It was a fine morning. The sun shines brightly and the flowers looks more blooming this day. Alice heads towards the river not far from the school. She had to meet her students, she promised to give them extra time that day for a supplemental lesson. She wanted the students to enjoy while learning, so she thought being with the nature is the best way to do that.

The river flows calmly and the sun’s rays make it glitter. The students are already gathered in an acacia tree near the river. “Good morning ma’am Alice!” they all exclaimed.

Alice waved and walked closer to them.

“Good morning everyone! You are all early today,” she said. “We are excited for the lesson ma’am,” one of the student replied.

Alice smiled and started the lesson. She is happy to see the eagerness of the children to learn. She believes that the children are fragile, the kind of person they become will depend on how the holder mold them. She had seen poverty in the rural area and how this eats up the hope they have inside them. She knows that the future lies in the hands of these children to whom she was called to mold.

Just before lunch, Jerick came with fishing rods and baits. The children are excited to see him.

“Good morning sir!” they all greeted him.

Alice was also surprise to see him. “What are you doing here?” she said.

“Well, I heard these kids are here today doing a weekend class from their hard working teacher. “

The children giggled while Alice’ face turned red hearing the compliment from Jerick.

“I thought you might be all hungry, so I took these fishing rods so we could fish something to eat,” Jerick continued.

“Yehey!” the children exclaimed in excitement.

“Okay, since all of you are excited to fish, we should take a break now while I prepare our lunch,” Alice said in agreement.

“Thank you ma’am!” they replied.

The children approached Jerick and helped him with the fishing rod. The other children swim over the river.

Alice quietly watched them. The children are laughing with Jerick. They got more eager whenever they catch fish. She saw the kindness of Jerick especially his sincerity to the children. Whenever he stretches the fish rod, his biceps reflex. There is no doubt that he maintains his fitness. Beyond his manly figure is a soft-hearted person willing to help and reach out for others.

“Look! We caught a lot of fish,” Jerick said to her.

“Let me have them. I will clean them and grill. Can you get some stone and woods?” she asked Jerick.

“Sure!” Jerick replied.

After a while, Jerick came with the woods. He carried three big stones and prepared the fire woods. Jerick and Alice grilled the fishes as they watch the children swimming in the river.

“Be careful!” Alice reminded the children.

“They look very happy,” Jerick said. “Indeed!” Alice replied. “Thanks to you,” she said further.

“You have been thanking me a lot,” Jerick said with a smile. “I should be thanking you too for teaching me to care for others and for welcoming me here in Sta. Lucia, though of course we had a bad start,” Jerick said as he laughed a bit recalling the first time they met.

Alice smiled and said, “you are always welcome.”

“Ma’am, is lunch ready?” one of the children asked Alice. “Yes it’s ready. Tell your classmates to come over so we can all have our lunch,” she answered.

Alice and Jerick laid down a blanket. Alice arranged the lunch boxes she brought with food while Jerick took the grilled fishes. The children joined Alice and Jerick for a lunch. Fun filled the air as the children tells stories and jokes.

As they finish their lunch, the children asked Alice if they could go back swimming. “Okay, but be careful. Have you brought extra clothes?”

“Yes ma’am,” they answered.

“Ma’am, you should also swim, the water is great!” one of the children said. All the children agreed.

“Oh no, I have not brought extra clothes,” Alice replied.

“Don’t worry I brought a large towel,” Jerick answered back.

The children became more insistent to Alice and Jerick to swim with them.

“Okay,” Alice said in agreement. The children pushed Alice towards the water. Jerick on the other hand, took off his shirt and jumped over the water.

The children are having fun as they play and swim in the river. Alice on the other hand is watching them in one part of the river. Jerick swims and submerged himself over the water. As he pulls up, he is already near Alice. She was surprised with the sudden appearance of Jerick from underneath.

“What are you doing here alone?” Jerick said.

“I think I could watch over the kids better from here,” Alice replied.

Jerick smiled and decided to join Alice in the area. He managed to start a conversation with her about the children and the life in Sta. Lucia. Suddenly, a rush river flow pushed Alice towards Jerick. Their body touched each other. In surprise, Jerick wrapped his hands around Alice to catch him from falling while her head bumped to his chest due to the river flow.

For a moment, the time stopped for both of them. Alice felt the chest of Jerick, she felt secured knowing that his arms are around her. Likewise, Jerick smelled the sweet scent of Alice’ hair. He doesn’t want to take advantage of the situation, but he feels like he doesn’t want to let go of that moment. It’s been a long time since he cared that much for someone.

Alice moves her head up as Jerick gazed at her. Their eyes met together, their lips almost touching together. They felt each other, they hear each other’s breath.

“Uuuyyy!” the children teased the two of them.

Looks like the two are awaken from a dream as they heard the children. Alice moved back blushing and swims out of the river. Jerick on the other hand followed and handed her the towel he brought.

“Thank you!” Alice said.

The children continued teasing the them. “Sir, ma’am, you look lovely together,” one of the children said.

“Yes, you should court ma’am Alice sir!” said the other to Jerick.

The two was speechless. Jerick was smiling. On the other hand, Alice looks embarrassed.

“Come on kids! You are still too young to talk about that. You better get out there, we will be going home,” Alice said to the children.

The children followed and they all moved out of the water. Along the way, the children are still teasing them. Meanwhile, Alice and Jerick just looked at each other. They are not saying any word but their eyes glitters, their hearts say something more than words can tell. Whatever that is, they felt like the river… just go on with the flow without reverting.