15: Dying of Jealousy

Khana is one of the sponsors of the scholarship launched for Senior high school courses at Saint Bemilde. Thus, it is no surprise the lady had been invited to the mass offered for the opening of the school calendar. She wore a dreamy oceanic like dress, paired with a white stiletto.

"It must be fate doing it again. Who would have thought that he'll be there," Khana murmured while looking at the guy ascending the stairs to the mini stage.

Khana can't help falling in love deeply into the beauty at the stage who is currently the center of attention of the masses. On the other hand, she also falls into despair as soon as the feeling of guilt of having romantic feelings for a man who dedicates his life to serve the church had knocked her head. 

She knew that Henry would not give in to her, he simply cannot be hers. Khana smiled sweetly at the priest when their eyes locked but they looked away. Seeing how he ignored breaks her heart. The lady asked herself how can he be so merciless? 

She recalled how he visited her at the ward when she was admitted due to the accident on her wedding day. Khana thought his actions did not speak what his eyes wanted to express. Every time she stares at those warm honey eyes of Henry, she could tell he still has linger feelings for her. Hence, she swore his eyes wouldn't lie. 

As soon as the mass ended, she approached him to befriend him. Khana loathes it when the priest acts as if she does not exist anymore. Even if they can't be lovers again, friendship should still be open.  

"Father Henry," says Khana as soon as she stood next to him. However, to her surprise the priest had lost consciousness. Khana immediately called for medical assistance. She can't help but feel nervous while looking at the guy lying on her arms. Khana kept asking herself if the priest would be fine? Does he have an illness... her mind is full of questions.

Shortly after, the stretcher came, then they rushed to the clinic of the university. Khana stayed at the clinic. She was studying the face of the handsome priest. Her heart raced as she sat by Father Henry's bedside in the clinic, watching his peaceful yet unconscious form. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of medical equipment. She couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at her—a deep ache fueled by the realization that she harbored feelings for a man dedicated to his faith.

Father Henry had always been the man of her life. He has been the great love which never dies at the test of time. He was her everything when they were young. Henry was her sweetest dream yet worst nightmare, especially when he did not show up that time. She even dared to run away with him, yet he vanished like thin air and now showed up as someone she can't have.

As she studied his features, her thoughts wandered, imagining what it would be like to bridge the gap between them, even just as friends. She longed for the ease of their past conversations, for his presence in her life once more, even if it meant accepting the boundaries that now defined their relationship.

Minutes stretched into hours, and the clinic remained hushed. Khana's mind danced with memories of their shared history—moments of laughter, of solace, and unspoken affection. Yet, the reality of their current circumstances loomed heavy in her heart. She yearned for connection, for a chance to make amends for her unspoken feelings.

Khana's heart is bursting with nervousness thinking he might have woken up to the sight of her lips touching his lips. What fears her the most is letting anyone witness her shameful act of kissing him. She shook her head to remove such a nasty idea of kissing an unconscious man.

She brushed her fingers gently through his hair, marveling at how his soft medium brown hair contrasted against the sterile white of the clinic. Khana couldn't deny the attraction she felt, a longing that stirred every time she looked into his warm, honey-colored eyes. She was convinced that beneath his stoic demeanor, Henry still held a flame for her, despite his vows and the boundaries they implied.

She ran her fingers into his thin lips. Khana wants to feel those lips again. She missed how it felt to share kisses with Henry.

Her heart skipped a beat when she imagined the possibility of him waking, of their eyes meeting in that intimate moment. Would he see the depth of her emotions, laid bare for him to witness? The thought terrified her, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.

"Henry," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. But there was no response, no acknowledgment of her presence. The priest lay still, lost in unconsciousness. Khana's heart sank; the ache of unreciprocated longing twisted inside her.

She scooted closer and reached to his face. Her soft palm caressed his chiseled chin. A soft knock on the door interrupted her reverie. A school nurse and a woman wearing a nun's veil entered.

"Thank you for taking care of Father Henry. It must have been a waste on your time," says sister Anissa.

Khana smiled and replied, "No worries. It's not a waste of time. We've known each other for a long time. It's only natural for me to look after him."

Sister Anissa smiled and replied, "I'm glad to hear that. If it's not too much to ask, may I know what sort of relationship you have with him?... since you mentioned that you two had known each other for a long time."

Khana was not happy at the sight of another woman taking care of Henry. Even though she is a nun, her brazen heart is dying of jealousy. Khana hid her clenched fist and faked a smile, then responded, "Didn't you know we were—" 

Henry opened his eyes before Khana could finish her sentence, and their eyes met. The first thing Henry did was strike a conversation with the nun.

"By the way, have you expressed your gratitude to the lady who watched over you while we're busy sorting things at the church? Good thing, we were able to look for another priest to take over the house blessing you should have attended."

"Thank you," Henry replied, looking directly into Anissa's eyes.

There's a throbbing pain as she watches over them, her heart aching with unvoiced emotions. She cleared her throat and uttered, "I have to leave now. Take care, Father Henry."

Shortly after, Khana walked away. However, little did she know, Henry had never taken his pretty eyes off her back as she left the clinic. She could have seen his longing look if only she had turned back...