“Simala Shrine Church is a religious structure and establishment here at Sibonga Town, Cebu's southernmost province. In the 16th century, European missionaries, who are Spanish, planted the seeds of Catholicism in Cebu Province, and churches were built,” our Philippine History instructor explained. “Simala Shrine Church is now one of the most popular religious destinations in the Philippines. One of the most important aspects of most Filipino Catholics' lives is pilgrimages or visits to religious sites. This feature helps them maintain their confidence and persevere in the face of adversity.”
Ma’am just kept talking but my brain didn’t absorb it. My mind was floating and no matter how much I wanted to listen, I couldn’t. I hear what she says about the history of this church but I don't know why I still don't understand anything. My brain is floating in the air so I can't focus now. This is because of the extreme embarrassment that happened earlier. I just gasp every time I think about the stupid thing I did.
We entered the opening of the Simala Shrine and when I first stepped inside, I felt something strange. I see the Kingdom of Norland in this church because of their structural resemblance. That’s why I feel like I’m still in the Kingdom of Norland today.
You will be really amazed by the design that this church has. It looks like a palace because it is so beautiful!
A palace.
I rolled my eyes. Too much space is allotted just to build it. Its design is inspired by palaces seen in ancient times but the only difference is that it is more in-extended. You will get really tired if you go around the whole church. You are in the middle, you are out of breath and resigned. This church is as spacious as the Norland palace.
We are currently walking to finally get inside the church itself. The instructors of the various departments are in the lead and the student councils are following them, Raven or better known as Prince Ravi is one of them. Although it does not admit, I strongly suspect he is the reincarnate of the former Prince. Also based on what he advised earlier, I can say he knows something about the past. But I'm still annoyed with him now because he advised me earlier that I immediately followed. Because of him, I was even more ashamed of Klein. I regret that I listened to him. I wish I hadn’t done that because I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. Every time I remember, I feel ashamed.
"Isn't this church very beautiful?" Ma’am Noble asked as we stopped in the middle. We were in the middle of a flight of stairs. We also had a great view of the church itself.
Everyone nodded at what the instructor said. Many students agreed because it was true. Our eyes are full of the beauty of what we see. Especially those who are just the first time to go to these kinds of churches, there is no denying their amazement. While walking they take pictures of the surroundings.
Aside from the beautiful structures, spacious and green environment, you’ll find various religious things inside and outside of the church.
The instructors led the walk up that ladder. We all still complied. We can’t be alone because this church is so strict. Discipline must always be maintained.
Even in clothing, there are guidelines to follow, it is forbidden to wear short shorts or skirts and sleeveless tops are forbidden. So we really meant to make our own t-shirt for today, each department also has its own shirt design so we are still categorized based on the color of our shirts. We Accountancy Business Administration students are yellow. Engineering and Architecture students, on the other hand, are maroon, similar to what Klein and Leslie wore earlier. I no longer know the other colors and courses that are here. With the color of our shirt, you can immediately identify what our course is.
We were about to climb the stairs when Kaith poked me in the side. "Hey!"
“Oh? W-Why? ” I asked.
"I knew it. You're floating again so you didn't hear me talking here. I said, take a picture of me later on that lake.” She pointed to the lake in the middle. We had a great view here on the stairs at the small lake that was there. There were some trees there and surrounded by green grass. If you notice, it looks like a garden but lacks plants. It's just the number of plants planted there.
Familiar.
It looks like the garden in Norland's palace. Similar to our scene today, the palace garden also has a lake. Garden full of beautiful memories that I have buried until now.
“Alright, I'll take a picture of you later. I also want to go to that lake," I said.
As Kaith and I talked, we didn’t realize that our classmates were walking ahead while the two of us were left behind. Only then did we realize in another department that we were climbing the stairs at the same time.
"It's a good thing we got caught," Kaith whispered next to me. I know what she is referring to because the only people we have at the same time now are Engineering and Architecture students who she always took to the schools.
"Oh, Kaith!" yield of a familiar voice. "I guess you're late?" Kaith's cousin Leslie, whom I had mistaken for Prince Dern, accompanied us.
Kaith just nodded at her cousin.
I noticed that Leslie had another man next to her. When I looked at it, I just felt so nervous. I want to hide behind my friend.
“By the way, Klein. My friend since high school days and he just transferred to the University. ”
It just made us look away. It didn't take long and he immediately turned his attention to the road.
I felt my cheeks ache because I remembered what I had done to him the day we were on the bus.
"We know him, he's a classmate of Philippine History." Kaith looked at Klein again. I knew what it would do, he would tease Klein. “Hey, Klein! You smile at least once. You know you're even colder on the ice because you're so cold, eh. ”
As expected, Kaith was just like wind because Klein ignored him again.
I won’t be surprised because Prince Arsh was like that when I first set foot in the Kingdom of Norland. Very serious and indifferent to his surroundings.
Leslie seemed to smile. “You have to be patient with this Klein. I think when it rained cold, my friend even drowned.”
“It’s okay. Even though he is cold, it does not reduce his fatigue. For sure, there will be more people who will get mad at him because according to Zariya, it is more attractive when there is thrill. Isn’t it, Zariya?" I pinched Kaith secretly. She had already started blabbering on so I had to stop. I'm the one who's ashamed of her. “Ouch!” she moaned.
I glared at him. I don't want to have any conversation with him because of the embarrassment I got before and now, this Kaith will even include me in her chatter with Klein.
“Is that true? Are you attracted to a man with a mysterious nature?” My heart almost jumped at the thought that he had shot me. "Now I know why you did that to me awhile ago, because you are attracted to me."
My mouth watered because of what he said unexpectedly. He really reminded me of what I did before. “H-Hey! No, ah! What attracted me to you?" I forced myself to laugh to look unaffected. "In your dreams!"
I heard him chuckle.
Kaith looked back and forth at us in confusion. Leslie, on the other hand, caught me smiling secretly. What's his trip?
"Wait? What does Klein say you did before?” she had already begun to grow. But instead of answering Kaith's question, I just pulled her over to catch up with my classmates. We had no trouble getting in with the other students and in just a few minutes we were walking with our department mates.
Kaith glared at me softly. “You haven't answered my question yet. What is Klein referring to? Are you close?”
"Yeah? Because he's the one next to me on the bus."
She looked at me with an ‘oh, really?’ look.
"That's it?"
I was hesitant to tell her. But in the end, I said anyway. "I kissed him!"
She covered her mouth in shock. "What? Seriously? ”
I nodded.
"Klein is handsome and I wouldn't be surprised if you like him but you kissed him? Zariya, what happened to you?” She laughs at the question.
"I thought when I kissed him, he would remember me."
Kaith's forehead furrowed even more in extreme confusion. She would have asked more questions but it didn't go through because we had already gone up to the church itself.
Our instructor started talking again about the history of Simala Shrine. But my mind remained afloat because until now, I was still thinking about the kiss I did to Klein.
After I kissed him, I thought his memory would come back but only until I thought. He still doesn’t remember me after that kiss but he asked me why I kissed him.
I really felt very frustrated.
Why? Why doesn’t he remember me?
We quietly entered the church. We were instructed not to make noise because that was strictly forbidden. The entrants were divided by department because we wouldn't be able to fit inside if we all went together. We are not the only students here. Many other people from far and wide also visited the church today.
Our CABA department was the first to go inside. Upon entering, you will immediately lose sight of the paintings hanging and engraved on the church wall. Also found inside are massive statues of the Virgin Mary, sculptures or idols of various saints, and various depictions and statues of the Virgin Mary from various cultural contexts, such as the Virgin of Guadalupe or the Virgin in a kimono.
The instructors taught us proper kneeling before fervently praying. I took this opportunity, all the important people in my life I included in my prayers. My family is in the lead that I miss so much. I know my disappearance from the modern world was only a few minutes but my stay in the Kingdom of Norland, also lasted a few months. I can't wait to go home to hug Mom and Dad tightly.
But hopefully before we leave this place, he will remember me.
After we prayed, one of my classmates offered to go to the so-called Nazareth Well of Simala Shrine Church. Almost all of us wanted to go there, so when another department was inside the church, we took it as an opportunity to say goodbye that we would be the first to wish well. Our instructor agreed, so we arrived at Nazareth Well with a smile on our faces.
Earlier, my other classmates approached wishing well, including my classmates. I left first because there were too many of them around the well. I just smiled as I watched them.
That was a replica of the Nazareth Well, where people throw coins into the well while secretly wishing for something. Wishing wells were undoubtedly inspired or introduced by European culture, but has been embraced by other cultures, including Filipino culture.
When they left one by one, I approached. There are no estuaries left except me. I took all the coins in my wallet, fortunately it didn't lose any coins. Before I dropped it, I first brought my hand containing the coin opposite my mouth. I closed my eyes and earnestly asked.
They say, this wishing well is miraculous so I hope my request will be heard.
I earnestly ask.
At the same time as my eyes awoke I threw the coins I was holding into the well.
"What did you ask for?"
I turned to the speaker. He was already beside me and looking at me seriously. Every time our eyes met, I couldn’t help but stare back at him.
He is waiting for my answer.
I smiled at him. "I wish you would finally remember me."
I hope you still remember me, Prince Arsh.