Father Abban had left for his conference so it was my sole responsibility to take care of the church. Beating the outside carports, taking in weary travelers, cleaning the pews. It was a mundane life but a life I signed up for.
The soft patters of the rain storm echoed against the church roof. It was a quiet night that I chose to fill with reflections. I was writing prayers of forgiveness and journaling, reflecting on my time at the palace and thinking of my encounter with Anai...and how close I had been impatient to feel her.
As I dipped my pen in the black ink to end my journal entry, I heard a knock on the door.
I wonder who that could have been?
The church was closed to visitors past 10pm but Father Abban always insisted to open the doors even if it is half past 10.
"We must not turn our backs on those in need" he always said.
The knock persisted until I came and opened it.
"Anai?" I whispered, shocked at her unexpected appearance. She was the last person I expected to see here.
She was in a dark black shawl with a silk cloth wrapped around her neck to cover her face.
Although it was dark outside, I could see tears mixed with rainwater droppings down her cheeks.
"I didn't know where else to go Father" she pouts, wiping away her tears with her dampened sleeve.
I quickly pulled her inside and closed the door behind her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders to warm her. She was dripping wet.
"Anai, what are you doing here?" I fumed, angered she had ventured so late at night, "youre soaked to the skin. You could get sick"
"Father Yei, I am trying not to listen to them but the voices keep growing louder and louder" she cried, shifting from one foot to another, "I try to ignore them but.." she presses her forehead against my chest, sobbing into my sleeve.
"Anai you are greater than them."
"I am not" she cried collapsing into my chest. I pulled her into them and smoothed her hair, gently running a finger against her cheek.
"Come; lets get you into some dry clothes.
—-
I lead her to my room and reached under my bed, placing a newly washed dress on the bed. "This is all we have for visitors and weary travelers." I explained apologetically. She nods, sitting on the bed and looking around the tiny room.
"This is your room?"
"Yes. I think it might be bigger than your room?" I teased.
"By far!" she smiles, still wiping away a dry tear. She looks at my bare chest, taking note of the intricate markings and tattoos. It was her first time seeing me like this. My black robes were my only uniform and they usually reached to the top of my throat.
She realized her prolonged stare and quickly diverted her gaze. I went to my closet to find a shirt so I could throw it on. Father Abban always warned me to not roam the church shirtless but it felt so free.
I walk over to the bathroom to grab a fresh towel.
"Here is a towel to dry yourself. The bathroom is down the hall."
"May you father?" She stands and turns around, pushing her back towards me. I see her dress was laced up into an intricate pattern of knots.
I calmly unwrapped the ribbon, slowly loseninf the dress until the back of her spine showed.
Lord... give me strength I prayed, proving the amount of resistance I showed for not ripping the rest of it.
