English Version: Sands & Sparrow

55

In the corner of the church, an altar surrounded by various flowers, such as roses, tulips, and carnations, created an air of stillness. An enormous chandelier hanging from the ceiling shone in the dimness. Although it was already 9 p.m., Sophia was still kneeling on the floor, the light from the altar attending her solitude. She raised her gaze to the statue of the Virgin Mary, held the rosary firmly, and chanted the prayer in Latin in a soft voice.

A faint footstep was heard behind her. Sophia turned and saw Margo leaning against the wall, casually eating an apple. Sophia averted her gaze and continued the prayer. She was focused on praying, but Margo's presence unsettled part of her mind.

She stood up only to see Margo at the doorway. "Good evening, Miss Sinclair," she greeted with hesitation. Margo ran a hand through her hair with a smirk. Wearing a tight-fitting dress that showed her toned body, her heels echoed on the marble floor as she moved towards Sophia. "Good evening, Sophia... So, have you decided?"

Sophia frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Margo replied in a cryptic tone, "Will you accept my proposal?"

"What?" Sophia responded, looking puzzled.

Margo smirked. Sophia slightly flinched when she touched her face. "Do you want me to ask God for permission?" There was a hint of mischief in her emerald eyes. Suddenly, the nun felt nervous about the tension that was building.

The lights glimmered as their stares locked. The scent of incense drifted across the room, compelling Sophia to glance at the crucifix. Guilt immediately overwhelmed her, and she hesitantly stepped back from Margo's enticing gaze. "Let's stop this foolishness!" she declared, attempting to escape the tension between them. However, Margo seized her arm. "What?! Is this just a game to you? What do you want, Margo? Why me?" Sophia hissed the words directly into her face.

Margo's green eyes flashed with hatred as she pulled Sophia closer. "You think this is just a game? Is that really what you believe?" she spat each word with deep resentment."You have no idea of the pain I've endured!"

Their eyes locked in an unblinking confrontation.
"Leave me alone, Margo. P-please," Sophia begged softly.

As Margo drew her face closer, Sophia felt the warmth of her breath on her cheek and the sweet scent of her lips that dared to kiss her. Margo pressed the back of Sophia's head closer, deepening the kiss with fervor.

Sophia gasped for air as she pushed Margo away. "N-no!" But her lips were captured again in a consuming, fiery kiss.

Suddenly, Sophia woke up in her bed, her forehead dotted with beads of sweat. Her throat was dry, her heart racing. After taking several deep breaths, she looked around her room, ensuring she was alone.

The light in her room was dim. A lamp resting on the small table beside her bed cast a soft glow. The white curtain swayed lightly in the breeze, and moonlight poured through the window.

She stood and approached the table, then drank a glass of water. She also wiped the sweat from her forehead, feeling the cool air against her skin. Sophia took her notebook from the drawer and took a deep breath as she began to write her confession.

I was scared since I saw her, yet I couldn't understand why my heart felt so glad. Is it a sin to like her?

She paused in her writing and frowned as she read the words.

A part of me doesn't want to see her hurt, but why? I long to see her every day, yet I want to avoid her. I have to stop this strange feeling.

Sophia put down her pen. With tears in her eyes, she quickly wiped them away and tried to suppress the misery. There were thoughts she couldn't escape and feelings she couldn't resolve.