13 13 REVEALING DREAM
Silence swept through the meeting hall for minutes before Pastor Mandolin broke in, "We all know that the blood counts for the increase and not the bible, why?"
This time Dayan stood up infuriated. "Remember the words of Demora Tala, don't you ever sweep it under the carpet otherwise you are starting a war you cannot handle. Have you forgotten he said you may have the bible but never read it out or make the people understand—it must only be on the pulpit to tell people they are in the right church but—"
"What is it?" Pastor Mandolin demanded.
"But nothing," Dayan replied calmly.
"Then the Bible must be read to prevent or avoid too much blood-shedding." Pastor Mandolin shouted and suddenly he watched the thirteen members of the council stood up and before he knew what was happening. They changed into horrible beasts with horns high up and frightening teeth spreading their lips wide apart.
The sight so horrible Pastor Mandolin could not help but stare in shock. The table before them was broken and the chairs they sat were not left out either—broken in pieces.
He ran towards the door forcing it open, but it didn't open. He turned around with his back to the door as he watched the horrible creatures approached—their feet making a dreadful noise and as they stretched forth their hands to strangulate him, he woke up.
It was a dream?
More than a dream, he thought. Real! So real!
He jumped out of his bed afraid.
And as his mind caught the scenes in his dream separately, he knew there was a secret far beyond the secrets he knows about his church, the bread of life bible church and the sooner he finds out the better for him.
The sitting room was calm—very calm. It wasn't as if anybody was in it except for the chiming sound of the wall clock that intermittently cut through the strange silence that had hung on the air for minutes.
Pastor Eric wasn't bothered to read the newspaper he brought home from his visit to Davis Tommis's house. The newspaper was still spread across his face. His food has been served but he was not ready to walk up to the dining table. As his thought fades away, he just sank into his chair reading.
Prislla had been sitting down opposite him wondering why he had refused to eat.
It was his favourite meal but how come he lost his appetite?
She never said anything bad about Dralex but why has he suddenly become offended? She was eager now to see if he would at least lower the newspaper spread across his face to talk—talk about what?
About Dralex—Or?
The silence lingered on but her thought was busy. She struggled to keep them straight but they just kept running unparallel to each other and that got her all the more frustrated.
As she dragged herself up attempting to walk away from the sitting room, Eric voice stopped her, "Sit down Prislla, we have to talk and—"
"But I have been sitting down waiting." She shot back angrily without letting him finish.
"Sit Prislla," Eric's voice came again, this time calmly but with authority.
Prislla eyed the chair she stood up from a moment ago and then sat down on it. She noticed Eric still has his newspaper spread across his face.
She frowned but has learnt to be patient, but for how long? She simply knew she can't tell. And as her mind contemplated on what Eric wanted to talk about, she watched him dropped the newspaper down.
She watched his eyes on her and also watched his mouth moved and the words followed. "Dralex told me everything and—"
"Is it because of Dralex you refused to eat?" Prislla demanded angrily.
"Quiet, let me finish. That girl is innocent—she told me everything before she left for school and I'm afraid you are getting everything wrong." Eric stood up and walked to the window; he stood there for a while and then continued.
"She told me you are still mad at her about what she told me about Pastor Mandolin—the ungodly affair, remember?" Eric wheeled around gently watching if she will give him a nod but noticed instead she was calm."I have forgotten everything because I have forgiven you but I wonder why you find it so hard to forgive her. She is your daughter and you know what? You are breeding hatred in her heart towards you. She saved our marriage, Prislla. But the way you are acting now is making me think if you were enjoying your relationship with Pastor Mandolin." He sat down with his eyes narrowed at her.
"You know what? Pastor Mandolin and your filthy affair is one disgusting thing I will never want to revisit or remember but I see you want to hurt our saviour, right?"
Prislla held firmly to her ears with tears running down her cheek. She finds it horrible to digest Eric's words but it just kept coming—hitting her hard like a hammer.
But why is he saying all these now—Dralex?
Oh no, Dralex is getting everything wrong—wrong!
Her brain was hurting now. And when an opportunity came for her to talk, she didn't miss it. "I love Dralex, perhaps she still thinks I am mad at her but I am not—it is quite a long time now. It is months ago but why Eric? I can't possibly do a thing like that. Must you have to believe her in everything she says?" Prislla sank into her chair confused.
Eric walked up to her and sat beside her. "Not at all but she noticed you haven't been close to her and your words always harsh on her. So you kept her thinking about the past and you know what? If my guess is right, it all began with Pastor Mandolin—what do you think, Prislla?"
Prislla kept mute for minutes and when she felt Eric wanted to say something. She responded "Perhaps I have been struggling to get it off my mind—I am praying about our relationship. I mean about Dralex and me. But I guess she gets me wrong most times.
"And you know what I don't know right now is whether she loves me or hates me. I love Dralex, Eric. I do—this whole thing is confusing me. Dralex is all I have. Imagine after twelve years Dralex is still the only one. Perhaps if I have another child her thought towards me may be different. I never can tell but I think so—" she whispered and sighed. "Doctor Mattis never said the truth. The contraceptive pills worked against me for years now and I don't know what to do anymore. You said I should see Pastor Mandolin for prayer because of this and everything went wild.
"Thank God we walked out of this and our marriage saved, thanks to Dralex. But she thinks I hate her. Do you believe her?" The tears that had dried up at the corner of Prislla's eyes started rolling down her cheek again. It ran to her jaw and kept on dripping to the floor.
Eric pulled her up and spread his hands around her. As memories of Doctor Mattis's words fired through his mind, he flinched and then held unto Prislla more firmly.
The billing method would have been neutral and safe but the pills were worse—God where are you. His thought shot up and when his lips find Prislla's lips. They stood kissing.
He knew a lot has happened during these few months that had passed but he was determined to protect his family. He looked down at Prislla and smiled, "Perhaps I took everything too far. I am sorry. We will talk about this when Dralex is home. We will let her know how we love her especially you. I am sure she will like that—"
Prislla placed one of her fingers on his lips. "Please don't say anymore, your dinner is served already. I am afraid it will run cold if we—"
He placed one of his fingers on her lips and nods his head. She smiled and pulled his arm to the dining table with smiles still playing around her beautiful lips.
