he Kalinga sa Bayan headquarte

building was a modest three-story structure sandwiched between a bakery and a motorcycle repair shop. Inside, everythin

mbrella in one hand, a bag of fr

she opened the door. "For dragging y

"Are you always this ch

en I'm n

ght her

rvous?" s

id simply, and she looked away, sudd

onors who wrote checks and disappeared, Marco wanted to understand. He asked to shadow her team, not for PR or reports-but to truly see how things worked on the ground. He helped pack relief bags. Sat with volunteers durin

id, "How c

was no dramatic thunderclap of realization, no confessions whispered in the dark.

y he listened with his whole body. The way he spoke with respect, never ego. The way he saw people. They worked side by side

ons and sleepy jokes. They weren't dating-not in the traditional sense-but Isabel couldn't deny

abel found herself ankle-deep in mud, laughing uncontrollably a

groaned, wiping sweat from hi

ss release," she teased. "'Marc

es crinkling a

e this in years," he s

smile fading into somethin

ment, in that beautiful space b

to more provinces. The mobile education caravan received international funding. Media outlets began

ce of their partnership. But sometimes, in quiet pockets of time, Isabel found her

t, Marco leaned against the railing of the rooftop garden outs

in hand, hair falling l

n stage tonight," he sai

aty and over-

mean passionate. You make peop

ays made her uncomfortable-especially fro

e asked, changing the subject. "There

tired of helping from a distance. Tire

w?" she

l...alive. Like I'm finally d

a while, the night th

u're here,"

eant ever

second longer than necessary. And for a breathless heartbeat, Isabel thoug

he d

oked

o many others before it-unsp

, Isabel felt the familiar ache begin to stir. The one she

ime in years, she wante

terrifi

oo far-if she risked too

if she was strong en

lamp, and told herself the same l

is en

quietest part of her h

already

sure she'd surv