Across the pale evening sky, St. XXX church loomed with its towering spire pointing to heaven as if in silent prayer. Inside, the air was cool and mellowed with the sweet tones of incense, a reminder of sacred ceremonies that had been held in the place. Her heart pounding in her chest, Bettina sounded along the stone floor as she walked with a purpose down the nave of the church.
Father Henry was at the altar on his knees in deep meditation. Shadows from the flickering candlelight danced against his serene face, bringing clarity into the cool resolution of his eyes. He did not hear Bettina as she approached him, and it was not until she almost stood beside him that he noticed her presence in the stillness of the sacredness about them.
"Father Henry," she called out sharply, her voice cutting through the air like a knife.
Henry turned, a look of surprise crossing his features before he composed himself. "Miss Bettina, what brings you here at this hour?"
Bettina took a deep breath, steadying herself. "We need to talk," she said firmly. "About Khana."
Henry nods his head and leads the way to the confession room. So, they can have a proper conversation.
Bettina squared her shoulders, determination etched in every line of her face. "I know she has been coming to see you," she began. "I know you have been spending time together, and I'm here to tell you it has to stop."
Henry's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"Khana is my friend," Bettina said, her voice trembling with emotion. "But she doesn't know what she is getting herself into. Her family. her family is everything to her. Their business is their life, their legacy. If she gets involved with you, it will destroy everything they worked for."
Bettina went on, "My family will no longer cooperate with their business. My family will take over their family business. If you don't want her to suffer, then persuade her to marry my cousin."
Henry finds it hard to respond. He simply listened to whatever Bettina would say. He was deeply wounded, but what else can he do? It was faith that played with their life.
"Khana's family runs one of the most reputable businesses in the city. They have worked for generations to build it. If word gets out that she's involved with a priest, it will ruin them. People will talk, and clients will leave. The scandal will destroy everything they’ve worked for. And, you will banned from the Vatican, if you value your profession, stop giving her hope."
Henry's expression turned grim. "I'm aware of the potential consequences, but I assure you, I never gave her hope. It was your friend who couldn't understand our situation."
Bettina laughed bitterly. "Tell that to the marine. Why would you be in her house that morning? You could have met in this church. You know she is engaged to my cousin! Richard has been in love with Khana for years, and they were meant to be together. Your presence is driving a wedge between them. You’re not just playing with Khana's heart, you’re jeopardizing her future, her family's livelihood, and hurting someone who loves her deeply."
Bettina's tone softened slightly, sensing his inner turmoil. She firmly added, "You have a choice, Father. You can save her from a world of pain. You can protect her and Richard from heartbreak. But you need to step back. Let her go."
Even though Henry didn't want to cry, his heart ached. He thought he was ready to let Khana go, but thinking about Khana getting married to someone she doesn't love wholeheartedly makes him sad. They had the right love back then but at the wrong time. Now, everything is wrong.
Henry looked away, the burden of his vows and his feelings for Khana warring within him. He had dedicated his life to serving God, but his connection with Khana was undeniable. Yet, Bettina's words made it clear: his path would lead only to destruction for the woman he cared about.
A tear fell from his eyes as he swore to drive her away. He had told her many times to let go, but she kept coming back. He can't help but question himself, 'What if she doesn't come back?'
His mind reminds him, 'Isn't it the right thing? If she doesn't come back, then everything will be in place.'
After a long silence, Henry nodded slowly. "I understand, Bettina. I will do what needs to be done."
There was a moment of silence engulfed between them. Suddenly, Bettina broke the silence. She heaved a heavy breath and uttered, "You may think of me as the antagonist, but I'm doing what is right. You are a priest, you should have known better what is good and evil."
"You can blame me if you want. God knows how much I did my best to convince her to let go of our past. I warned her many times, but she kept her ears closed. You better talk to her as well, and give her senses back," Henry replied.
Bettina did not argue. She knew her friend was a wild thing. When Khana is in love, she'll do anything to get it. Richard managed to convince Khana back then, but seeing how crazy her friend is nowadays, she wouldn't be surprised if Khana took the rough path just to have what she desires. The only thing that Khana gets weakened is her pity for something.
Bettina's shoulders relaxed a little, and her body's tension washed from her like a gush of water. She cleared her throat and replied, "Thank you, Father. Remember, this is for the best. I expect you to cooperate with me."
Without another word, Bettina opened the door of the confession room. She turned and strode down the aisle, her footsteps echoing off the cavernous space.
On the other hand, Henry stayed in the confession room and left only upon hearing a click of heels approaching the main door of the church. The priest stood at the altar, still staring at the flickering candles, as the weight of his decision seemed to settle heavily upon him.
As the door in the church closed behind Bettina, Henry whispered a silent prayer, seeking strength and guidance for the days to come. He knew what he had to do, but it would be the hardest thing he ever had to face.
On the other hand, Bettina smirked and mumbled, "Since pity is her weakness. I shall do something about it. I'll make their wedding possible by hook or by crook."
Khana paced in her small, cozy apartment, the tension in her body reflective of the turmoil in her mind. Notwithstanding the serenity of her surroundings, Khana did not feel one bit calm.Her thoughts were consumed with Henry. Ever since their first conversation, she had felt this almost inexplicable connection toward him, which just seemed to grow stronger with each day. Yet, her mind still lingered on the confrontation with Bettina earlier. She knew that her friend was right—there were real consequences to her pursuit of a priest.Khana stopped before the mirror, her reflection staring back at her. Her dark eyes were wide with indecision; her eyebrows furrowed. "What am I doing?" she whispered to herself. "This is madness."Khana sank into the overstuffed armchair by the window, her head buried in her hands. "Why does it have to be so complicated?" she murmured. She closed her eyes, trying to find clarity in the tumult of her emotions.She stood up abruptly, her decision made. "I h
Khana was awakened by her phone’s loud beeping which cut through her sleep like a knife. Groggily, she reached for it on the nightstand, squinting her eyes at the bright light before her. There were many missed calls and urgent messages from one person.“What is wrong with this person? Do they have to disturb my peace so early in the morning?” she asked herself while still touching the surface of her nightstand.She then groaned loudly and made an effort to get out of bed but only managed to sit up straight at its edge.“Eleven missed calls? How is that even possible?” Khana said aloud with shock all over her face.She was unable to press the redial button, as the screen flashed. "Khana, dear..."Her heart raced as a sense of dread settled in her chest upon hearing her mom's subtle weep. She sat up quickly, the remnants of sleep clinging to her mind like cobwebs."Mom, what happened? You don't sound good," Khana asked, her voice trembling."Khana, please come to the hospital. It's yo
Khana found herself pulling into the parking lot of a bar. The neon sign flickered invitingly, and she realized she needed something to numb the pain, even if just for a little while. She walked inside, the dim lighting and murmur of voices a stark contrast to the chaos in her mind.She made her way to the bar and ordered a drink, her hands still shaking. The alcohol burned as it went down, but it provided a momentary relief from the storm inside her. She drank another, and then another until the edges of her reality began to blur.The dimly lit bar buzzed with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses, but for Khana, the noise was nothing more than a dull background to her swirling thoughts. She sat alone at the corner table, nursing her drink, lost in the whirlwind of her own troubles.She wanted to forget all her troubles: First was about her father lying in the ICU, his frail body fighting for each breath. The weight of his illness pressed heavily on her heart, casting a shadow
His heart sank as the weight of her mistake crashed down upon him. With a heavy heart, Richard's smile faltered, his eyes clouded with confusion and hurt. And as he turned to leave. His tears mingled with the cold pavement beneath. "Henry, I still love you," says Khana. She kissed the man whose heart was shattered to pieces.“All these years she still loved him, so where was I?” he asked himself. Richard closed his eyes and let the time tell what would happen next. All he knew was that he wanted her, even if her heart belonged to someone else.The rain had started to fall, each drops a cold, silent echo of the turmoil within Richard's heart. He stood still, the dampness seeping through his coat, yet he hardly noticed the chill. His eyes were locked on Khana, whose kisses still lingered on his lips, a kiss meant for another man.Khana’s words reverberated in his mind. "Henry, I still love you." She had said it with such passion, such conviction, that it felt like a knife twisting in h
Khana woke up to the sensation of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow on her bare skin. She blinked her eyes open, taking a moment to orient herself. The events of the previous night were a blur, but she remembered being picked up from the bar. She yawned, and the blanket dropped, revealing half of her body. Khana woke up, groggy and disoriented, her senses slowly coming back to her. She glanced around and realized she was naked, the covers barely clinging to her body. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized she was naked. Quickly, she pulled the covers up to her chin, glancing around to find her clothes scattered across the room.She sighed, feeling a mix of confusion and discomfort. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood up and gathered her clothes. As she headed to the bathroom, she couldn't help but smile, recalling how Henry had swooped in like a knight in shining armor. The memory of his strong arms around her, guiding her to the car, wa
Pulling into the café parking lot, Khana spotted Bettina sitting at a corner table inside. She walked in, her steps quick and purposeful, and sat down across from her friend."Bettina, what's going on?" Khana asked, her voice shaky.Bettina leaned forward, her expression serious. "Khana, I didn't know how to tell you this, but you need to know the truth about Richard. He...""What about him? Cut to the chase and spill it out," Khana said, crossing her legs and raising her eyebrows.Bettina faked a tear. She uttered, "He doesn't have much time left."Khana's heart pounded. "What do you mean?""He returned from China as early as he could to tell me this. He was afraid that it would spread fast, so he asked for help from me to hide it from everyone. He even hid it from his family," Bettina replied."What is he hiding then?" Khana asked, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion."The reason he is so desperate to have you as his wife is because he wants to feel loved by the wom
Khana's heart sank. The confirmation hit her harder than she expected. Bettina had been telling the truth. Richard's time was limited. She left the doctor's office with a heavy heart, the weight of her decision pressing down on her.Khana sat on the edge of the staircase at the fire exit, her hands trembling. Tears streamed down her face as the weight of her guilt crushed her. She had been blind to Richard's silent suffering, unaware of the tumor that had been causing him immense pain. The realization hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her gasping for breath.Khana fled to the restroom. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes red and swollen. As she splashed cold water on her face, she tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. She needed to make a decision, and she needed to make it now."Is marrying him the best thing I can do?" she whispered to her reflection. "Will I regret it in the end?"She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "Maybe, this time, I c
Meanwhile, Khana went out to meet her friends who will be attending the wedding. They decided to choose their outfits while waiting for the boutique to open, so they went to the nearest coffee shop.Khana was left alone at the table while her friends were at the counter. She stared out the window as the rain started to tap against the glass."I hope it will not rain when I get married to Richard because I get lonely every time it rains... I always remember my first time with Henry," she mumbled out of the blue.She went back to the day when Henry gave her the warmth she has never forgotten... It was cold, and they had nowhere to go but to stay in an abandoned house they found while heading back to their home. It was quite far, and Khana's phone was already useless because the battery was empty.Suddenly, there was a deafening roar of thunder that echoed through the area, causing both of them to jump. The walls of the cabin vibrated, and the windows rattled as if being shaken by the fo
Henry was in the middle of a conversation with one of the nuns when a woman caught his eye. She wore a yellow sundress with white sandals, her long blonde hair cascading down her back, lips painted a bold red. Her presence was striking and familiar."Father...""Excuse me for a while, sister," says Henry.The nun nodded and left. Then, the priest walked in the lady's direction. He warmly greeted her, "What brings you here, Serina?"Henry looked around to ensure no one was around, still hesitant he asked, "How is she?""I heard she won the trial. I thought she'd be happy with Richard. I thought she'd live the best life with the man who loves her and can provide a wealthy life for her," Henry added, watching the clouds move.Serina took a breath before responding. "She's living with Kharl now. She divorced Richard.""I'm glad to hear she's out of danger now," says Henry, relieved after confirming the news."I bet she doesn't want to see me anymore. She'll always think being near me will
The courthouse was crowded, and the heavy weight of judgment and anticipation felt as if it would kill Khana. Whispers passed with the blade of knives in the air. The glances sent her way seeded contempt and hate. "Wretched wife," someone hissed from the back. "Shameless," whispered another. The words seemed to resound louder, filling the room: whore, traitor, unfit mother.Khana clenched her fists to help block out the hateful murmurs. Her gaze flickered over to Richard, who sat tall and composed on the other side of the courtroom. He looked every inch the wronged husband: calm, almost handsome. He was only making the public support him so much. Now Khana could really feel the weight of the room's collective disapproval bearing down on her, crushing what little resolve she had left.The banging of the gavel jolted her out of her reverie. The judge was an old woman who was strict and unyielding. "The court is in session," she said. "First up for today's docket will be the charge again
Khana sensed that something terrible was on the horizon, a storm brewing that would soon crash into her life. The court hearing for her divorce was approaching faster than she had anticipated, and with it, the overwhelming weight of judgment and loss. Anxiety gnawed at her, and each passing day felt like a countdown to disaster.Then, it came. A loud crash from downstairs snapped her out of her thoughts, sending her heart racing. Voices—angry, furious voices—echoed through the house. Her body went cold as she recognized the sound. Richard’s parents had arrived.As she descended the staircase, Khana’s legs felt like they were made of lead. She was nearly at the bottom when Richard's mother, Karylle, stormed toward her, grabbing her roughly by the arm and pulling her down the final steps. Khana gasped in shock, stumbling to the floor.Richard helped his wife stand up, it was never his intention to see Khana hurt. He was surprised as well, he never had seen how violent his mother would be
Richard paced the living room, and his fury was evident in every tense step he had taken.Meanwhile, Khana stood across the room, her pulse racing, her mind filled with dread. She had seen Richard angry before, but there was something different about this time—his anger felt more dangerous, more unhinged.She knew one aggravating move or thing she said, and everything could spiral out of control quickly.The room was suffocating in its silence, the weight of their unresolved conflict hanging heavy between them. Just when it seemed like Richard might explode, the doorbell rang, cutting through the tension like a blade.Khana's body jolted at the sound, as though she had been yanked back from the edge of a cliff. Moments later, a woman stepped inside, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor."Richard, I hope I didn't come at the wrong time?"Richard’s lips curled into a smirk. "You just came at the right time, Chloe. Have you contacted the lawyer you recommend? I need to file adul
Khana wasted no time, she ran to the telephone, her fingers trembling while dialing Serina's number. Her heart beats crazy when she tells her friend about Richard's threat."You need to find a way to warn Henry. Richard left the house, saying he'd kill him."The line crackled for a moment, and then a familiar voice answered."Hello?""H-Henry?"Khana was surprised when a familiar voice reached her ears. She was puzzled. Why did the priest have Serina's cell phone?"Are you with Serina right now?" Khana asked."No. She left this phone to me and returned to the city with you.""Listen to me. Richard might be heading there, or he might hire people to harm you. Take care of yourself.""W-What's going on? Are you okay?" Henry asked after realizing the lady's voice was unsteady. Concern is evident in his voice. He could sense the urgency in Khana's tone as if she were teetering on the edge of something dangerous.Before Khana could reply, a loud bang of the door interrupted. She clutched th
Richard grabbed his wife by the wrist and dragged her to the car. He instructed his men to get the baby from Serina.Richard’s grip tightened as he dragged Khana towards the car, his face a mask of fury. The baby’s cries pierced the air, desperate and loud. But as Richard cradled Kharl in his arms, the baby stopped crying, his tiny face lighting up in a smile."Give Kharl to me. I'll feed him," says Khana in a bitter tone. She sat at a distance, leaving one space between them in the passenger seat."Planning to run away again? Did Serina tell you I found your whereabouts? Did you think you could escape?" Richard uttered with a fierce look."I'm not running away. I was about to return, but hell sent you there before I could leave," Khana shot back."You mean you're going home?" Richard's eyes softened slightly, misreading her words."Yes," Khana replied.Richard misunderstood it and thought his wife was finally coming back. He smiled, caressed Khana's hand, and uttered, "Please forgive
“I knew it!” says a man, an unwanted guest of the church. His eyes were like those who had killing intent.“R-Richard…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, her lips trembling as she struggled to speak. Her hands tightened on the edge of the pew, knuckles white. Fear washed over her, paralyzing her in place.Khana felt her body go cold. That voice... It was unmistakable. Her worst fear had come to pass.“R-Richard...” she stammered once again, barely able to speak. Fear was written all over her face as the man she had tried to escape from stood before her.Richard strode toward them, his expression dark and menacing. “So this is where you’ve been hiding,” he spat, his voice low and venomous. His eyes flicked to Henry, then back to Khana, filled with fury and suspicion.His gaze is burning with anger, the kind of anger that could destroy everything in its path. His gaze locked onto her, and in that moment, she felt like prey caught in the sights of a predator.Khana felt her stomac
Khana stood at the threshold of the monastery, her decision weighing heavily on her heart. The cool morning air brushed against her skin as she made a silent vow to herself—she would go back to the house of the man who had slapped her, but not to reconcile. She would return to confront Richard and demand a divorce. She decided to go back to the house of the man who slapped her. She promised not to disturb the priest anymore, afraid of not getting hold of her heart, she chose to leave him alone. Her sole focus now is to divorce Richard and get custody of the child. The sound of soft voices pulled her from her thoughts. The sisters of the monastery were gathered around a long table, filled with plates of rice omelet, fresh lumpia, and crispy bacon. They smiled warmly at her as she approached.Khana was putting Kharl to sleep. So, she could move without bringing the baby with her.“Come, lady Khana. Join us before you leave,” says one of the sisters gathered around a long table full of
“Henry...” she whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling with uncertainty. "Wake up! Come on..." she added.Henry gasped with his eyes flew open. For a moment, neither of them moved, caught in a strange, intimate moment as their faces hovered inches apart. Khana’s breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat quickening as the space between them shrank.Then, the world seemed to slow down when he met her eyes. It was unexplainable awkwardness when they realized how close their faces were. A little uncareful move and their lips would touch each other.They were so close—too close. One careless movement and their lips would meet. Khana could feel the heat rising between them. The temptation was undeniable, yet the weight of her marriage and child held her back.Henry blinked, his expression shifting from confusion to recognition as if he had suddenly returned to himself. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he loosened his grip on Khana’s waist, the warmth of his hands fading as the moment sl