Just Saying a Little Prayer
Chapter 7

"Cara,be strong for us..come on,Cara,you can do it..God is here for you." whispered the nun as Cara was being taken to the emergency room..

"Ok Sister,this is where you will wait." said the nurse,pointing to the benches outside the room.Eriol helped the nun to the seats.

"Oh,God have mercy on Your child!She still has so much to do in life!" moaned Tomoyo as she buried her head on Eriol's arms.

He embraced her tightly,patting her head soothingly. "Don't worry,God won't let any harm be done on her." He looked at the crying students and the troubled nun. "Let's go to the chapel and pray."

They all trooped downstairs where the hospital's chapel was located.Together they kneeled and prayed for Cara's wellness.
~*~*~*~*~*~

Meanwhile,Fr.Ayashi suddenly felt the call to pray.He kneeled in front of the altar and uttered a prayer for Cara's safety.Seeing this,Mr.Burns joined the priest in praying.Some of the graders joined in too.Soon the whole academy-students,faculty and non-teaching personnel were amassed inside the small room.Even the town people joined in praying too.In one united voice,they called on God to bring their little Cara back safely.
~*~*~*~*~*~

"It's a success!" The doctor announced proudly. "She's in the Recovery Room,recuperating."

The children hugged each other happily as Tomoyo cried a tear of joy. "She's alive..God,thank you!" Eriol sighed,relieved that his student would be just fine.
~*~*~*~*~*~

Eight days after

The Wellings Academy Angels bowed down as a thunderous applause filled the whole auditorium.The judges gave them three standing ovation.

As the kids made their way to their parents happily to await the judges' decision,Eriol chatted happily with the coaches of the other schools.Tomoyo was about to join him when she saw Fr.Ayashi looking at her sadly.He motioned to the balcony outside the auditorium.She silently followed him.

"And the grand prize winner is..Wellings Academy Angels!!" announced the emcee happily.Whooping,everyone went up the stage.

"Now who would like to receive the award?" asked the host.

Eriol looked for Tomoyo but he couldn't find her.He surmised that she just went to the comfort room,so he accepted the award in her behalf.

He waited impatiently for the picture-taking to be finished.He wanted to tell her the good news already.He also wanted to ask her about what to do next about their 'relationship'.At last,the ceremony is over.As he waved goodbye to his students one by one,he caught a glimpse of Cara looking at him in a strange way.He was about to ask her about it when he heard Mr.Burns calling him.

'I'll ask her tomorrow.' the teacher thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~

"Congratulations,Mr.Hiragizawa.Job well done!" praised the principal.

He shook his head. "The credit is not mine alone.Tomoyo was the one who orchestrated the children's perfect performance." Eriol thought he saw a change of expression in the old man's eyes. "Um,where is she anyway?"

He turned to the balcony nervously. "W-With Fr.Ayashi."

Confused,Eriol followed them.
~*~*~*~*~*~

Tomoyo stopped talking when she saw Eriol coming their way.

"Hey,where had you been?We won 1st place!" said Eriol.

She smiled sadly. "W-Wow,that's..great.I-I'm happy,really."

Fr.Ayashi cleared his throat. "Tell him." he ordered before leaving the two alone.

"What was Father talking about?" the teacher wanted to know.

Tomoyo looked at him hesitantly.

"Tomoyo?" he prompted.

She wiped a tear from her eye. "T-Tomorrow,I'm leaving."

"W-What?!" Eriol was shocked. "Why?"

"Tomorrow,I'll take my vow of poverty,chastity and obedience." she explained.

"G-God,n-no.." Eriol felt the whole world crashed on him. "That's not true!"

She didn't reply anymore.Tears were spilling uncontrollably from her eyes now. "I just want to tell you that you've been part of my life.Thank you for adding colors to my life." she whispered.

He suddenly embraced her,wanting to remember how soft and warm her body was within his arms.He didn't want to speak anymore,afraid that he'll utter those forbidden words and complicate the situation even more.God,if only they could just stay like this forever,locked in each other's arms as every sweet passing moment of eternity come by.

But the magic ended.The nun released herself from his embrace. "I should be going now." She looked up at him expectantly,as if waiting for him to say something.

He didn't.He stepped away from her and watched her walk away as darkness swallowed her.'What's the use?I can never have her anyway.' he thought to himself bitterly.But seconds later,he dropped on his knees,crying.

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