Chapter 3

#OnePromiseWp

Chapter 3

"Mommy . . . ?" I drowsily said.

Malungkot na ngumiti sa akin si Mommy. She was sitting beside my bed first thing in the morning. Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla niya akong ginising nang ganoon kaaga.

Humilata lang ulit ako sa kama at itinago sa ilalim ng unan ang aking ulo.

"Wake up, baby girl!" Tinapik ulit ako ni Mommy.

"Why, Mom?" Sumilip ako sa ilalim ng aking unan.

"Ngayon ang camp, right? Gising ka na, ihahatid kita!" Na-e-excite na sambit ni Mommy.

"Don't you want to go to an adventure? C'mon, get up! I'll drive you."

"Now?" I groggily asked.

"Yes, right now." Hinawi ni Mommy ang buhok sa aking mukha at hinatak ako paupo ng kama. "Besides, happy birthday to my lovely, Naomi!"

Napadilat ako sa sinabi ni Mommy. Mommy hugged me tight, she kissed my cheeks too. Marahan niyang hinaplos ang aking sugat sa pisngi at nagtagal ang tingin doon.

"Mommy?"

Nakuha ko ang attention ni Mommy. Ngumiti siya at agad na tumayo sa kama.

"Go wash, I'll pack your things."

Tumayo na rin ako sa kama. Inayos ko na ang sarili ko habang si Mommy naman ang nag-empake sa aking mga gamit. Mommy drove us to the church. It was a kilometer away from home, kaya napagdesisyunan na rin naming mag-drive.

Gideon Camp was a two-day camp. I lost hope of going since the way Daddy reacted the day before that. I didn't think I'd expect this.

"It's called Gideon Troop Camp, right?" tanong ni Mommy habang naka-focus ang mata niya sa kalye.

Tumango ako bilang pagsang-ayon. "Shaien and Othniel will be there mom. Akala ko po ba, hindi ako pinayagan ni Daddy? Would this be okay for him?"

We were Born Again Christians. More accurately, both Mom and I. I studied at Grace Baptist School, and every Sunday, mom would take me to their Sunday sessions on their church. Annually, they'd held this two-day camp to strengthen the bonds of their members. It had been years since I'd dreamt to join that camp. It was only that time that I'd got the courage to asked permission. I regretted doing that too.

"Sure, darling. Leave your Daddy to me. Besides, consider this as my birthday gift to you. Syempre, I know you want to bond with your friends and I want you to grow more together. Saan nga pala ang camp gagawin?"

"Caliraya Resorts in Laguna. It's a fun camp daw po, according to my friends who went last year. Pero late na po ako, hindi ko po na-confirm ang attendance ko kahapon," malungkot kong sinabi.

"Dear, I called yesterday. I already confirmed your attendance for you, and they said you could go. Now, cheer up! I don't want you looking sad on your birthday, Naomi. Besides, you know I'd give anything for you. I love you. You know that, right?"

Tumango ako. I quickly hugged Mommy and kissed her in her cheeks.

"I love you too, Mom."

Hinawakan ni Mommy ang kamay ko at mariing pinisil iyon. I warmly smiled at her. Umayos na rin ako ng upo sa passenger seat to avoid distracting Mom from driving.

"Come on, you're gonna have a great time, for sure. You're gonna make some friends aside from Shaien and Othniel. You'll make some memories better than your memories at home."

I pouted. "Mommy, gusto ko man pumunta sa camp, but can we just do this instead?"

Kumunot noo si Mommy. She took a quick glimpse of me. "Do what, baby?"

"Just free drive. Drive away from our home. Drive away from Daddy. Can we just live our life without him? Mommy, I lost hope in saving Daddy. I'm tired. So tired. Can we drive and listen to music instead? Just you and I, Mom. Let's just listen to the words."

Mommy pursed her lips. She remained calm and silent. Hinarap niya ako at malambing na ngumiti.

"Come here nga."

Inayos ko ang radio sa kotse. I played a gospel song that soothed my broken state everytime I feel lost.

"In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song . . . "

I dragged myself near Mommy. I leaned my head on Mom's shoulders and raised my face to look at Mommy. Mommy sang with me.

"No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me . . . "

She took a quick look at me once again and warmly smiled. We both sang the last sentence together. "Here in the power of Christ I'll stand . . . "

Mom reminded me not to give up. I thought, how could I forget such a simple reminder like that? He was my comforter. I didn't need to give up on Daddy because I couldn't give up on him. I'd had to persevere. If I love my Dad, I wouldn't give up on him. I would save him with Mommy.

I promised, one day, I would be able to fix my family. We would be happy, one day.

Hindi ko matandaan kung gaano kami katagal inabot sa biyahe. I fell asleep on Mom's shoulders right after I leaned on her. Nagising na lang ako nang tapikin ni Mommy ang pisngi ko and we were already at the church.

"Nandito na tayo!" Masigla si Mommy, patuloy pa rin niyang tinatapik ang cheeks ko.

I groaned. Kinusot ko ang mata ko. Iniligid ko ang mata ko sa buong lugar at nakita kong nagkukumpulan na ang mga bata sa isang lugar.

"Go on, Naomi. Gusto mong pumunta sa camp right? Make friends ha!" ani mommy.

Ngumuso ako. "Mommy, si Shaien and Othniel lang naman ang ka-close ko po roon."

"Oh? Is my little Nao-nao scared in making friends now? Surely, bago mo makilala sina Othniel, you were strangers, right? So what's the difference with their presence now and without?"

I rolled my eyes. "All right, I can do this." I slapped my face to wake myself up. "Fighting!"

"Tama, anak! Kaya mo 'yan!"

Mommy leaned closer and kissed my cheeks. I shyly smiled at her. I cling my arms to her, and returned her kiss too.

"I love you, Nao-nao! Pray Daddy on camp, okay?"

Ngumisi ako at tumango. Ngumisi rin si Mommy at tinapik niya ang ulo ko.

I pouted again at hinawakan ang forehead ko dahil sa pagtapik ni Mommy.

"Go on! Mukhang paalis na ang bus n'yo, o!" Ngumuso si Mommy.

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang nginunguso niya at nakitang nagsasakayan na sila sa bus!

Oh my!

Agad naman akong bumaba. I knocked on the window one last time before running toward the bus.

"Bye, Mom!" I bid goodbye one last time before running to the bus.

Hindi ko kasabay sa bus sina Shaien, but I know, nauna na sila. They also didn't know that I'd be joining them. Everything was just a surprise.

Inabot kami nang mahigit tatlong oras sa bus. Sa totoo lang, ang boring talaga sa bus. Ang dami pang stopovers! Ang dami kasing ihi nang ihi. It was really bothersome. Kaysa nakatipid kami ng oras, mas tumagal ang biyahe dahil doon! To think, pipila pa sila since sabay-sabay sila! Goodness, gracious! Next time, papa-invent na lang ako ng bus na may reastroom na sa loob, nang sa gayon, hindi na sila makaka-hassle.

"Naaaaaomi! Shucks! Si Naomi ba talaga ito?" Natatarantang sinalubong ako ni Shaien.

Othniel was surprised, too! I blushed when I saw him intently staring at me.

Othniel looked dashing in his red flannel and gray inner shirt. He is also wearing his maong khaki pants paired with a Nike rubber shoes. He had his guitar cling on his back.

Kadarating lang ng bus namin sa campsite. Shaien and Othniel were already walking around, that was why, right after I set foot on the ground, they attacked me with hugs.

"OMG! Akala ko ba, hindi ka makakapunta?" Shaien asked.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Akala ko rin talaga! Nagulat na lang ako nang gisingin ako ni Mommy. Tapos siya pa ang naghatid sa akin!"

Othniel tapped my head. "This is gonna be fun! The gang is complete!"

Tumalon-talon si Shaien. "Totoo, Kuya! Dali! Iayos na natin 'yang mga gamit mo sa kuwarto!"

"Huh? Di ba, may roommate ka na? Puwede ba?" nalilito kong tanong.

Shaien stopped jumping. "Oo nga, 'no!" Humalukipkip siya at ipinikit ang mga mata niya. Hinilot niya ang gitna ng kanyang ilong na para bang problemadong-problemado siya. Hindi rin nagtagal, agad naman siyang pumalakpak sa ere. "Alam ko na! I-bribe na lang natin ang roommate ko na umalis sa cottage at lumipat na lang sa 'yo! Hindi naman kami close n'on, wala ring mawawala sa kanya!"

Othniel's brow raised. "Bribe, huh? How exactly?"

Ngumisi nang napakalaki si Shaien. One smirk that could send shivers down my spine. Oh my goodness. I didn't like where this was going.

"You'll see, Kuya! For now, tulungan mo naman si Naomi iakyat ang gamit niya, o!"

Nilapitan ako ni Othniel. He took my big Longhamp sling bag from my grip. I saw how he fixed his guitar on the side and how his back muscles flexed when he took my bag.

Shucks, ha!

Pagpasok namin sa kuwarto ni Shaien, masuri kaming pinagmasdan ng roommate niya.

"Oy, ikaw, lumipat ka na lang sa room niya! Palit kayo, please?" Shaien started.

Umangat ang kilay n'ong babae. "Oh, why? Make me," she retorted.

Mabilisan siyang sumulyap kay Othniel sa likod namin.

Shaien evilly grinned. Umirap siya at hinarap niya agad ang kuya niya. She winked at me when our eyes landed with each other.

Umirap na rin ako. I knew what she would do next. Sa sobrang close namin, kilala na namin ang isa't isa just by simple moves.

"Kuya! Make her leave!" reklamo ni Shaien.

"Huh? Paano naman?" natatarantang tanong ni Othniel.

"I don't know, just do something! Lalabas lang kami ni Naomi. Pupunta kami sa bridge. Dapat pagbalik namin, umalis na siya, ha! Humabol ka rin!" Hinatak ako ni Shaien.

"Wait lang, ayusin ko lang muna gamit ko."

"Naomi, 'wag na, mamaya na 'yan! I want to see the Caliraya bridge na!"

"Bridge?" I gulped.

I was afraid of heights. I didn't know why, but since I was a kid, I was never fond of heights.

I usually started getting headaches, then every time the wind would blow the bridge and the bridge swayed, I get more and sicker.

"Don't tell me you're scared, Naomi? Common it's just a tiny one!"

"Tiny one but meters away from the ground! Are you kidding me? And besides, the water doesn't look friendly and comfy to fall into."

Shaien groaned. "You're kidding, right?"

Umiling ako.

Napatingin si Shaien sa likod at nanatili ang tingin niya roon kaya napatingin din ako. Othniel was able to catch up with us. Hinihingal pa siya siguro dahil sa layo ng tinakbo niya from the cottage.

"Were you able to shoo her, Kuya?"

Tumango si Othniel.

"That's my kuya. I know, just by your simple approach, kuhang-kuha mo na 'yon e. Simple and easy," proud na sinabi ni Shaien.

Ngumisi pa siya at tinapik ang likod ni Othniel.

Othniel rolled his eyes and snorted. "User," he accused.

Shaien winked. "You love me way too much to follow my every whim. Oh wait. Is it me or it's Naomi?" biniro pa kami ni Shaien.

Pinanlakihan ko ng mata si Shaien. Nagkibit-balikat na lang siya. Pagkatapos, hinarap niya rin ako.

"Now, don't be a pussy and move on with the bridge. It's safe! I assure you, o!" Tumapak na siya sa bridge at naglakad nang iilang steps.

"Do we have too?" I whined.

Othniel chuckled. He leaned down near my ear and whispered. "Come on, try! I'll catch you if you fall."

Napaharap ako sa kanya. I first saw his lips. My eyes lingered on it and little by little raised it passed through his pointed nose until it landed to his brownish eyes. It was showing too much that made me momentarily forget how close we were now. His thick eyebrows were complimenting his eyes, and his side dimples were perfect to end his features.

His angled jaw clenched, making my eyes dropped to his red, inviting lips. I gulped and licked mine.

I saw him dropped his eyes on my lips right after I did that.

Umayos agad siya ng tayo.

Oh, gosh. I can do this. I can do this.

"Don't be scared, spirit."

"Spirit? Are you kidding?"

Othniel chuckled. "No. I think you really do look like spirit. I feel like you're lost."

Umirap ako. "Then you'll be little creek, the Indian dude who'd save spirit from despair?" I snorted. "Spirit's knight and shining armor, is it?"

Othniel smirked. Umayos siya ng tayo. He leaned down until his face leveled mine. "If spirit would permit, though. I'll make sure spirit will be protected. I'll guide her, and make sure you'll be able to find her way home. Will she agree to that?"

My heart leaped. My hands were sweaty, and surely, my face blushed. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pag-angat ng init sa aking mukha.

"Ano ka ba, halika na nga!"

Iniwan ko siya roong nakatayo. Nauna na ako sa paglalakad sa bridge. Shaien went ahead kaya hinintay niya na lang kami sa kabilang dulo.

"Naomi!" Othniel chuckled.

Itinakbo niya ang distance namin kaya umuga ang tulay. Napakapit ako nang mahigpit sa isang gilid railings.

"Hoy! Bakit ka tumatakbo? Umuuga, Othniel! Stop it!"

Tumawa si Othniel. "'Wag ka na kasing matakot! Ligtas 'yan! O?" He swung the bridge left and right. I hardened my grip more as he do that.

"Huy! Huy! Huy! Baka mahulog tayo! Stop it! Wala akong extra-ng damit!"

"If that happened, I told you I'd catch you, right?"

"You'd better be, 'cause I feel like fainting anytime! Ang galaw-gaw kasi! Nakakatakot, oy! Chupi! Mauna ka na roon!" Nguso ko.

Tumawa ulit si Othniel.

I cried in plea for him to stop.

Othniel probably saw my tears, causing him to stop torturing my poor scaredy soul.

"Do you trust me?" seryosong tanong ni Othniel.

"Huh?"

"Naomi, do you trust me?"

Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin.

"Of course, I do!"

"Then grab my hand. I'll guide your way through. You don't have to lean on other things, you just have to lean on me," seryoso niyang sinabi. Malalim ang kanyang tingin sa akin.

I gulped. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. It wasn't normal dahil umiinit din ang hangin na lumalabas sa ilong ko. I grabbed onto his hand. Mahigpit niya iyong hinawakan. Ngumiti siya sa akin at iginiya ako sa paglalakad sa buong bridge.

And waaaah! I overcame my fear!

I was able to walk to the other side, safe and sound!

After overcoming my fear, I was able to open my eyes and see the wonders of the area! Ang ganda pala! The surrounding trees brought calmness to the whole place. The sound of dancing leaves surrounding the area made me feel like I was in paradise! Nakamamangha! No wonder this is one of the chosen camp site every retreat. It could really give you a sense of peace of mind.

A quiet place to be one with God.

"Pretty!" I softly whispered.

"See what you'd lost if you let your fear overcome you! You could've seen more and better sceneries if you have the courage to do so!" Nagsimula naman si Shaien sa moral lesson niya.

I mentally rolled my eyes.

Naglakad na lang sa ako sa isang lugar na hindi matagtag. Umupo ako doon at pinagmasdan ang buong kapaligiran. Othniel sat beside me. Shaien did, too. We stayed there and reminisced our thoughts.

Nang magtalo na ang araw at kadiliman, doon na rin namin napagdesisyunang bumalik. It wouldn't be long bago kami tawagin for dinner.

"Naomi! Hello!" Nagulat ako nang biglang may nagpakilala sa akin. "I haven't introduce myself yet. I'm Axl. Axl Lemirez."

Sinalubong niya kami sa kabilang dulo ng tulay noong pabalik na kami.

"Oh, um, hi? Uh, I'm . . . I'm Naomi. My friends like to call me Naomi," nahihiya kong sinabi.

Hinarap ko si Othniel. He wasn't pleased someone interrupted us. I saw his jaw clenched once again before he fixed his stand and turned his back away from us.

I pouted as I watch him leave.

"Ready for camp sessions?"

Nakuha ni Axl ang atensiyon ko.

"Mmm?"

Axl smiled. "They're calling us inside the cafeteria. Maybe, hindi mo narinig. You're new here, right? During dinner, they would start a camp session. They would preach a gospel and they would ask you to do a simple workshop. Apply what you've learned."

"Oh!" I awkwardly said. "Uhm, yup. I'm new so I didn't know. Uh . . . tara?"

I felt uncomfortable around his presence. Buti na lang, Shaien spotted us and was able to save me from this.

Shaien wrapped her arms around mine. "Hoy, can you stop taking Naomi away from us. Thanks for the heads up, Axl. Now go. Naomi would be hanging with us."

Nakita kong nakatingin si Axl sa kanya. His brow raised.

"Sorry about that, Shainene!"

Umirap si Shaien. Her eyebrows raised. "What was that?"

Umirap rin si Axl at humalukipkip. "What was what, Shainene? Don't tell me, you forgot your nickname?" pang-aasar pa nito.

Marahang naglakad si Shaien palapit kay Axl. She smirked and kicked his balls.

"Shit!"

Tumango si Shaien. "Oh yeah, shit!" asar naman nito pabalik.

"I forgot you're one hell of a kicker."

Shaien smiled with no humor. "Now you remember, shoo!"

Umayos ng tayo si Axl. His jaw clenched. His bad boy vibes made him look twice hotter than he already was everytime he's mad. He placed his hands inside his varsity jacket and casually shrugged.

Ngumisi siya bago umalis. Binantaan niya pa si Shaien ng simple gestures na silang dalawa lang ang nakakaintindi bago kami tinalikuran at iniwan.

Sinundan na lang namin siya ng tingin ni Shaien.

I gave Shaien a questioning look. Umirap na lang siya ulit at nagkibit-balikat. Othniel was silent beside us, though. For some odd reasons, na-we-weird out ako sa kanyang mapanuring pagmamasid. Kanina pa siya since Axl introduced himself.

Then everytime I'd look back at him, he'll immediately glanced away.

"Campers, up here!"

Napatingin kaming lahat sa stage. The whole cafeteria is full packed. We're probably around a hundred or so. The emcee was wearing a green vest with Baptist imprinted in the side.

"Hello, I'm Pastor Stephen." He proudly introduced himself. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm the youth pastor at Grace Baptist Church. So, if you didn't bring any notebooks or journals, come up here. We got one for you. You're gonna need it for your sessions here in this camp."

"Naomi, 'wag ka nang tumayo, ako na ang kukuha para sa iyo," ani Shaien.

Hindi ko na siya napigilan dahil nakatayo na siya agad. Tumango na lang ako.

Othniel seated across me. Agad naman akong ginapangan ng hiya nang mapagtantong naiwan kaming dalawa.

"What, Othniel?" I finally asked when I got the courage to do so.

Umangat ang isang kilay niya.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa lamesa at nakakita ng gamit na puwedeng pagtuunan ng pansin.

"Is that a diary, or . . . ?" pagturo sa gamit na nakalapag sa harapan niya. I tried to touch it pero agad naman niyang tinampal ang kamay ko. "Ouch!" I pouted.

"Kinda, but there's more to it. It helps me organize my thoughts in order. This notebook contains my prayers, problems, dreams, stuff I imagine sometimes."

"Uh, can I see it?"

Lumalim ang gitla sa kilay ni Othniel. He was about to answer me nang dumating si Shaien cutting him off.

"Hey, Naomi, I got your journal."

Shaien gave me a pink spring notebook. She even raised hers to emphasize that we both got the same style.

I chuckled. "Oh! Thank you!"

Ngumisi si Shaien sa akin. "No problem."

"Does everybody already have their journals?" Pastor Stephen happily asked the crowd.

"Yes!"

"Alright, listen up. The title of our first session today is Response to Truth. Did you ever hear of a children parable? The parable of the sower? How do we Christians responds to the truth? In our world now, Satan easily infiltrates us. Once we share the truth to others, Satan would always find a way to stop it."

Umayos ng tayo si Pastor. He took the mic and walked near us. "Satan, doesn't want people to know the Bible as the only truth. Some asked, what is Satan's purpose? Satan desires to take as many people as possible because that's Satan's true nature."

Shaien raised her hand. Napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya.

"Pastor, how do Satan attacks us?"

"That's a very nice question, Shaien Garcia."

The pastor momentarily stopped. Inisip niya ang tamang sagot para doon sa tanong ni Shaien.

"Satan attacks us by setting up a world system. A lie that contradicts the truth. He attacks us with all the money and pleasures the world can give. That's why when we want to save someone, it often comes with a lot of prayer. But at the end of the day, it's still their choice to accept God's word or not."

Ngumuso ako. Maybe that was why we were having a hard time on saving Daddy. Satan doesn't want Daddy to be saved—that might be the reason why he spoiled Daddy with alcohols and vapes.

"But as Christians, how do you take care of your seed inside? There are times when we often have a shallow understanding of our faith, that's why most of the time, we immediately lost it. So, when these life challenges comes, they immediately get withered away."

I raised my hand. The pastor acknowledged me.

"How can we nourished our faith then?" I asked.

"By living out a balance life, Naomi. You accepted the truth and you faithfully nourished it by learning more. Simply learn more. Study the Bible by heart."

"You know, kids, surely, if I were to personally ask you if you can tell me all the demigods and characters in Harry Potter, you could answer me without a sweat. If I would ask you about your favorite K-Pop group and make you list down their songs, I can, hundred percent, assure you, you'll do perfect on that. But just how much do you exactly know the Bible? If I'd ask you about a certain scenario that happened in the Bible, will you be able to answer me on what verse can I find it? Or, at least, tell me what happened or what was the lesson to be thought there? No. A hundred percent no."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What are you trying to imply, pastor?" A student asked.

"What I'm trying to imply here is that if you call yourself a Christian, how is it that you know a little about the Bible, our God's word? Are you truly a Christian? Or you're just Christians for display? If you're a Christian, you proclaimed that you love God, right? Then how is it that you can't even have time to learn His word? Are you a seed that will grew on the wayside only to be blew aways and trampled by birds? A seed that would grew on thorns? Or a seed that will grew on rocks, not moistured and will eventually withered away? You don't exactly have to memorize the Bible. Deep inside, you know what to do with God's word. Just live life in a balance, give time to learn God's word."

Okay, tinamaan ako roon. What he said was true. I wasn't living out a balance life. I'd only come to God everytime I encountered problems. I only go to church because Mom expected too much on me and I didn't want to disappoint her. Without these reasons, I wouldn't be able to reach where I am now.

Maybe I was a seed that grew on rocks. My faith lacks moisture that it remained constant to the point it whithers away in some point of struggles.

Maybe that was why I always blame God for all the shits I've been through. I'd ask him questions about my shaky faith.

Maybe that was why I had doubts of Him.

Sure, I was faithful at some point. I seldom read the Bible. I was always reliant with the idea that if I always pray, God will one day answer my prayer. I'd once believed in the idea that if I would go to church and listen to the pastor then I'd be satisfied to the gospel he shared. I didn't have to bother myself reading the Bible.

How could I save daddy when I was barely a good Christian example?

"As early as now, I want you all to grow. Be a living example of Christ children. I want you to grow in a good soil." The pastor warmly smiled at us. "Be an inspiration. Make God proud and accomplish what every Christians life task is."

Naglakad si pastor pabalik sa stage.

"You all have your journals, right? For your first activity, starting now, write down your main goal. Start writing down everything you will do and what is it you wanted to accomplish. Plan ahead. What do you think is your calling to God? What is your purpose to God?"

I took my notebook and opened it.

Ano ba ang purpose ko kay God? Everytime I thought of that, I'd always ended up with that one conclusion.

Oo nga, it had always been that. I'd always believe that that is my calling.

I internally smiled as I wrote down the only one promise I made to Mommy.

"Mypurpose to God . . . is to be able tosave Daddy for God."