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Chapter 23: Hope Floats Again
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The Third Book Chapter 24: Refuge
The rain pours down heavily, and it looks like it’s not going to stop anytime soon. Only a few tourists visit the Pines City during the rainy season and it’s perfect time for those who are seeking peace and quiet away from the noises in urban cities.Amidst the cold weather, Nate took a long stroll from the main road to the foot of the mountain where the main entrance to Pines City is. He had to stop somewhere to let the rain pass. From a distance, he discovered an old building that looks like a chapel. Later, he realized that it is the chapel of the seminary that is standing right behind it.“Good afternoon, Sir. May I still enter?” he asked the staff who is closing the chapel’s main entrance.“I’m sorry but the last mass was already finished. We have the first service tomorrow at 6AM,” the staff said.“I understand. Thank you,” Nate said. He looks so tired.“Wait. Don't you have an umbrella?” the staff asked.“That’s what I forgot,” Nate said.“Can you wait here. I’ll get
The Third Book Chapter 25: Spring
Cela’s hands are shaking in excitement. She just received the best news she’d been waiting for the longest time.“He contacted you?” she asked Lora repeatedly.“Yes. He replied to my message that I sent last year. I called him to be sure it was really him who replied to me,” Lora said. “You did? How’s he?” Cela asked more excitedly.“Well, it was a quick call and the reception’s not good. I thought he looked almost the same the last time I saw him,” Lora said.“Where’s he now?” Cela couldn’t stop asking questions. “He’s back from the Pines City just yesterday. He stayed there for close to 5 years,” Lora said.“Pines City? He’s been here all this time? Where exactly here?” Cela asked.“I wasn’t able to ask but maybe you could ask him. I took the liberty of giving him your number?” Lora said.“Oh my God, he asked for my number?” Cela asked.“Ah….I was very excited, I just gave it away. I’m sorry,” Lora said. “Oh no, that’s fine,” Cela said.Hyun and the others are glued to her
The Third Book Chapter 26: Longing
“Hyunnnn!” Hyun heard the loudest greeting from Cela that morning.“Ms. Cela, calm down. Tell me happened. Should I go to your house or to the studio? Should I call your brother? Ms. Ivy? Wait…what’s really going on?” he asked almost non-stop.“You’re so overreacting,” Cela said.“Alright, alright. I overreacted but what happened to you?” he asked.“Nate sent me a message this morning,” she said with so much joy in her voice.“Really? What did he say?” he asked with excitement.“Well, it's just the usual greeting for now,” she said.Hyun is a little disappointed but he doesn’t want to let Cela feel it.“Did he say he’s calling you any time soon?” he asked.“Oh, dear. I shouldn’t expect that but I will wait,” she said. “Surely, you can wait,” he said to himself.“What’s that? Did you say something?” she said.“Nothing, Ms. Cela. I’ll meet you later in the studio,” he said.Hyun is still in awe at Cela’s change in behavior. She’s acting as if she were a teenage girl who just sa
The Third Book Chapter 27: Short Messages
The morning breeze entered Cela’s room and woke her up gently. It’s a new way of waking up in the morning and so much better than waking up with the annoying sound of her phone’s alarm.She realized her phone’s battery was drained all night that made it easier for her to get better sleep.A beautiful smile quickly showed on her face the moment her phone opened. She carries that smile the whole morning.“Do you think they’re now talking?” Lora asked Hyun.“She’s not saying anything,” Hyun said.Both speak in a low voice as they watch Cela type on her laptop.“Is she hiding this thing from you now?” she asked.“It’s probably to avoid the jinx. By now, I know her well. She’s trying not to expect a lot but inside she does,” he said.“But she keeps looking on her phone. Is she still meeting me? Am I waiting for something here?” she asked.“I’m really sorry, Ms. Lora. She’s been losing her focus these past few days but you know….,” he said.“I understand and I want to be more understan
The Third Book Chapter 28: Safe Distancing
Nate looks behind to check on everyone who suddenly becomes very quiet. The children are all sleeping. They’re all tired but happy from a day of activites in a different parish. Dina watches the road while a kid sleeps on her lap. Nate finds the scene very calming.“What is it?” Dina asked.“Nothing. You look so calm back there,” he said.“Hey, talk to the driver,” she said.“It’s still early. He can’t sleep while driving at this hour,” he said.“Look at these kids,” she said.Nate smiled. They’re like a married couple travelling with their kids.“Auntie May’s calling. I’ll put her on speaker,” he said.“Why are you two not answering my texts?” Auntie May asked.“I’m sorry, Auntie. We are on our way back. What is it?” he asked.“Tell Dina to come here after you bring the kids home. Her mother’s joining us for dinner,” she said.Dina agreed. They arrived just in time for dinner. Nate started browsing his messages. He couldn’t check his phone earlier.“Anything wrong?” Dina a
The Third Book Chapter 29: One Rose
Nate could hear Auntie May’s laughter from outside the gate. He thought she’s having another lunch with the ladies from her group in the church. To his surprise, she’s only having coffee with Dina. The two have grown closer these days.“How come you’re back already?” Auntie May asked as he's getting out of his car with those still fresh yellow tulips in one of his hands.Nate smiled at them but held back a little. After the small tiff with Dina last night, he’s not prepared to see her as early as now. “There’s something in my stomach. I had to rush back,” he said.“Those are beautiful flowers,” Auntie May said upon noticing the flowers.Nate looked at flowers with disappointment. “I wasn’t able to give them away,” he said.“You left without meeting your friend?” Auntie May asked. Dina quietly listens to the conversation. She too wasn’t expecting Nate to arrive around this time.Nate shook his head. “I couldn’t but I called her. I told her I couldn’t meet her today,” he said.T
The Third Book Chapter 30: A Letter To Cela
“Are we all good to go for the viewing tonight?” Lora asked her team.“Yes, Ms. Lora. Everything is ready for tonight,” her assistant confirmed.“How’s the attendance?” Lora asked.“Only one has not confirmed. Nate Romero,” her assistant said.Lora sighed. She feels that the tiny hope is fading completely.“That’s fine. Our bosses are the important guests. Finally, this project will be over and we can plan for the next one soon,” she said.Cela’s entourage waits for her at the lobby of her place.“Wow, the gang is complete!” she said. “I’m staying here. We’ll wait for you to come back after the viewing,” Nanny Rita said. She’s holding her new born baby girl.“That’s a good idea. This cutie must take care of my place,” Cela said of Nanny Rita’s daughter. “Besides, your mother knows everything and beyond than what we are about to see in the viewing,” she said.“Good luck! Everything will be good,” Nanny Rita said.“How are you feeling, sis?” Rolan asked.“I’m okay. Everythin
The Third Book Final Chapter:
The blue sky with the setting sun and the cool breeze make a perfect late afternoon at the park. This is one of those moments when it is certain that nothing will ever go wrong. It’s like the answered prayer that finally came after years of waiting, longing, and enduring sadness.Anyone can stay in this moment forever.Cela looks at her picture from her phone. She smiles at how she looks on the picture taken more than a year ago on the day of the viewing of her last book that was turned into a mini movie aired on television. One of the guests snapped a photo of her while trying to collect the roses that fell on the floor after she tripped. The picture is not bad at all. She turned into a meme that is rarely seen as beautiful rather than funny. She feels good about it and the memory of that night becomes a constant reminder for her to move forward and get what she deserves.“Hello,” she picked up her phone.“Hey, I’m leaving my hotel now. I can pick you up from your hotel,” Nat
Latest chapter
- The Third Book Final Chapter:
- The Third Book Chapter 30: A Letter To Cela
- The Third Book Chapter 29: One Rose
- The Third Book Chapter 28: Safe Distancing
- The Third Book Chapter 27: Short Messages
- The Third Book Chapter 26: Longing
- The Third Book Chapter 25: Spring
- The Third Book Chapter 24: Refuge
- The Third Book Chapter 23: Hope Floats Again
