Stella asked Silas all of a sudden, “Do Christians curse or they do something that is against the law also?”
Silas is currently reading his reviewers. He glanced at Stella and answered her, “Stella, we are normal people also. We curse, we can be greedy, or we can lie. Just like Judas, he once betrayed Jesus. Me, I curse a lot before and I also talk back at my parents; I always got grounded because of that” .
“Really? You did those things?” she asked to confirm. He closed the book that he’s reading and faced Stella, “There’s always a chance to change. Anyway, are you bored? I haven’t glanced at you since you went here” he said.
“It’s okay. I’m fine on just seeing you; I’m impressed that you prioritize your studies and at the same time your faith. You are too gentle, Silas; I’m hoping that what I see are your true colors. I don’t want to doubt” she replied.
Before Silas could talk, Xavier appeared and wanted Silas to go inside their meeting room. Stella glanced away; Silas looked at her, “Sorry, I need to go. Promise I’ll make it up for you after the exams” he said and bid farewell to Stella.
Stella waved back; their meeting today is not like the usual meeting they are having. He’s focused with her studies while she spent the time staring and throwing questions for him to answer.
Just like what Silas promised, he filled the hours he spent from reviewing and made a plan to bond with Stella. He’s currently strumming and singing; he didn’t know Stella was already watching him from outside.
“You know I'll do anything you ask me to
But oh my God, I think I'm in love with you”
Stella got struck by his voice but the lyrics meant a lot to her. What if it’s true? He only loves him just today?
Silas saw her outside staring at him. He smiled and waved at her while carrying his guitar. “Did you hear the song?” he asked.
Stella nodded, “To be honest, I feel anxious. Does that song mean a lot to you?” she asked back.
Silas looked away, “Just heard it from a playlist and I think it sounded good. The lyrics were portraying deep but unsure affection from a single side” he answered.
“I think I can relate” she replied. She looked away and had a low mood.
Silas held her hand, “What song do you like? I’ll play it for you” he offered.
“How about LANY’s ILYSB?” she answered. It’s a mellow but heart-touching song.
“Sure, everything you like” he said and started singing along with the chords he’s playing.
After the song, Stella asked him. “How could you give everything I want? You’re spoiling me, you know”
Silas chuckled, “I guess that’s my way of loving. I’ll treat her like a queen and do as she pleases; as long as I have something to give, then I’ll offer” he answered.
Stella clung to his boy’s arm, “You’re such a gentleman. I guess your mom raised you well” she said.
Silas smiled bitterly; Stella saw it. “My mom didn’t raise me. I can’t say that I am a gentleman; maybe because I have a lot of cousins or maybe because I have a sister who’s far younger than me” he answered.
“Do you hate talking about your mom?” she asked.
“It’s not that I hate that topic; it’s just that, it brings me back to the past. You know, the typical broken family issue. That’s why I grew up with my cousins in the province and we just migrated
last year” he answered.
“I hope things will get better for you. You don’t deserve this” she said.
“I deserve everything including you. You painted my dull life in this country” he replied. Stella
gave him her smile.
“Anyway, I have something to give you” Silas said and unlocked his necklace. “This necklace is
for you. I’ve kept this thing for nineteen years now” he added.
Stella had her eyebrows raised, “You’re giving me your necklace?” she asked with disbelief.
“I think this necklace will suit you well. I got this from my grandmother as a gift because I was her first grandson. I can’t keep this forever so I think I should pass this to someone who’s worthy. Believe me or not, I lost this over a thousand times” he said while carefully caressing the necklace’s pendant.
“What’s with the pendant?” Stella asked.
“This is a mini bottle with blue sand from California. My grandma collected this after she married my grandpa. This is so precious but I want you to take it” he said and aimed to wear it on Stella’s neck.
“Aren’t you going to regret this later?” she asked.
“Is this enough for you to know that I’m serious with our relationship? Don’t worry, I still have a necklace to wear, and this time, it is from my mom” he answered while carefully locking the necklace.
“It looks good on you. Wear this whenever we meet” he said.
Stella tugged him close and sealed their bodies with a tight hug. “No one made me feel special in this way except for you” she said; she’s overjoyed and cannot express how she’s enjoying their moment.
“I know you’re happy but remember that we’re still in the church” he said.
All of a sudden, Stella’s hug became looser. “You’re still hiding me from them. You denied the fact that we are seeing each other. You insisted saying to the public that we are just friends” she said and started to sulk.
“We already talked about this, right? This is not the time; we’re just starting and we will both face consequences if I say this in public. Think about your mom and the brothers; they will surely kill us both with their judgements” he answered.
“I thought you confessed to me because we’ll work together for this relationship? Are you saying you can’t fight with me?” she replied with a lot of questions while Silas answered with plain possibilities.
“It’s not that I am scared to face those consequences. I can endure all of them because I am experienced. I’m just worried about your state; your mother will despise us. Unlike me, I can just accept the brothers’ words but it’s not that simple, I will cause a lot of damage on the
ministry” he said; eyebrows furrowed from frustrations.
Stella faced her, “Make sure to keep your word, Silas. You promised to make my time worthwhile and to fight this battle we entered with me” she said.
Stella held the necklace’s pendant, “If time comes that some things won’t work, please be present and don’t get tired of consoling me. I’m still learning on how to make relationships work but I entered on something that is complicated”
“I’m sorry I leaded you here” he said. Stella stood up and started leaving. Silas grabbed her hand and looked directly to her eyes, “If time comes and some things don’t work, please help me sort things out. I can’t work alone, right?” he said.
Stella slowly nodded; she’s willing to do her part as a girlfriend. She kept asking God, “Why can’t I enter a relationship that can make me free?”.
She held the pendant and looked at it; it still has Silas’ smell. She was moved when Silas gave her the necklace. She felt special and she wishes that Silas should remain the same even when time says it’s not possible for them to continue.