Jael's POV

MY throat went dry. For a moment, the world outside the café seemed to blur—just the faint murmurs of the town. His dark eyes fixed on me, narrowing slightly, the crease between his brows deepening as though my silence only magnified his confusion. Hindi ko masabi kung galit ba siya o naiinis. Gusto kong putulin ang titig pero may kung ano sa presensiya niya ang tila nanghihipnotismo sa akin.

His sharp jawline was tense, his lips pressed into a line that I had, regrettably, become familiar with in a way I shouldn't. Damn. I kissed him that night and now he's asking why.

My heart suddenly thudded in my chest, loud, and insistent.

"I—" My mind raced for an answer, but the way he looked at me made it impossible to think. Napabuntonghininga ako at napapikit saglit. "I wasn't in my right mind that night," I finally managed to say. "It was the adrenaline... or the shock. You saved me from the fire, and I wasn't thinking clearly."

Teka, bakit ba todo paliwanag ako sa kanya?

"And yet you accused me of being affected by it?" he said. His brows lifted slightly, but his expression remained frustratingly unreadable.

Bakit? Affected ka ba talaga? I'm tempted to ask what's on my mind but I controlled myself.

Tinaas ko ang dalawang kamay ko na animo'y sumusuko. "Look, okay, I'm sorry for bringing it up. I shouldn't have done it in the first place. I'm sorry." Hindi siya kumibo. "Nainis lang ako dahil sinabi ni Deborah na ayaw mo akong isali sa grupo. Bakit ba?" humalukipkip ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

Siya naman ang napabuntonghininga. "I think you shouldn't be involved after what happened to you in Jester's case. It's for your safety."

He's worried for me?

Kunsabagay, hindi naman basta-basta ang nangyari noon. Nasaksak lang naman ako at kung tutuusin ay maswerte pa nga ako dahil walang natamaang vital internal organ sa akin. Pero ewan ko ba... Kahit ako'y nahihiwagaan sa sarili ko na gusto ko pa ring magpatuloy sa paglutas ng misteryo.

"You know I'm not a believer," I said without blinking. "But now I do."

For a moment, I glimpsed something in his eyes. He tried to hide his surprise, but I saw it.

Nang hindi siya makasagot agad ay muli akong nagsalita, "Hindi man ako relihiyoso katulad mo at ni Denden, pero may kung ano sa loob ko na gustong alamin ang mga bagay na hindi maipaliwanag ng propesyong pinag-aralan ko. I am medically trained, but I've seen enough to believe that there are indeed unexplainable malignant forces around us."

And finally, his gaze softened. "Kahit na malagay sa alanganin ang buhay mo?" Saglit akong napayuko bago muli siyang tingnan saka marahang tumango. "Fine. You may join us."

Pinigilan kong ngumiti nang marinig 'yon.

"F-Father," tawag ko sa kanya nang tumalikod siya para bumalik sa loob ng coffee shop. "That night..." Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon sa akin. "How? I mean... Why?" Shit. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano itatanong. "Bigla ka na lang sumulpot noong gabing 'yon para iligtas ako, at sa totoo lang matagal ko nang iniisip 'yon."

For seconds he hesitated to answer. 

"The Spirit of the Lord woke me up that night telling me you were in danger," he paused for a second, "I had to save you." At pagkatapos ay iniwanan niya na ako.

I had to save you...

Umiling ako para pagpagin ang mga salitang 'yon na umalingawngaw sa aking isip. A part of me just couldn't believe that God woke him up to save me? Really? When I couldn't comprehend it, I just followed him inside. 

The coffee shop was quiet, save for the occasional hiss of the espresso machine and the soft murmur of conversation from the few diners scattered across the cozy place. I descended the narrow staircase into the basement of the coffee shop, it was dimly lit with low ceilings. A single table stood in the center of the room where they were waiting. It was just us here.

"Oh, tapos na ba ang LQ n'yo?" nakangiting tanong ni Jestoni nang makabalik kami. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Jestoni," saway sa kanya ni Hezekiah.

"Sorry, Pads," sabi nito at nagkatinginan sila ni Denden.

"Alright, so, Doc Jael's in. Let's start," walang ligoy na panimula ni Deborah at nilabas ang maliit niyang journal.

"Kuhanin ko muna ang mga order n'yo," sabi ng waiter na sa pagkakatanda ko ay Gabo ang pangalan. Dinampot ko 'yung menu para mamili ng pagkain.

Pagkatapos naming idikta ang mga order ay muling nagpatuloy si Deborah.

"Alam naman nating lahat kung anong nangyari ngayong araw sa San Lazaro Academy."

"Mass hysteria," sagot ni Hezekiah. "Iyan ang sinabi sa statement ng admin ng school."

"But it's no ordinary hysteria," dagdag ni Denden. "Nang umalis si Father Kai sa clinic, sinunod ko 'yung instruction niya na ipag-pray 'yung mga estudyante, pagkatapos ay kumalma rin sila."

"Sinugod daw 'yung iba sa ospital? Anong nangyari?" tanong ni Deborah at tumingin sa amin ni Hezekiah.

Nagpakiramdaman kaming dalawa kung sino ang magkukwento kaya minabuti ko nang magsalita. "Nagkagulo rin sa ER nang isugod doon 'yung mga estudyante, lahat sila ay may kanya-kanyang manifestation ng hysteria. Himalang kumalma rin sila pagkatapos kumanta ni Father."

"Kumanta?" sabay-sabay na saad nina Deborah, Denden, at Jestoni. Napatingin sila kay Hezekiah para humingi ng paliwanag.

Kinuha niya ang isang baso ng tubig, uminom muna bago sumagot. "I called my spiritual director to intercede, I had to sing to change the atmosphere."

"Kung ganoon, hindi sila possessed katulad ni Jester noon?" tanong ni Jestoni.

"Yes," sagot ni Hezekiah. "Demonic attacks take different forms, and knowing how they manifest is crucial to protect ourselves and others."

The group leaned in slightly as his gaze swept over us. I did the same, though part of me still felt out of place.

"There are five types of demonic attacks," Hezekiah continued, his tone measured and deliberate. "The first is temptation. It's the most common and subtle. Temptation plays on your desires, your fears, and your doubts to nudge you away from God. Lahat tayo ay nakararanas nito."

I felt my pulse quicken as I thought about my struggles with temptation, and the rest nodded slightly. His words hung in the air for a moment before he moved on.

"The second type is infestation. This attack is directed at places, objects, or animals. Nagma-manifest ito commonly through disturbances like sounds, moving objects, you get the picture. Example na nga rito ang mga haunted na bahay."

A shiver crawled down my spine as I thought back to moments in my life when I had sensed an unnerving presence—those times when I just couldn't explain why I felt so unsettled. Marami akong naranasan noon sa ospital na pinili kong balewalain. Naalala ko ang takutan noon ng mga nurses tuwing gabi at mga samu't saring kwento ng kababalaghan.

"The third is oppression. This is a direct attack on a person whether on their body or mind. It can take the form of unexplained illnesses, sudden misfortunes, or overwhelming emotional turmoil. The purpose is to break you down, make you feel abandoned, and weaken your faith. Demonic oppression is about making you feel helpless like you're fighting a battle you can't win."

The cool air of the basement seemed to chill further, the dim light casting shadows on the walls that I tried not to look at for too long. Mabuti na lang dumating na 'yung waiter para ihain 'yung mga pagkain namin pero nagpatuloy si Hezekiah.

"The fourth type is obsession," he said, his voice growing darker. "This is a direct assault on your mind. It's when intrusive, uncontrollable thoughts flood your consciousness. Despair, hatred, fear—they come in waves, relentless and consuming."

"So, suicidal thoughts are a form of demonic obsession?" Deborah asked and Hezekiah nodded.

"Yes. It's not an occasional dark thought; obsession is about constant, overwhelming mental and emotional attacks that try to isolate you from God's truth."

"It's possible that murderers were infested with thoughts of killing?" Deborah asked again.

"Most likely."

I swallowed, trying to shake off the rational thoughts in my mind.

"And finally," he said, his voice steady and firm, "there's demonic possession."

Kumurap bahagya ang ilaw sa itaas namin pero hindi siya natinag. Nang marinig ko 'yon ay kaagad kong naalala ang mga tagpong nasaksihan ko noon kina Maviel at Jester.

"Possession is rare, but it happens," he continued, his eyes glancing at me. "This is when a demon takes control of a person's body. It's not just about temptation or oppression. It's a complete total takeover."

"Kung ikukumpara sa ibang demonic attacks, Father, paano ba napo-possess ang isang tao?" tanong naman ni Jestoni.

"Possession can't happen unless a person opens themselves to it—whether knowingly or unknowingly. It's the result of continuous sin, the rejection of grace, or an invitation to the darkness."

"Maaari rin bang maging sanhi ang trauma?" hindi ko na napigilang magtanong habang nasa isip ko sina Maviel at Jester. Tiningnan ako ni Deborah, mukhang alam din ang nais kong ipakahulugan.

"Yes. Severe traumas can cause an opening to demonic possession," sagot sa akin ni Hezekiah.

"How about the mass hysteria that happened at San Lazaro Academy?" Denden asked.

"Posibleng kaso 'yon ng demonic oppression. That kind of mass disturbance is usually the result of external pressure. It was the spirit of fear that caused widespread emotional and mental turmoil."

"May kutob ako na may kinalaman pa rin 'to sa kaso ni Jester," sabi ni Deborah. "Hindi ba't nakapagtatakang nangyari 'yon pagkatapos ng insidente niya? Malinaw na possessed si Jester noon at maaaring naging trigger 'yon para magkaroon ng hysteria."

"May point si Corporal," sinundan 'yon ni Jestoni. "Baka may kumakalat na masamang espiritu sa school at naghasik ng lagim!"

"It's not that simple, Jestoni," sagot ni Hezekiah. "It might be related to an opening, an invitation given to darkness. Perhaps someone—knowingly or unknowingly opened a door for that influence to enter. Aside from fear, there could have been something more at play."

Listening to this conversation made me feel like an alien. I'm a medical doctor—a woman of logic and reason. I dealt with diseases and injuries, things that could be measured and treated. I looked at them, they had encountered the supernatural and accepted it without question. But for me, it felt like stepping into a world I wasn't ready for and yet I insisted on joining here.

Tumahimik bigla ang paligid matapos walang magsalita. Tila pinoproseso ng bawat ang isa ang mga salitang binitawan ni Hezekiah. Sinikap pa ring intindihin ng utak ko ang mga narinig.

"Ang paglalaro ba ng spirit of the glass ay invitation sa mga masamang espiritu?" walang ano-ano'y tanong ni Deborah. Lahat kami'y napatingin sa kanya.

"Dabbling with the occult, yes," direktang sagot ni Hezekiah.

"Anong occult?" tanong ko at pinanalangin na sana hindi ako mukhang ignorante.

Hezekiah looked at me and answered, "Things like spiritism, communicating with the dead through séances, mediumship, witchcraft, sorcery, divination like fortune telling, astrology, tarot reading, satanic rituals, idolatry, curses, any practices that defy the Word of God, and so on."

"Then it might be the reason why the mass hysteria happened," sabi ni Deborah. "Nag-imbestiga ako kanina sa San Lazaro Academy."

"Talaga? Hindi ka nagpaalam sa principal?" tanong naman ni Jestoni at tumango ang huli.

"Narinig ko lang na bulung-bulungan ng mga estudyante na may naglaro ng spirit of the glass sa STEM-1B dahil may nakapulot ng Ouija board sa school sa mga nabiktima ng hysteria."

"Ouija board sa school?" ulit ni Denden at tumingin kay Hezekiah. "Father, may ouija board sa school!"

"Wala akong alam tungkol doon," sagot ni Hezekiah at halatang napaisip. Bumaling siya kay Deborah. "Nalaman mo ba kung saan nila nakuha 'yon?"

Umiling si Deborah. "Kaya nga rin nagpatawag ako ng meeting ngayon para humingi ng tulong sa inyo."

"Woah, mag-a-ala detective ba tayo sa school?" parang na-e-excite pang sabi ni Jestoni.

"Parang ganoon na nga, kailangan mahanap natin kung saan nanggaling ang Ouija board na 'yon," sabi ni Deborah.

They all agreed in silence. May naglalarong tanong sa isip ko pero hindi ko nagawang itanong nang magsalita si Denden.

"Umm... Doc Jael?" tawag niya bigla sa akin.

"What?"

"Naalala ko lang si Maviel. Noong makita niya si Jester..." sabi niya pero hindi matuloy ang sasabihin. Parang nakutuban ko na kung anong gusto niyang tukuyin.

"I'll talk to her," sagot ko at sumulyap kay Hezekiah na nakatingin sa akin.

⋅───⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰───⋅

Hezekiah's POV

THE morning was calm, an ordinary start to what should have been another routine day. I stepped out of the car, locking it behind me, my thoughts still heavy from last night's meeting with the group.

Natigilan ako saglit nang mapansin ko ang mangilan-ngilang lalaki sa fence 'di kalayuan, nakasilip sa loob ng campus. Tabloid reporters. Mukhang narito sila para kumalap ng impormasyon tungkol sa nangyaring mass hysteria at maaaring hindi sila pinahintulutan ng principal na makapasok.

Mukhang kalat naman na ang balita sa social media dahil kahit umagang umaga ay nakatutok ang mga estudyanteng nadaanan ko sa kanilang mga cell phone na hawak. My mind was also preoccupied with the things I had shared with them last night and also that conversation with Jael.

But as I walked into the campus, the atmosphere felt different. Something was off.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa nadaanan ko ang isang grupo ng mga estudyante na kulang na lang ay magkapalit-palit ng mukha dahil sa kanilang mga bulungan. As I passed by, a few of them looked up, their faces stiff with barely concealed judgment, their eyes darting toward me with a mix of unease and suspicion.

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise. The heaviness got stronger when I reached the faculty room.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ay tila nanlamig ang buong paligid, wala ang mga usual na daldalan at tawanan. Dumako ang kanilang mga tingin sa akin—tinging may halong panghuhusga, pagkadismaya... at pagkasuklam.

"Father," a middle-aged female teacher approached me with an unease on her face, "pinasasabi ni Principal Leoncio na pumunta ka sa opisina niya."

Tumango lang ako at tahimik na lumabas ng faculty room.

"Pads!" humabol si Jestoni sa akin pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

Ilang hakbang lang ang layo mula roon ay narating ko ang Principal's Office. Bago ako pumasok ay mas bumigat lalo ang pakiramdam ko.

Something insidious is waiting for me inside, but I had to face this courageously. I cannot run away.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ay tumambad sa akin si Principal Leoncio, kaharap ang isang ginang, at nakaupo ang isang estudyanteng babae na bagsak ang balikat at nakayuko, namukhaan ko siya—si Marriz, isang senior high student. The moment I saw them, I knew something was terribly wrong.

Marriz's mother was fuming, her face twisted in anger, her hands trembling as they clutched her purse. She shot me a glare that could have frozen me in my tracks, her eyes full of accusation.

"Ikaw! Ikaw ang lumapastangan sa anak ko!" sigaw nito at dinuro ako. Bago pa niya ako masugod ay humarang sa amin si Jestoni.

Nanigas lang ako sa kinatatayuan ko habang pinakikinggan ang mga akusasyon ng ginang sa akin. May relasyon daw kami ng anak niya at ginamit ko raw ang posisyon ko para samantalahin ang kahinaan ng bata.

"Ma'am! Kumalma lang po kayo! Wala po kayong ebidensiya!" dinig kong sabi ni Jestoni para pakalmahin ang ginang. Maging si Principal Leoncio ay tumayo na para umawat.

"Anong wala?!" sigaw ng ginang sabay nilabas ang cell phone at pinakita sa amin ang isang larawan.

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang makita ko 'yon. Nakayakap sa akin ang isang estudyanteng babae na hindi kita ang mukha. Halatang stolen ang larawan mula sa malayong direksyon.

"You should be ashamed of yourself!" sigaw ulit ng ginang. "Kailangang managot ang pari na 'yan sa anak ko!" her words sliced through the room, the venom in her voice almost palpable.

Then I remembered what we talked about last night. How timely... A direct attack on my character!

I remained silent, trying to collect my thoughts, but nothing seemed to make sense. My mind raced, but the only thing I could think of was the photo—the one that was already circulating online. Somebody framed me up.

"Hindi ho magagawa ni Father Kai 'yan! Inosente siya!" patuloy akong pinagtanggol ni Jestoni pero mas lumala lang ang galit ng ginang kaya nakiusap na si Principal Leoncio sa kanya. 

Sa pagkalutang ng isip ko'y namalayan ko na lang na nasa kabilang silid ako at naghihintay na tila isang kriminal. Inalala ko ang itsura ni Marriz pero ni minsan ay hindi siya tumingin sa akin. Somebody forced her to do it and most likely it's he same person who wanted to assassinate my character. But... why? 

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok sa loob si Principal Leoncio, walang pagkadismaya ang mukha niya bagkus ay awa sa akin.

"Father, this is serious," aniya nang umupo sa harap ko. "Nagtungo si Mrs. Sandoval at inireklamo ang nalaman niya na mayroon kayong relasyon ng anak niya. Sinabi rin daw ng bata na ikaw ang naunang lumapit at nagbigay ng motibo."

"That's not true," I calmly said. "Yesterday, before the mass hysteria happened, I received a message from an unknown number." Ipinakita ko sa kanya ang message sa cell phone ko. "Pumunta ako sa rooftop at may isang nakamaskarang estudyante ang biglang yumakap sa akin, at malamang ay may kumuha ng larawan namin para magpakalat ng malisyosong balita."

Tinanggal ni Principal Leoncio ang salamin matapos ibalik sa akin ang cell phone, saka siya napahilot ng sentido. The mass hysteria incident already stressed him and here's another one.

"This is really serious, Father."

"We have to investigate," I said, almost pleading. "Kailangan nating malaman kung sino ang nag-utos kay Marriz at nag-frame up sa akin."

Napabuntonghininga ang principal bago tumingin sa akin. "There are tabloid reporters outside the school premises and I cannot control Mrs. Sandoval's actions. Right now I have no choice but to suspend you while we conduct a full investigation."

Suspended. The word hung in the air, and I felt a cold weight settle in my chest.

"I didn't do what they're accusing me of," I said, my hands clenched under the table.

"I trust your character, Father Hezekiah," sabi ni Principal Leoncio pero tila hindi ako nakumbinsi nito. "For now, this is the best way to protect you."

⋅───⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰───⋅

Jael's POV

ALAM kong hindi magiging madali na buksan ang usapan tungkol sa insidenteng 'yon kaya nag-isip ako ng paraan kung paanong pasimple na makuha ang loob ni Maviel. Tutal day off ko naman ngayon ay naisipan kong puntahan siya sa San Lazaro Academy para dalhan siya ng pagkain, pati na rin ang mga kaibigang ipinakilala niya sa akin noon.

Naglalakad ako sa campus nang maagaw ang atensyon ko ang isang ingay. May babaeng nagsisigaw at may mga teachers na umaawat sa kanya. Tumigil ako para tingnan ang komosyon habang hawak ko ang dalawang plastic bag na naglalaman ng pagkaing binili ko kanina sa fast food drive-thru.

"Kailangang managot ang pari na 'yan sa ginawa niya sa anak ko! Nasaan ang kahihiyan ng eskwelahang ito!"

Tama ba ako nang narinig?

"Please po, nakakaabala po kayo ng mga klase—"

"Wala akong pakialam!"

Biglang natigilan ang ginang nang bumukas ang pintuan ng isang silid at mula roon ay lumabas si Hezekiah na parang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa ang itsura.

Walang ano-ano'y dinuro siya ng ginang at sumigaw, "Pedophile!"

Halos mapanganga ako sa narinig. Anong nangyayari?

No way... This must be... another demonic attack. Then he... we...we're really in deep shit. 

We can't go back now. 

"He's not that kind of man!" and in an instant, I got their attention. 

"At sino ka naman?!" duro sa akin ng babae. Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya at handang sagutin siya nang may humawak sa braso ko.

Lumingon ako at nakita si Hezekiah. Umiling sa akin. 

-xxx-

https://youtu.be/EH87xXauLoI

A/N: At simula na nga ng spiritual attack! Fighting, Father Kai! I hope din nakatulong sa inyo ang impormasyon sa chapter na ito tungkol sa demonic attacks. But don't be afraid, our God is stronger and mightier!

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." -James 4:7

SKL: Noong nag-uumpisa ako sa Christian journey ko, sa spiritual warfare talaga ako naging interesado. Kaya nagkaroon ako ng dream na makapagsulat ng story na may ganoong tema. This story is a dream come true! 

Hindi man ito sumikat katulad ng iba kong mga story, my only hope for this story is to make Him known, to show God's power, grace, and love through this story. :')

Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nagbabasa nito. Sa mga bumoboto, at nag-iiwan ng mga comments. Pagpalain ka ng Lord sa pagiging kalakasan kong magsulat :))