60: One wrong move; Kiss!

It wasn't desperation to hide from her husband; Khana was fond of the priest's company. She felt safe with Henry and the sisters. Something was soothing about the simplicity of life at the monastery, a stark contrast to the chaotic life she left behind in the city.

"You can stay here until you decide to go back to your home. Just tell me, and I'll escort you back to bus station," says Henry while gesturing to the lady to enter the room next to the priest's chamber.

The lady nodded. Originally, Khana wanted never to return, but her parents would surely be scared to death. Khana still cared for her parents, even though they preferred the husband over their daughter's grievances. They always chose to believe Richard was doing the right thing, no matter how deeply his actions hurt her.

Settling into life at the monastery wasn’t difficult. Khana found solace in the routines, in the kindness of the nuns, and in the innocent smiles they exchanged as they passed each other in the hallways.

"Good morning, Sister Khana."

“Good morning, Sister Dina,” Khana responded softly, cradling her baby boy, Kharl, close to her chest.

"Your child looked pale, it would be best if you walk outside near the seashore before nine in the morning,. It might be good for both of you to get some fresh air by the seashore early in the morning, before the sun gets too strong," says sister Dina.

"I'm afraid I have no complete knowledge of the place, sister."

The nun giggled and uttered, "My bad, sister. I'll show you around. I'll finish my routines and prayer."

It melted Khana's heart. The life there was peaceful and simple. Somehow, she understood Henry. 

At the back of her head, she thought, 'This peaceful and simple must be why he had chosen not to chase after me even though it's clear he still had feelings for me before I married Richard.'

"Come, sister Khana. Let me show you around..." says sister Dina.

They happily went to the seashore. The air was cool and the waves lapped gently at the shore. Kharl seemed captivated by the rhythmic movement of the water, his tiny hands opening and closing in fascination as if he wanted to grab the ocean itself.

Sister Dina stared at the baby and thought he could see the young priest on Kharl. But, she dared not ask it and disregarded her thoughts. Instead, the nun uttered, "If you don't mind me asking.."

Khana glanced at the elder sister and anticipated the latter's question.

"How long have you known Father Henry? And.. uhm, what brings you to our humble place?"

Khana’s breath caught in her throat at the question. She knew this moment would come, but she wasn’t prepared for it. She stared out at the horizon, watching the waves crash against the shore. 

"Henry, I mean Father Henry is a childhood friend of mine. He was my.." She stopped and decided not to tell anything about their past relationship.

"He was like an older brother to me," Khana added, but it subtly caused pain in her heart. He was never a brother to her but a lover. He had been so much more—her confidant, her first love. But she couldn’t say that now, not here, not to Sister Dina.

"He was the one who reminded me of what's right and wrong. He's one of the reasons why I got married to Kharl's father. I thought... I thought it was the right thing to do.”

Sister Dina remained quiet, listening attentively. Khana’s confession came in waves, much like the ocean before them.

"I left home because of marital problems. My husband slapped me, and I won't allow anyone hurting me," says Khana.

"I don't want to pry into your issue, but I think you better go home and discuss things with your man. If you still love each other, God will find a way for you to reconcile. If there’s love left, God will find a way to heal what’s broken," says sister Dina.

Khana smiled and suggested going home since it was getting dark. Then, sister Dina nodded, and they went back to the parish.

"That is if there's love I felt for him," Khana's mind murmured.

Later that night, when Kharl fell asleep in a wooden crib.  Khana found herself restless. She brewed a pot of tea and decided to take some to Henry. Perhaps they could talk, and she could get some clarity or godly words to clean her messy mind.

She knocked lightly on the door to his chamber, but there was no answer. It was slightly ajar, so she pushed it open and peeked inside. “Henry?” she called softly. There was no response.

"I'm coming in. Please excuse my rudeness," says Khana as she enters.

Khana stepped inside and found him thrashing in his bed, clearly caught in the throes of a nightmare. Her heart lurched at the sight. Without thinking, she rushed to his side, gently shaking his shoulder to wake him. “Henry, wake up! It’s just a dream.”

She rushed to Henry's bed upon seeing the man having a nightmare. She tried to wake him up, but there was no sign of waking up.

But Henry didn’t wake up. Instead, he grabbed her in his sleep, pulling her close to him. His arms wrapped around her tightly, and she froze as she heard him mumble, “Mom... I can’t...”

His voice was filled with pain, and Khana felt her own heartache for him. What was he dreaming about? What kind of hurt was buried deep in his past?

Suddenly, Henry gasped and 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 seemed to shrink.

Then world seemed to slow down when he met her eyes. It was unexplainable awkwardness when they realized how close their face was, a little uncareful move and their lips would touch each other...

One careless movement, and their lips would meet.