Winter entered the magnificent cathedral with a melancholy heart as the church bells rang to announce the beginning of the Sunday liturgy. With work commitments and a rush of personal worries dragging her down, it had been a challenging week for her. In the busy church, she felt lost and alone and sought comfort in the well-known hymns and prayers.

 

Attending the forthcoming palm sunday was one of the things that came to her as she thought over the past few months about what would make her feel alive again.

 

Before the start of Holy Week, people are carrying decorated palm leaves while attending mass and waiting for the priest to bless them. That's what she observed in the video she viewed. After all the years she's been living, this will be the first time again of her to attend a mass. 

 

 

But as the service began, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she met the gaze of a kind-looking stranger, her warm brown eyes studying her with concern. She introduced herself as Karina and explained that she had noticed her looking troubled.

 

They spoke while the priest were talking, Karina is wearing a white not-so-long gown, or which can be described as every church sakristran would wear. Winter found herself opening up to the girl she just met about her worries and fears

 

And Karina listened attentively, offering words of comfort and understanding. She was struck by how easy it was to talk to her, as if they had known each other for years.

 

The mass continued with Winter who couldn't help herself but steal glances at Karina who is standing beside her. The older's unwavering faith and quiet confidence had a calming effect on her, and Winter found herself drawn to the taller one.

 

When she reached out to hold the older's hand during the sign of peace, she felt a jolt of electricity pass between them, sending her heart racing.

 

How soft her hand is

 

 

Winter said to herself.​​​​​​​​​

 

And only if Karina knows that even in just a simple hand gesture, it has an undying effect on the small girl. It wasn't really Winter's thing to hold hand to someone she barely even know. But this time, she couldn't help but smile whenever Karina isn't looking at her way. 

 

Karina looks like someone alluringly beautiful, would it be weird to say that Winter thought she might be having a crush to someone she just met?

 

That in those eye to eye contact they are having this time can melt the vast universe in her heart?

 

Or how those butterflies multiplied inside her stomach, as Karina's hand squeezes hers when she guided her to sit.

 

 

Everything seems to be slow, the chandelier, lighting up only at their place, making them see each other even more clear.

 

 

That in those span of hours they've been together, there is something Karina felt as their skin touched. 

 

 

Did she just fell in love at first sight?

 

 

 

 

Winter thought that it would be the last time she would see Karina, because she told herself before that she won't be coming to the mass every sunday again. However, Karina spoke as if she read what's inside thoughts the younger one was having, looking a bit afraid if what she said offended or hurt the younger one.

 

"Would you like to go to the nearest coffee shop here?"

 

Karina said.

 

"I mean, coffee can make things more fine" She added, putting her right hand on her nape, probably because she's getting shy.

 

What she said made Winter's eyes delighted.

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