The Night We Met

The Hidden Thoughts

Dina had always been a good girl, longing for stability and a sense of belonging. But her parents seemed determined to thwart her every wish. They were constantly on the move, fleeing from one place to another, to escape her mother's shady gambling activities. The constant uprooting left Dina feeling lost and disconnected from the world around her.

In their latest destination, a small town known for its close-knit community, Dina found herself drawn to a girl named Maria. Maria was kind-hearted, religious, and seemed genuinely interested in being Dina's friend. She invited Dina to her church, eager to share her faith with her.

Dina was torn. On one hand, she yearned for a sense of belonging and stability that someone might seemed to offer. On the other hand, she feared getting caught up in her mother's illicit activities. With her father being a truck driver, always away from home, she didn't receive much attention or guidance from him either.

Meanwhile, Gino had always been a rebellious soul. Raised in a religious household, with his father as a pastor and his mother deeply involved in the church, he had always felt suffocated by the expectations placed on him. He had a natural talent for music, particularly rock music, but his parents had always pushed him to join the church's music ministry.

However, everything changed when Gino received a phone call from his brother, informing him that their father had suffered a heart attack. Rushing to the hospital, Gino realized the seriousness of the situation. His brother pulled him aside and explained that they needed assistance in the church, especially in their father's absence.

Reluctantly, Gino agreed to participate in the church for at least a month. He wanted to support his family during their time of need, despite his reservations.

Gino sat alone in the church, strumming his guitar softly. The notes filled the air, evoking a sense of calm within him. He had always found solace in music, and tonight was no different.

However, the weight of conformity pressed heavily on Gino's shoulders. He had recently joined the music ministry at the insistence of her mother, a devout member of the congregation. While Gino respected his parents beliefs, he couldn't help but feel out of place among the churchgoers. Their enthusiasm for worship and the constant display of their devotion was foreign to him.

Gino had always been quieter, more introspective. He preferred to express himself through the melodies he played on his guitar rather than through words or proclamations of faith. Oblivious to the world around him, he focused on the task at hand - tuning his guitar to perfection.

As the days turned into weeks, Gino's weariness grew. The charade of pretending to enjoy the ministry became tiresome. He longed for a sense of belonging that he couldn't find within the walls of the church. Despite his exhaustion, he knew he had to keep up appearances for the sake of his father's happiness.

Dina, a curious and adventurous young girl, often found himself exploring places others deemed uninteresting. One day, as she was walking by the local church. Intrigued by the mysterious place, she approached the church's entrance and cautiously pushed the heavy wooden door open.

Suddenly, a faint footstep echoed throughout the silent church, causing Gino to freeze in place. He strained his ears, trying to identify the source of the sound. Just as he was about to dismiss it as his imagination, the sound of footsteps grew louder, coming closer.

Dina, a young woman who lived nearby, entered the church in a hurry, her eyes widening in surprise when she noticed Gino standing there. She hadn't expected to find anyone inside and had assumed it was empty. Startled, she turned to flee back to her home as quickly as she had come.

During the Sunday service, Dina sat quietly in the back corner of the church, feeling slightly out of place amongst the congregation. She had never been particularly religious, but when Maria, her friend, invited her to join her at church as her birthday gift, Dina had surprisingly agreed. She wasn't sure why she had agreed, perhaps it was the curiosity in Maria's eyes or the desire to step out of her comfort zone.

As they started to sing a melodic hymn, Dina's mind wandered away from the sermons being delivered from the pulpit. She glanced around, feeling increasingly uncomfortable in her unfamiliar surroundings. The pews were filled with people earnestly listening, while others bowed their heads in prayer. Dina longed for the solace of solitude amidst the sea of devout worshippers.

Unable to contain her uneasiness any longer, Dina rose discreetly and made her way to a more secluded area of the church – an empty alcove adorned with flickering candles and age-old paintings. She hoped that the quiet stillness would calm her restless mind.

Taking a deep breath, Dina closed her eyes and began to hum a gentle tune, barely audible to anyone else. She hoped the familiar melody would anchor her thoughts and alleviate her anxiety. Little did she know, Gino sitting nearby, had inadvertently stumbled upon the source of this humming that had piqued his curiosity.

Intrigued by the delicate sound, Gino followed it as if being lured by an enchanting tune. He walked cautiously towards the alcove, his eyes widening as he discovered Dina immersed in her own private melody. His genuine interest was tinged with surprise, as Dina was not someone he had ever seen before.