In Between ✓ short story

>3<

She was her home.
Her only family.

The eerie silence of the old church welcomes Sona. She sits on a bench near to the entrance. Sona isn't a religious person who goes to church every Sunday. But whenever she feels down, she comes to the church.

Her phone vibrates in her pocket. She takes it out to find Ryan calling her. She hesitates before swiping right, on her phone screen.

"Hey-"

"Where are you?" Ryan asks directly.

"Church."

''You are not a church person, Sona."

"Yeah. But it is peaceful here."

"Wait there.''

" What?"

"Just wait there. Okay?"

"Okay."

Is he coming here? But he is in Mumbai.

Sona puts her phone back in to her pocket. She smiles widely as soon as she sees a man walking towards her in a priest's surplice.

"Uncle." she hugs the priest.

"Sona." Father Francis Rodriguez, sona's paternal uncle, pats on her head.

"How are you, kid?" Father Francis asks concerned.

"I am...okay." Both Sona and Father Francis know that, it is a white lie.

"People seek God when they are in misery and they forget him when they have everything. Now tell me what happened?" Father motions Sona to sit.

Sona thinks for a moment, whether to tell him the truth or not. Uncle Francis knows everything. So there is no point in hiding the truth from him.

"I never told Rhea about Ryan. Today she saw his message and asked me about him,'' She pauses, "I couldn't answer her."

"Now she is mad?"

Sona nods.

"Talk to her. Tell her about Ryan. I am sure that she will understand you." Father Francis pats on Sona's head.

"I will, " Sona smiles.

"Jesus is always with you, kid."

"They say Jesus doesn't love my kind."

"Jesus is not them. He loves every kind of people."

"How are they?" After a brief moment,Sona asks. Father Francis knows who Sona referring as they. Her family.

"Sarah's wedding is in two weeks.'' Father Francis says in a low voice. He doesn't look at Sona.

"She also abandoned me like mum and Dad." A lump forms in Sona's throat. She tries to not cry in front of her uncle. She wishes Rhea to be there.

***

Ryan finds Sona in the church with Father Francis. He greets the priest. Sona looks at him shocked for a fraction of second. Then she jumps on him. He chuckles and wraps his arms around her tightly.

''I missed you, " He whispers.

'' Me, too.'' Sona mumbles onto his chest.

"I will leave you two then." Father Francis says, patting on Sona's head. Ryan breaks their hug. Sona nods at her uncle.

"Let's go." Ryan holds Sona's hand. He had held her hand before. But this time, it feels different.

They sit on the beach, facing the sea. Ryan looks at Sona. Her shoulder length wavy hair. Her deep brown eyes. Her small nose. And her pale pink lips. The same lips he has kissed before and regretted kissing. That day, he told her that it was a mistake. They were just friends. Nothing more.

Sona looks at him. Ryan feels a burning in his stomach. He leans in. Her eyes are closed now. Like the sun setting in the background, their lips touch. This time Ryan doesn't regret kissing his best friend.

***

When Rhea couldn't find Sona in the church, she walks to the beach. She doesn't want to be mad at Sona anymore. She knows Sona isn't going to leave her for any guy.

She finds Sona with some guy. She walks to them. But stops when the guy leans in to kiss Sona. Sona doesn't move away or stops the guy. It breaks Rhea. She feels pain in her chest. Her vision becomes blur.

Glancing at the couple One last time, Rhea walks away from them, wiping her tears, with a broken heart.