Versailles Series: The Nun [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 10

Dahil sa late ng makakarating si Azrael sa binyag ng anak ni Lake, sinuot na niya ang white suit niya bago siya pumunta sa helipad na maghahatid sa kanya sa club.

He was still sexually frustrated and here he is going in the lion's den again. He doesn't know what he'll do with what he's feeling. Hindi na siya gaanong bothered pero baka rin naman dahil sa hindi pa niya ito nakikita ulit.

The chopper ride was quick so he directly went to the club's church. Nag-antay na lang siya sa labas dahil matagal na siyang hindi pumapasok sa simbahan. He vowed he'll never go in for the rest of his life.

May ibang members din na medyo late kaya nasa labas na lang. He was scanning the crowd when he spotted her. She was distributing candles to the guests. As usual, she was all smiles. Doesn't she get tired? 

"Sir Azrael, nandito pala kayo. Hinahanap kayo ni Sir Lake kanina." Sabi nito sa kanya nang makalapit ito.

Her white and pink habit suited her. She wasn't fair but her sun-kissed skin still showed her naturally rosy cheeks. There was that fresh scent he can smell from her.

"He should know by now I don't go inside churches."

She was dumbfounded for a few minutes. Disappointment was evident in her eyes and instantly, he felt bad. Again, it was a foreign feeling. SInce when did he care with what others feel.

"Sasabihan ko na lang siya. Uhm...gusto mo ba ng candle?"

Her face was hopeful while she was holding the candle to him.

"Okay."

She broke into a smile again and handed him the candle. Their fingertips briefly touched and it was enough to send sparks throughout his skin.

Baka patikim na iyan ng mararanasan mo sa impiyerno, gago.

"Sindihan ko na, Sir."

The candle illuminated her face and it was breathtaking. But then again, maybe that's why women want candles because it somehow enhances their beauty.

Hinatid niya ito ng tingin habang namimigay ito ng kandila. And just like that, he was back to his unsettled state.

***

Habang nakaupo sa pinakaharap na pew sa simbahan, nakatingin lamang sa harap si Nyx. 

Kaya niyo po ba ako dinala rito? Gusto Niyo po bang tulungan ko siyang bumalik sa landas na gusto Ninyo?

Hindi ko po alam kung anong nangyari sa kanya. Nararamdaman ko lang na malungkot siyang tao. Kahit may kasama siya ay parang nag-iisa pa rin.

She closed her eyes.

Kung gusto Niyo pong tulungan ko siya, gagawin ko po ang makakaya ko. Patnubayan niyo po ako.

When she opened her eyes, she felt lightness in her. 

Tumayo na siya at inayos ang altar bago isinara ang simbahan. She's tired. Medyo napagod siya sa preparation ng binyag ng anak ni Luna at Lake. That's where she knew that very few of the members are married. Maraming binata at dalaga pa sa club.

Bukod kay Lake at Luna, ang mag-asawang Japs at Sachi ang susunod na magkakaanak. She met the couple and all she could say was that they are still very much in love. It is so interesting to watch how the members' love story unfold before her.

Maaga siya kinabukasan dahil pupunta sila nila Chael at Amara sa flower farm nila. Nakausap niya ang Inang niya at excited na ito sa pagpunta nila.

Nang lumabas nga siya noong umaga ay nakita na niya ang dalawa na inaantay siya. She wore a simple shirt and dress and her habit's veil dahil baka marumihan ang usual habit niya.

Palapit pa lamang siya ay rinig na rinig na niya ang asaran ng dalawa. She shook her head. It will be a fun trip.

Umupo siya sa likod habang nasa driver's seat naman si Chael at katabi nito si Amara. Inabutan siya ni Amara ng tinapay at kape.

"Kain ka muna, Sister."

"Ako gumawa niyan, Sister. Baka bumula bibig mo kapag si Amara ang magluluto." Natatawang sabi ni Chael.

Binatukan naman ito ng dalaga. "Buwisit ka talaga! Bakit ka ba sumama-sama kasi!"

"Sino mag-ddrive kung hindi ako sasama?"

"FYI, I know how to drive and use Google Maps. Kahit nga si Sister marunong mag-drive. So you see, we can manage. Makatakas ka lang sa restaurant mo."

"My people can handle the Greenhouse just fine. Pinapanood ko lang naman silang magluto. Check the food before they go out to the customers."

"Paano mo nalaman na gusto mo maging chef?" Tanong niya habang sumisimsim ng kape.

"My parents are not usually home since I was young. I cooked food for myself even when I had maids with me. They let me. Eventually, I enjoyed doing it. I developed a skill in combining flavors and such."

"Hindi ka ba businessman tulad ng ibang members?"

"In a way, I am. I manage my restaurants but still cook in my kitchens. Sa tingin ko, ang pinaka-effective way na mag-manage ng restaurant ay dapat nasa loob ka ng kusina. It is where money is generated, not in offices."

"Tama."

Sabay silang natawa ni Chael nang marinig ang hilik ni Amara. She was sound asleep.

"Chael, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Let's see."

"Anong relasyon niyo ni Amara?"

"We're friends. Or frenemies. Something like that. Hindi ikaw ang unang nagtanong, Sister."

"Hindi kasi iyon ang nakikita ko. Ayokong pangunahan at hindi ko sasabihin kung anong nakikita ko. I was just curious."

"I'm curious what you see." His tone and face was serious.

She took a bite of the bread. "I see admiration in your eyes. You care for her despite all your banters. I think you like her more than you should."

"My mother has found a bride for me." He said, his hand tightening around the steering wheel. "I never cared about marriage. Para matigil na lang si Mama. Kahit sinong babae pakakasalan ko. Then I met her."

"What's keeping you from following your heart?"

"Pareho kami ng pananaw sa kasal. It's not for everyone. It's just a physical union, that's it. Kahit walang love, okay lang."

"So are you saying you prefer to marry a stranger than her?"

"Wouldn't that be easier?" Tanong nito.

"The happiest relationships don't come easy, Chael. You have friends. Lake and Japs. I'm sure the road was not as smooth, but the journey was worth it. You wake up everyday, greeted by the face of the person you can never live without for the rest of your life."

"Madre ka ba talaga? Are you sure you never want to get married?"

She chuckled. "Hindi naman dahil madre ako ay wala na akong alam sa pag-ibig. Nagmahal na rin ako. But I can assure you, kahit ang taong hindi pa nagmahal, marunong kung paano magmahal at mahalin."

Bumuntong-hininga ito. "Why do I have a feeling I will f*ck this up?"

"May oras ka pa."

Sinulyapan nito si Amara na panay pa rin ang hilik. A small smile formed on his lips. And even without his confirmation, she knew that what she's witnessing in front of her was pure love.

CHAPTER 11 >>