NS 13: THE LOST SACRAMENT ✅

Chapter 15

Hebrews 11: 1

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hinatid ni Aguiluz si Mimi pauwi pagkatapos ng misa at dumeretso ang lalaki sa meeting place na ipinasa ni Raxiine sa kanyang email. He is going to start finding the marked virgin and set up a security for her until Hestas will be put down for good.

"Are you up for a drink now?" Kasabay niyang sumulpot sa harap ng elevator si Raxiine.

"I can handle a few shots, if that is what you mean."

"Good." Inakbayan siya ng kapatid habang paakyat sila ng omega satellite room. "We must celebrate, don't you think? First day of you joining back to the group and you've got a girlfriend right away. Matinik ka, ah!"

Natawa siya sa panunukso.

"Damn, Alvin. I'm really glad that you've decided to return to us." Bigla ay sumeryoso ito. Bumitaw sa kanya at sumandal sa dingding ng elevator. "I mean, it's not that I am against of you being a priest. But that was one hell of a life to choose. Siguro nga, bilang kapatid mo maramot ako. Ang gusto ko kasi nandito lang kayong lahat. Nakikita ko."

Bahagya siyang ngumiti at tinapik ito sa likod. Kung noon ay wala siyang pinagsisihan na tinalikuran niya ang mundo para maglingkod sa simbahan, ngayon ay wala rin siyang pagsisisi kahit isinuko niya ang isang banal na pangako at kasunduan upang piliin ang pagmamahal. Someone inside him was reborn and that someone is willing to serve for both his God and the woman he loves.

Hinatid sila ng elevator sa mismong silid kungsaan naghintay sina Rajive, Airey, Rayven at Jerad. The room is soundproof with double tempered, convertible mirror walls. An ink blue, so dark. Heavy velvet curtains are rolled side by side of each floor to ceiling windows. Tanaw mula roon ang mga aktibidad sa ibaba ng gusali.

Agad siyang kinuyog ng mga kapatid pagpasok nila ng pintuan. He was informed earlier that Vladimir was forming a task force out of his brothers from the guardian square and reapers' guild to help him tract the Hestas disciples.

"The knight is here." Rajive rose out of his seat from the corner of the long-U shaped conference table occupying the grand center of the room.

"Tama ang desisyon mong dito pa lang sa lupa ay titikman mo na ang langit, Alvin. Hindi ka magsisisi dahil mas masarap dito. Flavor of the road." Inakbayan siya ni Rayven habang sumasabog ang malutong na tawanan ng iba.

Airey and Jerad gave him a high five.

"Kung gusto mong matuto ng tamang akyatan, magsabi ka lang. Tuturuan kita ng libre at sabay nating akyatin ang langit." SiAirey sabay iwas sa jab na ibinato ni Raxiine.

Napailing lamang siya. Hindi makahirit kahit na kinondisyon na niya ang sariling araw-araw ay bubunuin niya ang ganitong biro ng mga kapatid.

Nagsimula agad ang meeting at ginawang pantulak ng mga kapatid niya sa usapan ang Bacardi.

"Your account is active. I'm sending back all the access you can use within our facility. For the record, Jerad will be assigned to provide security for your girlfriend."

Girlfriend. Every time this word comes to surface, it makes him wonder if he is now a legitimate boyfriend to Mimi. Walang pormal na ligawang nangyari. Naglahad lamang siya ng pag-ibig niya sa dalaga bilang sagot sa nararamdaman nito. Hindi pa nila nakuha ang bendisyon ng mga magulang nito.

"I have told you the golden rule. You can't protect someone while having a romantic affair with her at the same time. Violation will merit a serious physical punishment from the organization." Raxiine reminded.