Novel & Cerita Candle Prayer

"To spiritually open the program, may I ask everybody to please stand for the Lord's moment for our guidance and blessings to be led by the celebrants Sister." Umakyat naman si Ate Amalya at ibinigay sa kaniya ang mic. "Let us put ourselves in the presence of the Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Lord our God, we dedicate this day, this very special day to you. For it is you who gave us the most wonderful gift, a loving Daughter, a trusted Sister, a helpful Cousin and a amazing Friend. May you continue to shower her blessings and keep her on the right path so that she may realize all her dreams and remain humble, God fearing and responsible young ad

When our candles met at the center, the larger one flickered to life — its light soft and warm, swaying gently in the air. “Nawa'y ang apoy na ito ay maging simbolo ng inyong walang hangganang pag-ibig. May the light of this candle shines and your love continue to glow even in times of darkness and storms,” muling sabi pa ng pari. Pinagmasdan namin ni Samantha ang steady na apoy ng kandila. Nang mapalingon na kami sa altar, sinalubong kami ng mainit na ngiti ng pari.

Akala ko aalis na kami pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginiya ako sa isang Chinese temple. "Let's offer some prayer," wika ni Craig habang inaabutan ako ng incense sticks. Naalala kong half-chinese nga pala siya. We lit them up and I silently offered my short prayer. Napatingin ako kay Craig na nanatiling tahimik at nakapikit sa tabi ko. Ang gwapo talaga niya. Nang idilat niya ang mga mata ay agad nagtama ang mga tingin namin. He smiled. Naramdaman ko ang unti-unting pagwawala ng dibdib.

Nang matapos ay pumikit ako para humiling. Sana makasama ko pa ng matagal ang lahat ng taong nandito. At sana dumating si senyorito. Dumilat ako at inihipan ang dalawang kandilang nasa ibabaw ng cake. Iyong mga numerong isa at walo. Matapos no'n ay pinaalam na nina Ate Cathy at JP ang susunod na programang 18 candles. Umupo ako at nagsimula na silang magbigay ng mensahe para sa kaarawan ko. Unang una pa si Franz.

Binitawan ko ang damit niya bigla nang humarap si Mama. Kinuha niya ang pinggang malapit sa akin at muntik pang madikit ang pisngi niya sa labi ko, mabuti na lang mabilis ang reflexes ko at nakaiwas. “Caleb, ikaw na ang maglead ng prayer,” ang utos ni Papa pagkaupo. Pinikit ko ang mata at pinagsalikop ang mga kamay. “Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy/Your gifts which we receive from Thy bountiful goodness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

The candles, a reflection of her enduring hope, stood tall and unwavering, refusing to be extinguished by the passage of time. Every year, on this very day, Summer would stand in this sacred space, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Her heart whispered silent prayers, imploring the universe to return to her what had been taken away. Each year, as the candles flickered and danced, she clung to the belief that somewhere, somehow, her beloved Cameron would find his way back to her. There was a quiet strength in her mourning, a resilience born from the depths of a mother's love. Her sorrow had not withered her spirit; rather, it had ignited a fire within her to keep searching, to keep hoping against

( Drake’s POV) Ang amoy ng lilies at kandila ang unang bumungad sa akin pagpasok ko sa cathedral. Tahimik pero mabigat—parang bawat paghinga ko, may kasama nang sigaw na hindi ko masambit. Cynthia’s photo stood at the center of the altar — framed in black, smiling like she didn’t just vanish three days ago in fire and twisted metal. She looked so alive, and that’s what killed me more.

“No wonder it’s your favorite. This flower is breathtakingly beautiful… parang ikaw…” I let out a soft laugh. Inalis ko ang mga alikabok sa paligid ng lapida niya. “I hope you’re at peace now, Ate Cha. I am still praying for you. I will always light a candle to help you see the right path. Kung nasaan ka man ngayon, please be happy… mahal kita, Ate…”

"Mommy!" "Dad!" "Let's pray first." Napangiti ako. "Of course." Sabay-sabay naming pinagdugtong ang aming mga kamay. Pinikit ni Caleb ang kanyang mga mata at siya mismo ang nanguna sa panalangin. "Dear God..." "Thank You for our food." "Thank You because Dad is here now." "Please bless Mommy..." "Bless Dad..." "And bless our family." "Please don't let Mommy cry anymore."