the gym instructor
She juggles her file and her books in one hand as she reads her bible while waiting for the bus. A guy in sports attire and gym bag stands next to her in line. She acknowledges his presence with a brief look before turning back to Galatians but he gives her more than a mere glance. She fidgets uneasily, wishing for once that she doesn't have peripheral vision so she can't see him staring at her from the corner of her eye. The bus rumbles along. Excuse me, is that the student bible you are reading? Where did you get it? She turned, startled and showed him the first page where "Dear Marilyn.." was written. It was a gift from a friend, she replied.
In the bus, she wasn't surprised when he sat next to her and she braces herself for a conversation she wasn't ready to have. When i saw you reading the bible, i was reminded of myself when i was young, he said. She could almost hear '..and naive' rolling off his tongue. She nodded hesitantly, her defences lowering and heart softening. Many things have happened and i've lost that faith in God, he continued earnestly. He began to regale her with stories of his life, his regrets and troubles. He said that tears were coming to his eyes and he apologised for that.
She shook her head; filled with sympathy and flutters of excitement for such an opportunity from God. She gave him her church leaflet and contact number, and told him warmly that she would be happy to invite him for service. The prodigal son was welcomed by his father when he returned, she said. You can have a fresh start in life too. He accepted with thanks and said that he'd definitely come. When she finally reached her bus-stop, she told him she appreciated his sharing and waved good bye, skipping home with renewed faith.
This morning, she saw a sms in her phone. It was from him, and he wanted to know if she was free to meet up in the evening. Sorry i'd be in church, is everything ok, she typed.
Beep.
"Everything is always ok with me. I just miss you. That's all.."
She almost choked on her strawberry nut crunch cereal. Warning bells go off in her head. Oh okay, hope that you can join us in service next time then, she typed. She added a smiley face at the end reluctantly.
Beep.
"Ok... I adore you... Take care."
Why must she be proven wrong once again? Disappointedly, she closed her eyes, her Nokia flip phone and the window to a potential friendship. It may be slightly heartless, but she doesn't want to take any risks. She doesn't want history to repeat itself.
Most importantly, she doesn't want computer diskettes for her birthday again. [/inside story]
In the bus, she wasn't surprised when he sat next to her and she braces herself for a conversation she wasn't ready to have. When i saw you reading the bible, i was reminded of myself when i was young, he said. She could almost hear '..and naive' rolling off his tongue. She nodded hesitantly, her defences lowering and heart softening. Many things have happened and i've lost that faith in God, he continued earnestly. He began to regale her with stories of his life, his regrets and troubles. He said that tears were coming to his eyes and he apologised for that.
She shook her head; filled with sympathy and flutters of excitement for such an opportunity from God. She gave him her church leaflet and contact number, and told him warmly that she would be happy to invite him for service. The prodigal son was welcomed by his father when he returned, she said. You can have a fresh start in life too. He accepted with thanks and said that he'd definitely come. When she finally reached her bus-stop, she told him she appreciated his sharing and waved good bye, skipping home with renewed faith.
This morning, she saw a sms in her phone. It was from him, and he wanted to know if she was free to meet up in the evening. Sorry i'd be in church, is everything ok, she typed.
Beep.
"Everything is always ok with me. I just miss you. That's all.."
She almost choked on her strawberry nut crunch cereal. Warning bells go off in her head. Oh okay, hope that you can join us in service next time then, she typed. She added a smiley face at the end reluctantly.
Beep.
"Ok... I adore you... Take care."
Why must she be proven wrong once again? Disappointedly, she closed her eyes, her Nokia flip phone and the window to a potential friendship. It may be slightly heartless, but she doesn't want to take any risks. She doesn't want history to repeat itself.
Most importantly, she doesn't want computer diskettes for her birthday again. [/inside story]
Labels: life lessons
