She saw Faith quietly sitting while checking their students' outputs.
"Faith," she called her.
Faith turned to her. "Why?" she asked, pausing from checking the outputs.
"Look." She showed her phone, where her newsfeed now displayed an article about the upcoming release of the board exam results.
Faith stared at her. "Veron, don't make me more nervous," she said to her.
"I'm not! It just came up on my social media feed," she defended.
Faith didn't respond; her face clearly showed how anxious she was. December was near—the time when the results would be out.
"Can you stop mentioning it already?" Faith sighed, frowning at her.
"It just popped up on my feed. I'm not the only one nervous, okay?" she replied.
Faith remained quiet, eyes fixed on the students' outputs, then threw her a sharp look.
"Why don't you just come with me now? Let's go grocery shopping," Faith suggested.
She just laughed. "Did someone ask you to do this?"
"Nope," Faith said. "Well, maybe it feels that way. I'll treat you to some food after we shop."
She laughed even more. "Sure, I'll go with you. I'll just hang out at your place afterwards."
"You're so weird, bestie. Why do you love hanging out at our house so much?" Faith asked.
"Stop reacting like that." She just smiled.
Faith just shook her head at her.
After their class, they headed to town to shop. They also dropped by some establishments to buy things they needed as teachers.
While walking, Mariely suddenly bumped into a man.
Was that on purpose? She frowned and looked at the guy who bumped into Faith.
"I'm sorry," the man apologized.
Faith didn't say anything, just shook her head and smiled slightly to show it was okay.
"Faith, let's go," she called.
Faith nodded. She noticed the guy staring at her friend and frowned. She studied him.
Is he a teacher from another private school? she wondered.
The man noticed her staring and smiled at her. She looked away immediately.
She just brushed it off.
"Is there a problem, bestie?" Faith asked.
She shook her head. "Let's go," she said as they approached her car.
Faith just nodded. "I'm craving your mom's cooking," Veron said with a smile as she looked at Faith.
"You're crazy." Faith laughed at her.
The trip took longer because of traffic. When they arrived, Nadia greeted them.
"Good evening," Nadia said.
She smiled at them. "Good evening, come on in."
They went inside, and she saw Faith organizing the groceries. She helped her so they could finish faster.
XXX
Faith. That's her name.
Edward thought to himself after bumping into her. He had done it on purpose just to learn her name.
He chuckled at what he'd done.
So desperate, Edward? he asked himself. He had only come to town to buy something and didn't expect to see her so soon.
Maybe it's my lucky day, he thought.
He had guests waiting at home, so he had to go back now. He was twenty-four years old and always looking for a woman who could satisfy whatever he was seeking in a partner.
He saw her again when she exited the parking lot, walking with her teacher friend.
He got stuck in traffic. But as he glanced around, he noticed they were taking the same road.
Don't tell me they live here too? he thought.
Turns out, he was right. They stopped at a modest home—slightly large, showing the family was well-off. He just passed by.
I'm really lucky, he grinned at the thought.
When he got home…
"I'm here!" he called to those inside.
"You're late, Ed," one of them said.
"Sorry, I got caught in traffic," he replied.
"Alright," they nodded.
"I'll just change first. You can start without me," he told his guest.
He quickly went to his room, changed clothes, and returned to the guests.
XXX
Nathan arrived shortly after—almost at the same time as his sister.
"Brother," Mariely greeted him. "We'll go to the room first," she said.
He nodded. His wife was there too, helping his mom in the kitchen.
"Hon, aren't you tired? It's your day off, right?" he asked, kissing Nadia's forehead.
"I'm okay, hon. I'm kind of bored too," she laughed softly.
He smiled. "Glad you're doing fine here," he said, putting an arm around her. She had also prepared food already.
"Hon, I'll go change first," he told her.
"Come down quickly after," she replied.
He nodded, changed clothes, and went down. Faith and Veron were already at the table, chatting and helping with the food. He joined them.
"Faith, the results are coming soon, right?" he asked.
The two exchanged looks. "Brother, don't bring that up. We're nervous enough already," Mariely told him.
He laughed softly. "That's normal. When results are getting close, I used to feel like locking myself in the house for days," Nadia added.
"Yeah, it's okay to be nervous. But if it's meant for you, it will come. And if not, you can try again. Just keep going," he told them.
"That's how the world works—just keep dreaming. Don't be discouraged."
"I feel like I might fail," Faith suddenly said.
"Hey, don't say that!" Veron nudged her.
"It's just… I didn't really get to study," Faith said sadly.
"Shake it off. Don't be negative, Faith. Just keep the faith, claim it," Nadia said encouragingly.
Faith smiled and nodded at what she said.
"I think I'll hide somewhere when the results are about to come out," she added with a laugh.
I'm glad she's doing okay. I know she's slowly moving on from that heartbreak, Nathan thought as he looked at his sister.
Suddenly, his wife beside him tapped him gently and smiled. He held her hand tightly. She was still wearing the ring he gave her—and he was wearing his too.
"Brother, isn't Nadia's monthly checkup tomorrow?" Mariely asked.
"Gosh, I'm excited to know your baby's gender!" Veron added.
"You two seem more excited than us!" he laughed.
The two nodded, and their parents laughed as well.
"How's the house you're moving into, Nathan?" his dad asked.
"It's okay, dad. Maybe after Nadia gives birth, we'll move in," he answered.
"Of course, you're always welcome to visit," Nadia added.
"If you need anything, don't forget to tell us," their mom reminded them.
They both nodded. Nathan smiled at Nadia.