Chapter XXIX: Take and Receive
Liz finds herself in the void again. The endless darkness surrounds her, and an eerie silence fills the space. She crosses her arms and huffs, clearly annoyed.
"Again? This is getting old!" she exclaims, stamping her foot on what seems to be solid ground, despite the emptiness.
Suddenly, a hand reaches out from the shadows and snatches her wrist. Liz gasps, panic rising in her chest as she struggles against the grip.
"Let me go!" she yells, thrashing wildly. But in the next instant, everything shifts.
Her eyes flutter open, and she finds herself lying on a soft bed, the familiar scent of lavender in the air. Blinking, she looks around and realizes she's in Bennett's room.
"Liz?" Bennett's voice is gentle but laced with concern. He stands by the bedside, looking down at her. "Are you okay? You looked scared."
Liz lets out a breath of relief.
"It was just the void again. But—" She suddenly notices something that makes her blood run cold. Her arms and shoulders feel bare, and as she looks down, she realizes she isn't wearing any clothes.
With a shriek, she grabs the blanket and wraps it around herself.
"Bennett! What happened?!" she demands, her face burning with embarrassment.
Bennett raises his hands in defense.
"Relax! I didn't do anything!"
Liz glares at him suspiciously, clutching the blanket tighter.
"Then why am I—?!"
Before she can finish, Bennett snaps his fingers, and in an instant, clothes appear on her—a purple t-shirt and a black skirt. Liz blinks, startled.
"Better?" he asks with an amused smile.
Liz sighs, slowly lowering the blanket.
"You could've done that earlier," she grumbles.
Bennett chuckles.
"You were panicking."
She sits up, still a little flustered. After a moment, she remembers why she's here.
"I need to ask you about the key," she says, looking at him seriously.
Bennett nods.
"Hold onto it for a while. It's almost Christmas."
Liz frowns.
"So? What's so special about Christmas?"
Bennett stares at her, dumbfounded.
"Are you seriously asking that? Have you forgotten about giving gifts, spending time with family, and celebrating?"
Liz shrugs.
"I mean… I only really received gifts. Never thought much about the rest."
Bennett sighs, shaking his head.
"Christmas isn't just about getting presents, Liz. The true meaning of Christmas is family."
Liz tilts her head.
"Family?"
Bennett nods.
"Let me tell you a story. There was once a billionaire who had everything—wealth, luxury, and power. But despite all of it, something was missing. Do you know what it was?"
Liz listens intently.
"Love," Bennett continues.
"He had no real connections, no family warmth. He spent Christmas alone in a mansion full of gold, yet his heart was empty. No laughter, no embraces, just silence and the cold touch of money. That's when he realized, no amount of wealth could replace the love of family."
Liz looks down, thinking deeply.
"So… how do I make it up to my family?"
Bennett smiles.
"You start by being present. With my parents, we celebrate Christmas by staying around the tree until 1 AM, since midnight is for celebrating. Midnight of the 24th is for gift-giving. We light candles at the altar and sing Christmas carols, honoring baby Jesus in the manger."
Liz nods slowly, her heart, warming at the thought.
"That actually sounds… nice."
Bennett reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You should try it. I think your family would love it. They deserve more, Liz"
Liz looks at him, her heart swelling with affection. Without thinking, she leans in and presses a soft kiss on his lips. Bennett blinks in surprise but soon melts into it, kissing her back gently.
When they pull away, Liz hugs him tightly.
"I'll do it, I promise."
Bennett holds her close.
"Good. And… you'll need to be ready for the Advent services. They might be tough, but do your best, okay?"
Liz tightens her embrace.
"I will."
As the dream begins to fade, Bennett whispers the next clue into her ear.
"Beyond the thorns, I planted something at thine, at the founder's place as there will be shine."
Liz furrows her brows, trying to process it, but before she can ask him more, everything dissolves.
Her eyes snap open to the real world. She sits up in bed, breathing heavily. Looking around, she sees her familiar room. No void, no dream world. Just reality.
She slowly gets up and walks to the mirror, staring at her reflection. She touches her own face, making sure she's truly awake.
Then, her eyes land on her notebook. She quickly picks up a pen and scribbles down the clue Bennett gave her.
"Beyond the thorns… founder's place… shine," she murmurs, deep in thought.
She exhales, trying to push aside her doubts.
"I'll figure it out."
With a determined smile, she heads downstairs for breakfast, ready to take on the day.
At the Campus Ministry Office, Bro. Padilla sits at his desk, carefully arranging the agenda for the upcoming Night Masses. He flips through his notes, making sure everything is in order. The door creaks open, and Fr. Edgar steps inside, holding a thick pile of Philosophy 101 papers.
"Another batch for you, Brother," Fr. Edgar says with a chuckle as he places the papers on Bro. Padilla's desk.
Bro. Padilla sighs playfully.
"As if I didn't have enough on my plate already."
Fr. Edgar smiles and takes a seat across from him.
"By the way, have you finalized the officers for the Ministry? It's about time we had some leaders."
Bro. Padilla shakes his head.
"Not yet, Fr. We're thinking of holding elections before or after the feast of St. Paul."
Unbeknownst to them, in a dimly lit corner of the room, a shadowy figure with curly hair listens in, an eerie smile creeping across its face.
Later that day, Bro. Padilla sends a message to the ministry's group chat, notifying everyone of their assigned schedules for the Night Masses. The message pings on Liz and Wyn's phones during class. They glance at their screens and exchange frustrated looks upon seeing that they have been placed on different schedules.
Determined to fix this, they head straight to Bro. Padilla's office after class, taking advantage of their vacant period.
"Brother, this is unfair!" Liz complains, placing her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, we should be serving together!" Wyn adds.
Bro. Padilla chuckles at their persistence.
"Alright, alright. I understand. Let's adjust it." He pauses to check his notes.
"You two will serve at Brgy. Remedios on December 23 at 7 PM. It's the closest barangay to Esperanza"
Liz, in her head,
"and near Bennett's place."
On the night of December 23, Liz and Wyn meet up at the Plaza. They chat casually, waiting for further instructions. Soon, their phones buzz.
Bro. Padilla: You two need to take a tricycle to Brgy. Remedios.
Liz groans.
"I don't have any money."
Wyn smirks.
"Well, now that Bennett isn't here, no one's around to pay your fare."
Liz rolls her eyes.
"Shut up."
As they ride through the town, they pass by Bennett's house—a beautiful two-story structure with elegant hanging gardens and a solar light fixture illuminating the terrace. The construction still isn't fully complete, but it remains breathtaking. Liz stares at it for a moment before shaking her head and looking away.
When they arrive at the chapel in Brgy. Remedios, they are surprised to see that the presider is none other than Fr. Emilio Donato, the Colegio's president. The two girls quickly get to work, preparing for the Mass. Liz is assigned as the commentator, while Wyn joins the choir and assists as an altar server.
During his homily, Fr. Emilio speaks about love.
"Love comes in many forms, and tonight, as we reflect on the coming of Christ, let us remember the four types of love: Agape, Storge, Philia, and Eros."
Liz listens intently as he explains each one.
"Agape is the selfless, unconditional love—the highest form of love, the love that God has for us. Storge is familial love, the bond between parents and children, between siblings. Philia is the deep friendship we have with those closest to us, and Eros is romantic love."
As he elaborates on Agape, Liz feels something stir within her. Memories of Bennett's kindness and sacrifices flood her mind. She recalls the way he had always been there for her, expecting nothing in return. And it's not just Bennett—her twin aunts, Dolores and Dominga, and her grandmother had all shown her unwavering love throughout her life. She keeps these thoughts to herself but feels their weight pressing on her heart.
Fast forward to December 24, midnight.
Liz is downstairs, calling out to her aunts and grandmother.
"Dolores, Dominga, Abuelita, wake up! It's Christmas!"
Last year, she had celebrated Christmas at Nilad with one of her uncles, and when Bennett was still around. But this year, she wants to bring warmth back to their home.
Her family gathers in the living room, exchanging sleepy but excited smiles. Dolores, Dominga, and her grandmother hand her a present, but instead of opening it right away, Liz surprises them by pulling out three neatly wrapped gifts of her own.
"For you," she says, handing each of them a package.
Her grandmother raises an eyebrow.
"You bought us gifts? This is new."
Liz smiles.
"It's something I realized after hearing Fr. Emilio's homily about love. I always thought Christmas was just about receiving, but I was wrong. Christmas is about giving—giving love, time, and appreciation for the people who matter the most."
She pauses, taking a deep breath.
"I've been selfish. I always focused on what I wanted, what I lacked. But the truth is, I've always been surrounded by love—I just didn't see it. Bennett showed me, but so did all of you. I want to start giving back."
Dolores wipes a tear from her eye.
"That was beautiful, Liz."
Dominga nods.
"You've really grown up."
Her grandmother smiles warmly.
"We're proud of you."
Dolores suddenly claps her hands together.
"Speaking of a special someone, we can't forget Bennett."
She walks over to a small table and picks up a framed picture of Bennett. Liz's heart tightens, but instead of sadness, she feels a sense of peace. She reaches into her bag and pulls out another gift. Carefully, she places it next to Bennett's picture.
"Merry Christmas, Bennett…and Merry Christmas to your family as well" she whispers.
The night continues with laughter, stories, and warmth filling their home. For the first time in a long while, Liz feels truly content.
That night, Liz dreams again.
She finds herself standing in a familiar place, Bennett's where she always meets Bennett. He appears suddenly and there he is, smiling at her with that gentle expression she has come to miss so much. Without thinking, she runs into his arms.
"I'm so proud of you, Liz," he whispers, holding her tightly.
Liz buries her face in his chest, tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you, Bennett. For everything."
They stay like that for a moment, wrapped in each other's warmth, before the dream begins to fade. But Liz knows—this isn't the end. This is just the beginning of something greater.