Chapter 2: Absolution?
1695 Words
Lucius’ POV
With the storm brewing in my chest, I stood by their side as the officers shook in fear. A normal human could have sneered seeing this but I…? I didn’t.
Inside, I was.
They did not fear the God, but me.
My eyes kept fixed on the Jesus’ image that shone from the flames of the lighted candles in its front. Standing at the Holy altar with the blessing cross and the book, I waited for them to continue regardless of the questions that were whirling in me.
Eric crossed himself, seemingly on the verge of crying before starting.
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession.” He continued accepting how he lusted over an eighteen year old body and my fingers itched to hold something tightly; to calm myself.
Did I feel like absolving their sin?
No! But had to…
“Why?” I asked when he cried accepting his sin.
“I… I… I don’t know. My wife don’t let me touch her anymore and I guess was… frustrated.” He babbled and I shut my eyes, picturing Jesus to calm the rage that had sparked.
“Seeing a teen was completely a surprise and I was stupid to believe no one would know once we were done with her as she ran off from her family.” His words caught my attention.
Ran away from her family?
Why?
“Do you remember having a daughter once?” I asked, hitting his nerve.
He stilled and his crying stopped. From the peripheral vision, Jarred was stiff too.
“I… I do… Father.” His voice came out too timid for a man like him—an officer.
“Despite that, you tried to perform an inhumane act on a girl equivalent to your daughter?” I asked and his head hung in shame.
“Does her being from another city or country, makes her less of a daughter to us?” I asked eyeing the two men and heard Eric cry like a baby.
“I am sorry, father. I really do. Lust blinded me completely that I forgot what took my daughter away from me. I don’t want her to be ashamed of me but I did it anyway. I really want to repent. Please help me father.” He begged and I glanced at the icon before glancing down at him.
Do I feel like embracing him?
Not at all!
He says it is his first sin but it wasn’t. There were many but again, he asked me for the absolution and I have to; that’s what Jesus would have wanted me to.
Then what was this thickly, hot feeling in my diaphragm?
Why am I hesitant?
It was upon me—to bind or unbind the sins; isn’t it?
And for the first time ever, I don’t feel like doing it but…
So, I proceeded with the penance; asked him to serve in the farm and donate for them. It was less but better than what I was planning to earlier.
As for Jarred, he was supposed to feed the entire poor population with no other help.
As they left, I absolved on behalf of God.
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to Himself, and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon” and I paused before making up my mind.
“…and peace and I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”
Crossing, once again—“Amen”
***
With thousands of thoughts in my head, I walked towards my residence in the darkness. I needed answers and I decided to find them on my own till I can.
As I unlocked the door and shut it behind me, I changed my footwear and went to freshen up while removing the clerical collar first. My steps faltered watching a petite figure curled up like a ball in my bed.
My heartbeats paced louder and clearer in the silence of the night as I stared at her sleeping form. Reluctantly, I moved towards the bathroom and stood in front of the big mirror.
I can see the turmoil past my deep blue eyes—the cornflower blue. My triangular to oval shaped face as young as an early twenties seemed flustered. My fair skin was red; unsure the reason behind it and the heaving chest propped and dropped at an amazing speed.
Sighing, I closed my eyes shut and took sharp breath.
A bath may help.
Nodding, I hung my cross that was bejeweled and headed inside the shower which lasted short. I forgot everything for a while until the time I had to step back again into my room.
My hand was sweaty as I pulled the bathroom door open and stepped inside the dimly lit room. A quick glance at her and my heart was racing once again.
The steams from inside gushed into the room and I saw a startled, wide-eyed girl stare at me.
I stopped immediately.
With wide shiny eyes, small pointed nose, arrow-shaped lips and long black hair sat the girl I saved with her arms around her body.
She rocked as she glared at me intently. With the way her rocking increased while her eyes squinted at my face; a smile appeared on my lips.
Defensive…
“Who are you?” Her soft soothing, pacifying voice with a sharp edge surprised me.
I took a step and she stopped rocking. Her eyes zeroed on me while she glanced around, possibly to find a weapon to attack on me.
Restraining laughter, I smiled politely at her and could see her hesitate.
“Hi, I am Lucius Nolan Mile. People call me Father Lucius Mile.” I watched her eyebrows raise but go back to normal as soon as they were lifted.
Taking the chance, I stepped closer and could feel her gaze go down from my face to my chest.
Instantly, a thrill ran down my body which stopped me in my track. The feeling was new and I… I was scared slightly.
“Father?” her disbelief was clear in her voice and face when she sneered at me.
“Yes!” I replied to her as calmly as I could.
“Then why are you living here? Why not go the place where the others live?” She asked distrusting and I laughed lightly.
“Are you hungry?” I asked abruptly and could see her reluctance for a brief second.
“NO!” She refused and I chuckled.
“What makes you think I am hungry?” She glared and I shook my head when her stomach growled at the same moment.
“See, I knew you were hungry. It was hunger taking over your mood and made you h-angry.” I called out walking towards my closet to pull out a shirt and PJ bottoms.
“I will cook for myself.” She interjected and I lifted an eyebrow to turn and c**k an eyebrow at her.
“I cannot trust you.” She shrugged in response and there was this slight pang of pain in my chest.
However, I nodded and gestured her to follow. I didn’t ignore the feet she maintained between us; the knife she held for her defense and the hesitation that she felt wondering the time that she might have to pierce it through my heart.
I smiled slyly.
She kept her eyes on me while I drew ingredients out of the cabinets and refrigerator while placing them on the counter top. She was wearing my shorts that Sister Amelia helped her in when I asked her on the way.
She bobbed her head inspecting the ingredients and picked up the loaf of bread that almost shocked me.
She didn’t know how to cook?
So, I walked towards her and stopped right behind her as I separated the required one to my left. She stilled and I heard her take a sharp intake of breath.
She was shorter than me—a 5, 5 probably.
She turned around in order to move away but that brought us face to face. It made me nervous, anxious and I licked my lips unaware.
Our eyes locked and I saw her gasp. I watched her bottle green eyes stare with hypnotized eyes before I quickly stared down on her face. She had freckles on her nose tip and the lips were… being distraction.
Shaking my head, I glanced up again and could see her lost in deep thoughts.
Then she shook her hand and it touched mine. I felt electric spark run through my nerves and I immediately pulled back.
Distraction
She was unique. A dangerous entity… for me.
I immediately closed my eyes and remembered Jesus in my prayer, asking him for forgiveness while stepping away from her.
Our breathings were fast and I saw her come out of her trance before quickly walking past me.
“What’s your name?” I called over my shoulder, missing her presence immediately.
She stopped, crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head in one direction as if contemplating inside her head.
“Grace Vivian Martinez.” She said in a tired voice and I felt my heart call out for her.
Beautiful name…
“I hope you’re not planning to eat just that bread, Grace.” I smiled gesturing to the loaf she had in one hand and saw her taken aback.
Guess she didn’t realize it and I was glad to see her cute side.
Cute?
Is that a sin?
Jesus… I am admiring a human and that is good, right?
- Writer
