When The Church Bells Toll

Young Love

      “Good Morning, Frias! Wake uuupppp!” Juanito shouted at the top of the bell tower. Juanito pulled the bell ropes and rung the bells several times to call the townspeople for the Sunday mass service. Today, Juanito was in high spirits. He climbed the bell tower early. Holding an old dust cloth, a silver bucket filled with half water and a bottle of oil, he wiped the dust off bells the with water and swept up the little pieces of dry leaves and little twig branches - brought and scattered around by birds on the rickety and antiquated wooden floors of the bell tower. The black and white-colored bird droppings around the concrete balusters proved that the place had already been claimed as their territory. Juanito didn’t have a choice but to clean them regularly. He used to hate cleaning the bird droppings and shooed them at first sight.

    This Sunday was different. He whistled, danced, and sang while he cleaned. He even talked to the birds, “see you, tomorrow guys,” on the way down the stairs, like they have been friends for a long time. Juanito felt a series of euphoria. Juanito was inspired. Juanito was in love.

    “Que horror!” Marcela blurted out. Shock at the revelation, about the newfound inspiration. Excitedly, she asked, “Tell me, who was this special lady? Do I know her?”

    “Yes, you knew her very well. She used to hear mass on Sundays,” replied Juanito.

    “Juanito, so many people are hearing mass on Sundays. How will I know which one?”

    “Well…” He stopped. "For now, it's a secret."

   . “You’re still young Juanito. How do you think you can give her a good life? Better finish your studies first before thinking of such nonsense.”

   “But I earned money from working here at the Parroquia.”

    “Do you think its enough to raise a family?”

    “It was only an admiration, a way to express my feelings. Or get to know her better, maybe go on a date with her, if she would allow it. I didn’t say I would marry her now.”

   “During our time, courtship was a serious business, Juanito. You can’t ask a girl out just for the fun of it. It always leads to marriage. I am only saying the truth.”

    The mass started. Juanito assisted Father Domino at the altar, yet, his eyes were fixed on me, seated on the third-row aisle. He spotted me as soon as I entered the church and walked to my seat. His heart raced. His breathing and anxiety increased.

    “All sit-down,” Father Domino announced the start of the readings.

    Juanito remained standing in front, daydreaming. Father Domino whispered to him, “Juanito, please sit down.”

    Older women who had seen it raised their eyebrows and ignored him, but some young ones giggled in their seats. He felt ashamed for a bit and smiled. Everybody looked at him but he was oblivious to the people around. Nothing mattered but the woman of his dreams – me. He stared like he had seen a ghost – a beautiful ghost perhaps. He can’t get me out of his mind and sight. As the mass went on, Juanito’s feelings intensified. Father Domino noticed he couldn’t concentrate. After the mass had ended, Father Domino had a private conversation with Juanito inside the rectory. He was too ashamed to reveal the real reason, he lied to Father Domino and said that he was not feeling well.

    Juanito visited the library where I worked. I have known Juanito for a long while now since he was introduced by Hermana Marcela after I went to see Father Domino for a confession. 

    Juanito visited the library where I worked.

    “Buenas dias, Celina.” How are you these days? I have seen you at the christening but I was too shy to talk to you since it was a busy Easter Sunday.” Juanito greeted me.

    “Juanito! What brings you here? I’m so glad to see you!” I responded.

    “ I happened to pass by the corner of the Avenida on my way to the plaza…. “Since it’s Friday tomorrow, are you still busy after work?”

    “I don’t think so, I finished all my list for today. Why do you ask?”

    “Uh-mm, I’m inviting you for a snack, if you don’t mind. Is there any place would you like to eat?”

    “Sure, it’s fine. I’ll see you at 5 pm. Let’s try the newly opened pizza restaurant in town. What’s the name of the place again?”

    “It’s Pasta Beat. Thanks so much, Celina. See you. Bye.”

      Juanito jumped for joy on the way home. He met Marcela in front of the church while she rested under the lone sycamore tree. He grabbed her hands and waltzed with her. It took Marcela by surprise.

    “Did you win the lottery Juanito?” asked Marcela.

    “More than that, Hermana! Celina agreed to have a snack with me tomorrow! Isn’t that great news?” We have a date!! We have a date!! Woohoo!” replied Juanito.

 “Good for you! But winning the lottery was much better.” Marcela laughed as she walked back to the kitchen.  

    The Italian pizza and pasta place in Frias was the newest hit in town. Everybody loved to try it for a change. Juanito and I found a table for two in a nice and comfortable corner with subdued lighting and solemn ambiance. As expected it had the Italian-Meditteranean feel about the place. Many people in the restaurant tried assorted pizzas and a wide variety of pasta dishes. Juanito was four years my junior, but it never bothered him to date a woman who was a little older than him.

    “Age is but a number, Celina. We should not be serious about it. For me, friendships should never have boundaries. We can all enjoy it.”

   “You are right, Juanito. With that kind of philosophy in life, you’re matured than your age. I never expected that.”

    “Celina, the first time I saw you with Hermana Marcela, I already admired you. You may not be a cover girl on a magazine kind of girl,”…

   Celina interrupted him and said in jest, “Ah, I know, you mean to say, I am not beautiful like them, ha-ha-ha?”

   “Oh-no-no! Of course, you are, you don’t have to be a model on a magazine to be pretty, but there was something special about you.”

    “The only special about me - my eyeglasses cost more than you expected. I can’t live without it so I made sure it was durable and worth the price I paid.”

    “An excellent decision. Why not? Reading is your life.”

    Celina laughed in agreement. She realized, how things were a lot different when hanging out with a much younger Juanito. He was much better than dealing with the prideful sailor he knew. Life seemed easier and joyful because Juanito was focused on making me happy, which in a way, made him happy too. It’s a win-win situation kind of friendship. All we need is just to be ourselves, enjoy the fun, and life is good.