I know, he will.

Chapter 6.

Hastrup Finn’s point of view:

I am Hastrup Finn San Buenaventura, Licensed architect from America. I studied and working abroad until my mom called me home. Yes, after six years of staying in America, I’m finally home. I’m staying here in the Philippines, for almost three months already and I’m enjoy it actually. I spend my whole weekdays with my parents since I’m an only child of them and every weekends I go out and look for some architectural designs near our area. By the way, I am currently staying here in Pangasinan, one of the greatest province of Region 1.

Today is Saturday, 5:27 am. I woke up a bit earlier since I’m planning to go out but I honestly have no idea where to go. This is the first weekend that I have no prepared plans and I did it purposely. Strange, but I want this day to be called “lost day”. So without any destination, I took a bath, prepared my things and drove my car away from our home. After an hour of driving, I found myself stopped that’s why I looked for something that can tell where I am.

Then, luckily I found this “Municipality of Manaoag”. This place sounds familiar, that’s why before I stepped out to my car, I searched some interesting place here to visit and I found one. Without any hesitation, I look for a parking lot ang parked my car. As I look around, tourists are everywhere. I can say that this place is quite famous. I heard that there’s an organization of tour guides in this place, so I decided to go there.

We took almost half hour staying in one room for briefing and reminders to the tour we are about to have. Until they led us to our tour bus and our tour guide for today introduced herself.

“Good Morning Everyone! I am Mc Ashley Ruz Conserman, and I will be your tour guide for today’s new learning and discoveries,” I like her confidence, and she’s obviously enjoying. I can see that through her sparkling eyes.

I was looking straight to her but then I stopped staring, I know how uncomfortable it is to be intently stared by a stranger. We are now on our way to our first destination and I’m now looking outside when someone beside me tried to get my attention.

“Hi, I’m Jenny!” she smiled. She looks so innocent.

“Hello, I’m Hastrup! How are you?” I asked her. She looks so happy, it’s really contagious. I can’t help but to smile back.

“I’m pretty well, I really want to come here. That’s why I’m so happy, this is a dream come true!” she exclaimed. She almost jumped out of happiness, I secretly laughed because of her reaction.

“That’s great! Let us enjoy this trip okay?” I said as I pinched her little cheek. She smiled at me genuinely.

“Pretty,” she said out of nowhere. I was looking outside the bus and I’m really amaze by the beautiful view.

“Indeed,” I responded without looking at her. I know she’s also amaze by the beauty of nature.

“She also speaks well. I want to be like her but I guess that would be impossible,” she paused. “I want to at least have a conversation with her. She’s like a real princess right kuya?” I was puzzled. She? What do you mean by that little girl? Out of curiosity I looked at her.

“What? Who?” I asked her. She looked at me with a big smile and said,

“That girl standing in front of us,” ah, she was talking about our tour guide. I secretly smiled, I thought she was pertaining to the view outside.

“You find her pretty?” I asked her again.

“Yes, she really is. Look, she can even smile while talking. I can’t do that.” she replied like it was the best talent she ever saw.

“I can also do that, look,” I also smile while talking. She laughed at me like I was doing it in a funniest and awkward way. I was stoned and starred at her. What’s wrong?

“You look awful at the same time handsome kuya, I think that’s your special talent,” she said. I was flattered.

“You know what, you’re the most beautiful one here,” I said. I don’t know but her smile started to vanish.

“Do you want to know my greatest secret kuya?” she asked. I was shocked of course, greatest secret shouldn’t be shared by anyone especially to a stranger like me.

“Jenny, you need to protect your secret. You should only share that to someone you really trust,” I’m smiling while saying that. I want her to learn something from me, even if it is the simplest thing I could share to her.

“But we’re not strangers anymore, You’re kuya Hastrup. We already know each other now,” she said. I smiled, she might not understand what I really meant since she’s too young for it.

“Ah yeah that’s right,” pag sang-ayon ko.

“Then, it’s my honor. I promise, your secret is safe,” I assured her. She deeply sighs before she decided to faced me and share her secret.

“I’m sick kuya,” she smiled with a sad eyes.

I don’t know why but my heart ached. After realizing what she just told me made my heart skipped from beating. It made me even sadder when she smiled bigger. But I did my best not to show her any negative emotions, I just want her to know that I understand every word she said and about to say that’s why smiled back to her and gently squeezed her small hand.

“I have leukemia. And inside this bonnet is just an artificial hair,” she paused.

“Honestly, at first I don’t like it because it makes me feel that I’m really dying,” she continued. I’m just listening while looking at her.

“But my mom told me that beauty doesn’t come from hair, it comes from within. She also told me that I’m beautiful with or without it,” I’m still listening, she’s strong because behind her is a strong supporter.

“My parents made me realize that life is still worth living despite of my condition. They never fail to make me happy. That’s also the reason why I manage to survive, I made it this far because of them kuya,” she’s now looking at her parents. It made her more beautiful.

“How can I leave them kuya? I know time will come, I’ll be in God’s kingdom,” She said that like it’s the only place where she’s expecting to be.

“I love them so much, it breaks my heart knowing that someday I’ll make them cry. I will break their hearts,” she looked down. I can feel her sadness and it pains me knowing that I can’t do anything to help her.

“Kuya, cherished every moment with your love ones. No one knows, it might be the last time you will spend your precious time with them,” she said while looking straight to my eyes. I suddenly remember my parents and the reason why my mom called me to go back home after six years. I love them so much too, I really do.

“Huwag mong kalilimutang maging masaya kuya, in any circumstances, life is still worth living. I know that’s what the people who loves you want you to do,” she speaks tagalog, cute. I learned a lot from this beautiful soul.

“Jenny, Huwag mo ring kalilimutan na God can make impossible things possible,” I said. “Keep praying, it’s the best weapon to fight against anything in this cruel world,” I said while tapping her shoulder. She smiled again, I’m relieved.

“We’re heeeere!” She shouted, she’s really excited. I looked around and I think she’s right. Our bus stopped and everyone’s starting to go out of the bus.

“Kuya, salamat sa oras. You already met the one,” sabi niya bago tuluyang tumayo sa kaniyang upuan at iwan ako. Nagtataka pa rin akong nakatanaw sa kaniya hanggang sa tuluyan siyang makababa ng bus.

Nang masigurong ang lahat ay nakababa na ng sasakyan ay kinuha ko na ang mga gamit ko upang makababa na rin. Pagbaba ng sasakyan ay bumungad na agad sa amin ang magandang kapaligiran. This is one of the reason why I love going out and travelling, aside from architectural designs I might see, nature gives me so much comfort.

The tour started and while listening to our tour guide, others are taking pictures. I also love taking pictures but I prefer to do that before living the place. I can’t afford to take picture while someone is sharing information about the place I am in. Maya-maya pa ay tuluyan na naming narating ang tuktok ng lugar na ito.

“Fascinating,” I commented. Hinintay muna ng aming tour guide na tuluyang makaakyat bago tuluyang mag simula sa pagsasalita.

“This place is called Bubon birhen or Virgin Mary’s well,” She said. “Although the place is on elevated portion of a hill, the water of the well does not dry up even on dry months of the year. That is why they call this as a miraculous well of virgin Mary,” Everyone is listening to her. While some other guys are silently talking about how fine she is.

“Maraming mga tao ang nagpapatunay na mapanghimala raw ang balon na ito. Marami sa kanila ang nagsasabing minsan na silang napagaling ng tubig mula rito,” she added. I was looking at the well while listening to her and the next thing I know is I’m now asking her the most stupid thing that a tourist can ask about this place.

“Paano ka nakasisigurong ang tubig nga mula rito ang nakapag pagaling sa kanila?” I asked her. Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya at alam kong gano’n rin ang mga taong nakapaligid sa amin ngayon. Maging ako nga ay nagulat sa sarili kong tanong pero kailangan ko itong panindigan.

“Bilang isang mananampalataya at naniniwala sa mga himalang kayang gawin ng aking sinasampalatayanan, sapat na ang mga patutuong ito para maniwala,” sagot naman niya. I’m so stupid, really brother you did this? I asked myself.

“Wala rin naman silang mapapala kung magsisinungaling sila hindi ba? Sa katunayan nga ay karamihan sa kanila ay mula pa sa malalayong lugar.Wala silang makukuhang benepisyo dahil hindi naman sila tagarito.” pagpapatuloy niya.

“Ngunit hindi pa rin sapat ang mga salita bilang patunay na nawala nga ang sakit nila,” I opposed to her. This is the most stupid thing I ever did in my entire life.

“Faith is the foundation of miracles, sir. Mailap ang ganitong pagkakataon sa mga taong kulang ang paniniwala at puno ng pagdadalawang-isip,” she responded.

She still manages to genuinely smile while answering my stupid question smartly, I’m amazed by that. But on the other hand, this made me feel embarrassed. I’m doomed, that’s why I just nod my head, smiled and look away. This is really embarrassing I want to go home but I can’t do that yet.

I was looking around when I saw Jenny looking straight to me. You’re so stupid Hastrup, you know her situation and yet you asked that stupid, insensitive question? I whispered to myself. I don’t know what to say her, I can’t even smile. But everything went unbelievable when she started to smile with her eyes while giving me her sweetest thumbs up.

“You did the first move, congrats,” She said, voiceless. I don’t how I understand her, I just did.

Life is full of unexpected things, it can give unforgettable memories with unbearable pain. It can give millions of reasons to give up but still, this life is worth living.