THE REWRITE || Mystery Romance

The Secret Surrender

Few hours later...

Dinner. Kitchen cleaned. Done and done. The faint smell of garlic and soy sauce still lingered in the air, clinging to the walls like a memory of the meal. The quiet hum of the refrigerator filled the silence, and the cool night breeze slipped through the open window, carrying the faint sound of barking dogs from the neighborhood.

Cyra, who usually handled the dishes, was still out practicing for their school dance presentation. She’s such a good kid. Smart, too. I really hope she ends up with a better life than mine.

Speaking of better lives…

I turned my data back on and, in an instant, notifications flooded my screen. Mostly from one person.

Bryan.

[Messenger Chat]

Bryan:

"Good night, Ley. Sweet dreams."

"Good morning, Ley."

"From now on, no more lame names."

"Good evening, Ley."

Leyanne:

"Good evening, Bryan."

Bryan:

"So… what’s life been like for you today? Must be busy being all grown-up and pretty."

Seriously? If I were to answer honestly, I’d say restless and sleepless, like dragging my feet through the day only to collapse into the night. But of course, I couldn’t just say that.

Leyanne:

"Busy, yes. Grown-up? Questionable. Pretty? You're definitely delusional."

Bryan:

"Let me be delulu in peace. It’s not every day I get to chat with the girl I regretted teasing too much."

I wasn’t sure if he was being sincere… but it made me smile. Maybe talking to him is helping me move on. I hope so.

Leyanne:

"Crazy."

I sent it before thinking. Hopefully, that was an acceptable reply.

Bryan:

"To be honest, I didn’t expect we’d reconnect. But now that we have… I kind of want to keep talking to you. If it’s okay with you."

Leyanne:

"As long as you don’t steal my stuff again, I guess you’re safe."

Bryan:

"Deal. I’ll just steal your time instead. Little by little."

I stared at his last message longer than I should have. “Steal my time”? What kind of line was that? Smooth? Cheesy? Or just plain Bryan?

And yet, for some reasons I didn’t understand, my chest tightened, not in the bad, suffocating way I used to feel whenever I thought of people I’d lost, but in a strange, fluttering way.

It’s just words. Just chat. Nothing serious. Right?

Still, I found myself waiting for the next notification to pop up, my phone resting against my palm like it suddenly carried more weight than usual.

Maybe this was dangerous. Or maybe… this was the start of something I didn’t know I needed.

* * *

A week later...

I went with my cousins to the shrine. Cyra had exams coming up, and a contest she had joined weighed heavily on her shoulders. That's why we sought this place, where silence was prayer and calmness was its language. The other two, Queenie and Annica, insisted on tagging along - both swearing with wide eyes that they wouldn't make a fuss. I could only hope they meant it.

"Kandila, insenso, at bulaklak po. Bili na kayo," called an old woman seated on a low stool near the gate of the compound, where the shrine lay within.

The scene resembled that of a church's entrance. Vendors sat by the pathway, their hands offering candles, flowers, and incense. Strangers of many faiths passed through these gates, all drawn to the same quiet refuge. That's why you found not only candles but small charms, beads, and trinkets laid out on mats - tokens of devotion, however people wished to name it.

"Four candles, please," I said, handing her fifty pesos. Each stick cost five.

"Here's your change, Ening." She pressed coins into my palm.

"Keep it," I told her with a faint smile. The sun was merciless at her station, the crowd thin, and her earnings hardly enough to fill a pocket.

Her lips curved in gratitude, her hand pressed against her chest. "Maraming salamat. Pagpalain ka nawa ng Maykapal."

I bowed my head slightly. "You too. Thank you."

We moved on, the gravel crunching beneath our feet.

"Generous, huh?" Cyra muttered with one eyebrow raised.

I smirked faintly and shook my head. "Sometimes."

"You're often generous, aren't you, Ate?" Queenie asked softly, her voice as innocent as her wide eyes. I nodded, stroking her hair in silent affirmation.

Meanwhile, Annica was lost in her own wonder. Her gaze darted left, right, up at the tall trees, then forward again. She spun slowly on her feet, her movements almost comical - like she was dancing some odd little jig in rhythm only she could hear.

The moment we stepped through the main arch, the air shifted. A mingling of scents greeted us - burnt incense, freshly plucked kalachuchi blossoms, and the faint waxy perfume of melted candles. The fragrance was both sweet and heavy, clinging to the air like a hymn. If it weren't for the sanctity of this place, one could mistake it for a scene in some eerie film - where the fog rises and shadows breathe.

The silence pressed close, sacred and deep. It stirred something old within me. I had missed this stillness. Back in high school, I used to come here every Friday with classmates and my best friend before heading home. College had stolen that habit - busy days piled into busy weeks until visits like this became rare. For me, this shrine was familiar ground. For them it's something new, especially Annica, it was her very first time.

"Wow! It's so pretty here. And so quiet," Annica whispered, her eyes wide in reverence.

"It would be quiet if you didn't talk so much," Cyra shot back, her sarcasm as sharp as always.

"Shhh," Queenie hissed, her angelic patience cracking just enough to scold.

I couldn't help but smile at them. Once, I had been just like this, wide-eyed, quietly astonished by the peace of this place. The difference was, I didn't voice my awe. I swallowed it, kept it sealed in the chambers of my heart, letting silence be the only proof of wonder.

When we entered the prayer room, I guided Annica in lighting her candle, while Cyra helped Queenie with hers.

We placed the candles carefully in their holders, then knelt before the altar. With closed eyes and palms pressed together, we prayed - each in the language of our own hearts, each with the weight of our own faith.

The good thing was, the two little ones kept their promise. No unnecessary chatter. Just quiet sincerity. Thank heavens for that - I was able to pray properly.

We stayed that way for several minutes. There was so much I wanted to say: gratitude to offer, mistakes to confess, wishes to whisper, prayers to release. I poured it all out in silence, knowing it might be a long while before I returned here again.

When I opened my eyes, the space beside me was already empty. I stood quickly, stepped out, and found them gathered near the wishing fountain in the courtyard.

"There you are," I said with a small smile as I approached. They all stared back at me wordlessly.

"What's with those looks?" I asked, puzzled. Their eyes flicked to my knees, so I glanced down. The skin had reddened and bore faint marks from the hard floor. It was visible since we were all wearing skirts that ended just at the knee.

"Seriously? Were you praying for the safety of the entire Philippines? Or maybe the whole world? Or perhaps the entire solar system?" Cyra quipped, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"You took so long, Ate," Queenie added gently.

I scratched the back of my neck, offering only an awkward smile.

"Ate, what were you praying for?" Annica asked, her voice serious, innocent, and painfully sincere.

"As we grow older, our prayers grow with us," I answered, stroking her head gently. "How about you? What did you pray for?" I asked in return, and we started walking out of the shrine compound.

"I prayed to God to give our family plenty of food," Annica replied quickly, and I couldn't help but smile. At least her heart was set on family.

"All you think about is food, Annica. Yet you don't even gain weight," Cyra remarked dryly.

I shook my head and turned to Queenie. "And you, what was your prayer?"

"I prayed that we would all stay healthy... that I could have beautiful dresses and-" She stopped, her cheeks flushing, her voice faltering as if she had more to add but couldn't bring herself to say it.

"Aysus! You just want your crush to notice you. I'll tell Mama," Cyra cut in with her sharp grin.

I smiled faintly at her, resisting the urge to ask more. But before I could say anything, Annica beat me to it. "How about you, Ate? What did you pray for?"

Cyra rolled her eyes, pretending she had no intention of answering, but our stares cornered her until she gave in.

"Isn't it obvious? My exams. My contest," she muttered with a small huff, rolling her eyes again. She looked so cute acting bratty. I couldn't imagine myself behaving that way- it just wouldn't fit me.

"Ate Ley, you still haven't told us your prayer," Queenie reminded softly.

"Ahh. Right." I scratched the back of my neck, though it wasn't really itchy. In my mind I thought: So much for being the host- I thought I was safe from this Q and A.

"Come on, Ate Ley. Tell us," Annica urged, her eyes shining with hope.

"Ahh... what Cy said earlier is true. But not the whole world- just Asia." I tried to joke, hoping their attention would shift elsewhere.

"WHAT?" the three of them exclaimed in unison, mouths dropping in disbelief.

The truth was, I prayed for many things. But not just for the safety of people, nor the world. My prayers were heavier, quieter, meant only for the silence of that shrine- too many to name, too heavy to share.

"Wtf! We know you're merciful, Ate Ley. But don't be that merciful. Seriously? For the whole continent? What are you, a saint?" Cyra fired off, her words rapid and sharp, like a machine gun. It was so absurd I couldn't hold back the laugh that burst from my lips.

"She's really laughing now," Annica whispered in awe. It was rare enough to see me smile- rarer still to hear me laugh.

"Yeah... did something from the shrine enter her?" Queenie murmured softly, as if half-afraid her thoughts might be right.

"Guys, relax, okay?" I tried to soothe them, the trace of amusement still lingering in my voice. "I was just kidding. Actually... what I prayed for isn't something you would understand yet. Maybe someday."

"At least say something. Don't be unfair," Cyra pressed, brows raised in challenge.

I exhaled slowly. "Sorry, guys. Prayers are wishes. And wishes need to be kept until they come true. If you reveal them too soon, they might never happen." My eyes shifted from one cousin to another, steady, serious.

They froze, staring at me, their expressions mixed with disbelief.

"And you're only saying this now? You're unbelievable." Cyra complained.

"Ate Ley, why didn't you tell us sooner?" Queenie asked, her gentle tone edged with disappointment.

"Huhuhu... you're bad, Ate Ley. My prayer won't come true now!" Annica's voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes, spilling freely down her cheeks.

Oh heavens. This was not good.

"Hey, hey! Calm down," I said quickly, reaching for her small shoulders. "I'm not even sure if it's true, okay? Don't cry." But Annica continued sobbing, her little hands rubbing her eyes raw.

Queenie stood beside her, lips pursed in a pout, clearly upset. Cyra groaned and clamped her hands over her ears, grimacing at the noise.

The silence of the shrine was far behind us now. What lingered instead was the chaos of my cousins- their noise, their innocence, their emotions spilling everywhere.