Chapter 4 - Gluttony

I opened the door to my room as I bade Nadine goodbye. We had to part. No one else could see us together. Yet another cliché forbidden love.

I slowly stepped in and closed the door behind me. Left of me was my cabinet. I head for it and started picking out my clothes.

I decided not to wear my robes today. No special occasion. No masses I have to attend to. No sick people I have to cure. Nothing at all. One whole day of doing whatever we wanted.

I slid the bottom drawer open. It was where I placed my pants. I grabbed a denim pair; dark blue with the bottom parts ragged and torn….just a fashion statement I guess.

I closed it, placed the pants on my bed, then opened the second drawer from the bottom; this time where I kept my shirts. I rummaged through the pile, looking for the perfect one to go with my pants. I took out a red and orange one. Too flashy. A plain blue one. Too plain. Black and white? Too mime-like.

Then I picked out a gray shirt with silver linings running down the middle and some other parts. I thought it looked good with my pants. Like my pants, I placed them on the bed. I opened the third drawer, where my underwear lay, and picked out a pair. Hastily, I put them on.

I slowly walked over to my bed and picked up the pair of pants. I wore them. First, I put my right leg in…then my left, and soon, I zippered and buttoned it. Then I picked up my shirt and put it over myself, inserting my right and left arms into the right and left sleeves respectively.

I walked over to where my mirror lay and looked at myself. Okay…I guess. I never was much of a critic.

Turning around, I head for the door, and slowly, I turned the knob and slid the door open.

To my surprise, a woman stood at my doorstep. Nadine. A black pair of pants, a deep purple blouse, and a dark colored jacket on her once naked body. She put a crescent moon hairpin on her hair, and tucked it behind her ears. The side opposite that was almost covering her left eye, combed in such a way. She had two earrings as well; ornate, black crosses. All in all, she looked like one hot chick to me.

"Nadine….I thought we agreed that we can't stay together?"

"I know...but…can't we at least be friends?" She asked, putting on a very happy smile, contradicting her 'gothic chick' look. "C'mon! We already missed breakfast…we should have lunch!" She exclaimed, tugging my hand downstairs.

I looked at the clock on the wall. 1:00pm. We were actually late for lunch as well.

As we neared the bottom of the stairwell, she let go of my hand and turned around, yet gain smiling. I knew why. In front of us lay a feast fit for a king. Although why such a feast was prepared, I had no idea.

I searched for a sign. My eyes darted to the right. Nothing. To the left. Nothing, still.

"Today's Mother Mary's birthday." She said, looking at me in the eyes. I looked back and stared at her pure, indigo eyes, and replied, "Is that so?"

Once again, she grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the one, untouched table; all the others had been used and were already cleaned up. I helped her to her seat and sat down myself.

A helper came dashing out of the kitchen towards us, saying, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes. This'll do." Nadine replied.

Then he went back in the kitchen. I could've sworn I heard him curse us. I mean, who can blame him? He had to wait an extra two hours (lunch at the sanctuary was served at 11:00am) just for the two of us. Forgivable…in a way….

I took my inverted plate and flipped it. Then, slowly standing up, I said, "Shall we?", offering her to start eating. She did the same; took her inverted plate, flipped it and stood up.

We motioned towards the buffet table. Although we could see that people had eaten it, at least the cooks reheated it. There was roast chicken, pasta, curry and so much more. On the far end of the table, I saw one last crepe. Thank God there were still some left…I absolutely adored those!

Being a gentleman dictated to me to wait for her to make the first move. Thankfully, she chose quickly. She motioned towards the roast chicken, took a piece and poured gravy over it. Lots and lots of gravy. Then she went over to the pasta, lasagna to be precise, and took a handful. Apparently, this was all her stomach could take then went near me once more.

"Aren't you hungry?" She asked, as I was waiting for her to finish.

"No. Just being a gentleman." Honestly, I thought the phrase sounded awkward and stupid, but I was at a loss of words.

I then motioned towards the buffet myself and chose some dishes; roast chicken, fettuccini, some wonton dumplings….then I looked over at the crepe, oh glorious crepe. There was only one last piece, and it looked so….so…mouthwatering! I couldn't stand it! I had to eat it!

But then, something told me not to. I turned around and saw Nadine, and sure enough, was also staring at the last crepe. Though I was famished and this…this….crepe was luring me closer and closer to it. A thin slice of pancake wrapped around cut slices of bananas with ice cream on top oozing with delicious chocolate syrup. I was sure my mouth was watering already…

But I can't…what would she think of me? What would I be? Greedy? Would I be a thief for getting it for her? No. A glutton.

"Want some crepe?" I offered, looking sternly at Nadine.

"There's only one left…" She hesitated.

"You can have it."

"We can share then." She said, winking at me. Fate was kind, after all.

She motioned towards it and grabbed a small dessert plate. She took the crepe with the serving spoon and laid it on her plate gently. I rushed over to take the burden of having to carry it back away from her. Yet whether it was for my feelings for her, or my own greed, I didn't know.

I laid the small plate on the table, in the middle. Then my plate, then I helped Nadine sit down, and did so myself.

I was about to start eating when my conscience once again kicked me. I dropped my fork and looked over to Nadine. She was praying. For these graces from God. How rude of me.

I put my hands together in prayer and did the Signum Crucis; sign of the cross.

"Bless us, o Lord and these they gifts…" I began. "…which we are about to receive…"

"…from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen." Nadine continued. Somehow, I found a smile form on my face.

"Well…shall we?" She asked.

I simply smiled. The first time I had in ages. Last time, I guess was when I became an acolyte…..

…oh and when I turned into a priest…mustn't forget that!

I looked over to her. She took her knife and fork, then sliced a good piece of chicken. She slowly placed it into her mouth, and somewhere along the way, our eyes met in a weird kind of way…

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing…"I said, kind of…chuckling.

I took my fork and started eating the fettuccini first. I poked my fork in, then started twirling the noodles, like a whirlpool at sea. Strangely, it amused me, and I couldn't stop. How childish.

"Ummm….Re?" Nadine noticed. I quickly shoved it in my mouth, feeling so embarrassed, but never really noticed how much I got until it entered my mouth.

Half of the dish was now in my mouth, and I was gagging. Couldn't breathe.

"Re? RE!" Nadine yelled, rushing to my aid. This was so stupid. I don't want to die! It's such a weird reason for death. I imagined it:

Name: Re Suqhawe
Cause of death: suffocated; ate too much pasta at one given time.

Freaky.

A miracle though, I was able to swallow it after a few minutes. My eyes darted to the left, sensing a presence. Nadine had been there all the while, her hand patting my back, easing my breathing. She looked troubled; worried….for me? Was that how she felt? I was so embarrassed. My stupidity had caused this.

"Thank you…" I softly voiced out.

"You alright?" She asked.

"Yeah. Let's just...let's just get back to eating then…" I wasn't really sure if these were the right words; she looked somewhat….offended.

I wasn't in the mood to eat anymore. But apparently, Nadine wasn't either. Our eyes gazed at the dish in the center of the table. The mouthwatering crepe.

"We were gonna—"

"—share?" We said in unison.

To make things easier, I decided to sit next to her. I took my plastic chair, lifted it, then went beside Nadine. I took the crepe and pulled it nearer us.

"You first" I courteously offered.

She took her fork and sliced quite a big piece of the crepe. Err….did she want the crepe as much as I did? Well two people can play this game!

Surprisingly, she didn't eat it. Instead, she carefully put the fork into my mouth. What the heck, she fed me!

But there was something divine about the feeling. The crepe felt heavenly, yet the hand that gave was immortal; it just made the crepe taste…somewhat sweeter.

I looked at her. Yet again, she was smiling. Why was she always smiling? Why was her day so…happy? Was it because of me? Or….

"Hey, Nadine—" I was cut short. She fed me some more crepe, and yet again, the delicious dish slowly descended down my throat. But it wasn't enough. I must have more!

Now, only half of the dish was left; it was relatively small to begin with. Nadine hasn't eaten any, and it'd only be fair to let her have some, yet I wanted more!

I quickly drew my fork and took a slice of the crepe. Instant heaven. Nadine, on the other hand, looked at me with doubt; Was this the Re she knew?

Now, only a fourth of the crepe was left. I couldn't contain myself. I was possessed. In a mere fraction of a second, I swiped the crepe and ate it.

Without thinking, my eyes darted to the left. Nadine looked as if she was about to cry, her smile ripped from her face. I couldn't stand the guilt.

"O-oh….l-look at the time!" She said. She was trying to hide her tears, resulting in a very frail tone. "I-I'm suppose to meet up with my friends now….t-take care!"

She just left her seat and rushed out the door without glancing at me. Understandable.

This made me think and reflect. What kind of a person am I?

Slowly, I walked towards the door and stepped outside. Nadine was nowhere to be found. But she wasn't who I was looking for.

I looked up at the afternoon sky as the clouds passed by. Fakir. He had come back to the sanctuary.