Chapter 4 Kind Faith

Faith's POV

"You know what, Faith? Just a little more and I'm going to pull Nicole's hair," Charls said, fuming with anger, more intense than any woman I know. We were walking out the school gate to wait for their tricycle rides, while I planned to walk home after they left.

"Honestly, she acts like she's not even a teacher. Worse than our gossiping neighbors. At least they just do it for fun," Charie added, clearly annoyed.

"What's the difference between her and those gossipers who ruin lives with baseless rumors?" Charls said with a dramatic eye-roll.

"The gossipers don't have a license. That witch Nicole does," Charie replied with a laugh.

"Exactly! Haha! But they have the same goal-to bring others down."

"Hey, she's not my peer. I won't accept that no matter what."

"And why not?"

"Because I'm not a witch."

"Oh right, you're a dwarf, not a witch."

"And you're a tikbalang."

"Wait, that's harsh! Can't I just be a horse?"

I couldn't help but laugh at my friends' silliness.

"Oh, you're here, Faith?" Charie said, pretending to be surprised I was with them.

"Haha! I don't know about you two. Charls called my name first, but you two kept talking to each other. Hmmf!" I said, pretending to sulk.

"Sorry! We knew you'd just stop us from saying bad things about her," Charie said. And it's true-I don't want to waste energy on Nicole. I already have too much on my mind.

"You know what, guys? No matter what we say, we can't really do anything about it. That's just who she is. She knows herself. If she wants to change, great. If not, there's nothing we can do. It's her life."

"You're right. I just hope she changes jobs so we don't have to see her Monday to Friday. Ugh! She's so annoying. I feel like I'm getting wrinkles from the stress she causes," Charls said, his face showing pure frustration. If Nicole were in front of him, he might've folded her seven ways. Haha.

"Exactly. We'll just age and get uglier if we keep stressing over her. Let's just leave her be. She'll get tired eventually," I said, trying to calm them down since they seemed more stressed than I was.

"But Faith, if she picks a fight with you again, call us right away, okay? One snap from Charls and that stick of a woman will fall."

"Stick?"

"Yeah, stick witch."

"Haha! You guys are crazy. But thank you. You really make me feel better. What would my life be like if I hadn't met you?"

"If you hadn't met us, we wouldn't have met you either. Haha! Right, Charie?"

"You're really crazy, Charls. Haha! But we're always here for you, Faith. Just one call and we'll fly to you, okay?" Charie said, holding my hand. Her words made my eyes well up with tears.

"That's why I don't do heart-to-heart talks with you-you're such a crybaby. Come here, give me a hug." I stepped forward and hugged her. Even though I'm taller, I felt the sincerity in her embrace.

"Oh, my little sister. Stop crying or you'll get ugly. What if he doesn't recognize you next time?"

"Charie, come on," I said while crying.

"Hey, wait! Count me in. Group hug!" Charls said, acting flamboyantly now that we were outside school. Haha!

"Enough now, Faith. Let's hold on to each other. We're your allies. Think of us as your big brother and sister," Charls said while we were hugging.

"Big brother? Really, Charls?" Charie said, laughing and clearly not convinced.

"Yes! When it comes to you two, I'm your big brother. I can fight for you."

"Are you serious?" I asked, trying to end our dramatic moment. Haha!

"Of course not! Haha! With my beauty, I'd rather run home than get into a fight!"

We knew he was joking just to lighten the mood.

We were laughing together when Sir Jaecob's car passed by.

"Faith, come on. I'll give you a ride home."

"Oh no, Sir. It's okay. My house is nearby, and I could use the walk for exercise," I politely declined.

"Just come with us, Faith. Our tricycle service is here too," Charie said. She and Sir Jaecob are neighbors, so they share a ride to save money.

"Bye Faith, bye Sir! Take care of her!" they said teasingly, with Charie giving me a playful poke. I just watched them as they rode away.

Sir got out of the car to open the door for me. Once I was seated, he walked around to the driver's seat and started driving.

The school is only a few blocks from my house. Sir Jaecob drove slowly. The car was quiet, as if each second was waiting for the right moment to speak.

"Hmm... Faith," he finally broke the silence, his voice low and hesitant.

"Yes, Sir?" I replied softly, glancing at him, feeling shy.

He suddenly parked the car on the side of the road.

"Can I talk to you?"

"About what, Sir?" My heart raced, but I tried to keep my voice calm.

"About... us."

I swallowed hard. The air inside the car felt heavy.

"Sir, I'm sorry... but I'm really not ready to enter a relationship. You know my responsibilities. I just can't handle it right now."

I could feel I was hurting the feelings he was trying to offer me. But I couldn't give him false hope.

"Faith," he whispered, almost inaudibly. "I accept everything about your past... everything I have, I'm willing to give to you, to you both-just accept me."

Our eyes met. I saw the depth of his feelings-full of hope and fear. His gaze said everything he couldn't voice.

"Sir... it wouldn't be fair to accept you just because of what you can give. Especially if I can't give anything back."

"That's okay with me, Faith. Just being with you..."

"I'm really sorry, Sir," I whispered, trying to hold back tears. "But I'm not that kind of person. Love should be give and take. I don't want to be someone who only takes. And besides, there's someone out there-someone better than what you see in me."

I looked away. I couldn't bear to see his face trying to stay strong while slowly breaking.

He sighed deeply, gripping the steering wheel tightly. He slowly bowed his head, as if trying to swallow the weight in his chest.

"Then... just let me give you what I can... even if you don't love me back."

I felt the pain in his voice. I felt him letting go, even as he tried to hold on.

"Sir... how will you find the woman meant for you if you keep giving your attention to me?"

He didn't speak for a moment. It was like he was gathering strength.

"C-can I invite you tomorrow... for dinner?"

My chest tightened. I didn't want the conversation to continue, but...

"Sir..."

"It's my birthday tomorrow," he said with a forced smile, full of fragile hope. "I hope you'll grant me this. Just this once."

In the end, I agreed.