63:  Shameful Priest!

“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 stomach churn as he strode toward her, each step filled with a darkness that terrified her. His eyes flicked to the man beside her, Father Henry, a devoted priest who had only ever offered her comfort. But in Richard's mind, the man had become something else—an enemy, a thief who had stolen his wife’s affection. He had always been insecure, fearing one day the priest would go against his allegiance with the church and take Khana away.

With just a blink of an eye, chaos was created. The mad husband charged into the dumbfounded priest. Richard lunged forward, his anger untamed, charging directly at Father Henry. The priest didn’t even have time to react before Richard grabbed him by the collar, pulling him roughly toward him.

“How dare you!” Richard roared, and without warning, his fist collided with Henry’s face.

“Stop it!” Khana screamed, but her voice was drowned in the frenzy of the moment. The echo of the punch resounded through the church like a clap of thunder.

The priest stumbled, blood trickling from his lip, but he didn’t retaliate. Instead, he staggered backward, his hand rising to his collar, trying to straighten his clergy attire. His eyes were filled not with fear but with sorrow.

"Have you no respect in church anymore? Why do you have to cause a ruckus and harm the servant of this church?" Sister Dina meddles between Richard and Henry.

Sister Dina’s voice cut through the chaos as she hurried forward, standing between Richard and the injured priest. Her stern gaze bore into Richard, but her calm demeanor only seemed to fuel his rage.

“He’s a man of God! Why must you bring such violence into this holy place?” she demanded.

The other sister signed a cross and uttered, "Please forgive those who sinned us."

The priest didn't put up a fight and brushed off the dirt on his clergy attire. 

Richard’s chest heaved as he glared at her. “A man of God?” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “That’s no man of God. He’s a liar, a deceiver!

"With all due respect sisters. That person you are protecting is not a servant of a god! How can a devoted priest covet another woman? A married woman with a child!" Richard replied.

“No!” Khana’s voice broke through, trembling with fear and desperation. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as she shook her head. “That’s not true, Richard. You’re wrong! Henry has done nothing wrong!”

"We do not tolerate such accusations. You've got it all wrong young man. I must say you're a violent person," Sister Dina uttered with a calm face and voice.

Sister Dina added, still standing between them, shook her head solemnly. “You’ve let your jealousy blind you, young man. If there is a sin being committed here, it is not by Khana or Father Henry. You accuse them of shameful deeds, yet you are the one bringing violence into this sacred place.”

"It's not a mere accusation. If there's a person who knows what's real between my wife and that priest, it's me," Richard retaliated.

Richard’s fists clenched tightly at his sides.  He added, pointing an accusing finger at Father Henry, “Blind? I’m not blind, Sister. I see the truth clearer than anyone. Khana never wanted me, she never loved me. She’s still in love with him." 

Khana sobbed softly, her heart breaking at the sight of Richard’s pain. “Richard, please…” she whispered.

"Tell me, which hand hit the young woman. Your wife hides from that violent personality yet you are accusing her of shameful deeds. You should seek God's guidance."

"That man was the very reason why Khana can't love me. She was still in love with Henry. She must be really good at gaining sympathy. Running away was just an excuse, she wants to elope with that priest," Richard replied.

No one was speaking, the place was surrounded by silence. All attention was on Richard as he breathed fire, spitting lava everywhere. The church seemed to hold its breath, the tension suffocating. The nuns exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of who to believe. The words Richard hurled were like daggers, and the weight of his accusations hung heavy in the air.

"Now, isn't that shameful? Am I the sinner here?" Richard uttered.

Everyone was looking at Khana and Henry with disdain. Even without words, it is evident that they believed what Richard spits.

"Sisters, those are lies. Henry and I are innocent. Besides, did you see us doing indecent things?" Khana explained and stirred the sisters' minds to trust her words instead of taking Richard's words.

"You told me earlier, that there was nothing between you two... is it true?" Sister Dina, about the conversation they had in the washroom.

"I already explained it to you, sister."

"My friend is not that kind of person. This fella hurt Khana and now he wants her back," Serina uttered, taking Khana's side. She stepped forward, placing a hand on Khana’s trembling shoulder, while the free hand cuddled Kharl who had woken up from the bickering.

Khana shed a tear and looked at Henry. She uttered, "I shouldn't have come here and found solace at church.  I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess."

Watching Khana leave miserably, Henry's chest tightened. He thought if Khana married a man who loved and cared for her she'd be happy. But why does she look miserable in Richard's arms?