The gate opened, and Father James drove inside. Adam saw a small church painted all white to his right. And to his left were green plants and flowers surrounding the front yard of the monastery. A few priests awaited them.

Adam noticed the thick vines intertwined between the window bars of the veranda. They looked stunning in his eyes. Yet something caught in his heart, and he murmured, “I’ve seen those vines somewhere before.”

Father Ben got out first. He opened the other door to help Adam to hop out of the car with his crutches.

The priests smiled with a warm welcome, greeting their arrival courteously. Adam leaned on his crutches. He took their hands and put them on his forehead as a sign of respect.

“You’ve grown so well, Adam. I’ve heard a lot about you from Father Ben’s letters.”

Adam looked at him. He looked older than the rest, but his hands were soft and cold. I believe he’s the Abbot? He thought as he cowered his head and felt overwhelmed by their earnest gaze.

“Thank you,” he said shyly.

“Let’s head inside. We prepared your room,” the Abbot said and showed the way. “Like you requested, Father Ben, we added another bed for Adam.”

“Thank you, Father Simon. It’s been a while since I last visited.”

So his name is Father Simon. Adam listened to their conversation and followed them behind.

He noticed there was not much sunshine or light in the hallway. It was dim and very quiet. He felt a little eerie, but at the same time secure as he walked down the hall.

There were polished wooden tables in the corners with lighted candles, hanging crosses and religious paintings on the walls. The floors were made of substandard cement, but were well-polished. I could tell that they kept the convent clean and tidy. Everything was well-organized. His eyes turned left and right.

Father Simon showed them their room. It was at the farthest end of the hallway. He opened the door for them.

“This is the room,” Father Simon said. “A few of the rooms are under renovation. But this room is convenient for Adam as it’s closer to the toilet. The bathroom is behind that door to your right.” He pointed to where it was located, adding, “I hope you’ll feel comfortable staying here.”

“You’re very kind, Father Simon. We are grateful to receive such help.” Father Ben said, in relief.

Adam hobbled inside first. The room had a warm light. There were two beds and a center bedside table with a Bible and a wooden cross. It was not spacious, but it was enough for them to move around easily. He slid his right hand on the sturdy table. It had a small lamp and a few candles on it. There were religious books arranged on the left edge.

This desk will become my study table when I return to school. Adam took comfort in their new room. He looked more carefully at the corners. He sensed the room growing wider in his eyes. A nostalgic feeling tingled in his heart. Maybe I’m just tired from the long trip. He blinked his eyes. But this room, somehow, looks familiar to me. Or maybe my imagination is playing tricks on me.

He flopped on the bed with his crutches, closed his eyes, and felt the moment of silence, embracing him in the room. It was warm.

“I believe Adam has had a long day.” Father Simon said.

“I believe so,” Father Ben said. He looked at Adam. “Adam, have a rest. I’ll wake you up when it’s dinner time.”

Adam looked at them and replied, “Okay,” he felt comfortable on the bed.

He heard the sound of the door creaking as it closed. The room was then engulfed in pure silence. His ears felt numb. He felt at ease. He breathed deeply. He followed the sound of his breathing. His lips curved into a grin. Letting the silence of the room calm his thoughts. The quiet breeze drifted like a silent lullaby, softening the feeling on his chest, no noise, no worry, simply lying at peace.

I want to be happy.

When his mind became calmer, he fell asleep. But he felt as though someone was lying next to him. The aura felt so peaceful and harmless.

At 6:00 p.m., Father Ben returned to their room and woke up Adam.

“Adam, it’s time to change your bandage.”

Adam opened his eyes and blinked thrice. How long did I sleep? He sat up in his bed and gently rubbed his left eye. “Is it dinner time, Father Ben?” He asked.

“Soon, Adam. But first, we need to clean your wounds.”

“Ah, okay, Father Ben,” Adam looked half-asleep as he took his crutches. A soft hush settled over him as he gently rubbed his right eye, smoothing the lingering strain from his brow. He steadied himself, drawing a slow breath, waiting for Father Ben to attend his wound.

Father Ben took the first aid kit, prepared a bowl of warm water to clean the wounds and a trash can beside the bed. It was stinging when Father Ben removed the bandage. There was a streak of dried blood and clear fluid marked on the gauze, a faint metallic smell clinging to the air as the skin battled to heal.

“Bear with me, Adam.”

Adam groaned in pain. He stiffened, biting down hard, clenching his fists to ease the jabbing sensation in his left leg. He looked away as his hand trembled. He didn’t want to see the burnt flesh of his left limb. It was too painful.

Father Ben cleansed his wounds and changed the bandages, and Adam took a pain reliever on an empty stomach. He grabbed his crutches and stood up.

“Are you alright?” Father Ben looked worried. “I can ask them to bring your food here.”

“No, I’m alright, Father Ben. I’d like to meet the other priests and say hello to them.” Adam said and smiled, his forehead was sweating.

“Alright. Then let’s head out.”

The dining room was just next to the kitchen. The long, rectangular-shaped table was placed with simple dishes. Stir-fried vegetables, sardines mixed with egg, and steamed rice.

Adam sat next to Father Ben. To his right was another priest, and in front of him was Father James, smiling.

“Before we say our grace, would it be nice to introduce ourselves to Adam?” Father Simon said.

“Of course, Father Simon. We are glad to. Hello Adam, I’m Father Chris, and next to me is Father Eli.”

“Hello, Adam. It’s nice to have you here.” Father Eli grinned.

Adam again felt overwhelmed by their stare as he nodded. “Ah, hello, to you all.” With an awkward, shy smile.

A head tilted beside Father Ben, and he beamed at him. He looked more cheerful than the rest. Adam thought. He shared a glance with the plump-faced priest.

“And, I am Father Gabriel, the choirmaster.” His tone was merry in Adam’s ear.

“What is a choirmaster?” Adam whispered to Father Ben. He looked naive in their smiling faces.

“Ah, a choirmaster is someone who leads the church choir. Father Gabriel and the choir members sing in the church at Sunday Mass.” Father Ben said.

“Do you sing too, Father Ben?” Adam asked. Father Ben chuckled and said, “I’m too old for that, my son. But I help prepare what is needed for the Sunday Mass.”

“Oh, just like you did in the province.”

“Yes, you’re right, Adam.” He smiled.

“Now, now, shall we do our prayers? Father Ben, will you do the honors?” Father Simon asked.

“My pleasure, Father Simon. Shall we?”

The priests held each other's hands, and Adam did the same.

“Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.” He prayed the traditional mealtime blessing.

“Amen.” They said in chorus.

They quietly ate their simple meal. Adam felt the same kindness as when people donated canned goods, sacks of rice, and edible foods to feed their souls, and in return, the priest blessed them with daily prayers.

He remembered Father Ben kneeling on the rugged mat floor. Praying faithfully to those who showered them with their good deeds. In his thoughts, he, too, wanted to pray not just for himself but also for those people who hated him before. Looking at Father Ben’s solemn prayers, surrounded by old pews, a ray of light from the stained glass of the church walls seemed to breathe with him, its serene silence wrapping around his heart as if the walls themselves were offering comfort.

Most people's faith never perishes even at the times they fall on the thorny ground of life.

Adam questioned himself, Do I ever have faith? and looked at the priest's thoughtful expression as they shared their quiet smiles for one another.

After a good meal, Adam went back to the room. He started unpacking his clothes and put them in the wardrobe. The school supplies he got from the donations were arranged on the table. He couldn’t wait to go back to school. He pulled out the wooden chair and sat. He stared at the religious books on his left and noticed an unfamiliar book. It took his interest. It was a novel that he had never read before.

It was written in the English of Shakespeare. He once read something similar in the province's old public library.

The story was about a young man who lost his lover while on their long journey. They eloped because the young lady’s family was against their relationship. Adam felt it was like a story from a movie. It turned out that the lady died halfway through the novel. The man didn’t kill himself, and over time, he found a new love to start over again. But that too was headed for tragedy.

Adam had not expected it to be cheesy, but it was romantic and tragic. He felt heartbroken by it. Why did they have to die in the end? He did not read what came next, but a glimpse of the last page was written, ‘I will always return to the person I first loved and they will be my last love.’

He did not understand what it meant. He closed the book and decided to read the continuation the next day.

At 5:00 a.m., the alarm went off. Father Ben woke him up to treat his wounds. Adam was half asleep going to the bathroom. It was easy to move around with his crutches. When he came back, Father Ben was waiting with warm water to wash his leg wounds. A sudden empathy pounded in his heart. Father Ben has been doing all the hard work. I have to rely on him for a few more months until my leg is fully healed.

“Father Ben, I’m sorry for letting you do all this.”

“My son, why are you sorry? I know I’m old, but I’m physically strong. I could still do the heavy work. So never apologize.”

Adam swallowed his pride and said, “Thank you, Father Ben.”

Father Ben grinned as his eyes crinkled in joy.

Soon after, it was breakfast time. They showed the same compassion to their visitors as last night. Adam offered to wash the dishes, but Father James told him to get some rest instead. But he didn’t want to be stuck in his room, doing nothing. He decided to go outside, to get some fresh air, and see the plants and flowers.

The sun was up, and the sunshine freshly touched his fair skin. The smell of the sea breeze wafted through the air, making him imagine the wonders outside the gate on a vibrant morning. The wind rustled through the flowers and trees, swaying and saying, Hello, sunshine.

“Lovely, isn’t it?”

“Father James,” Adam said, looking surprised.

He stood beside him and smelled the sea breeze too.

“I was out before the morning prayers with the priests in the church,” said Father James. “Although you will hear the sound of the jeepneys passing along the busy road, here inside, it is peaceful and fulfilling. Do you feel the same way, Adam?”

“Yes, I do,” he said, looking toward the gate. “It feels nostalgic. Maybe more so if I stepped outside of that gate?”

“It’s true,” Father James said. “And soon, once you go outside, your eyes will be enlightened to many things, Adam. Your curiosity about the world will grow wider, and you’ll question your purpose in life.”

“I believe so,” Adam glanced down. “Father Ben told me that before you vow to become a priest, you would experience the world outside. Was it to test your faith and beliefs?”

“Partly that’s true, but mainly it was about serving Him and his people in the community through our devotion to praying,” said Father James. He looked calmly towards the flowers in front of them, dancing. He added, “I understand people have different beliefs, but what’s important is how deeply you trust yourself to believe in your faith and what your purpose in life should be.”

“I see,” Adam said, pondering as his eyes shifted to the waving flowers to his left.

I’m confused about my purpose in life, apart from fulfilling my dreams to be successful and make Father Ben happy.

I can tell that life would be easy without struggles, sins, and mistakes, but to achieve ultimate happiness, you must experience all the thorns of life.

The fleeting doubts in Adam’s hazy notions.

But for now, I should focus on recovering well, and letting the cycle of life grace me with peace of mind.

“Well, I’ll leave you for a moment, Adam,” said Father James. “You can go to the library if you feel bored in your room,” he suggested, smiling.

Adam nodded. He went back to the room. But the novel he wanted to read more of was gone. Instead, a teacup and a tea pitcher made in celadon were left unattended on the table.