The chirping sound of birds echoed around the woods bringing a different sensation to the atmosphere.
Slowly, Filippo opened his eyes, his body hurting with intense pain. Gradually as he opened his eyes, his sight split into two like he was seeing double. Before he stood a face, an angelic one he has never seen before. Blonde hair with green eyes that were so captivating.
Filippo closed his eyes in confusion, his head spinning into two, "is he dreaming or seeing things?" He asked himself as his heart race fastened. Gradually, he opened his eyes deliberately as every breath he took seemed like he was running out of breath. His head hurts, his backache and his whole body seem like it's on fire.
Groaning in intense pain, Filippo closed his eyes to let the banging noise go away from his head but all to no avail. He wonders what's happening to him, he can't seem to understand at all.
He clenched tightly, his eyes tearing up in discomfort, opening them up, the green eyes kept staring at him. Suddenly, he felt a hand on him, soft, tender, and gentle. Filippo closed his eyes as he breathed in ultimate relief. Immediately, his whole body felt weak and stiff. Gradually, he became dizzy, not able to hold himself anymore, he fell asleep, the wind around him whirling around in comfort.
Hours passed by, the ray of the sun pierces through his face. Filippo woke up looking around in total dismay. His body felt whole again, not a single pain was felt. Quickly, he stood up glaring around as the air of the woods was mild and tensed. Sighting his horse which stood still, Filippo quickly picked up his bag, untie his horse, and climbed on it full of so much energy. Adjusting himself, he gently hits his horse which galloped away heading west down the woods.
As he rode, his mind went back to those green eyes he saw. "Was it real or just one of my regular visions?" Filippo asked himself not knowing what to think but he knew for sure that the stranger healed him from his fierce pain, he just wished he could know who that person is.
Shifting the thought aside, he sighted the gate of the convent a few feet away, his horse galloped faster with every passing puff.
Getting to the gate of the convent which was so quiet as usual. Filippo got down from his horse, tied it near the gate, and gently walked into the compound looking around.
A young nun sighted him, Filippo walked up to her scanning around, "Good day Sister..."
"Sister Agnes" the young girl cut him short politely.
Filippo smiled, "Oh, Sister Agnes, please can you show me the way to your superior officer," he asked.
The young girl pointed in a direction, "Go there and take the stairs, the first door you see, knock on it, she should be in her office now" she replied.
"Thank you" Filippo acknowledged going towards the direction she pointed out. Reaching the stairs he climbed up surveying the place. He got to the door pretty easily, breathing in, he knocked calmly waiting for a response.
"Come in," A voice said from inside.
Entering into the office which was decorated with statues of Jesus and Mary. An old woman stood at a seat with a pair of glasses. She looked up and sighted him and he was sure he could see the surprise on her face.
"Rev Filippo" Mother Tekla greeted with a smile, her eyes lancing on him with surprise written on her face. "What do I owe this pleasant and surprise visit?" She asked smiling.
Filippo bowed respectfully as she placed her hand on his head.
"Please sit" Mother Tekla motioned taking her seat.
"Thank you mother" Filippo responded taking a seat opposite her's, a table in between them.
Mother Tekla adjusted her glasses, "It's nice seeing you again, where you sent here from your parish priest?" She asked folding her arms.
Filippo smiled, "No mother, I am here to see one of your Nuns" he let out gazing at her.
Mother Tekla came closer staring at him, "Who I may ask?" She raised an eyebrow.
"It's Sister Maria, I have an important message for her" Filippo said rubbing his palms.
Mother Tekla removed her glasses, her expression changed, she breathed in deeply turning her gaze back to him, "She is not around" Mother Tekla spoke out with sad eyes.
Filippo narrowed his eyes in confusion, "Not around, how mother?, I don't understand" he asked puzzled.
Mother Tekla rubbed her eyes with her fingers, put on her glasses, and returned her gaze to him, "She was sent on duty to Mary Mount school for her missionary work. But it's already a week now and she hasn't gotten there. I and my officials went into the woods to look for her" Mother Tekla stooped opening a drawer beside her as she brought out a book, "We found her hymn book deep into the woods but no sign of her or her horse. I know Maria very well, she will never go anywhere without her hymn book, this book is a part of her and I fear something bad must have happened to her. I sent a letter to the Sister in charge of the school and she promises to send me a letter if she arrives over there, so we are still waiting and praying unto God. As I speak, all the nuns here are holding a week Novena prayer with fasting for her safe return, I pray God keeps her safe" She sighed looking sad, "Honestly, I feel bad leaving her alone but I didn't have a choice, it's what other nuns have done and they got to their destination safely" She concluded glaring at him.
Filippo's heart dropped, "What's happening?" He asked himself. He was sure he could find meaning in his dream when he sees her but now she is also missing, Is this what his dream implies? he just couldn't put the piece of this puzzle together.
Filippo exhaled deeply, "God our father will keep her save, I believe that" he assured.
"Amen, I know he will" Mother Tekla replied.
Rubbing his hands, Filippo stood up, "I have to take my leave mother" he let out.
Looking up at him, Mother Tekla nodded, "Do you have any message for her, I can tell her any day she comes around" she said.
Filippo managed to smile, "No mother, I will come again whenever she is back" he assured.
Getting up, Mother Tekla placed a hand on his head as a sign of peace, "Go well my son" she muttered.
Nodding, Filippo left with a heavy heart, getting out of the convent and climbing his horse. He turned back and glanced at the convent, "God, be with your children and make us ready for this war coming ahead" he prayed, turned his gaze away, and began to walk into the woods back to his Monastery.