Capítulo 9: Rafael and Jasmine
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Colossians 3:14
Scriptures were written in front of Rafael's eyes when he arrived at an old church. A church in a eropean style. Established since the time the country was still colonized by foreign countries. The building style is typical old building with large door and window frames, the surface looks black, has a lot of mold and peeling paint.
Rafael looked around the church hall. Several workers were seen renovating the old building. Make the surface of the wall painted white smooth again. They stood on a scaffold so they could reach the dome and the high walls. Apart from the broken walls, there is nothing special. They are just ordinary church buildings, with long brown wooden benches, religious symbols, and statues of saints.
Apart from the workers, only two people were sitting in the church. They sat far apart. A girl and also a father - as this religious leader is called - is Rafael's age.
Rafael walked to the front row of chairs, where the religious leader sat. Rafael slammed a black cloth bag containing all his drawing equipment right beside the bench. The sound of thudding made the entire room echo. Everyone turned their heads, including the girl.
"You came so early, El?" he said warmly.
"Which part should I do?" Rafael bit a rubber band, while his hands were busy collecting the slightly long hair. He had to tie his long hair so it does not interfere with his work.
"Statues and wall ornaments, the colors are starting to fade. Can you update the colors?" asked the priest.
"Sure, G—"
"Hey !! My name is Albertus now, I have given my life to God." he interlude.
"Whatever, I'll still call you G!" Rafael shook his head.
"Yes, yes, yes, it's up to you. Hurry up and start your job."
"How much is the salary?"
"It's not already begun yet, and you asking for payment! You punk!" teased Albert.
"Seriously, I have no money to pay for next month's studio rent! No salary how am I going to live ?!" Rafael glared at Albert, not wanting to be used by his friend to work for free.
"Serving the house of God, later God will reward you many times over."
"Don't make excuses, just tell the truth?"
"To be honest, it's because I don't have the money myself, everything was spent on renovating this church." Albert casually whispered to Rafael.
"Then it won't!" Rafael took back his backpack.
"Hey... wait !! Here, I'll pay with this." Albert shows Rafael a ring.
"Are you serious?" asked Rafel.
"We have to move on from the past, right?" The man with dark skin smiled as warmly as possible.
"You're not afraid that woman will beat you, isn't this a memento of your relationship?" Rafael furrowed his eyebrows, the woman he knew and was none other than his former best friend was very creepy.
"No, after all, now I'm a priest, there's no way to get married. I'm only devoting myself to God." Albert crossed his body.
"Tch, whatever. Come on!" Rafael took the ring from Albert's hand.
Albert shook his head slowly with the behavior of his friend, his job as a street artist made Rafael have no steady income. No wonder Rafael is often short of money.
"I'll draw the sketch. I'll show you first before painting it." Rafael sat on a long wooden bench. Start opening his drawing tools and drawing.
Rafael wears black ripped jeans, a gray long-sleeve shirt with sleeves a little too long, and black boots. He raises two legs as table for sketching. Rafael looked serious, he didn't even flinch when a beautiful girl approached him.
"Hi!" said the girl, she stood right beside Rafael.
"You have a beautiful picture." She continued. But still, Rafael was reluctant to answer.
[Wow, his eyebrows are thick, his eye creases are also sharp, so handsome.] Jasmine praised in her heart.
"My name is Jasmine. I just arrived in the capital last night. This morning I was looking for a church, praying that I can get a job soon. What about you, what is your name?" Jasmine asked, her eyes sparkling in admiration for Rafael's figure, who did look so cool when he was drawing.
There was a moment's silence until the atmosphere became awkward. Jasmine did not give up, she sat beside Rafael, distant but still on the same bench.
"What do I care?"
"Eh?"
"What do I care about your life?" Rafael finally stopped his sketch, turned to look at Jasmine.
"Eum ... isn't that description part of an introduction? I don't know anyone in the capital. I hope to make friends." Jasmine shifted her sitting position slightly closer, Rafael glanced at Jasmine.
"Didn't your parents teach you to be careful with strangers let alone a man?" asked Rafael.
"A bad guy can't draw that well," Jasmine replied, pointing to Rafael's sketch.
"The capital is not a safe place, miss. Don't trust people you meet just by looking at their pictures." Rafael got up, leaving Jasmine behind.
"Hey, at least say what your name is." Jasmine was fixated on Rafael's wide and sturdy back. Rafael remains indifferent, turning to another bench.
"His name is Rafael, he is just a bit of a sociopath," said Albert.
"Ah, good morning Father." Jasmine smiled as she nodded slightly.
"Morning, excuse me, the church is being renovated, you must be very uncomfortable praying."
"No, Father."
"Come here whenever you need to pray and confess your sins. I will always be ready to serve God's children."
"Thank you."
[What a cute girl, i think Rafael can at least be a little friendly to her.] Albert thought before leaving Jasmine. Jasmine is his first congregation as a religious leader. There were other priests in the church, but he was very old, his body was very weak, so Albert took care of all the ministry work and the needs of the church.
[Rafael, what a beautiful name,] Jasmine thought with a smile watching Rafael from a distance.
The next day, the next day, the next day, and the next day. Every day Jasmine comes to pray in the morning at church and sees Rafael working. The handsome man was painstakingly and neatly painted every statue dan religious symbols. Jasmine is always happy to see Rafael at work. His face looks very handsome when seriously doing something.
Jasmine always greeted him, but as usual, Rafael was also just ignorant to her.
Jasmine never gives up, she even tells about Rafael to her mother and younger sister in the village. Jasmine is sure that Rafael is her heart's choice.
Even after one year of their acquaintance, wouldn't the stone still be crushed if it was continuously dripped with water? Likewise, with Rafael, his heart might melt with Jasmine's determination and sincerity. One year of acquaintance, Jasmine proposes to Rafael.
"Do you want to marry me? You will not regret it?" asked Rafael awkwardly.
"I'll never regret it." Jasmine smiled and wrapped her arm around Rafael's shoulders.
"Alright, let's get married."
The flashback of the incident two years ago suddenly shattered Rafael's daydream. So what? Why would he want to marry Jasmine? Does he love Jasmine?
"Maybe it's because I'm tired listen to your nagging voice, Jas." Rafael kissed Jasmine's forehead.
"Evil!!" Jasmine protested. Rafael giggled at his wife's adorable behavior.
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