Silas closed the door and chuckled. Clarina looked at him, “Are you that rude, Silas?” she asked. Silas continued chuckling, “I like teasing her. It’s fun” he answered.
Ji An uttered, “My Ma said she was also teased by my Pa back in the old days”. Clarina nodded, “Ji An is more knowledgeable than you, Silas. I will have a great time bonding with this little girl” she said.
“I’m not that dumb! I know my limits and there’s no way I’m falling for that wicked woman!” he said and sat beside them. Clarina chuckled, “Why are you so defensive then? We’re just talking about the possibilities” she said.
Silas’ expression turned into a mysterious one, “I’m not ready to hear those words coming exactly from my mother’s mouth” he looked at her with an annoying glare.
“Anyway, what do you plan after you recover? Do you want to go back to the seminary or do you want to proceed with your flight school?” Clarina asked. Silas replied, “I don’t think I should go back to the seminary. I mean, those painful memories will go back again”. He tried eating the food served but he grimaced after smelling its aroma.
Clarina’s eyes raised, “Do you hate the food? Try something else” she said. Without a word, Silas stood up and wore his mask. “I’ll fetch something from the store. I’ll be quick” he said and went outside.
Silas went inside the store located at the first floor of the hospital. He pushed the door and looked around until he found something good for dessert. He picked three – one for each including Ji An. He was about to go when his shoulder bumped into someone else’s.
The person looked at him with so much hate and said, “Why can’t I be lucky even just once today?!”. Silas looked at her and chuckled, “Sometimes, it’s you who’s making yourself unlucky” he said.
“What did you say?” the person said and looked up to see Silas. Their eyes both widened upon recognizing each other. She was terrified when she saw blood stains in Silas’ mask; she’s afraid of it and she became hysterical.
Her hands were trembling and sweaty. Silas removed his mask and started wiping his nose with his hand. He looked down and saw Kristen cupping her face and sweating; her other hand went through her pocket and pulled off the hankey inside.
She whispered, “Use my handkerchief. I still haven’t used this; you see I hate seeing blood” she said while handing over her handkerchief. Silas grabbed it and wiped the remaining blood in his nose. He replied, “Thanks. If ever I have a hanky, I won’t take yours”.
Kristen uttered, “You can keep that or you can dispose it if you want”. “Don’t dare speaking harsh to me, you caused this to happen” he said and showed the bloodstains in her hanky. Kristen looked away; she can’t stand seeing blood.
“With a simple bump, you got that nosebleed of yours?” she asked. Silas smirked, “It’s sensitive, right?” he asked. Kristen found themselves sitting at the vacant seat in the store. Kristen nodded, “That’s so sensitive of you. Why are you confined here? Because of excessive bleeding?” she asked and laughed.
Silas continued smirking. Kristen noticed Silas’ silence and asked, “Sorry for that joke. I’m just curious” she said. Silas sighed, “Since it’s not confidential, then I’ll say it to you. What Ji An said is true, I am leukemic and I can say what you witness earlier is part of my symptoms, I guess?” he answered.
Kristen cupped her face, “Really? So, your body can’t receive such force?” she asked. Silas simply nodded and started having a bite with the dessert he bought. He closed the lid that made Kristen confused, “We bought the same. The taste will surely be the same; don’t you like it?” she asked. Silas shrugged, “Everything tastes weird. It’s normal to me so let me do my thing” he answered.
“Ok fine. So moody” she said. Silas looked at the laughing Kristen but his face is showing annoyance. He answered, “I’m not usually moody. Only when I am with you”. Kristen stuck her tongue and teased Silas more.
Silas stood up; he consumed half an hour talking to the wicked woman he’s been calling. Without a word, he went outside the store but Kristen followed him. She grabbed his wrist that triggered Silas, “Damn, that will bruise” he said. Kristen immediately removed her hand from Silas’ wrist.
“Can I say sorry for what happened earlier? You see, I’m quite guilty about that” she said. Silas glanced at her badly, “If you’re saying sorry because you’re pitying me, no thanks. Just take it with you and get lost” he said.
“You’re so cruel! I’ll take that as a yes” she said while watching Silas go to the elevator. She went near and yelled, “I can take you as my friend. Bye Silas!”. The doors closed making Silas hear his name uttered by Kristen for the first time.
“Friends? What the hell is that?” he asked himself. Kristen on the other hand currently stared at her palm. His skin was white and soft; she got a lot of exes but Silas’ skin felt extraordinary. His scent can still be smelled through her hand.
Just as that, she had her sweetest dessert. All the unlucky things she encountered today were all vanished by just spending time with Silas. In just thirty minutes, she felt the closeness between them. Silas’ words and mindset taught her how to change. When Silas said, “If everything comes for a reason, then I’ll wait mine to come”; Kristen got it recorded in her mind. It kept replaying and it made her reflect more. She loved his words; everyone falls for it but it seems like she’s still trapped between rivalry or friendship.
Stella entered the church and faced the altar. It’s her first day learning about Catholic faith and Xavier is the one in-charged for her. She felt relieved after her mother’s approval but the thing is, she’ll not shift alone but her mother will do too.
She walked and looked everywhere from the sacred statues to the sacred spots. Xavier approached her, “Are you ready, Stella? Clear your thoughts and remember, you’re not here for Silas” he said.
Stella nodded and started opening her notebook and pen. Xavier toured her to the place. From the instruments used, the vials, and the sacred things found inside the church. Stella sat down in the plant box, “Is it required for me to learn all those things? Why not teach me how to pray in a Catholic way instead?” she asked.
Xavier chuckled and sat with her, “Every Christian is familiar with those things. You don’t need to memorize; just know its purpose and you’ll be fine. In terms of praying, we first do the sign of the cross followed by the ACTS or any memorized prayer” he answered.
Stella slowly nodded, “Your histories were so long. But I’m sure Catholicism will be great especially here. I can finally live with my faith again” she said.
Xavier stood up and presented his hand in front of Stella, “So, should we proceed with the deeper things?” he asked. Stella grabbed his brother’s hand and went inside.
Stella’s thoughts bothered her again. She’s sure that she’s not doing it for Silas but there’s a part of her that says she’s excited for Silas’ comeback.
She smirked while thinking of the possibility. It feels true but unsure; she can’t keep Silas out of her mind like she’s going insane waiting for him to come back as he said in the video he left. Stella continued following Xavier around until they finished familiarizing some concepts related to the path she chose.
“Shall we call it a day? I bet you’re tired from walking around and absorbing the things I was teaching” Xavier said. Stella nodded, “It’s tiring yet it’s fun. I can’t believe I’m doing this now; it is too good to be true” she answered, “Thank God, you loved it. You’ll definitely become one of us. Try to review some things that you are unfamiliar with; I’ll keep my accounts active so we can communicate if you have queries” Xavier said while walking Stella to the church’s gate.
“So, it’s a goodbye then. I’ll see you on our next meeting” Stella said. Xavier nodded and waved goodbyes. It was a long day and they think that what they’re doing is a good decision.