1 Priesthood Saga

*Priesthood Saga*

Father James had called me to his house for a discussion. It was not normal for him to call me here. Usually if he had something important to share with me, he came to my office. Yes not because of anything else but because he found the office the most suitable place to discuss issues pertaining the school. As the school principal, I was entitled to all the information about the school not only limited to the students and the teaching staff but also the sponsorship and the non teaching staff. I had known father James for three years now. He has been the father of the parish ever since I joined this school. He had been friendly to me despite the fact that I was not a Catholic and our faith sharply contradicted. What I loved about him was the fact that he was so humble and had a different perspective about religion. That made him a friend not only to me but also to the students and other members of the school community at large. In the sitting room, there were photos of the young father. He looked pretty good in his primary school uniform. In one of the photos, he was receiving a present from someone I thought must have been his teacher. From the appearance of his face, the smile talked it all. He was happy. I was still looking at the photos when I heard the door open, I turned around only to meet father James in a short and a sleeveless T shirt. This was not his norm and his face appeared deep in thought. "Sorry sir for keeping you for long." He said without greetings. "It's ok Father, I understand. No need to apologise for am your son and parents don't apologise to their children not unless they have weird news to deliver." I replied. My statement startled him for reasons best known to himself. " It's ok sir. Feel at home and have a seat please." He said showing me the seat opposite to him. Honestly I didn't know expect this. Since father James was a religious leader, I expected him to pray for us before we start any talk. " Let's pray first father." I reminded him humbly. " Oh am sorry again sir." He said before praying then we both sat down. "Son, how is the school?" This was how father James started our talk. Yes am used to him calling me son but he had never asked me about the school. My instincts told me something was wrong somewhere. Yes his voice betrayed him. He seemed nervous than usual and he had a slight tremor in his voice rather than his usual calm one. " The school is good father. We thank God for everything. The girls are fine too. Nothing to complain about." I answered him. " Amen. That's good signs that indeed God is with us. Have you had time to talk to Jacinta?" He asked me. Jacinta was the school head girl and the prayer coordinator of the school. She was among the few girls who were allowed to access this house. I don't know why but I found the culture here. There is a number of students who were allowed to visit the father in his house. I nce tried to question it and I was told that it was them who helped him in his domestic chores since he was attached to the school as the sponsor. Anyway for the three years I've been here, Jacinta had been on of the girls who has been frequenting this house and the father asking me if I had talked to her got me by surprise. In this case he is in a better position to give me the information regarding the girl since I had limited time with them. The deputy principal is the other person who knew this girl better since they usually have a prefect body meeting on a weekly basis. "Am sorry father but I rarely meet the girl, this duty is with the deputy and she is the one who can give you the information about the prefects." I replied. "Oh I thought you had talked to her but it's ok. I think she needs some time away from school. A week or so..." "What are you talking about father?" I asked him. "Ooh nothing really son, it's only that I remembered something that happened before you came here. It's ok. When is the half term break?" He asked changing the topic.

My mind did not shift from our discussion with father James. Yes he was such a cool person that I once envied him. I thought he could make a good husband to me only that he was a Catholic father and I was happily married. I looked upon him as a fatherly figure in my life and I once remember asking him for Marital counseling when I had a misunderstanding with my husband. Yes he was not married but the advice he gave me helped me a great deal. His teaching on love and marriage was from an expert's level. That said I adored him. My question remained how he came to know so much about marriage life yet he was not married? "Ooh Maria, you are such a beautiful woman. God blessed you with both physical and inner beauty." I remember he once told me when I bumped into him one of the nights as I was checking on the girls to ensure that they were all alseep. For no good reason, his comments made my heart skip a beat. Yes. I had not heard such a statement from my husband for a long time and his reminder made me feel a woman. "Thank you father." I replied and went away. That night I could not sleep. His words kept on ringing in my mind. I remember waking up twice to that night just to look at myself in the mirror just yo confirm that the father had told me that I was beautiful. I called my husband delighted. I wanted to let him know that the father had told me am beautiful. " Hello my beautiful wife." My husband greeted me after receiving my call. His statement added more joy to my heart. Yes the father was right. "I am beautiful and beautiful I will be forever." I told myself as I coiled up to sleep. That was some times back, but here he is asking me about Jacinta. The student I loved most in the school. Yes she was among the few students I had never punished ever since coming to this school. Anyway he asked me about half term. " Oh father, the half term is in two weeks time. I think she can wait until then so that she can go home together with her fellow students." I replied. The father looked at me for a long time and he seemed to be deep in thought. " Mmmmmhh he sighed. I hope all will be well." It's ok my daughter. I'll see you tomorrow." He said. With that, I left him but not before he prayed for the school.

From the father's house. My mind was clouded with the thoughts of our talk. Jacinta should go home for sometime. Why should she? I asked myself. Should I call the girl and interrogate her? No this will be wrong and am sure she will not open up to me and allow me know what was eating her up. So I was only presented with one option; to do my own investigation.

Being a Saturday evening, the girls were to go for entertainment so I chose to try my luck and see if I could get any information regarding the girl. I went to office, took my car keys then drove off. I ensured all girls see me leave for I passed by the dining hall where they were taking their supper. After reaching home, I changed into my school uniform; a navy blue skirt and my white blouse. I then took my sweater and tied it on my head just as I had seen my students do. Using the back gate, I came back to school. It was dark enough to cover my identity. I went straight to the entertainment hall and took a seat.

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