THE CRIMES OF NATALIE CHRIST

Chapter 2

I parked my car to the back of the church in the parking lot. As soon as I entered the hallway I saw Father kneeled in front of the statue of Mary carrying baby Jesus offering his usual morning prayers without fail. I kneeled beside him, softly, so that he couldn't sense my presence. I too offered my prayers thanking Lord for the new beginning that I was soon going to start, so excited to deliver the news of my new job.

  Father finished his prayers and saw me, with closed eyes and a smile on my face, reciting my prayers in the same position as him. He patted my head and gave me his warm usual smile once I opened my eyes, "Let me guess, your smile says the interview was perfect, so how soon can we expect a call from them?"

 "Jeez, Father calm down and yes the interview went well and no we're not expecting any call."

He frowned in confusion. I jumped at him as I do usually when I'm excited, happy or sad, yea you can say I do that in every situation and hug him tightly, " I bagged the job Father, I did it."

"That's fantastic my child, as expected, see that's the very why I tell you to always reveal your true self in front of others, there doesn't lie any need to wear a mask of disguise and pretend to act as people want you it." 

"I know Father you always say so, and my honesty rewarded me with 11 rejections from firms and this was my 12th trial." I always had to make him remember the consequences  of his honesty-is-the-best-policy thinking.

"But still we conquered, now come lets celebrate and all spread the news of victory to our possessive nuns. I don't why they always have to be so possessive about everything, from morning they've started with their over thinking process of whether you'll get the job or still be the same situation of you returning with your mouth full of abusive nonsense of how they discouraged your attitude. They always keep blaming me for making you so bold and frank." He continued his bragging and I kept on laughing. We were heading towards our way to the residential side or you can say the back side of the church.

  It was a building of two floors and served the purpose of common residence for all of us. We lived as a family of happy six, that included me, Father and my four sweet mom like nuns. The ground floor contained of vast living room, a separate dining room joining the kitchen and Father's room. First floor had all the rooms of nun and yes as I was the extra member to this family who joined them later, they providing a living for me in the attic. Yes I'd an attic room and that didn't bother me because it was a spacious one, not like other attic rooms and the plus point was I'd decorated it with my own hands.

 No one in the family could outstand my stubbornness because I guess I was pampered a lot since my childhood.

  Father kept complaining about how the sisters were being a total trouble for him and I as always acted as the good listener, what I am. 

As we entered the front door Sister Gracia, who setting up the messed living room, saw me with an excited tint and I knew what was coming next, " Olivia, Stella, Mary, she's home!" Sister Gracia screamed on top of her voice.

All of them joined me and Father in the living room, "Okay! So before you guys started putting up your questions, take a deep breath coz I got the job," I completed my sentence and ran towards them as I always do in any circumstance.

They all hugged me tightly, as if they were waiting for this day and thus were even more eager than me. 

"See Stella I'd told you." Sister Gracia remarked. "I was feeling in my guts."

Sister Olivia looked at me and said lovingly caressing my face, "You know sweetheart since morning Gracia has literally been jumping to greet you because she has continuously been saying that this time Nate won't fail and see you made it."

Sister Mary on the other side started crying, "Don't tell me you won't be leaving us."

"Ooooo, Sister Mary," I cooed her, "That won't happen, ever. You guys are the only family I've ever known, why'd I ever do that."

And suddenly Father spoke up, "Would we end up with this drama because I'm dying here with hunger and plus its time to celebrate and be happy. Nate hasn't lost the job, she has grabbed it."

"Ohh! Father you won't get this, these are happy tears." Sister Stella said.

"Yea exactly! I guess I can never get you women that's why I'm a monk."

"C'mon guys we're done with this. Now tell me what is that we're planning for tonight, huh?" I'd to speak up as usual to end this circus. 

"You tell us, do you want to celebrate it with your friends? I mean of course they're of your own age." Sister Olivia said.

"Of course no. I want to celebrate it with my family." God who tells them that I'm even interested in meeting my sweet mean friends who are always ready to pull my back. I'd look mean to you by my attitude but serious note people I ain't like them. I don't act the sweet poison. Father has always told be to be who I am.

"Okay, so everyone's favourite dishes for tonight? I guess that's the only way I've in my mind." Sister Mary suggested and I forgot to tell you how fantabulous is her cooking.

"Why not my master chef."

"Lets bring it up then and yes get yourself freshen up." Saying so Sister Mary left with other nuns.

"We're keeping tomorrow's sunday praying session in your name to seek his blessings. So get yourself dressed in your white gown, the one that we gifted you on your birthday. Okay child?" Father spoke and I replied smilingly, "Sure Father." Patting my head once more he left me and now it was time to get relaxed and buckle up for what was going to come next.