Chapter XX: Pacaoan
Jesus stands before Christine and Benigno, His gaze piercing but full of understanding.
"Alam niyo ba kung bakit umuwi si Regie nang gabing iyon, nang hatinggabi?" He asks.
The couple exchange glances, uncertainty written on their faces.
"Siguro, Panginoon," Benigno begins hesitantly,
"nanood lang siya ng sine kasama ng mga kaibigan niya."
Jesus shakes His head gently.
"Mali."
The world around them shifts once more, and they find themselves in the Ecumenical Chapel. Regie is kneeling in fervent prayer, his hands tightly clasped, his face marked by a deep sadness.
"Dito pumunta si Regie noong garaw iyon," Jesus reveals.
"Hindi siya sumamasa kaniyang mga kabarkada. Hindi siya nagpakasaya. Nananalangin siya, humihingi ng lakas at kaliwanagan."
Suddenly, the scene shifts. An auditor approaches Regie and, without warning, strikes him on the head with a book. Regie collapses onto the floor, unconscious. The memory skips forward to when Regie wakes up, groggy and confused, his spirit shattered.
Christine covers her mouth in shock, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Panginoon… bakit hindi namin ito nalaman? Bakit hindi namin siya pinakinggan?"
Jesus looks at them with compassion.
"Umiiyak siya sa harap ninyo noon, ngunit binalewala ninyo. Ngunit kahit ganoon, binago Ko siya. Tinanggal Ko ang alaala niya upang magkaroon siya ng isang simpleng buhay, walang sakit na dulot ng hindi pagkakaunawaan."
Benigno clenches his fists, his guilt growing heavier.
"Panginoon, hindi ko alam… Akala ko—"
"You didn't care enough," Jesus interrupts, His voice firm but not unkind.
"Mas iniisip mo ang sakit na maaaring maramdaman ni Christine kaysa sa damdamin ni Regie. Ngunit tandaan mo, ang pagmamahal ng isang ina ay walang katumbas."
Christine sobs, clutching Benigno's arm.
"Regie… anak natin… Paano natin ito nagawa sa kanya?"
Benigno's resolve breaks, and he falls to his knees.
"Panginoon, patawad po. Hindi ko alam ang kabuuan. Ang akala ko, tama lang ang ginawa ko."
Jesus looks down at him, His expression softening.
"Hindi perpekto ang pamilya, Benigno. Pati ang Banal na Pamilya, nagkaroon ng pagsubok. Ngunit isang bagay ang dapat niyong tandaan: huwag basta mag-assume sa lahat ng bagay. Hindi laging tama ang iniisip mo."
Benigno nods, his voice trembling.
"Patawad, Panginoon. Tinatanggap ko ang pagkakamali ko." He begins to recite the "Confession Prayer," his words heartfelt and sincere.
Christine joins him, her voice quivering but determined.
"Patawad din po, Panginoon. Hindi ko nakita ang sakit na dinadala ng anak namin."
As the couple pray, Jesus raises His hand in blessing, calming their hearts.
"Tanggap Ko ang inyong pagsisisi. Ngunit tandaan ninyo, ang pagsubok na ito ay hindi pa tapos. Bumalik kayo kay Regie nang may pagmamahal at pag-unawa."
The couple continue to cry, their hearts heavy yet somehow lighter. They kneel in front of Him, grateful for the chance to repent and start anew.
Christine and Benigno remain kneeling before Jesus, tears streaming down their faces as He looks upon them with a gentle yet firm gaze.
"Isa pang bagay ang nais Kong ipaalam sa inyo," He begins, His voice filled with divine authority yet laced with kindness.
"Nagbago na ang buhay ni Regie. Ang batang nakita niyo noon, siya rin ang taong nasa ospital ngayon."
The couple's eyes widen, their hearts pounding as they struggle to comprehend. Christine clasps her hands tightly.
"Panginoon… ibig Niyo bang sabihin… si Isko…?"
"Yes," Jesus confirms.
"Siya ang batang iniwan niyo noon, ngunit biniyayaan Ko siya ng bagong simula. Ngayon, binibigyan Ko rin kayo ng pangalawang pagkakataon. Ayusin niyo ang inyong relasyon sa kanya, at sana'y bigyan din kayo ni Regie—o Isko—ng isa pang pagkakataon."
Benigno's voice cracks as he whispers,
"Salamat po, Panginoon. Hindi namin sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ito."
Christine nods fervently, her tears falling freely.
"Panginoon, gagawin po namin ang lahat para itama ang aming pagkakamali."
Jesus smiles gently at them, His radiance filling the sacred space.
"Ang lahat ng tao ay binibigyan Ko ng pagkakataon para magbago. Nawa'y gamitin niyo ito upang maibalik ang pagmamahal at pagtitiwala sa inyong pamilya."
The couple stand and move closer, as if drawn to embrace Him. But in the blink of an eye, the Santo Sepulcro image returns to its original state, encased once more in the glass container. The divine light fades, leaving the retablo in its serene and sacred stillness.
Christine and Benigno glance at each other, overwhelmed by the miracle they have witnessed. With a newfound determination, they clasp hands and silently vow to make things right.