Hold my Hand

Chapter 45: Why, Lord?

Author's Note: Hello, my dear readers. I'm sorry if I skipped a chapter last week. I've been so busy with work and things that I forgot to post for you a new chapter. I'm sorry if I'd let you down. God bless you

———

A couple of days has gone by and questions still linger in Mark's mind. Mark and his friends sit on the ledge overlooking the Tañon strait. There sit, from left to right, Cesar, Samantha, Mark, Justin and Ruth.

"How did the game go this afternoon?" Mark says to Justin. "You just arrived, tell us what happened."

"We won against the Drumi Cobras, it was easy work for us. They put up a good fight though, they have heart. But it would take more than courage to beat us," Justin says with a giggle.

"We can still be in the Magic 4 right?" Mark says to Justin with a somber look.

Justin shakes his head and says, "I don't think we can, bro. The top four teams are so entrenched in the standings, I don't think we could contend with them."

Mark smiles at him and says, "Don't worry, we'll get them next year."

"We will," says Justin who gives back a smile.

"I'm sure you'll win next year, Mark," Ruth says. "I believe you could win the championship, in Jesus' name."

Mark smiles at her and says, "Thanks, Ruth. We claim that."

"I'm gonna cheer the best player of the team and I will be there when you're in the championship games."

"And who might be the best player on the team?" Justin says.

Ruth blushes and says loudly, "Mark is the best player on the team."

Cesar and Samantha also hear her say this and Mark is wide-eyed. Ruth just smiles at him while Justin twists himself senselessly.

"Thank you, Ruth," Mark says

'God wants me to be with Samantha, Ruth. I'm sorry.'

The five-man company eventually goes home before it gets dark; before Junrey can find them again.

When Mark goes home, he finds his father sitting on the kitchen chair and drinking a bottle of beer.

"Dad!! What are you doing?" Mark says as he tries to take the bottle from him. "You're drunk, dad."

"Go awaay. Leaave me beee." George says while holding out a hand towards Mark and the other, with the bottle, holding it out as far away as possible from Mark. "This is myyy life. I get to dooo what I want."

"Dad. Why all this? You're not like this before."

"Weell, I am noow. You got a prooblem?" George says with a fury from his bloodshot eyes.

Mark is taken aback and doesn't dare speak contrarily, "Nothing, dad. I have no problem with it."

"Eat your meaal. I've cooked you befoore I drank todayyy." George says with a chuckle. "I'm gonna... go to my room noow. Eaaat, kiddo."

George leaves him from the kitchen and slightly staggers while walking towards his room. Mark is left stunned at what he just witnessed. He just sits on the chair, resting his head on his arms on the table.

His tears stream down his face and leave him inconsolable, but he only whimpers quietly to not let his father know.

"Why, God." Mark whispers. "Why this? Why?"

The night passes by with tears of a boy longing for peace and security but finds nothing but pain.

As time goes by, Mark focuses on his studies and improves his grades while George grows more distant from him as he continues to drink. On the last day of school, the five-man company meets up again at the ledge overlooking the Tañon strait with a Cornetto ice cream cone in their hands. From left to right sits Justin, Mark, Ruth, Samantha, and Cesar.

"Now our last day of school is done, we should celebrate," Justin says as he grooves. He pulls out snacks from his bag. "This is how we celebrate. Hehey."

"How did you get so rich to buy these things?" Mark says to him with a smile.

"Don't you remember that we all contributed the funds for this celebration?"

"Just kidding, bro. Chill. Haha."

Justin laughs along with him.

"I can't believe VCF Warriors are champions in CESAFI basketball tournament."

Mark looks at the scenery of the Tañon strait, "They are a strong team, don't you think?"

"Yeah, they are," Justin sighs.

"Hey, we better eat our Cornetto before it melts," says Samantha.

"And we better eat it quick before they melt on our hands. Haha." Cesar says.

And so they eat their ice cream and the cone. After that, they start opening and eating the snacks. While they're eating, Cesar bends slightly forward to see Mark.

"Mark, how are you now since your mom died? I know I can see you recover but I want to hear it from you."

Mark smiles and says, "I'm fine now. I know Ma is now in Heaven, I've got nothing to worry about anymore. I miss her though, but I know I'll see her someday when the Lord takes me home."

Silence fills the air for a moment but Cesar breaks it eventually.

"I know you'll meet her someday, Mark. The day will come when your family will be whole again and tears will never be on your faces but joy and smiles. I believe that, Mark."

"Thanks, Cesar."

Cesar smiles at him. "And... how are things going between you and your dad? He doesn't go to church as much anymore, and I don't know why." Cesar says.

Mark's smile fades as he sighs and says, "I have a confession to make."

"What is it, Mark?" Ruth says.

"My dad has been drinking for the past months, I don't know what to do, guys. It's just... I don't expect him to be like that."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Mark," Cesar says.

Ruth puts her hand behind Mark's back and says, "Everything will be fine, Mark. Mind if I pray for you?"

"No worries, Ruth," Mark says to her with a gentle smile.

So, Ruth closes her eyes and prays, "Adonai. Deliver Mark, Lord, from his situation. Give him strength, Adonai. Move in the heart of his father, Lord. In Yeshua's name. Amen."

And the others said, "Amen."

The company goes home and Mark sees his dad with a bottle of beer again. He no longer contests the will of his father, even to his detriment. Mark instead grabs a plate to eat, even in the presence of his father.

"Eaat, Mark. Iii cooked you some fishhh." George says. "I'mm... gonnnaa go to my rooomm."

"Thanks, dad. God bless you," says Mark.

"Iii donn' neeed that crap. Blessing. Pleugh." George says as he slowly walks to his room while slightly staggering.

Mark eats in the kitchen, there's nothing he can do but be numb. Tears cannot suffice how much hurt is stuffed inside him; it doesn't matter much anymore.

After eating, he goes to his room, brushes his teeth, and starts to go to sleep. Mark stares at the ceiling; for a while, he doesn't say anything. He then breaks the silence as he wants it to be.

"God..." Mark sighs. "What is this life, Lord? Why do you do this to our family? Isn't it enough that you take my mom away? Why is my father like this, Lord? Why does he have to drink? Nevertheless, every trial you give me, I believe, will strengthen me, Lord. Just guide me, Lord. I'm afraid of turning like my father, Lord. I don't want to stray from your righteous path. Guide me, hold me in your arms, Lord. Help me... Lord Jesus."