At a glance...

There was this one picture, a portrait of someone many people know and admire. But to me, I saw a stranger with a confident and laid-back smile. As I took a second glance, I noticed the face of a beautiful person smiling back at me. My heart sank as soon as the face glimmered against the dusky background of the book. The black-and-white picture suddenly appeared to me as a real-life colored image. An insatiable desire to see more of those beaming oval brown eyes and to kiss those brilliant cheeks at once overwhelmed me. It took a few minutes before I became aware of myself. I was in love. As I realized this, I noticed the name under the picture and read it silently. The sound of the name in my head resembled the harmonies of hundreds of angels gallantly singing high in the heavens. Just then, my reverie was shattered by the sudden ringing of the telephone.

I didn't know what to do next, but one thing was for sure: I knew what I wanted. I needed to meet this divine being face to face. I prayed day and night, hoping that we might bump into each other along the busy streets of Padre Faura or ride the same MRT train one day. God had been so generous to me—it didn’t take long before He answered my prayers.

It was a hot, humid afternoon. I was standing near the staircase in the lobby of Rizal Hall, gathering myself for class when I saw a figure emerging from somewhere. It was a familiar but dazzling sight of someone I knew I had seen before. In that instant, I forgot why I was even in that spot. Not that I would have regretted it; I was ecstatic instead. There was silence, at least for me. It felt as if the noise from the lobby had been completely sucked out and placed inside a vacuum. The only sound I could hear came from my chest. My heart was pounding harder, faster, and louder than ever. I was sweating profusely, though it felt cold, as if chills had temporarily taken hold of me. The saintly being was coming closer. Then, we caught each other’s eyes. Once again, I spotted those very same oval brown eyes. That one look exuded serenity and bliss. Indifference to the surroundings was palpable; it was as if something else occupied this person’s mind—maybe something about family, love life, or work. All I knew was that my chance had finally come. My dream was becoming a reality. It felt surreal. Abruptly, we broke eye contact as this saintly being continued on and passed by me. I was frozen in that moment as they ascended the stairs. When I turned back to search for that lost grace, chills coursed through me once more. Those serene eyes were gazing right back at me, inquisitively staring at my presence.