Carefully, Mirko got up from the sofa while Bianca was assisting him. He couldn’t help himself but to stare at her face. What an angelic face that she possessed. His heart beat stopped for a while when she fed him a spoonful of hot soup. Maybe, this girl was the one that he’s looking for. Could it be his answered prayer?

“Sir, is the soup tastes bad?” Bianca asked while she put the spoon back at the bowl. “Is it too salty or bland? Is it too hot?” She took the spoon and blew for a few minutes and tasted it. "I guessed I need to put a little bit more of pepper and salt."

Mirko didn’t answer. Then, Bianca gave him a tissue roll, and took the bowl of soup. She was about to stand up, and hit his arm unintentionally. They stared at each other’s eyes. His eyes were focused to her lips. He felt an urge to kiss her for her lips were irresistible. Then, he tried to stop himself to do such things that might frighten her.

“Can you please stay for a while?” He softly pleaded. Then, he sat beside Bianca. “Do you know what my name is? Can you tell me who am I?” He looked at her curiously as he pointed himself.

The only person that he could remember was his Kuya Marko. Mirko tried to think hard to remember his name. He couldn’t remember not even a single letter and that made him so disappointed. He hit his head twice when he started to feel the pain all over. Bianca gently poured the massage oil into his forehead. Gently, she massaged the sides of his forehead. Then, Mirko could smell off the menthol mixed with Sampaguita. That aroma made him calm for a while.

“Are you okay now, Sir?” Bianca asked while massaging him. “Do you feel better now?” She stopped when Mirko held her hand. “Does your wound still hurt?” Her hand moved on where his bullet wound located. She groped it, and Mirko cried out of pain. “Oops, I’m sorry.” Quickly, she opened the first aid kit and gave him some pain killers. Then, her hand tapped his forehead to check for his temperature. “I guess you need to drink this too.” She put the bottle of paracetamol. “But, don’t drink those without eating your soup. You better finish this while it still hot. It will make you feel much better if you’ll apply my advice.”

“T-thank you.” There were so many words ran to his mind. But the word thank you was the only word that he could speak at.

Bianca watched him while eating and drinking down all of his medicine. She also helped him to lie down in the sofa and gave him two pillows to make his back feel a little comfortable. She sat beside him and narrated her life story in the convent. According to her, working at the convent was very boring but she needed to endure it. She had no place to live if she’ll leave the convent. Mirko wanted to ask if her parents were still alive or where was there house. But Bianca was called by one of the nuns, so he’ll just save the questions for next time. He closed his eyes, and slept soundly so he could hear one of Bianca’s stories some other time.

Sister Flor was not that hard to put into to sleep. Bianca just needed to play the Religious instrumental songs in the CD player again and again. Gently, she wiped the shoulders and arms of the old nun with a clean rag. Then, she tucked out the pillows before placing it under Sister Flor’s head. She covered Sister Flor’s legs with a blanket, but she didn’t forget to put on her socks so the old nun won’t feel any cold. Then, she sat beside the bed of Sister Flor and massaged her forehead. After that, she read some short readings in the Bible. Corinthians 13 was her favorite verse.

"Bi, have mercy on me." Sister Flor said repeatedly.

“You better sleep now, Sister. We will go somewhere in the afternoon if you’ll sleep.” Again, she massaged Sister Flor’s forehead. Silently, she pulled out the paperback from her pocket and flipped some few of its pages. She was read the second chapter of the book when Meljae opened the book. “Ssh… you might wake up, Sister Flor.”

“Sister Carmen is calling you from the Refectory.” Meljae whispered. “I’ll be the one to take care of Sister Flor from now.”

“OK, but be sure not to wake her up.” She said in a serious tone. Meljae nodded.

There were only two full time helpers in the convent. That’s her and Meljae. Thee gardener, cook and the washer-woman were only temporary workers. It’s hard to do many errands from every nuns and it was very exhausting.

Bianca caught Sister Carmen and Sister Hazel wiping the glasses and plates using the white dishcloths while conversing about their personal stories. Bianca could still see many dirty dishware and utensils inside the sink. She was about to get the sponge, but Sister Hazel snatched it from her.

“How’s your other patient, Bianca?” Sister Carmen asked. Oh, the nuns loved to hear gossips, and it’s their way of killing the time. “Is he feeling better now?”

Bianca simply nodded. “Yes, but he has a slight fever. I had already given him some medicine to improve his condition.” She snatched back the sponge and began to put the dish washing soap all over the plates.

“Next week will be your 21st birthday. I guess you’ve already decided to go to the Novitiate House.” Sister Hazel butted.

“I am not yet done thinking about it.” Bianca switched the faucet and washed the plates inside the sink. Then, she pressed the sponge in the utensils.

“I guess that you have a crush on that young man.” Sister Hazel whispered mockingly. " I know that you cannot lie."

Those words made her cheeks turned hot red. Her heart fluttered as it beats faster than before.

“Don’t worry. Sister Carmen didn’t know about it.”

"Ahem." Sister Carmen cleared her throat while hanging the dishcloths in the designated clothespin area near the sink.

Every 8 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, Bianca brought Sister Flor at the garden. The old nun can sniffed out some fresh air, could catch the morning sunshine, and could see out the beautiful flowers that bloomed. Mirko was also there, and Meljae was the one; pushing his wheelchair.

“Sir, are your wounds still painful?” Meljae asked him and caught him staring at Bianca.

“Uhm… How many years did Bianca stay here? Did she have parents, relatives or what?” Mirko tried to change the topic.

“Bianca stayed here at Cordis Lesu for so long. If I was correct, the nuns adopted her since birth. Her childhood years spent here.” Meljae narrated. “How about you, Sir? Do you have parents or siblings? Do you have any handsome brother that you can introduce to me?

Two persons sudden flashed into his mind. One was looked younger than him and sitting beside him. The older boy was looking 3 or 4 years older than him was standing at the back. He suspected that the younger boy was the one who was singing him a somewhat familiar song in his usual dreams.

What does the world needs?

Love as sweet as sugary treat

Love is what we only need

It’s for our friends and family

He woke up when Sister Flor and Bianca went near him. Bianca plucked out one red Hibiscus flower. And, she gently put it at the side of Sister Flor’s ear.

“What does the world needs? Si Flor na makulit; (Flor the stubborn),” Sister Flor said in a singing manner.

The two ladies laughed together. Simply, Mirko plucked two pieces of pink Hibiscus flowers. Then, he offered the flowers to them. Both of them agreed, gently Mirko put the flowers in each side of their ears.

“Aw…You’re so sweet, Sir.” Meljae complimented as she giggled like a young teenager seeing her own crush.

“You’re right, Meljae.” Bianca went near him. They’re only a few meters away from each other. “Because of your good deed, like a fairy of this garden, I shall give this handsome man a kiss.”

Bianca closed her eyes as her face was only a centimeter away from Mirko’s. Her lips almost brushed Mirko’s cheeks. Instead, her lips landed at Mirko’s lips. Upon realizing she had done, she stepped backward. It’s her second kiss with the same man. The same man who stole her first kiss. Her finger lay to her lips and imagined what happened a while ago. And, it made her embarrassed in front of Mirko, Meljae, and Sister Flor. Mirko could see her cheeks turned redder than ripe tomatoes.

“What does the world needs now? Si Flor na makulit; (Flor the stubborn),” Sister Flor repeated in a singing manner.

Bianca removed the lock from each side of Sister Flor’s wheelchair. Then, she pushed the wheelchair going to the entrance of the convent.

"Bi...Bianca." Mirko sighed with disappointment. He didn’t mean to kiss the young lady. That kiss caused her to be frightened. And, she might avoid him from now on.

“Do not worry, Sir Gwapo (Sir Handsome),” Meljae said while removing the lock from the sides of his wheelchair. “Your secret kiss between you and Bianca will remain secret within me. And, Sister Flor had a blurry vision so she didn’t see the whole picture.”

“I really didn’t mean to… I guess I need to say sorry."

“Oh my, Sir Gwapo!” Meljae jumped for joy. “I will be your very-first fan in your love team. If I had a chance to form it, then I shall name it team Bibingka. Glutinous rice cake glazed with butter, sometimes there’s a salted egg and grated coconut inside. “I know it will be more popular than KathNiel or LizQuen.” Both of them heard the loud growling of Meljae’s stomach. “Oops, I guess I am really hungry right now.”

“You are really hungry, Meljae.”

“We better hurry to the Refectory or we will miss dinner. I heard from Sister Hazel that they’re baking some chocolate chip and mint-Choco cookies after dinner.” She pushed the wheelchair harder to make the wheels run faster.