Chapter 2: The Silent Prayer and the Unspoken Secret

The rain outside is subsiding, but the storm within me feels as though it is just beginning. I know that with every passing moment, his footsteps are moving further away from me, toward a place where I can no longer reach him.

This May, while Flores de Mayo is happening, Gabe and I are together. I feel the brush of the gentle breeze as I watch him. He holds a fresh rose, ready to offer it at the feet of Mama Mary. As he closes his eyes in prayer, I cannot help but wonder: What could he be wishing for?

Perhaps he is praying for the woman who truly makes his heart beat—the woman I know is not me. Vanessa. That is always the talk of the town. "Hey, Yvonne! You and Gabe are perfect together, you’re like superglued!" our classmates used to joke. I just laugh bitterly. Perfect? Us? In this world, the distance between someone like me and him is vast. I, who am content with simple clothes, no makeup, and prefer to drown in books rather than dress up for the attention of others. I know my place. I am just the best friend.

I stared at him while he held the rosary. His face is so gentle, as if untainted by any trouble or evil. I didn't notice that Sister Bernadette was already beside me. She served as my anchor during the times my world collapsed—when Papa left us and when Mama hurt me repeatedly.

"My child, your staring at your best friend is a bit much, isn't it?" Sister whispered. My face suddenly heated up. I wanted to run, I wanted to make an excuse, but no words came out of my mouth. Sister just smiled, a smile full of understanding. "When are you going to tell him your feelings?"

The world seemed to stop spinning. I looked at Sister, feeling my cheeks flush to my ears. "Sister... what if I am not the one destined for him? I know he likes Vanessa," I replied weakly and shyly, almost in a whisper.

Sister stroked my hair, a touch that seemed to calm my turbulent emotions. Before she could answer, a voice broke our conversation. "Hi, Sister! What are you two talking about?" said Gabe. His eyes are as bright as the sun, full of curiosity.

"Nothing, Gabe. Just checking in on each other. Go ahead, I'll go first and prepare snacks for the children," Sister said with a smile, waving at us.

Minutes passed and snack time began. Gabe and I helped distribute food to the children. Every time I handed a glass or bread, our hands accidentally brushed against each other. Every time his skin touched mine, I felt like I was being electrified. I saw him laugh when a child made a mistake in grabbing juice; his laugh is the music I don't want to end.

As we were cleaning up afterward, Gabe suddenly stopped. He looked far away, at the statue of Mama Mary, and then turned to me. "Yvonne," he called. His voice is serious, far from his usual cheerful tone. "You know, earlier... when I offered the flower, I didn't pray for Vanessa."

My eyes widened. My heart seemed to be pounding in my chest. "A-eh, who then?" I asked, stuttering.

He stepped a little closer. He smelled like soap and cleanliness—the scent I always look for. "My wish was, I hope the person beside me now stays forever. Because she is the only one who knows who I really am, behind all of people's expectations."

He looked straight into my eyes. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The fear I felt earlier—the fear that I might not be the one he wants—was slowly being replaced by a strange hope. But before I could answer, something snatched his attention. A text message from Vanessa that killed the moment. Gabe's smile was replaced by worry, and suddenly, the distance between us seemed to widen again, even though we were standing right next to each other.

"Yvonne, I have to go," he said without looking at me anymore. "Vanessa has an emergency."

I was left standing, holding the last piece of bread, while watching him run away. That was when I realized: Even if I am the one in his prayers, his heart is still tied to someone else. And the pain I feel now is just the beginning of a long night of waiting.

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