I arrived early at Fr. Jowie's office. After having breakfast, I walked immediately toward the church where his office was located.
The arrangement in Fr. Jowie's office was simple. There was only a small table covered with Manila paper and plastic book covers. On the right side of the table was an old desktop computer that was still turned on, with an unfinished document waiting to be typed. There were also three books stacked on the table, with the black Bible on top. Fr. Jowie's desk was clean and neat, which wasn't surprising considering his personality. On the left wall, various pictures of saints and cut-out articles from newspapers and magazines were pinned. In the corner, an electric fan loudly ran, probably a sign of its old age. He and Mama Luisa had been close classmates and friends since high school that is why when I was born, she made him my godfather.
It was warm in Fr. Jowie's office. He didn't use air conditioning because he thought it was an unnecessary expense. He also mentioned that he didn't feel comfortable with it as it caused his entire body, especially his joints, to ache. How old was Fr. Jowie again? If I'm not mistaken he might be the same age as Nanay Luisa. If Nanay were still alive, she would be forty-two years old. That meant Fr. Jowie was still too young to have rheumatism or any other body ailments.
I had been sitting on a monoblock chair in front of Fr. Jowie's desk for a few minutes now. My eyes had gone over everything in the priest's office several times, but they stopped at the small jar on the table. It was filled with candy, our favorite—mine and Oteph's. As usual, I took some and pocketed them for my sibling. I knew Fr. Jowie wouldn't mind, especially since I had done it several times before when I visited his office.
"Fr. Jowie is taking so long," I muttered to myself. I started to worry that Oteph might be crying because I hadn't left his side since we arrived at the center.
I glanced at the office door when I heard someone turn the doorknob to enter.
"Finally,  he's here."
I thought to myself.
I was about to stand up to greet him and give him and have his blessing  when a young altar server entered and smiled upon seeing me.
"Good morning," the youngster greeted, quickly placing the books he had brought on the table.
"Good morning. Is Fr. Jowie here?" I asked the altar boy.
"He just finished celebrating a requiem Mass. He's on his way here," the boy replied, showing too much respect even though we might be on the same age.
"Thank you." I responded with a smile.
"You're welcome," the boy answered  and swiftly exited the office.
I don't know why I suddenly had the urge to explore the other books on Fr. Jowie's table. I guess I was born with a habit of snooping through other people's belongings, even though I knew it was wrong. I'm naturally curious about many things. Fr. Jowie had scolded me several times for this habit. "Curiosity kills the cat Andrea," he often said to me.
On his desk, I noticed an old book that sparked my interest. I picked it up and read the title, "The Story of a Soul," which was written by a Catholic saint. The book was already worn out, slightly tattered, and its pages yellowing. I thought Fr. Jowie must have enjoyed reading it, considering how frequently he carried it around. I ran my thumb over each page of the book when suddenly something fell out. I quickly picked it up—a worn-out photograph that caught me off guard. I knew exactly who was in that old picture, and I couldn't be mistaken.
It was an old photo of my mother. Mama Luisa was in the photograph, looking beautiful and young. My hands trembled, and tears welled up in my eyes as I held the picture of my mom. It was evident that Fr. Jowie had taken good care of it, as despite its age, it still looked new. I felt a pang of longing for my mother at that moment. Fr. Jowie had been a good friend to my mother even until her death. This picture served as mama's only memory of their friendship, so I knew I had to return it to him. Just as I was about to put mama's photo back between the pages of the book, I noticed something written on the back. I set the book down on the table and read what was written, but suddenly, the office door opened.
It was Fr. Jowie, talking to Kaloy, one of the church cleaners.
"Alright, Kaloy, please give the receipt to Doray tomorrow," he instructed.
"Yes, Father," his companion replied.
I quickly pocketed the photo of Mama Luisa and swiftly grabbed the book from the table, putting it back exactly as it was before. I approached the priest and held his hand as a sign of my respect to him not only as a priest but also as my godfather. He transfered his gaze on me and said, "Oh, Andrea, your here."
"Bless me, Father," I said, immediately taking his hand to my forehead.
"Oh, Andrea, I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long," he said as he approached his seat. I couldn't help but notice that his gaze landed on the table where the candy jar, once full, now appeared almost empty.
"It's okay, Father. I didn't mind the wait," I replied, offering a kind smile despite my awareness of the diminishing candy supply.
"That candy jar seems to have been quite delicious and tasty. Don't worry, I'm glad you've been enjoying them. But remember, moderation is always key," Fr. Jowie joked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"I understand, Father. I'll make sure to keep it in mind. I won't let Oteph have too much either," I assured him, reaching into my pocket to retrieve the candies.
Father Jowie chuckled at my response.
"No need to return them, Andrea. They're meant for both you and Oteph to enjoy. Speaking of your brother, how is he doing?"
"He's making progress, Father. He's becoming more comfortable at the center and starting to interact with the people there. However, he still has nightmares at times," I shared with the priest.
"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be challenging, but with time and support, he will recover. He's fortunate to have you by his side, Andrea. Your care and love for him make a difference," Fr. Jowie comforted.
"I hope so, Father. I pray every day for his healing and well-being," I whispered, a touch of sadness in my voice.
"Never lose hope, Andrea. In God's time, wounds will heal. Now, let's shift our focus for a moment. I called you here because I need your help with decorating. There's a wedding tomorrow, and it would be wonderful if you could earn something from it," Fr. Jowie explained.
"I'm more than happy to help, Father! It's been a while since I had any income, so this opportunity is greatly appreciated," I responded enthusiastically. Since Oteph and I arrived at the center, we had been relying on the support of others.
"Great! You'll start this afternoon. I'll introduce you to the individuals in charge of decorations. In the meantime, could you please clean the last room on the east wing of the convent? That will be the room where you and your brother will stay. Then, If you have any additional time and you're not too exhausted, could you kindly tidy up my office, please? Tomorrow, you'll be moving in here. Is that alright with you?" Fr. Jowie asked.
"Father, I would gladly clean the entire church if you asked. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I'm incredibly grateful," I said, tears of gratitude welling up in my eyes.
Fr. Jowie handed me his white handkerchief, with a reassuring smile.
"Take it, my dear. It's meant to be used. Just make sure to return it after you've washed it."
I gently accepted the handkerchief, appreciating its comforting scent and the warmth it brought to my heart.
"Thank you, Father."
"There's no need to thank me, Andrea. I'm simply doing what I can for you and your brother. And please remember, I was a friend to your mother," he reminded me.
I nodded, a mix of emotions filling me. Oteph and I may not be biologically related to him, but knowing that there were still people who cared meant the world to us.
"Anyway, I will be the one to take you to the center later. But before that, we will make a quick stop at the bakery to pick up a cake and some ice cream. It's actually my godchild's birthday, and I thought it would be nice if you could assist me in purchasing those items. Afterward, I will drop you off at the center since my godchild's house is very nearby," Fr. Jowie kindly informed.
"That sounds wonderful, Father! I'm excited to be a part of the celebration. But who is that godchild of yours? Do I know him or her?" I asked curiously.
Father Jowie chuckled mischievously.
"That's a secret, Andrea. You'll find out soon enough, maybe she's at the center or maybe not," he replied, his laughter filled the room.
"Father, come on. I won't tell anyone, I promise," I insisted. "Is she one of the staff members at the center, like Ms. Teresa, Mrs. Verna, Mama Flora, or maybe Mrs. Toribio?" I added.
"I was just teasing, Andrea. There is no birthday celebration at the center. However, it's actually my godchild's birthday, and I thought it would be nice for you to join me to buy them at the convenient store," he confessed, his smile warm and genuine.
"Father, you had me going there for a moment. It's alright, I'm still excited to help you to avail those items for your godchild's special day," I said, a smile spreading across my face.
"Wait here in the office for now. I need to make a quick visit to the neighboring barangay for a funeral service. Would you like to come with me?" Fr. Jowie offered, gathering the necessary items he needed for the requiem.
An involuntary shiver ran down my spine at the mention of a funeral. I still harbored a fear of the deceased.
"Thank you, Father, but I'll stay here and clean the office instead," I replied nervously.
Fr. Jowie chuckled, his laughter echoing in the room.
"Alright, I'll tell the deceased to come and visit you here," he teased.
"Please, Father, don't do that! I'm scared of ghosts," I protested, a touch of humor mixed with genuine fear in my voice.
Fr. Jowie burst into laughter, his warm laughter easing my tension.
"Well then, the person who passed away is Manong Balweg, the balut vendor," Fr. Jowie answered as he made his way towards the office door.
"Manong Balweg? My brother and I used to buy balut from him. What happened? How did he die?" I inquired, curiosity mixed with a tinge of sadness.
"They say he was robbed last night and fatally stabbed. It's a tragic loss," Fr. Jowie somberly shared. "Alright, I must be on my way now."
"Okay, sure. Take care Fr. Jowie," I said as he finally stepped out of the door of his humble office.
I felt deeply saddened by what had happened to Manong Balweg. He was a hardworking man, doing honest work just to provide for his family, yet he was mercilessly killed by heartless thieves. Manong Balweg was a good father, supporting his six children by selling balut from afternoon till evening. That's when I thought that despite our father's shortcomings towards us, Oteph and I are still fortunate. I sighed and closed my eyes to offer a short prayer to Manong Balweg's soul.
Standing up from my seat, I realized I was still holding the handkerchief that Fr. Jowie had lent me. I quickly pocketed it and headed towards a door with a sign that read "storage room." I opened it and entered the room, scanning for a bamboo broom and a dustpan. Once I spotted what I was looking for, I immediately grabbed them and began cleaning the office.
Time flew by quickly. After helping decorate the church, Kuya Jobert gave me five hundred pesos. I didn't want to accept the money, but I thought that my brother and I needed it more now. I planned to buy him new clothes to add to his limited wardrobe, as most of our clothes were already worn out.
By 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Fr. Jowie invited me to ride in his red Toyota Wigo, which he owned. We were going to buy a cake and ice cream for his godson's ongoing birthday party.
As we made our way, Fr. Jowie continued to crack jokes. Jokes that seem to be as old as her childhood years. Even though I can't seem to find his jokes amusing, I force myself to laugh, ensuring that it doesn't become apparent that I'm not genuinely entertained.
The convenient store was located near the town proper, and I would often pass by it on my way to my friend Gem Ver's house. I missed that troublemaker, even though he would often annoy me. Deep down, I knew he was actually a kind person, though sometimes his mischievousness would go too far.
Approaching the school where I studied, Fr. Jowie parked his car to buy the items needed. My gaze was fixed on the green gate of the school, aware that the students would soon be coming out. Unsure if I should accompany the Priest to buy the cake, I felt hesitant about getting out of the car and being recognized. After all, I hadn't attended class for more than a week, and my classmates might see me wandering around the school premises.
"Aren't you coming with me to buy?" Fr. Jowie asked, realizing he had been looking at me all this time.
I looked at him and forced a smile, slowly opening the car door with a heavy feeling in my body.
"Well, just wait for me here. I know you don't want your classmates to see you in this condition. By next week, you and your brother will be going back to school. I talked to the principal yesterday, so you don't have to worry anymore. They understand your situation," Among explained, trying to ease my feelings.
I looked at him and smiled. I wanted to ask him something, but decided to keep it to myself for now. Gathering my courage, I opened the car door and stepped out.
"Come on father, I'll help you buy the items that you need," I said to him.
"Are you sure?" he asked, also stepping out of the car. "Well, let's go so we won't be late," he added.
We crossed the street towards the convenience store, where we would buy the ice cream. Right beside it was a bakery selling various kinds of bread and cakes. In front of the convenience store, Fr. Jowie stopped and took out his wallet. Opening it, he pulled out a thousand pesos.
"You buy the ice cream, and I'll go to the bake shop for the cake," he said, handing me the money. I gratefully took the money from his hand. "Buy three of them and choose whichever flavors you think are delicious. Also, get an ice cream cone there." he added.
"Okay, I'll take care of it," I replied, quickly heading towards the sliding glass door of the convenience store.
As I opened the door, a blast of cold air from the air conditioning greeted me, carrying with it the enticing aroma of coffee from the people inside. Suddenly, hunger gnawed at my stomach. I made my way to the back of the store where the freezer was located. Opening it, I marveled at the array of ice cream flavors before me. First, I grabbed the Coffee Crumble, followed by the Double Dutch, and finally the Black Forest. Fr. Jowie's godchild was in for a treat, receiving not only a cake but also deliciously flavored ice cream. With the ice cream in hand, I proceeded to the cashier.
"Miss, where are your ice cream cones?" I asked.
"Oh, Drew, it's you! It's been a while since I saw you at school, huh? Must be busy?" the cheerful cashier exclaimed upon seeing me.
"Not really. I just had an emergency, so I couldn't come to school," I replied.
"I see. We missed you here at the store. Well, the ice cream cones are right there, near the freezers." she answered quickly.
This convenience store is a place where my friend Gem Ver and I frequently hang out, especially when he treats me. He's the one with the funds, so he usually covers the expenses. However, I did treat him once when I earned a substantial amount from cleaning cars.
I just had a sudden realization that Fr. Jowie forgot to mention the number of ice cream cones I should buy,  and I didn't inquire either. Well, it doesn't matter now. Maybe there will be many people at the birthday party, so I decided to grab three boxes. Hastily, I collected the boxes and made my way to the cashier to complete the purchase.
"It looks like there's a celebration at your place, huh?" Gladys, the cashier, remarked again.
"Fr. Jowie asked me to buy these. It's for his godchild's birthday," I explained.
"I see. I thought it was your birthday, and you were buying ice cream for your own celebration," she inquired.
Gladys' words made me reflect.
"W-what day is it today?" I asked quickly, feeling anxious.
"Oh, you forgot because you've been busy. It's January 27th today, Thursday," she replied while scanning the ice cream I bought.
"January 27th, it's my birthday today. How could I forget? What's happening to you, Drew!" I whispered to myself. "Does Fr. Jowie even know?"
Perhaps Fr. Jowie knows that it's my birthday today. I'm turning eighteen. I don't want to have any expectations, whether all these Fr. Jowie is buying are intended for me. Firstly, he might not know that it is my birthday, and secondly, he wouldn't send me to buy ice cream if it was meant as a surprise. So, Drew, do not expect anything, okay? Less expectation means less disappointment.
"Drew, that'll be nine hundred seventy," Gladys, the cashier said.
"Huh?" I nodded and handed her one thousand pesos.
After a few moments, Gladys handed me the change. I gathered my purchases and walked out of the convenience store.
Stepping outside, a familiar face greeted me.
"Gem Ver?!" I exclaimed in delight. I couldn't contain my happiness, as I had missed him terribly.
Observing his reaction upon seeing me, I couldn't help but notice his adorable chinese eyes and deep dimples on both cheeks.
"Drew?! Hey, long time no see!" he said, approaching me. However, he was accompanied by another girl. My smile quickly faded, and an unexplainable feeling washed over me.
"Hey, how have you been, dude? What's been happening? Why haven't you been coming to school for almost two weeks?" he asked in quick succession.
"I just had some problems at home, but I'll be going back to school next week," I exclaimed. 
"Who is she? Your ex?" the girl suddenly blurted out, attempting to sound innocent.
Raising an eyebrow in surprise, I couldn't help but wonder about her audacity.
"Actually, this is Drew, or rather Andrea. She's the person I often talked about," Gem Ver introduced me to her companion, attempting to defuse the tension.
"Oh, is that so? I assumed she was a man," the girl rudely remarked, forcing out a laughter.
"Drew, she is..."
As frustration built within me, I suppressed the urge to speak my mind.
"Never mind," I said, cutting off Gem Ver's attempt to further introduce her companion. "Our ride has arrived, and we're in a hurry."
"What?!" the woman reacted arrogantly to my words.
"And let me clarify, she is not my ex. Perhaps an ex-best friend," I added decisively as I swiftly made my way towards Fr. Jowie, who was waiting outside the convenience store.
"Drew, wait!" Gem Ver called out to me, but I chose to ignore him.
Refusing to look back, I pondered why I reacted so strongly. Why did his companion's presence bother me? Maybe I simply wasn't accustomed to seeing Gem Ver with anyone else. Throughout our friendship, I had never witnessed him with another woman.
"Are those your classmates, Andrea?" Fr. Jowie inquired.
"The guy is my classmate, not the snobby girl. I believe she's his girlfriend," I responded, my irritation seeping through my words.
"I see," the priest replied, wearing a knowing smile and nodding. "Shall we proceed, then?" He asked.
"Sure," I replied, the weight on my chest lessening. Despite inexplicable emotions, I knew that Gem Ver and I were just friends.
Fr. Jowie loaded the ice cream we purchased into the trunk and placed the cake he had bought on the backseat of his car. I settled into the front seat and waited for him, occasionally stealing glances at the convenience store where Gem Ver and her seemingly snobby companion sat. Each time I saw them happy and laughing, a surge of anger washed over me. An intense aversion emerged as I watched Gem Ver lean on that snobby girl.
"Ready to go?" Fr. Jowie asked, breaking my train of thought. Unsure whether it was a jest or a subtle hint, considering my reaction to Gem Ver's companion, I couldn't help but consider the possibilities.
"Can you consider yourself young at heart, Father?" I suddenly asked the priest, momentarily forgetting my concerns.
"Of course! Can't we be young at heart, regardless of age?" he replied as we journeyed down the road.
"That's true. Besides, you're still young, aren't you? I believe you're only twenty-five years old," I said, a hint of amusement in my voice.
"Oh, even better. Despite being forty-three, my heart feels younger than twenty-five," he chuckled, his words accompanied by a lightheartedness that resonated.
"You're right, Father," I agreed with him, relief replacing the heavy feeling in my chest.
Suddenly, the joy dissipated. Why had Gem Ver forgotten my birthday? Every year, he had been the first to wish me a happy one. How could he forget after just a week apart? It hurt to see him so happy with that girl.
As the car stopped in front of the center, I realized it was already five o'clock in the afternoon. Each step I took felt heavy with sadness.
"Are you okay, Andrea?" Fr. Jowie noticed my sudden silence, his concern evident.
"I'm fine, Father. I guess I'm just tired from work earlier," I replied, feigning composure.
"Alright then. Take care and I'll see you when I see you," he said with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Fr. Jowie. Stay safe!"
Fr. Jowie drove away, leaving me with overwhelming sadness. No one remembered my birthday. I had even forgotten it myself. Oteph had also forgotten. Even Gem Ver, my closest friend. This was shaping up to be the saddest birthday I had ever experienced, second only to the day my mother passed away. Suppressing the desire to cry, I couldn't bear the thought of Oteph seeing me in such a state. I didn't want him to worry.
"You're right, Andrea. Less expectation, less disappointment. If only I could have no expectations at all and avoid disappointment altogether," I mused, my gaze fixed on the center's gate. I missed Oteph. We hadn't seen each other all day. I hoped he was alright.
Entering the main hall, a silence greeted me, devoid of the usual children's voices. It always remained hushed during catechism hours. Making my way to our room with my sibling, I sought solace in a nap before taking a shower.
However, Oteph wasn't outside the room either. Instead, a skinny child came running towards me.
"Ate Andrea! Ate Andrea!" the child called out, breathless and urgent.
"Oh, Pidoy! What's wrong?" I asked, concern flickering in my eyes
"Come with me. Something happened to your sibling, Oteph!"
"What? Oteph? What happened to Oteph?!" I nearly shouted the question, my legs threatening to give way beneath me.