Chapter 72

Elyana's POV Felicity went back to the nuns he was talking to and later on, a priest came closer to them. I wasn't meant to wait, but I did stay because he told me to. I didn't expect I wouldn't be seeing him that day, but I had silent hopes that we could stumble in places and he would talk to me normally. I missed him. Yes, I do, but just like what I said before, I tried to focus my mind on staying healthy and growing the child inside my womb without thinking of anything that would stress me; however, it was such a great coincidence to see him at that church—-in all places. I didn't know what got into his head to smile at me after we hadn't seen each other for more than a month. That gay was indeed unpredictable as if he were a real woman. I sighed and just looked around the church while waiting for them to finish whatever they were discussing. As I examined the small church, I saw a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary carrying a baby Jesus. On the foot of the statue, there was a bucket full of roses, and next to it was a box where people could put their wishes. I moved closer to the statue and thought of writing something to put inside the box, but I didn't have a piece of paper with me at that time. "Hey, girl!" I was stunned when Felicity called. I didn't know they were already done talking. I faced him. He was beaming brightly at me. As I watched him walk closer, a warm hand seemed to touch my heart, which confused me so much. I expected to be mad at him because he avoided me and he didn't even show me he appreciated the expensive gift I gave him last Christmas. "What are you doing here?" he asked, still smiling, and I was surprised when my feet stepped closer to meet him. I sprinted like a child toward him, forgetting that I was pregnant. I ran instead of waiting for him to approach me first. He came to a halt, and I felt his body freeze. The hug tightened, and while I did so, I felt tears from my eyes falling down my cheeks. Without further ado, I just found myself crying in his arms. Slowly, I felt Felecity's body calm. The stiffness disappeared and he eventually hugged me back. "I-I miss you, Bakla," I whispered while still hugging him. I felt his deep breathing while hugging him and his heavy sigh. "I-I missed you too, girl. I'm sorry for being rude to you last Christmas." I thought he had already forgotten what he did that day. He didn't know how much that hurt me. I didn't even care how much the bag cost, his reaction impacted me the most. Of all people, it was him that I feared losing. Of course, except for my parents. Because he knows so much about me, it would be too difficult if he became an enemy. Kidding aside, Felicity had been too precious in my life. My bestest friend, a true companion, and a friend I could rely on. He already proved that so many times and I didn't have any reason to doubt it. We hugged for a few minutes. I just pulled away when I felt the stuff inside my nose already dripping. Felicity quickly took out a tissue from his handbag and to my surprise, it was the bag I gave him last Christmas. "I-I thought you didn't like my gift?" I asked while snorting. "I honestly love this. It's just too scary to use. I'm afraid to tear it because of its cost and thieves might be eyeing it," he said, holding up the bag to show me. He even posed like a model while holding it to show me how good it looked to him. It appeared he had forgotten where we were at that time. When he came back to his senses, he immediately apologized after turning to the direction of the altar, where there was a model of the crucifix. "You didn't answer my question about why you're here," he asked me right after. I paused for a second to think of a reason to use it. I didn't want to tell him I was there for no reason because he might suspect that I was following him. "I came here to pray, of course," I replied. That was the most common reason why people entered churches so I knew it would work. "I see, but why here? There's a huge church near your subdivision and this one is out of your route?" he asked, looking at me suspiciously. "How about you? What are you doing here?" I returned the question to him. "I gave some donations," he answered, which was not new to my ears. Aunt Eugene had been doing that for a long time and even encouraged my mother to do the same every year by giving help to small churches with renovations or repairs. "I thought you were here because you wanted to be a priest," I joked, and his expression unexpectedly turned serious. "I will not be accepted as a priest," he stated. He paused for a moment and gazed into the distance before saying, "I have a serious sin." When he said the word sin, my shoulders slumped. That brought me to the realization that I was a sinner too. I did something unnatural to get pregnant. That was considered immoral in the church. IVF would be considered if a woman is married but if it comes from someone else and is put into a woman's body who isn't the man's wife, then that's considered a sin—like treason, isn't it? I became depressed unexpectedly, but I will never regret what I did. For a long time, I dreamed of having a baby in my womb. I did not steal, nor did I have sex with anyone. "Everyone has flaws and sins; we all make mistakes and eventually learn," I uttered as I returned my gaze to him. When I did, I noticed him staring at me. His eyes appeared sad, which gave me an unexplainable, uncomfortable feeling. "I-I think I should go," I mumbled to escape the scene. He was near enough to hear it and he immediately answered, "I'm going now too. I still have a client to meet." "O-okay… Oh! Before I forget, do you have a piece of paper there and a pen?" "I have! I always bring a pen and paper to note important information." He took out a notebook and a pen from his handbag and ripped a page to give it to me. I moved to the side to write down the wish I had in mind. That was to make me and the baby safe during pregnancy. I felt some gaze while writing on the piece of paper; that's why I wrote fast and folded it right after. "Thank you!" I handed back the pen to Felicity and went to the box to put the folded paper. "Done!" I exclaimed right after inserting it. I was the one who started walking first out of the church and Felicity followed through. He chased me and walked by my side until we reached the car waiting for me. I thought he was being a gentleman, even though he was not a hundred percent man, but the moment he pointed to his yellow car parked not too far from where we stood, my shoulder dropped out of disappointment. My driver immediately went out to open the door for me. "Be careful on the way home. I'll just visit you one of these days," he said before I went inside. I smiled in response to what he said, but my mind was elsewhere. I was intrigued by the sin he committed, but I lacked the courage to ask, and there were other people present. That was a personal matter, and we were not in the right place for it. "Go on," he said before I boarded. I was forced to get into the car and say goodbye and at that moment, the car was already moving, and my eyes were glued to him. I was looking at him through the side mirror and looked away only when the car took a turn and he vanished from my sight. I felt an urge to return to where we left him. I sincerely missed him. His presence, smile, and even his high-pitched voice. I silently hoped he would visit because we had a lot of things to talk about, especially about the baby. As I imagined him visiting me, a smile formed on my lips. I was confident he would be pleased if I told him about my pregnancy, which sparked great excitement in my heart. I lowered my head, looking at my stomach, which hadn't changed its size. I put my hand right where my womb was and began gently stroking it. Doctor Chelsea said my baby was growing, which was a good sign and I was delighted by that. A few more months and we could be able to see the gender and I couldn't wait for that.