Chapter XIV: Oratio Imperata
Liz heads to school early the next day, walking briskly through the familiar halls of the Colegio. The chatter of students fills the air as they settle into their classrooms. She takes her usual seat next to Wyn, who is already flipping through a notebook.
"Morning, Liz!" Wyn greets her with a grin.
"Morning," Liz replies, setting her bag down.
"Ready for another day of lectures and deadlines?"
Wyn laughs.
"Not really, but what choice do we have?"
Before their conversation can go further, their teacher enters the room and starts the morning discussion. Liz tries to focus, but midway through the lesson, a notification pops up on the classroom's digital board.
The Ayuntamiento de Ciudad Fernandina has announced a two-day suspension of classes due to the incoming typhoon. Gasps and murmurs ripple through the room, quickly turning into cheers.
"No way!" Wyn exclaims, eyes wide.
"Two days off?"
Liz leans back in her chair, grinning.
"Finally, a break! I could use some sleep."
The rest of the class devolves into excitement, with students whispering plans for how they'll spend the unexpected free time. Liz and Wyn chat animatedly, already imagining how they'll relax.
The next morning, Liz is still sound asleep, buried under layers of blankets in her small room. Outside, a strong gust of wind whistles through the trees, making the windows rattle softly. Downstairs, her grandma hums a tune while flipping pancakes on the stove, the aroma wafting through the house.
Upstairs, Dolores and Dominga, stir awake as the sound of heavy rain begins to pound against the roof. Dolores sits up groggily.
"Dominga, wake up. It's raining hard," she mutters, nudging her sister.
Dominga groans, rubbing her eyes.
"Do you think the house will be okay? We should check."
The two hurry to the windows, peeking outside. Sheets of rain drench the yard, but thankfully, no water has seeped inside yet. Dolores lets out a breath of relief.
"As long as the drains hold, we'll be fine," she says.
Meanwhile, Liz remains oblivious to the commotion. In her dreams, she's walking through a sunlit plaza, holding hands with Bennett. He looks at her with that familiar, comforting smile.
"I've missed you so much," Liz says in her dream, her voice trembling.
Bennett squeezes her hand.
"I'm still here, Liz. You just have to believe that."
The sound of the rain grows louder, pulling her out of the dream. Liz wakes with a start, her heart racing. She looks around her room, disoriented, and then her eyes land on Bennett's picture on her bedside table. Grabbing it, she hugs it tightly to her chest, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Bennett..." she whispers, her voice cracking.
"Where are you?"
A knock on her door snaps her out of her thoughts.
"Liz! Breakfast is ready!" Dominga calls.
Liz wipes her tears and sets Bennett's picture back on the table. She gets up, puts on her slippers, and heads downstairs.
At the breakfast table, Liz finds her grandma and aunts chatting cheerfully over plates of pancakes and fried eggs. The warmth of the kitchen contrasts sharply with the storm raging outside.
"Morning, Liz," her grandma says, placing a glass of orange juice in front of her.
"Morning," Liz replies softly, sitting down.
Dolores notices the look on her face and reaches out to pat her hand.
"You don't need to worry about anything, Liz. The house is sturdy, and we're all safe."
Dominga nods.
"Exactly. Just enjoy the day off. We don't get these often."
Liz tries to smile, but her thoughts are still clouded by the dream. Before she can respond, the lights flicker once, then go out entirely. The kitchen plunges into semi-darkness, lit only by the gray light filtering through the windows.
"Oh no, the power's out," her grandma says with a sigh.
"Let's just wait," Dominga says, already lighting a candle.
After a few minutes, the lights flicker back on, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
"Well, that wasn't too bad," Dolores says, smiling.
Liz, however, is barely paying attention. Her mind drifts back to Bennett. Normally, on a day like this, she would've spent hours on a video call with him, laughing and talking about anything and everything. But now, all she has is his picture and the faint hope that he's somewhere safe.
After breakfast, Liz retreats to her room. She picks up her phone, noting that it's still fully charged, but she doesn't feel like using it. Without Bennett to talk to, even scrolling through social media feels empty.
"I wish you were here," she murmurs, staring at his picture.
Feeling the weight of boredom and loneliness, Liz lies back down on her bed. The sound of the rain outside lulls her into a restless sleep.
As the storm rages on outside, Liz stirs in her sleep, her breathing steady despite the heavy rain drumming on the roof. In her dreams, she is no longer in her room. Instead, she finds herself transported back to last year—a different storm, a different time.
Liz sits cross-legged on her bed, her laptop propped up in front of her. On the screen is Bennett, smiling warmly as he adjusts his earphones.
"Liz, are you okay over there?" he asks, his voice steady and calm.
Liz tucks her knees closer to her chest, glancing at the window where the rain splashes against the glass.
"Not really. It's pouring so hard, and the wind... it's scaring me."
Bennett's expression softens.
"Hey, it's just a storm. It'll pass, I promise."
Liz forces a small smile, but her unease is evident.
"I don't know. It feels so overwhelming."
"Alright," Bennett says, leaning closer to the camera.
"How about we focus on something else? Tell me about school. How are your lessons going?"
Liz sighs, running a hand through her hair.
"They're okay, I guess. Math's been a nightmare, though. I can't seem to keep up with the equations."
Bennett chuckles.
"Math? You've got this. Remember when you thought you'd fail Science last year? And you ended up acing it after we studied together?"
"That was different," Liz argues, though her lips twitch into a grin.
"You're way better at explaining things than my teacher."
"Well, I'm always here to help," Bennett says with a wink.
"What else is bothering you?"
Liz hesitates before answering.
"Some of the kids at school... they're not exactly friendly. It's like they're waiting for me to mess up so they can pounce."
Bennett frowns, his tone growing serious.
"Liz, don't let them get to you. You're smart, capable, and so much more than what they think. Just focus on what makes you happy, okay?"
His words bring a warmth to her chest, easing some of the tension she's been carrying.
"Thanks, Bennett. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out," he says, his voice soft but firm.
Four hours later, the two of them are still on the call, engrossed in a TV series they've been binge-watching together. Liz laughs at a particularly funny scene, momentarily forgetting about the storm outside.
"You have to admit," Bennett says, his eyes sparkling with amusement,
"this show is way better than what you usually watch."
Liz playfully rolls her eyes.
"Don't push it. You only got me to watch this because you insisted."
"And you love it now," Bennett teases.
Before Liz can reply, a loud gust of wind howls past her window, making her flinch. The rain seems to intensify, hammering against the house.
"Liz?" Bennett's tone shifts instantly, concern etched across his face.
"I'm fine," she says, though her voice trembles.
"It's just... the storm feels so close."
Bennett leans closer to his camera.
"Listen to me. You're safe inside. Take a deep breath. You'll get through this."
Liz nods, trying to steady her breathing.
"Do you know the Oratio Imperata?" Bennett asks suddenly.
Liz furrows her brows.
"I've heard of it, but I don't know it by heart."
"Then I'll teach you," he says with a gentle smile.
"It's a prayer for protection during calamities. Repeat after me."
Bennett recites the prayer slowly, his voice soothing:
"Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You, for we believe that You are our shelter and our hope. We humbly ask that You protect us during this storm, keep us safe from harm, and grant us peace in our hearts."
Liz repeats the words, her voice shaky at first but growing stronger with each line. By the time they finish, a sense of calm washes over her.
"See? You've got this," Bennett says, his reassuring smile returning.
Liz glances at the clock.
"It's getting late."
"Yeah," Bennett agrees.
"We should both get some rest."
They share a tender moment of silence before saying their goodbyes.
"Be safe, Liz," Bennett says softly.
"Goodnight. I love you."
"Goodnight, Bennett. I love you too," Liz replies, her voice full of emotion.
Liz wakes up to the sound of the storm still raging. The memory of her dream lingers, filling her with a mix of nostalgia and determination. She sits up, her gaze falling on stack of candles neatly arranged.
"I need those," she murmurs to herself, climbing out of bed.
As she reaches for the candles, Dolores and Dominga enter the room.
"Liz, what are you doing?" Dolores asks, her tone sharp.
"You can't just take those," Dominga adds, crossing her arms.
Before Liz can explain, her grandma appears in the doorway.
"Let her," she says calmly, her wise eyes meeting Liz's.
"I think I know what she's trying to do."
Liz nods, grateful for her grandma's understanding. She carries the candles to the altar, lighting them carefully. The warm glow illuminates the room, casting a peaceful ambiance despite the chaos outside.
"Come here," Liz says, turning to her family.
"Let's pray the Oratio Imperata together."
Her grandma, aunts, and Liz gather around the altar. Liz leads the prayer, her voice steady:
"Almighty Father, we come to You as a family, seeking Your protection and guidance. Shield us from the storm, and grant us the strength to overcome any challenges that come our way. Keep us safe, Lord, and let Your light shine upon us. Amen."
As they finish, the storm outside begins to lose its intensity. The wind grows quieter, and the rain becomes a gentle drizzle.
Dolores looks out the window, her eyes widening.
"It's calming down..."
Liz smiles, a sense of accomplishment filling her heart.
That night, Liz climbs into bed, clutching Bennett's picture. She presses a soft kiss to the frame.
"Thank you for everything," she whispers.
"Goodnight, Bennett."
As sleep takes her, she dreams once more. In her dream, Bennett stands waiting for her in a sunlit park, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"You did great," he says, his voice filled with pride.
Liz beams, running into his arms.
"I couldn't have done it without you."
They spend the dream walking hand-in-hand, laughing and talking like old times. For a moment, the storm, the worries, and the fears feel like distant memories. All that matters is that she feels his presence, steady and unshakable, guiding her even in her dreams.
When Liz wakes, she feels ready to face whatever comes next, carrying Bennett's love and her newfound strength with her.
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