Autumn's Daylight

Chapter 4

Fatima

Sunday morning. My most awaited day of the week. It's Sunday and I'm so excited to be with the presence of our LORD. By the way, I already told uncle Tom and aunt Karen about the job that Lily offers me. They gave me their blessings and allowed me to work at Dawn's restaurant. Maybe that's their last name. Speaking of Lily, I haven't seen his son Jacob lately. Our last conversation was last Wednesday the day that I cracked the most indecent joke. Kevin loves that joke so much. Kevin...I still can't talk to him. Every time I call his number, no one dares to answer. I'm hoping and praying that he's fine.

“Faith, you only have 5 minutes! We're leaving at 7" uncle Tom shouts downstairs.

“Coming!” I said I take one last look in a mirror and smile. I'm wearing a yellow long sleeve floral dress. My favorite color. I wear light makeup and a 1-inch heel. This is my favorite dress because my mother gave it to me on my 18th birthday.

After the last glance in the mirror, I decided to go downstairs. We immediately went to the church that is super near uncle Tom's house.

When I got into the church, I saw Lily at the stage. I think she's one of the vocalists here. I also saw Jacob holding a drumstick, he looks so handsome with his white long sleeves. Our eyes met and he eventually comes in my direction.

“Hi Fatima,” he said casually. Back to the serious Jacob, I guess.

“Hi, how are you?”

“I'm fine, what about you?”

“I'm fine too, and I'm thinking of a new joke to crack for you to laugh again” he seems shocked with my words. He smiled after he recovers.

“Why do you want me to laugh again?” he asks with a smile.

“To make you happy, I guess.” I put my hands to my mouth to stop it.

“Laughing is not proof of someone's happiness,” he said in his most serious tone.

“Oh,” that's the only thing that I can say. Obviously.

“Don't worry... Just a sight of you brings happiness to me,” he said with a smile. And I blushed. Yes, I blushed and I can feel the redness of my cheeks.

“Jacob, let's settle the stage” someone called him. He dismissed himself properly and left me confused.

The service starts with a prayer led by my Aunt Karen and it was followed by praise and worship. Lily is a very good singer and Jacob is also good at playing the drums. I focus on the music and its message.

“I sing to you LORD, a hymn of love for your faithfulness to me.” I sang and teardrops fall from my cheeks as I remember the goodness and faithfulness of the LORD to my life. I can't make it here without Him. I can't even survive...

After the praise and worship, uncle Tom went to the stage for the message. I saw Jacob sat on the front together with his mother and there is another man with them. I think he's Jacob's father. I missed my family so much, I hope I can see them again not just on skype but in person. I'm so homesick right now because of the image of Jacob with his complete family here at church.

“Let's open our Bible with the book of Job. “

Uncle Tom shares the story of Job, how He overcome all the trials that he encountered, and why he never loses his faith in GOD. I adore Job He is my favorite character in the Bible because despite all the things that he lost; his family, wealth, friends, suffered from a disease he doesn't deserve. He still chose to stay with the LORD, and because of His faithfulness, the LORD blessed him twice of the things that he had before. I want to be like him, I want to overcome every problem and trial with the LORD by my side. Like Job, I will remain with the LORD.

Before the Sunday service ends, uncle Tom introduces me to the congregation, and they welcomed me with a big smile on their faces. I also applied for the praise and worship team. I love singing! And I got my talent from my father and most especially from GOD.

“So, you're a singer?” I heard someone ask from behind. I turn around and see Jacob. He's smiling...

“Sometimes,” I said with a smile too.

“Jacob, introduce me to your friend.” the man who sits beside Jacob earlier said.

“Fatima, this is my father, David,” he said in a serious tone. His expression change from happy to serious. What is wrong with him?

“Hi, David." I said casually.

“So, you'll be working with our restaurant right?” he asks. Oh, should I call him sir?

“Ye...”

“David, can I excuse my nephew for a second.” uncle Tom interrupts us. David nods and Jacob left with his irritated face. I'm confused about Jacob's sudden change of mood and on Uncle Tom's not so polite interruption.

“Yes, uncle?” I ask him when we are far away from David.

“Oh can you look for your Aunt Karen?” he asks. I look around and saw aunt Karen at the stage, talking with her friends.

“She's over there,” I said pointing my fingers in her direction.

“Oh I see, I will just leave for an hour. Please tell her not to search for me.” he said and seems so nervous.

“Why?”

“Kevin is home” he whispers and my jaw drops only for hearing Kevin's name. “ I will go to him, our neighbors called me, and they told me that Kevin is with his friends shouting outside the house. I need to talk to him before he can start something that he will regret in the end." He said in a sad tone.

“I will go with you...”

“No, you're not. Stay here Faith." he said with power.

“I want to see him, I'm sorry uncle,” I said and I did my best to run fast. I heard uncle Tom calling my name but I don't look back. I need to see Kevin first before they follow me. I need to give him a speech that he will never forget.

When I reach uncle Tom's house, I see 3 men at their front door. The two of them are lying on the floor, they looked like drunks who lose their senses. I looked carefully at the only man standing, he's wearing a black shirt and black pants. His hair is brown, and he has a tattoo on his left arm. He looked at me and I remember him instantly. He's the one driving the car last time when I stopped Kevin from leaving. Kevin... I search for Kevin and I saw him lying on the floor together with the gray guy the one who calls for Kevin before he left me alone in the woods.

“What happened to him?!” I shout. It seems like Kevin will not hear my speech today.

“What do you think?” he said in his boring tone. His accent is very familiar.

“What do I think? Really?! Do you want me to spell it out to you?!” he's getting into my nerves.

He just looked at me. His eyes are color green, so beautiful it will get you hypnotized. I clear my thoughts and go back to my senses. He's not a beautiful sky, he's a tornado.

“Who are you?! Why are you doing this to Kevin?!

“I'm not doing anything on him. I don't give a sh*t about him actually,” he said with a very familiar voice. Oh, I remember him. He's the one who answered my call before.

“Can you please stop cursing!” he looked at me with his brow-raising and laughs. A sarcastic laugh.

“No one dares to tell me that,” he said with a serious tone. I remember Jacob with his shifting of mood attitude.

“Well someone will now!” I said and I went to Kevin. He looks so pale and dehydrated I think? Oh no.

“Oh no, Kevin? Are you okay? You look bad” I'm panicking.

“Do you think he can hear you?" the tornado boy asks with his boring tone.

“Shut up!” I said and stand up, I went closer to him. “If you don't have anything good to say, won't you mind if you will shut your mouth for a while? Much better if forever!” I shouted in his face. He doesn't look frightened. He looked at me and I saw the anger rising in his eyes. He steps forward to reach me but before he can grab me, someone holds his hands.

“Enough!” I saw Jacob grabbing the hands of the unknown guy. His tone is serious and powerful.

“Oh here comes the deceiver!” the unknown guy spits, and he jerks away from his hands.

“Stop with your nonsense! You don't have any room with this town!” Jacob is now shouting. I saw the anger in his eyes.

“Cool, cool down Jake.” the unknown guy insults. “Don't let your true colors shine." he said in a disgusted tone.

I looked at Jacob and his emotions shifts from being angry to sad. Why is he sad?

“I'm leaving” the unknown guy states and walks in Jacobs's direction. He stops in front of him and... “See you around, brother,” he said and my jaw drops. He left after he said that. And Jacob and I remained. Silent.