19/10/2025
๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐: ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง
Give thanks with the grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because heโs given
Jesus Christ his Son
The music lingered in the air, gently echoing through the church long after the choir had finished. The first Sunday mass had just ended, and the soft murmur of voices filled the space like a prayer still being whispered.
A woman with kind eyes and a serene smile walked toward the exit, her voice carrying the last lines of the hymn she had sung. As she stepped outside, the cold morning air wrapped around her, crisp and clean.
She paused and tilted her face up to the sky. The sun broke through the clouds, casting golden light across her features. A quiet smile touched her lips.
Another blessed day, she thought, another day to be grateful.
Around her, families milled about, chatting and laughing while children darted through the courtyard, their footsteps echoing joy. One small boy raced past her, his coat flapping behind him like wings. From his pocket, something slipped and tumbled to the groundโa rosary, its beads catching the light as it landed near her feet.
She bent down to pick it up.
Just as her fingers reached for it, another hand entered the frame and gently scooped it up first.
She looked up, already forming words of thanksโ
But they never left her lips.
She froze.
Hazel eyes stared back at her. Familiar. Wide with surprise.
Her breath hitched.
It couldnโt be.
The world fadedโthe cold, the sun, the voicesโall blurred beneath the roar of her heartbeat thundering in her ears.
His face hadnโt changed. Not really. And the momentโthis exact momentโfelt achingly familiar.
Just like that, the past broke through.
Memories surged up from where she had buried them, uninvited, unstoppable.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
The school bell rang sharply, echoing through the halls and signaling the start of class. One by one, students shuffled into their respective rooms, the noise gradually replaced by the sound of chairs scraping the floor and bags being placed on desks.
Inside the classroom, the teacher stood at the front, her clipboard in hand, glasses perched on her nose as she began checking for attendance.
โMr. Pasyete,โ she said.
โPresent, miss.โ came the usual reply.
โMr. Chavon?โ
โPresent!โ he responded, voice a little louder than necessary.
โMs. Manzanas?โ
โPresentable, missโ she joked, causing a few giggles to ripple through the class. The teacher raised a brow but continued.
โMs. Vicencio?โ
Silence.
No response.
The teacherโs gaze scanned the room as she asked, โWhere is Ms. Vicencio?โ
Whispers stirred among the students, heads turning left and right, curiosity starting to rise.
โSilence!โ the teacher snapped, her thin brows knitting together.
โShe still hasnโt arrived, maโam,โ Mr. Chavon replied, more carefully this time.
But to their surprise, a creaking sound from the door broke the silence within the four corners of the room. All eyes turned.
A girl stepped in.
Her uniform was rumpled shirt partly untucked, skirt wrinkled as if it had been pulled from the bottom of a laundry pile. Her hair hung in loose strands, unbrushed and wild, and a worn-out bag drooped from one shoulder.
โSorry, miss,โ she muttered, eyes downcast.
โWhy are you late?โ the teacher asked sharply.
โMay dinaanan lang ako, miss.โ she said, avoiding eye contact. Murmurs instantly began to bubble around the room.
โSusโฆ sabihin mo napuyat โyan kagabi kakasugal.โ
โEh baka nga nakisali โyan sa mga away sa kalye.โ
โAy, true! Narinig ko may mga estudyanteng nag-rumble sa daan kagabi.โ
โLook at her knuckles, theyโre red.โ
Solene glanced down at her hand.
It was trueโher knuckles were red, slightly bruised. But she ignored the whispers, pretending not to hear the comments circling around her.
โOkay, take a seat, Ms. Vicencio,โ the teacher said with a sigh.
Her seat was located at the back, in the center row. As she approached it, her steps slow and heavy, she noticed something unusualโsomeone was sitting beside her usual spot.
It was a guy
She didnโt recognize him at all. Judging by his broad shoulders and tall frame, he wasnโt someone easy to missโbut somehow, she had. Maybe he was new. Or maybe sheโd just been too busy trying to survive each day to care about whoever came and went in class.
Still, she said nothing. She only glanced once and shrugged off his presence.
โGet your notebooks and start copying,โ the teacher instructed.
โMiss Jema! Naiwan ko po ang notebook ko!โ Mr. Pasyete called out in a panic.
โBahay mo na lang paaralin mo,โ Ms. Jema replied sarcastically, making a few students chuckle.
Solene pulled out her notebook and was about to reach for her ballpen in the small pocket of her bag but she couldnโt find it. Her irritation started to build. โNasaan na ba โyon?!โ she whispered to herself, rummaging through the contents of her bag, her brows knitting together tightly.
Just then, a hand appeared beside her, holding out a pen.
She froze for a moment, then slowly looked up.
It was himโthe guy who had taken the seat next to hers. Up close, she saw him more clearly.
โWould you get it already? Nangangalay na ako,โ he said in a low voice, his expression unreadable.
Without a word, she took the pen from his hand. Her eyes caught a small piece of paper inside the transparent barrel.
โMatthew Buenaventuraโฆโ she read silently, her lips barely moving.
As she began writing, she found her attention drifting toward him.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
A sharp jawline, soft pink lips, a pointed nose, long lashes, thick eyebrows.
He looked like he walked straight out of a movie scene.
Then, without looking at her, he spoke.
โDonโt you know that staring is a crime?โ
She immediately looked back down at her notebook, heat rising in her cheeks.
โSinong nagsabing ikaw ang tinitingnan ko?โ she shot back, an obvious lie.
She didnโt even notice how long she had been staring.
No response came from the boy.
She glanced at him once more. Still no expression.
She shook her head and turned her focus back to her notes, brushing away the thoughts that threatened to distract her again.
Two morning classes had just ended. The students, restless and eager, rushed toward the cafeteria, their voices echoing in the hall as they hurried past lockers and classrooms.
โHey, Matthew! Arenโt you planning to go to the cafeteria?โ
A bubbly, high-pitched voice cut through the noise.
Solene glanced over and saw a girl with wavy brown hair, pale skin, and an overly bright smile, the ball of sunshineโCelestine Delos Santos walking toward the new boy. Her footsteps light and airy, she practically floated across the room, her gaze fixed on Matthew.
โNo. Iโm just gonna stay here, Celeste,โ Matthew responded, his voice flat and uninterested.
Solene made her way to the door, ready to escape the noise, but just as she reached it, a group of girls blocked her path. They stood there, staring her down with judgmental eyes, inspecting her from head to toe.
โNandiyan na naman ang quatro peklats,โ Solene muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes in exasperation.
โOh, the trash is here again,โ Alapis sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. She flicked a strand of her perfectly styled hair, as if to make sure everyone noticed her.
โKaya pala nangangamoy bulok ditoโฆโ Quitol chimed in, her tone dripping with superiority. The โfashionistaโ of the school, she tilted her head slightly, making sure her latest designer outfit was visible to everyone around.
Solene sighed inwardly, already tired of the drama, and made a move to step around them, but before she could, Impera, the โRamp Queenโ of the school, who was notorious for her sharp tongue and sharper attitude, grabbed her by the arm. The grip was firm and almost possessive, like a tiger marking its territory.
โAno ba?!โ Solene snapped, tugging her arm away, but Imperaโs fingers only tightened.
โHow dare you turn your back on us?โ Impera hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
โCalm down. We should go now,โ said Balena softly, her voice as sweet as her angelic appearance. She took a step forward, trying to defuse the tension in the air with a gentle smile.
โAnong problema niyo? Kung ayaw niyo ng gulo, padaanin niyo ako,โ Solene responded, her voice low and steady, but the irritation in her tone was unmistakable. She wasnโt intimidated by them.
โYou litlโโ
Before Alapis could finish her sentence, a loud voice rang out behind them, commanding attention. The hallway seemed to still for a moment.
โTabi! โDi niyo ba nakikita na daanan โto? Dito pa kayo nag-aaway?โ Matthewโs voice was sharp, his tone laced with authority.
The group of girls froze, their eyes wide, and for a split second, a wave of silence passed through them. Then, they turned, startled. Their faces lit up at the sight of Matthew, and the tension immediately deflated. Especially Alapis, who was practically glowing with attention now.
โOh! Youโre the new guy, Matthew, right? We were just talking, nothing serious~โ Alapis purred, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. She bit her lip seductively, trying to reclaim the spotlight.
But Matthew didnโt even spare her a second glance. He walked right past them, his expression unchanging, leaving Alapis to hang in the air with nothing but her own ego.
Celeste, who had been trailing behind Matthew, overheard the commotion and couldnโt help but join in. โOne thing Matthew hates is attention-seeking girls. If I were you, Iโd be embarrassed,โ she said matter-of-factly, catching up to him as he walked away.
Alapisโs face turned a shade of red as anger and embarrassment twisted in her stomach. She shot a glare at Solene, her eyes practically burning with malice.
โYou! This is all your fault!โ Alapis spat, pointing an accusatory finger at her.
Solene raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed.
โCome on, girls. Letโs go. Weโre just wasting our time talking to this trash,โ Alapis sneered, her voice dripping with disdain as she turned on her heel, clearly trying to regain control of the situation. She bumped Soleneโs shoulder with exaggerated force as she passed by, but Solene didnโt even flinch.
โTch.โ Solene clicked her tongue in annoyance, then walked calmly past them, heading for the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was buzzing with noise and the clatter of trays, a welcome escape from the tension sheโd just left behind. Solene let out a long, heavy sigh as she found an empty seat. She didnโt mind the chatter or the laughter that surrounded herโshe was used to it by now.
Later, when the afternoon bell rang, students began packing their things, eager to head home for the day.
โGuys, I heard thereโs a new restaurant that opened. Do you want to check it out?โ Berting, a classmate of Soleneโs, asked loudly, his voice carrying across the room.
โLakwatchera ka talaga, Berting! Pero saan ba โyan?โ teased a girl with almond-shaped eyes and mixed features. She flashed a mischievous grin that made her eyes squint even more.
โDoon lang, malapit sa restaurant nila Yunece. Sinong sasama?โ Berting replied eagerly, clearly excited about the new place.
โSasama daw sa Mosquita!โ shouted a guy who was busy
typing on his laptop, his voice laced with playful teasing.
โAyiiiiiiieee!โ The entire class erupted into laughter, the sound echoing around the room.
โDate daw ang hanap!โ another guy added, his laughter ringing out with the others.
โHoy! Wala akong sinabing ganyan ha!โ Mosquita, a girl with tan skin and shoulder-length hair, quickly defended herself, blushing furiously as the teasing continued.
Solene couldnโt help but smirk at the scene. She lazily slung her bag over her shoulder, her movements slow and deliberate. She was the first to leave the room, the echoes of laughter following her as she stepped into the hallway.
As she walked home, the streets were filled with the usual chaosโsmoke from vendors, exhaust from passing vehicles, and groups of people clustered by the roadside, puffing out clouds of cigarette smoke. The stench hit her immediately, making her gag. She coughed, the smoke stinging her throat, and quickened her pace, eager to get home and away from the suffocating air.
โMa, nakauwi na ako!โ Solene announced as she stepped through the door of their humble home.
The house wasnโt too small, but not big either, just enough for the two of them. There was a small living room, a kitchen, and two bedrooms.
No one answered, so Solene went looking for her mother and found her at the back of the house, doing the laundry.
โMa.โ Solene took her motherโs hand and pressed it to her forehead in respect.
โOh, dumating ka na pala, anak. Magpahinga ka muna sa loob habang tinatapos ko pa ang mga labahin. Pasensya na, hindi pa ako nakakapagluto. Pero sandali na lamang naman ito at magluluto na ako pagkatapos. Magpahinga ka muna.โ
Her motherโs words came in quick succession, accompanied by a gentle smile meant to hide her exhaustion. But Solene could see it clearlyโthe fatigue in her eyes, the sleepless nights weighing her down.
โHindi na, Ma. Ako na po ang magluluto. Pagkatapos niyo maglaba, kayo na po ang magpahinga,โ Solene replied. Her mother was about to protest, but Solene shook her head and smiled, leaving no room for argument.
She went inside and opened the refrigerator to check what she could cook. When she did, her chest tightenedโthe shelves were almost empty. Just a few vegetables and a couple of eggs left. She sighed softly, took what she could, and began to cook.
As she stirred the pan, her thoughts drifted back to her mother. Tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them. She knew that even though her mother never complained, the exhaustion was there, etched in every line of her face.
In the morning, she worked at a small restaurant; in the evening, she walked around their neighborhood selling balut. And when time allowed, she took on extra work like gardening just to make ends meet.
โAnak, tapos na akong maglaba. Ako na diyan at magpahinga ka na,โ her motherโs voice called softly from behind, pulling Solene out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped her tears away.
โMa, ako na bahala dito. Kayo dapat ang magpahinga. At isa pa, patapos na akong magluto,โ she said, turning to face her mother. She gently guided her toward a chair in the living room and turned on their old TV.
โHay, ang kulit mo talaga. Sige na nga. Tawagin mo lang ako pag kailangan mo nang tulong,โ her mother said, finally giving in.
Solene returned to the kitchen and finished preparing the food. Just as she was about to call her mother for dinner, she saw her fast asleep on the chair. A small smile tugged at her lips as she walked closer and lightly shook her motherโs shoulder.
โMa, kakain na,โ she said softly.
Her mother slowly opened her eyes.
โNakatulog pala ako. Pasensya na. Tapos ka na bang magluto?โ
โTapos na, Ma. Halika na, kakain na tayo.โ
After dinner, her mother insisted on washing the dishes, but Solene immediately refused. However, her mother was persistent, so Solene gave in, grabbed her bag, and made her way to her room.
She collapsed onto her old wooden bed, the familiar creak of the springs comforting her despite the weight of the day. She felt exhausted, the events of school still fresh in her mind, the quatro peklats and their petty insults were starting to get on her nerves. But she took a deep breath. Fortunately, this was her last year in senior high school, and soon she would be graduating. A few more months, and she would finally go to collegeโone step closer to helping her mom.
Still, despite the excitement of her future, the feeling of grime and exhaustion from the dayโs struggles lingered. She needed to wash away the scent of the cityโthe smoke from the streets, the burning trash, and the lingering exhaust from the cars that passed her by.
As she undressed, a small sound startled her, something dropped to the floor. She looked down and saw the pen that the new guy had lent her earlier. โAy hala, nakalimutan ko palang isauli โto,โ she muttered, picking it up. It was just a regular signature pen, nothing special. But as she turned it over in her hands, she couldnโt help but think, โPeroโฆ mukhang mayaman naman yun, di niya naman kailangan โto.โ
She placed the pen on her cabinet, tucked it away with a small sigh, and proceeded to take a bath. Afterward, she changed into her matching Mickey Mouse pajamas and flopped back onto her bed.
Her gaze drifted toward the ceiling as she thought about everythingโabout her mother, her future, and the weight of the world she felt on her shoulders. Eventually, sleep took over, and she drifted into a deep slumber, the worries of the day fading away as she closed her eyes.
Morning came, and Solene found herself back at school. The day went by the usual: lectures, break time, and more lectures.
Then came the new subject, where their teacher called out their groups for an incoming activity.
โFirst Group: Qento, Hitaliano, and Velhita,โ Ms. Jema announced, her voice firm as she read from the list.
โHala maโam! Bakit magkakasama ang mga matatalino?โ Asli, the girl with squinted eyes, complained loudly. She had always been vocal about her frustrations
โMaโam, unfair!โ Chavon muttered, his face twisted into a pout, not hiding his displeasure.
โAnong unfair? eh si maโam ang namili niyan. Wag mo silang pansinin, maโam. Go lang!โ Hitaliano grinned, his expression mischievous as he teased the two complainers.
โQuiet!โ Ms. Jema snapped, her sharp tone immediately silencing the students.
The teacher continued calling out the groups, and some students grumbled while others exchanged excited looks, happy with their assigned groupmates.
โLast Group: Delo Santos, Buenaventura, and Vicencio,โ Ms. Jema announced, a slight pause before the last names rolled off her tongue.
โYou may go to your respective groups quietly and start discussing.โ
Since Solene and Matthew were sitting next to each other, she didnโt need to move. She stayed in her seat, watching as the rest of the students shuffled around.
โHi guys!โ Celestine chirped, practically skipping to the empty seat in front of Matthew, her energy practically bouncing off her.
โItโs good that weโre in the same group, Mat,โ Celestine said, flashing a wide grin that seemed to take up her whole face.
โYeah,โ Matthew replied, his voice as brief as ever, his usual coolness unchanged.
โHi girlieee! Iโm Celestine. What do you want us to call you?โ Celestine turned toward Solene, her hand already outstretched, eager for a handshake.
โSolene lang,โ she answered shortly, shaking Celestineโs hand, a bit surprised by the energy radiating from her. Parang hindi siya napapagod, Solene thought, raising an eyebrow at how lively Celestine was.
โSolene, what a beautiful name,โ Celestine said, her voice full of warmth, as if she truly meant it.
โSo, guys, whatโs our plan? Hm?โ Celestine asked with an excited smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
โI think itโs better if we plan this on the weekend so we can focus and come up with more ideas,โ Matthew suggested thoughtfully, his voice steady and calm.
So far, that was the longest sentence Solene had heard from Matthew today. She couldnโt help but nod in agreement, impressed by how well Matthew had laid out his idea.
โGood suggestion! Since you were the one to suggest itโฆโ Celestineโs voice trailed off as she flashed a teasing grin. She looked at Matthew, clearly enjoying the moment.
โWhat?โ Matthew asked, confused by the sudden pause.
โWe could work on this at your house!โ Celestine said with a big smile, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
โSure, what time are you going?โ Matthew asked, his curiosity piqued, but his expression still cool and collected.
โWhat do you think, Solene?โ Celestine suddenly turned to Solene, her smile not faltering for a second.
Now both Celestine and Matthew were looking at her, and Solene could feel the pressure building. Her pulse quickened under their gaze, and for a moment, she wasnโt sure what to say.
โKayo? Okay na sa akin mga 9:00 am,โ Solene said, trying to sound calm, though her heart was beating a little faster than usual.
โ9:00 am then,โ Matthew agreed, still looking at her with those steady eyes.
โOkay, letโs see each other on Saturday!โ Celestine exclaimed cheerfully, already looking forward to the meeting.
Solene, feeling a bit flustered, quickly averted her gaze from Matthew. The thought of Saturday was suddenly a little nerve-wracking.
Then came the last class of the day โ a free period. Most of the students used it as an excuse to talk, scroll on their phones, or sneak quick naps at their desks.
The afternoon sun streamed lazily through the classroom windows, casting golden rectangles of light across the floor.
A faint breeze stirred the old curtains, bringing in the scent of asphalt and sun-warmed grass from outside. Solene tapped her pen absentmindedly on the edge of her desk, her mind wandering as the soft hum of conversations filled the room.
She stared out the window, zoning out, until a shadow fell across her desk.
โHey.โ
She blinked and turned her head. Matthew was standing there, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his uniform pants, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp and intent.
โYou forgot something yesterday.โ He held out his hand. Nestled in his palm was another pen โ this time, a sleek black one with a small note taped around it.
Solene furrowed her brows. "Ano to?" โFair trade,โ he said simply. Cautiously, she peeled the note from the pen and unfolded it.
In messy but neat handwriting, it read: "Since you stole my pen, hereโs one you can actually keep. โ M"
Solene stared at the note, then back at Matthew, who was now wearing the faintest ghost of a smirk โ the first real expression she'd ever seen on his face.
โMayabang ka rin pala, no?โ she muttered under her breath, feeling the corners of her mouth twitch against her will.
Matthew tilted his head slightly, clearly catching her reaction. โYou smiled,โ he said, matter-of-factly.
โHuh?โ Solene quickly wiped the grin off her face, caught off-guard.
โI knew it,โ he added with a quiet confidence, turning on his heel before she could form a comeback.
She watched him walk back to his seat, still slightly stunned. โAnong trip nun?โ she whispered, but despite herself, she was still holding the pen a little too tightly.
The rest of the free period passed in a blur. Solene didnโt even realize sheโd stopped tapping her pen. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the boy with the sharp gaze and the quiet, strange way of showing attention. Matthew Buenaventura.
Who even gives pens with notes?
Saturday came faster than expected.
Solene stared at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting the hem of her simple blouse and brushing a hand through her freshly washed hair. She wasnโt sure why she was nervous. It was just a group project. It wasnโt like she hadnโt done these before. And yetโฆ her fingers lingered on the edges of her sleeves, fidgeting longer than necessary.
โAnak, aalis ka na ba?โ her mother called from the living room.
โOpo, Ma! Group project lang po,โ she responded, grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
โMag-ingat ka. Sabihan mo ako kung uuwi ka ng late, ha?โ her mother added, poking her head into the hallway.
Solene gave her a quick nod and a smile before stepping outside.
The sun was still climbing the sky when she reached Matthewโs neighborhood. It was quieter than she expected โ lined with trimmed hedges and houses with iron gates. Not the kind of place she often found herself in.
She checked the address Celestine had sent. Tama nga. She rang the bell.
After a moment, the gate opened.
It was Matthew.
โTamang oras,โ he said simply, stepping aside to let her in.
She muttered a quick thanks and walked inside, her eyes scanning the neat garden and the house beyond. It was spacious, with large windows and a wide porch โ not flashy, but quietly impressive.
Celestine was already there, sitting cross-legged on the living room floor with snacks spread out beside her.
โSoleneee!โ she chirped. โCome in! Grabe, ang ganda ng bahay nila noh? Parang galing sa magazine.โ
โMedyo,โ Solene replied, taking a seat beside her.
They settled in, and soon enough, they were discussing the project. Ideas flowed back and forth, Celestine bouncing with excitement, Matthew speaking only when necessary, and Solene offering suggestions in between.
But every now and then, sheโd catch Matthew looking at her. Not in a weird wayโmore likeโฆ curious. Observing.
Each time their eyes met, she felt a little fidgety, a little uncomfortable, as if he could see right through her.
She wasnโt sure what that meant.
After two hours, Celestine stretched her arms and groaned. โUgh, I need a break. Iโll get more juice!โ
She practically skipped to the kitchen.
That left just the two of them.
An odd silence settled between them.
Matthew leaned back against the couch. โYou always come late to class?โ he asked suddenly.
Solene raised an eyebrow. โSeryoso? โYan ang topic mo ngayon?โ
He shrugged, not denying it. โJust curious.โ
She thought about brushing it off, but something in his tone felt genuine. So instead, she replied, โGinagawa ko lang kung anong kailangan bago pumasok sa school. Hindi naman humihinto ang totoong buhay pag tumunog na ang bell.โ
Matthew nodded slowly. โFair.โ
Another pause.
Then, he added, โI know what tired looks like.โ
Solene looked at him then, surprised by the softness in his voice. It was the first time heโd said something that felt... personal.
Before she could respond, Celestine returned, holding three glasses.
โBack! Juice break muna tayo!โ she announced, unaware of the conversation she had just interrupted.
Solene accepted the glass with a quiet โthanksโ and took a sip. The tension lifted, just a little.
That afternoon, as she left Matthewโs house, she glanced back once โ and saw him still standing by the doorway, watching her.
There it was again. That look.
She still didnโt know what it meant.
๐ผ๏ธ: Angel Kyla Quinto
