Thy Will, Not Mine

Chapter {35} Destiny

Days had passed since our visit to the orphanage, and the transformation in Antonio's demeanour was both palpable and fascinating. A wellspring of curiosity seemed to have been tapped within him, prompting him to ask profound questions about the formation of the world and the divine creation of the Lord.

He openly grappled with the apparent contradictions between science and faith, questioning everything from the geological formation of Earth to the biological evolution of humans. His curiosity was infectious, and it inspired thought-provoking conversations that stirred deep within our intellect and spirituality.

"Yes, indeed! Can you believe it? He even embraced her warmly!" I recounted to my closest and most cherished friend, unable to suppress the excitement in my voice.

Her response was a gasp of surprise, "Really? Antonio? The Antonio?" Her incredulity was justified; Antonio's typically stoic demeanour likened him more to a bear than a man. Yet, the softness he had recently displayed had revealed another side of him - a side that was as gentle and comforting as a teddy bear.

I sighed, a sense of contentment washing over me as I confessed, "Yes, it's true. He may appear tough on the outside, but deep down, he's just a tender soul longing for affection and care." As the days passed and our connection deepened, I found myself increasingly drawn to him. I was falling for Antonio, and I didn't resist the wonderful sensation one bit.

Upon hearing my words, Thato, my confidante with her ever-perceptive gaze, wriggled her eyebrows playfully. She had a knowing smile on her face as she spelt out in a teasing singsong voice, "Someone here is in L-O-V-E."

Her words made me blush, a wave of warmth rising up to my cheeks. I tried to hide my face behind a couch cushion, but she saw right through me. "You're blushing!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with delighted surprise.

Her reaction was so infectious, I couldn't help but laugh. As the room filled with her joyous laughter, I did what any blushing, teasingly accused love-struck friend would do: I playfully hurled the cushion at her. Her laughter grew even louder, echoing through the room and filling it with a sense of pure, unadulterated joy.

As the last echoes of our mirthful laughter gradually faded into the air, our jovial expressions gave way to a more solemn countenance. The carefree hilarity that had previously marked our faces was replaced by an air of earnestness.

"Des, my heart swells with joy for you," my friend began, her words resounding with such heartfelt sincerity that they stirred a profound emotion within me, causing my eyes to brim with unshed tears. "You, who has been such a beacon of love and care, deserve nothing less than all the love the Lord has given you."

"In the same sense, you too are deserving of love," I replied, raising a knowing eyebrow at her. "Now, do tell me about that waiter from Mario's Pizzeria who is also in your food chemistry class."

A light blush, as delicate as a cherry blossom in spring, blossomed on Thato's cheeks—a silent testament to the unspoken emotions simmering between them. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," she deflected, her focus abruptly shifting to the unadorned wall in my room.

"If that's the case, how would you explain the sudden flush on your cheeks?" I challenged, refusing to let her evade the topic.

"Well, it's... it's just too hot in here. That's why my skin is turning red," she stammered, scrambling for a plausible explanation. However, the cool draft wafting in from the open window and the rhythmic patter of the rain outside refuted her claim.

"Nice try, but I'm not buying it! Now spill the beans!" I urged, swaying back and forth on the bed in anticipation of the tale that was to come. After all, Thato was a master storyteller, and I knew she had a captivating story to share.