reverend father rosauro avendano had been a priest for 20 years. a graduate of theology at tahanan ng mabuting pastol (home of the good shepherd) in tagaytay city, father 'ros' was a very kind priest. in fact, too kind that the townsfolk made petition twice with the manila archbishop appealing for his retention. he was very lenient and popular that the people wanted more of him whereever he went by giving utmost attention and care.
but right this moment, he was troubled with his ward, noel. the girl he was always with, adel marasigan, was too young. both were. he thought they were too close for comfort, and too young to be in love.
he will talk with adel's father.
* * *
delle wanted to be hugged, which was why she liked noel to be close as possible, as she squinted on the angle-sights at her 7-meter target. she loved noel's manly smell - pure and simple. she was not yet into the game. she just wanted noel near.
noel breathed softly in her ear. although awkward, he instructed delle on setting her mind focused on the sights, and the target beyond. but the girl would always giggle, tickled by his whisper, so he give instruction first and let her do it on her own.
except that she motioned her near.
"delle, you can do it your way!" he lightly admonished her. "if you are always like that, you will never progress! or perhaps you only want other things?"
he was angry somewhat, but how can he manage that feeling, when he craved for her too?
delle slightly glanced at him. offended, she released the arrow. and immediately after, turned and gave him the bow. then, without looking at him stormed out leaving noel startled.
he verified the mark before going out after her.
it was right on the bull's eye.
* * *
"i can't do that, father! she won't like that. i raised her to be independent. i love her too much that i gave her everything! she will hate me for that forever!" telesforo marasigan did not like father avendano's suggestion of sending off the girl to her mother in the States, because it was obvious she loved noel too much.
"when she gets older, she will thank you for that, teles." father ros assured him as he spoke softly.
"have you got a daughter you love too much, father ros?" teles was angry, he did not like other people to decide for him, even if he was a man in a cassock.
"every girl is my daughter and i loved them all, teles. have a good day!" father ros left the room with finality leaving delle's father contemplating.
