The following day, Bianca didn’t volunteer to take care of Mirko anymore. She devoted her time to cleaning at the chapel and Refectory. Often, she busied herself in taking care of Sister Flor. But, Mirko was thinking the other way around. Those could be the main reasons, so she could avoid him. Why is she avoiding him? Does his kiss the only reason or there something else besides it?

Meljae and Bianca were fixing the different varieties of flowers from Chrysanthemums to Angel’s Breath as they’re sitting between the statue of Mama Mary and the crucifix inside the chapel. Mirko was sitting in his wheelchair at the pewter near the tabernacle. He was listening to Sister Carmen’s rosary that won’t end for almost an hour. It made him fell asleep as the rosary went on and on. Sister Carmen finished the 3 mysteries as she continued to pray the Glorious Mystery, the last mystery for the day.

“What is the feeling when you walk from here until you reach the altar?” Meljae asked Bianca while holding one of the long-stemmed Calla Lilies.

“No comment.” Bianca continued in fixing the flowers. “Do you want to be scolded by Sister Hazel?” She gave the scissors to Meljae. “Just continue what you’re doing.”

Meljae didn’t grab the scissors from her. Instead, she left the scissors at Bianca’s side. Next, she took of the lock of Mirko’s wheelchair. Then, she pushed his wheelchair pushed it towards the altar. She snatched two long-stemmed Calla Lilies. And, she gave one to Bianca without any hesitation.

“If you don’t want to imagine, then I shall be the one imagine my own wedding. There will be a long red carpet and big bouquet colorful roses in each side of the pewter. Maybe, Sir Guwapo will accept me as his bride-to-be even though I had dark skin, big round eyes, and thick lips.” She closed her eyes and started to walk. Then, she stopped at the middle side, and hurriedly pulled Bianca over. “C’mon, you are better to be his partner in the newly-founded love team. Go Team Bibingka!” She pushed her to go through.

Bianca turned shyly when their eyes met again. Her memories about stealing her first kiss and her second kiss were still fresh and kept on rolling inside her mind. It might be the same reason why she can’t sleep tonight. Her number one culprit was no other than but Mirko. Well, he’s handsome and making her heart flutter. He’s her first crush. His tantalizing eyes were casting his own magic to seduce her. One of her fingers lay into her lips as she could still feel its sweet kiss; hoping that she could feel the same way again.

“I guess that I’m getting younger.” Sister Carmen said to Sister Flor.

“Love which is sweeter like Sister Flor na makulit." Sister Flor said in a singing manner.

Meljae went to the middle of the tabernacle. She opened the Holy Bible at the top of the tabernacle. Then, she plucked two white Carnations and put it in each side of the two old nuns.

"Bianca Cordova, are you accepting Sir Gwapo as your loving husband through thick and thin, sipag at tiyaga na may nilaga (hard work & persistence with stew)?"

Bianca grinned. “Yes, I do.” She covered her lips by her hand. Then, she glanced at Mirko who was smiling at her. “I’ll accept if he was an expert in cooking beef stew.”

“Sure, it’s an easy dish for me.” Mirko held her hand and pressed it like an ordinary gentleman. “I will learn your other favorite dishes if you want.”

“And you, Sir Gwapo.” Meljae glanced at Mirko while holding the Holy Bible. “Do you accept Bianca Cordova as your loving wife if you can cook yummy rice cake and Bibingka?”

“I do. I can even teach her how to cook them.” He pulled her near him. Then, he gently caressed her cheek. Bianca closed her eyes when his lips lightly brushed to her cheek. “I will love you even the first time I laid my eyes on you, Bianca Cordova. And, it’s going to be you. You’re the one who pulled me through."

"Ang sweet..." Sister Carmen clapped her hands while her eyes were teary-eyed.

"Bi, my stomach is aching." Sister Flor complained.

The two old nuns glanced at each other. The sweet moment of Mirko and Bianca was ruined. Bianca went to Sister Flor’s side and took of the lock at the sides of her wheelchair. Then, they left the three inside the chapel. Leaving Mirko who’s mind turned blank after that.

"Sir Gwapo, what’s your real name? I want to search you on Facebook so I can add you to my Friend List.” Meljae took out her cell phone from the pocket of her shorts. "Sir, can you hear me? Your name, please."

Mirko didn’t answer her. Then, both of his hands held his head. Suddenly, he was starting to feel the painful headaches. Who really is he? Does he have a name just like Marko or Bianca? Why can’t he remember any single thing from his past? His visions messed up like a glitch. Blurred vision and the colors went off. He could hear the same song as it repeated to his head again and again. It was purely instrumental and it was making him relax. He didn’t realize that he was already sounded fast asleep.

Bianca helped Sister Hazel in setting the plates above of each place mat in the long wooden table in the Refectory. She also placed the given food at the plate of Sister Flor. It was plain porridge with some flakes of Moringa leaves at the side. Slowly, she gave her a spoonful of the porridge. Usually, Sister Flor was the first to eat in each meal, so she can drink her prescribed medicines.

“It’s bitter.” Sister Flor complained while munching her porridge. “It’s bitter, Bi. Sister Flor, don’t like bitter.” Bianca put the spoon at the side of her plate. Then, she gave her the medicine and let her drank the glass of water.

“Sister Rafaela was calling you in her office.” Sister Hazel said.

Bianca gave the spoon at Sister Hazel. Then, Sister Hazel continued feeding the porridge to Sister Flor. She was the only one going to the office of Sister Rafaela. Suddenly, she felt nervous. Maybe, Sister Rafaela knew what happened from the chapel. Bianca sighed as she almost reached the office. It was located beside the chapel, which she met Meljae who was pushing Mirko’s wheelchair. Sister Carmen was sitting in a wheelchair instead of Mirko.

"Meljae, you are supposed to be with Sir Gwapo? Am I right? Then, where is he?" She questioned. And, she didn’t know if she could blame herself on how she had suddenly had some concerns with the man. “Did he lose his appetite? The bell rang already for lunchtime, and you have only twenty minutes. Is he still inside the chapel?" She was about to run when Meljae held her arm to stop her.

"Um... If you’re seeking for the answer in your so many questions, then you could see him inside the office of our Mother Superior. Hope, that we could eat together, Bianca."

Her heart beat faster because of nerves running through her nerves. One week just passed by. And, she was eluding Mirko’s presence. She let Sister Hazel or Meljae take care of him to avoid certain circumstances. She could meltdown if she’ll be exiled from Cordis Lesu. Mirko was already completed most of her days. Although she didn’t mind him, just seeing his wonderful smile. Her heart fluttered. Of course, she was seeing herself falling to his charms.

When she reached the office of Sister Rafaela, her hand couldn’t turn the doorknob. She could hear many offices inside. Maybe, they’re going to fetch Mirko. No way! She must find a way.

“Mother Superior, Bianca is already here.” Sister Jenny opened the door. She was one of the juniors of Cordis Lesu. It made Bianca lost her composure. “Are you ok, Bianca? Do you need a glass of water to relax?”

“No need, Sister Jenny.” She shook her head and Sister Jenny pushed her inside. Before she can think of running away, Sister Jenny had already closed and locked the door.

Bianca sat beside Mirko. And, she felt something weird. Maybe, she will not see Mirko in the following days. There was a short debate session between Marko and Sister Rafaela. Like her, Mirko remained silent throughout the session.

“Mirko, I’m so happy that I’ve found you alive,” Marko said as he hugged his brother happily.

Mirko hugged him tightly as they didn’t meet for almost a decade.

Marko took a glimpse of her. “Thank you, Miss.” He held her right hand. Gently, he pressed it and kissed the top of it. “If you didn’t take good care of my brother…Maybe, I cannot see him again alive.” He took out his wallet and handed the ten pieces of bluebills to her.

“I cannot accept these, Sir.” She gave back the money. “I have only one wish. I wish that he’ll be present during my 21st birthday this coming Saturday.”

“Alright.” Marko gave him a half-smile and accepted the handshake from her. “I’ll fetch him this Sunday morning so he’ll be fully-recovered when he will come back at Taguig.”

“By the way, may I know his name?” She begged.

"His name was Mirko Lance Raval." He took out the calling card from the pocket of his long white sleeves. "Sister Rafaela, if you experience any health problems then you can contact me. I'm Doctor Marko Lance Raval and I could give you my medical consultations for free." Then, he shook the hand of Sister Rafaela. "I cannot prolong my stay here because I have patients to take over. And, I need to go back early in order to avoid the rush hour traffic.” Gently, he patted the shoulder of Bianca. "Take care of my brother for me."