BENEATH THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS

CHAPTER 4: ECHOES OF WHAT COULD BE

(Rafael's POV)

ISANG LINGGO NA ANG NAKALIPAS mula nang makilala ko si Ameenah sa university, ngunit ang kanyang alaala ay parang isang awit na hindi ko maalis sa aking isipan. Tuwing ipinipikit ko ang aking mga mata, siya ang aking nakikita—ang kanyang mga matang nagtataglay ng lakas at kahinaan, ang marikit niyang paggalaw, at ang talas ng kanyang isipan kapag siya'y nagsasalita tungkol sa mga bagay na mahalaga sa kanya.

"Rafa, naiintindihan mo ba ang aking sinasabi?" tanong ni Tito Ben, aking mentor sa architecture firm. "You seem distracted today, anak."

"Pasensya na po, Tito Ben," agad kong sagot, bumabalik sa kasalukuyan. Kami ay nasa construction site ng isang bagong community center na aming dinisenyo para sa isang Muslim community sa labas ng Davao. "Who are we meeting with again?"

"Sa mga representatives ng Barangay Madapo," sagot niya, habang inaayos ang mga blueprints. "At isa pa, anak, kung may problema ka, you can always talk to me. Hindi lang ako ang iyong mentor, I'm like a second father to you."

Ngumiti ako, touched by his concern. "Salamat po, Tito Ben. It's just... I met someone."

"Ah," ngumiwi siya, "so that's how it is. Sino ang babaeng nagugulo ang isip ng aking brilliant apprentice?"

Bago ako nakasagot, dumating na ang mga representatives mula sa Barangay Madapo. At sa aking malaking gulat, kasama nila si Ameenah, nakasuot ng isang simple ngunit eleganteng damit, ang kanyang hijab ay kulay bughaw na tumutugma sa umaga.

"Mr. Benitez," bati ng barangay captain, "maraming salamat po sa inyong tulong sa aming community center. At siyempre, narito si Ms. Al-Farouq mula sa Al-Farouq Foundation na siyang primary funder ng proyektong ito."

Napatigil ako sa aking kinatatayuan. She's funding this project?

"Ms. Al-Farouq," Tito Ben said respectfully, "it's an honor to finally meet you. Your foundation's work for underserved communities is truly inspiring."

"Thank you, Mr. Benitez," she replied, her voice calm and professional. Ngunit nang magkrus ang aming mga mata, nakita ko ang parehong gulat na aking naramdaman, followed by a flicker of something warmer. "I believe we've met briefly. Rafael, correct?"

"Opo, Ms. Al-Farouq," I said, maintaining professional decorum despite the sudden racing of my heart.

The meeting proceeded with discussions about the community center's design, but throughout, I was acutely aware of her presence. She asked intelligent questions, showed genuine concern for the community's needs, and listened with a respect that was rare in people of her status.

"Your design is beautiful, Rafael," she commented when I presented the architectural plans. "I love how you incorporated traditional Maranao patterns with modern functionality. It shows deep understanding and respect for the culture."

"Salamat po," I said, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at her praise. "I believe architecture should reflect the soul of the community it serves."

Pagkatapos ng meeting, habang nag-aayos na ang lahat, lumapit siya sa akin. "I didn't know you were working on this project."

"I didn't know you were funding it," I replied with a smile. "Small world."

"Or perhaps," she said softly, "the universe has its ways of bringing people together for meaningful work."

She hesitated for a moment before adding, "I have to visit the site again next week to check on the progress. Would you... be here?"

"Opo," I said immediately, then tempered my enthusiasm. "I mean, yes, I'll be supervising the construction every step of the way."

"Good," she smiled, and that single word felt like a promise. "Then I'll see you next week, Rafael."

Habang pinapanood ko siyang lumakad palayo, lumapit si Tito Ben sa tabi ko. "So that's the girl who's been occupying your thoughts?"

"Opo," I admitted quietly.

He sighed, placing a fatherly hand on my shoulder. "Rafa, anak... she's an Al-Farouq. You know what that means, right?"

"Opo, Tito Ben. Alam ko."

"Mahirap ang daan na iyong tinatahak, anak. But if your heart is true, and your intentions are pure... who am I to doubt what God might have planned?"

Ang kanyang mga salita ay nanatili sa akin pagkatapos naming umalis sa site. That night, habang nagdo-drawing ako sa aking notebook—hindi mga building ngayon, kundi isang pares ng mga matang naglalaman ng buong sansinukob—I realized I was falling for someone I could never have. At ang nakakatakot, ngunit magandang katotohanan ay: I didn't want to stop.