Chapter 4 - The News

 “Marie!” She heard the loud call that became nearer as her mother approached where she was. "I have good news to tell." She turned to see Mar in her favorite chair in the library near the piano. Your aunt Shiela is already in Denmark.”

“What! Really? How did that happen? Marie inquisitively asked while walking briskly toward her mother. Oh! I am happy for her. That was her dream even before when she was still in the province. Mother, that was too far for us though.”

“Don’t worry your aunt is strong, independent, and courageous. She is ready for her housekeeping job. Her determination gives her an edge to pursue everything. She promised to help you in your college though you are a scholar.

“I will watch her in her old age. No matter what, I will get Aunt She. I’ll take care of her.”

 One day, Shiela called Lan. “My couple boss was the owner of some hotels in Denmark and a relative of the royal family. They are nice, friendly, accommodating, and thoughtful. Don’t worry, I feel at home here,” she affirmed her brother.

“That’s good of you. Tomorrow, Mar, Gie, Yen and Joe will go to Hongkong. The president promised all his servants’ children to give a free trip there because they behaved and helped the palace for the successive arrival of noblemen and women as well as of different dignitaries and international diplomats.

 “How is Mar? What happened to her admission?”

“That’s one thing I want to tell you. In four schools she applied to, she passed them all. We are so happy because her hard work paid off. She told us to be a teacher.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah!”

“My regards to Le and all the kids. I have to go to the third floor for more cleaning to do. Take care Lan, bye!”

“Bye and take care, too. I will tell them that you called.”

Marie accepted De La Salle University’s offer and took a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. She was a full scholar and the Malacanang awarded her as a recipient of another scholarship such as a book, travel, and other allowances.

“Marie, the president told everyone that those who are in high school and college will have a 5-day trip to Singapore for the international youth day. And that’s good for you because it’s your vacation time. Joe and you will go there,” happily shared Le while holding some laundry baskets.

“That’s amazing. This is the second trip I have aside from the trip we had in Hongkong before!

“The president will call a meeting for all of you here including Irene and Mario. The six of you will go to Singapore and that’s good. Don’t forget to buy fine cloth there. Just joking.”

“Of course, mother, if you will give me money. Aunt’s money is in the bank and I will just use it for emergency and for some other needs in school.”

Okay, I’ll ask your father. Now watch your other siblings on the other side of this building and be ready after dinner.

The four of them faced the president’s private secretary in the crystal green living room of the palace. A light snack is served while the secretary discusses what the meeting was all about.

“I have a piece of great news for the six of you. Aside from the other students that we are going to get from different schools, colleges, and universities, the six of you whose parents’ loyalty in serving the palace lasted more than a few decades already, were given by the president a reward aside from the fact that Mar is already a recipient of the scholarship the palace offered…She and the five of you will go to Singapore next week to attend the International Youth Day. Now, the question is, will all of you go?" Mrs. Revas Lee stood confidently as she surveyed everyone while taking a sip of her juice on the table near her chair.

“We will go,” the six answered in unison as they took their bite in a sandwich. Marie could not help herself but show her best smile as the three exchanged a happy face. Actually, her smile is not only for the news but funny as she thought that they had just finished their dinner earlier but here they looked like they did not eat the whole day.

The first day of the six came, and they were happy to see Singapore for the first time. They were filled with all the excitement and soon took part in the program and in all the activities. During their fourth day, the host told them that there was a surprise guest on their last day.

“Marie, our guest is coming. All folks are now standing. Oh, no. Look, Mar!” Irene called almost a shout as she tapped Marie’s right shoulder. Marie turned her eyes in the direction where Irene is pointing, and as the host presented the guest of honor on their last day. Marie was speechless when she found out who was that man.

“See! The love of your life is here,” Irene teased as she waved hello to the prince who was now smiling widely while looking in their direction. Joe was not in the mood. A few minutes later, the six of them were called to come up on stage as the host called them. Marie turned stiff as she walked approaching the stage. She pretended that she did not see the prince.

“Hi, ladies. All of you were familiar to me,” the prince told them as they bowed facing the prince on stage. The prince requested the six of them to be there as he began his speech. Soon, they were asked to move forward and used as an illustration to be the youth of the universe and everyone applauded. Marie’s cheeks turned red brightly as the prince acknowledged their country and she was one of the award recipients of the palace. Then, after the inspirational speech of Prince Mharl three bouquets of flowers were given to Marie, Yen, and Irene which made the first look nervous to the prince.

“How are you?“ Prince Mharl asked her when he was finished but when she was about to answer, someone called the prince.

Marie was on her thoughts back to what had happened in Singapore. With her backpack, several books in her right hand plus a paper bag on the right, her hair was almost loose due to the wind. All of a sudden, a tall guy who was not looking on his way accidentally bumped her.

“Sorry, Miss. I am looking for my watch here in the park. I forgot it yesterday to retrieve when I brought Boodle, my pet dog here,” the boy suddenly uttered while helping Marie collect her books.

While getting the books, Marie answered. “It is okay. But next time, please see your way ahead.”

“Thank you, Miss.”

Marie arrived at school a little later due to what had happened in the park when she decided to go for a walk to clear her mind. Soon the first period of her third-year class was over. She was in the cafeteria and was about to pay for her food.

“What happened?” Lorie, her friend, and classmate asked when she noticed she paused and was about to cry.

“I think I lost my wallet. A boy accidentally bumped me a while ago when I was in the park!”

“What?”

Suddenly, Marie returned the plate where her food lay on the side counter and exited the line while Lorie ran after her. They sat in the corner.

“He took my wallet! My IDs, ATM cards, pictures, and the money my father was given to me are there.”

“Oh, no!”

“Let’s go to the police station after class this morning. You need to report that and describe that boy to them.”

Marie stood and let her tears run as they walked toward the other side of the building where benches were located. She got her handkerchief and cried silently.

“Mar, don’t worry. The police will help us find that guy. Okay, just cry but after that, you will get better.”

For a moment Marie lost herself in tears and when it was over Lorie hugged her.

Soon, after class, they reported it to the Philippine National Police a few distances away from their school.

“Marie, you have your visitor,” Le her mother called her while watering the plants. She missed Joe, her best friend as he went to Samar to attend a funeral of a nearest relative together with his parents.

“I am on my way, mother.”

She wondered if there was a man who was in long sleeves that appeared in their living room at the back of the main entrance of the palace.

“Hello. I am Pastor Reny Reyes of Community Baptist Church. Your friend Lorie told me to invite you because we will be having a free workshop on piano, guitar, voice, and violin lessons in the church in Sampaloc. Will you join us?”

“I don’t know what to say. So, Lory is a member of your church?” Marie asked as she saw her mother gesture to go back to the palace and even to the Reverend.

“Yes. In fact, she told me that you are good at playing piano and not only that you have other talents, too.”

“Wow! That’s a secret supposed to be. Anyway, I am very interested for that to join you, Sir. When will be that and in what place?”

Marie enjoyed the atmosphere in the church though it was her first time and her parents allowed her since they knew she would love to use her talent.

Grace, the pastor’s wife when Marie was done with her snacks asked her to listen to what she would share with her.

“Marie, let me share with you about the Bible. But before that let us pray.” For a few minutes, they prayed led by Grace.

With shoulder-length hair, tall and chubby face with inquisitive eyes, Mrs. Grace sat in a Monoblock chair facing Marie while holding her black leather Bible. “May I ask you, if you are going to die today, are you sure that your soul will go to heaven?”

“Of course, nobody knew where our soul would go.”

“You know what, as we are still alive today on earth, we need to know where our souls will go when we die today. When we die, we cannot undo things and our life in general just to say, wait, I need to change everything and do exactly now what God want me to do. Now, it is for you to know and decide where your soul will go when you die here.’

“I did not know that.”

Grace opened her Bible and read Romans 3:23. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. For you, what this verse means is”

Eyes on the Bible, Marie’s countenance blushed a bit, and for the first time in her life, the words to give meaning to the verse somehow were hard to speak. “It tells us that we are all sinners and we are far from the glory of God.”

“Exactly. All of us including all the priests, pastors, rich, poor, and all the people here on earth are all sinners. Nobody is perfect except God. And because of those sins, there is a wall that separates us from the glory of God. Our sins make us “short” which means it is the wall that our relationship with God is not right. We are separated from Him because of this wall. Why? Because of our sins. “

Marie intently focused on Mrs. Grace’s Reyes discussion that she was not aware of the heavy rain that fell nearby since they were on the terrace away from others for a while.  

“Now, because of this we are bound to be punished just like a parent would do when their children disobey whatever their instructions are for them. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sins is death…What is this all about? We are surely going to hell but God sent Jesus Christ to pay for our sins. John 3;16 says …that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Soon, Marie accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and reflect on all that she had lost in the previous months – their ATMs, money, and other important documents.