A Break Apart

CHAPTER 14. Happy Sunday

We were on our feet during the Alleluia, and parishioners who had chosen the African time to come to church were quietly strolling in and fixing themselves in pews.

I then felt a slight tap on my shoulder. I turned to my left to see who it was, and my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe he actually came, and then my eyes turned to hearts when I noticed his Sunday-best.

He looked dashingly different in a sky blue, button-up shirt. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up a little, making visible his brown leather wristwatch. The shirt was tucked in a dark gray trouser and wrapped in a black, silver-head belt that matched his shiny black shoes. His advancement in style from casual to chic made him more attractive.

"Sorry I'm late," he whispered.

"No problem, thanks for coming," I whispered back, smiling at his manner to render an apology.

Mum was standing at my right, and they both exchanged greetings with a little wave and a smile, and we continued standing for the final reading.

"The Gospel of the Lord." The priest held out the Bible to the congregation after he finished the Gospel reading.

"Praise be to you, O Lord Jesus Christ," the church responded, except for William who hadn't expected a unanimous response, nor was he familiar with the words, appearing like one who had just found himself in a strange country. The sound of the congregation taking their seats afterwards confused him even more, and he carefully followed the action, to avoid being the odd one out. I rolled my lips, suppressing a laugh when we were all seated for the homily.

He asked me questions during the Mass, which was expected of someone who wasn't church-oriented, more so in the Catholic faith, with its distinct orthodox style of worship.

He was captivated by the sacred activities at the altar that were being performed by the priest and the altar servers in an orderly devotion during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and his questions became consistent.

"What's with the smoke coming out of that thing?" he asked in a whisper, in honour of the solemn atmosphere, with the ongoing consecration hymn from the choir, and the faithfuls who sang along. He was leaned sideways, close to me, his arms folded across his chest.

I held back laughter at the innocence in his question, which was akinned to that of a little child who just started schooling. "That's the incence, and it's a sanctifying fragrance used at this moment in preparation to receive the Holy Communion," I whispered back.

"Oh, nice," he said quietly, and a soft chuckle followed as he straightened up.

He made me his model as the Mass went on, and refrained from acting on instinct until I made a move, so that he wasn't standing while others were kneeling, or kneeling while others were sitting, like how he had taken his seat the first time we were to kneel.

"Oh, sh—" he had cut off the silent cuss word that almost blurted out of his mouth, being conscious of the fact that he was in church, and then he joined us on his knees. I had laughed at him quietly, my face buried in my palms.

"So are we to stand or kneel after this?" he asked me in a whisper after communion.

"Just keep following my lead," I whispered back, with laughter in my voice.

"I think the delays in my actions are becoming obvious that I have no idea what I'm doing here," he whispered.

"We're standing," I finally answered, with a laughter more difficult to control.

"Right."

"Let us pray," the priest announced, and we all stood up from our seats.

William leaned closer to me. "This the first time I actually feel like I'm part of the Mass. Feels incredible," he whispered.

"William..." I bent my head, laughing silently, and then we both composed ourselves when Mum slowly turned her head in our direction. Our whispers had called her attention. And when she looked away, William and I threw a glance at each other, bit back a laugh, and focused at the alter for the final blessing.

We strolled out of church behind Mum, conversing on the way until we reached her car and stopped.

"Hope you enjoyed the Mass?" Mum asked him.

"Ah, nothing like it before. It was great. Thanks for inviting me," he said, and she smiled in response.

"Oh, wow! Wasn't I the one who invited you? Like a million times?" I butted in with a frown.

He smirked. "You weren't direct."

Mum laughed at the both of us while I glared at him. "Let's drop you off," she then told him.

His smug expression switched to the respectful one he always held when speaking to her. "I really appreciate that, but I came with my car." He pointed at the dark blue, Toyota Camry XLE that was parked with a few cars close to the church gate.

"Alright, dear, take care."

"You too."

They both exchanged a smile as she walked over to the driver's side and got in the car, leaving the two of us. I stepped away from the car and moved closer to him.

"You should dress like this more often," I said.

"Is that a compliment?" He cocked his head to the side.

"Uhmm... something like that." I nodded.

He chuckled. "You look pretty in a dress by the way."

Blushing, I rolled my eyes to lessen the embarrassment.

"See that attitude?" He faked a frown. "But honestly, you look-"

"Okay, thanks!" I cut him off so I don't melt like butter from his teasing, even though the merciless sun of Sundays was already doing the work.

He laughed. "And wearing this more often?" He gestured at his outfit. "Not going to happen. I'm only dressed like this because I was coming to church."

"But it suits you," I said, then laughed when he playfully rolled his eyes.

"So how was the Mass? Honestly. Because I'm convinced you said great only to impress my mum."

He chuckled. "I was being serious. Mass was strangely nice." He referred to his earlier awkward and confused moments during the Mass, and we both laughed. His outfit influenced a civil attitude in him as we had gone the longest in a conversation with genuine smiles and laughter rather than he giving me reasons to tear him apart as usual. Or it was just the holy spirit of Sundays at work in us.

"So, any plans for today?" he asked.

"Yeah, going to see a family friend with my mum, just in case you show up at my house unannounced," I said, and the laughter he let out confirmed how much I knew him, while I felt good to have finally given a solid answer to a question he often ask.

Mum interrupted our conversation with a loud honk, causing us to laugh, and I wished that she didn't have to embarrass me like that. But at least now she knew how annoying it could be to wait for her after Mass.

"I should let you go. See you around," he smiled, already drifting backwards.

"Take care," I smiled back, and with a raise of his hand in a wave, we both turned around to our rides.

I entered the car and shut the door, and then I pulled out my seatbelt.

"You like him, don't you?"

I paused the action of buckling the belt and looked at Mum. "What? We are just friends. Can you now drive?" She joined in my laughter while she started the car.

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