Desperate Search

Chapter Five

Desperate Search

Stefano's eyes scanned the deserted streets, night after night with his heart racing with worries of not seeing Teresa. He couldn't really tell what was happening to him but only Teresa could make him feel this way. He knew she would have come looking for him if she was safe, there was something about her disappearance and it's been two months already without a glimpse of her or even her friend, Louisa. Stefano's anxiety kept on growing with each passing day.

“Where was she? Has something happened to her?”

Stefano's mind was filled with so many worst-case scenarios that he thought could possibly happen to Teresa. He thought about the rival gangs, the police, and the countless dangers lurking in the shadows that had probably seen him and Teresa together. Sadly he doesn't know her name, just a description of how she looks and her unique eyes was the only information he has about finding her. He didn't want to have the public search for her, so as not to put her in any danger if she was in one already. 

He had to find her. No matter what it took him and with so much wisdom.

Stefano held a meeting with his gangmen that Vincent helped gather together, mobilizing them to search for Teresa as subtly as possible. They scoured the streets, checked the hospitals, and even contacted the local police even though they didn't get to know her name.

But there was no sign at all of Teresa, even though Stefano found it hard to believe he could take so long tracking a person in the community due to his status.

As the sun began to go down, Stefano's worries turned to desperation as he felt she had probably been kidnapped by a rival gang. At this point he would do anything to find her, to keep her safe.

Unknowingly to Stefano, Teresa, and Louisa were being held back in the convent, detained by the sisters for sneaking out some months ago.

Sister Margaret’s expression had been so stern on Teresa even as she and Louisa begged consistently for a pardon.

 "Teresa, you know the rules. You can't just leave the convent without permission." She always says regardless of her teary eyes Teresa.

One of the nuns approached them with their meals and Teresa looked down, shamefaced. "I'm sorry, Mother. I just needed to get out of here."

Sister Maria's eyes softened. "I know you're struggling, Teresa and it's pretty hard for you and Louisa. But you just have to follow the rules, we can't bend the verdicts for your sake. The rules were made for your safety."

Teresa nodded, feeling trapped and helpless. She had no idea that Stefano had been searching for her, that he would go to great lengths just to find her.

Stefano became strained from the search and asked that he and his gang retreat to their base. 

****

Days went by and the detention for Teresa and Louisa was finally over. They were now free to roam about the convent and resume their duties. It was as though they had just won a lottery. Teresa was so overjoyed as they ushered them out of the detention area and asked that they return to their rooms. 

Teresa was finally happy to be free but she still wanted freedom beyond the walls of the convent and desperately wanted to see Stefano.

“Teresa, are you good?” Louisa asked.

“Yes, I am. Thank you.” Teresa answered keeping a straight face.

“Ain't you happy we are finally free from detention? What's wrong?” Louisa felt concerned.

“Can't you see everything is wrong? Is this what we call freedom? It's been three months and more I haven't set my eyes on him and you expect me to be fine?” Teresa blotted out.

Louisa became frightened at the tone of her voice as she hadn't heard Teresa speak in that manner before.

“I am sorry, okay! Go get some rest.” Teresa said as she gave a fake smile and headed for her room.

The fear of leaving the convent gripped Teresa. Three months was a lot for her to handle and she couldn't imagine herself going back there due to another offence.

But the thoughts of Stefano lingered in her mind and she was willing to take another risk to see him. 

*******

A few hours later, Mother Superior was going through the convent files and decided to see Teresa. She heard a loud knock on her door while she cleaned her dusty room.

“Who is it?” 

“My Child….” Mother Superior responded.

Everyone could recognise Mother Superior’s voice even the newest in the convent.

“You may come in.” Teresa politely answered.

They exchanged pleasantries, as Mother Superior sat by the chair in the room.

I am happy you have been released, sorry you had to go through all that. Rules here are rules for all, no one is excluded and you should know that by now.

Teresa remained mute as she stared at her.

It's just a month to your 26th birthday, and it's time for you to make a choice. 

“A choice?”

“Yes my child, on the 26th birthday of every sister in this convent, they are asked to choose if they would love to stay back and become a nun or they would love to have their freedom.”

“Wait! Mother Superior, did I just hear right? Like totally free from the walls of the convent.” Teresa asked in shock.

Mother Superior nodded her head in affirmation as she handed over the file to Teresa to think about it and make her choice.

“I would sign it now and have thought about this all my life. I need my freedom, Mother Superior.” Teresa said as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.

“You can go ahead and sign the document.” 

Teresa scribbled the pen over the paper and signed as she handed back the file to Mother Superior.

“In a month, you would be out of the convent as you have decided.” Mother's superior said as she stood up and took her leave.

“I will be free, finally.”

Teresa shouted and danced for joy for it was a dream come through regardless of what was lurking outside behind these walls.