one should underestimate her. "P-pero wala kang lisensiya—" He was cut off when Aleah showed him