Kensington,
London,
The United Kingdom.
A black Mercedes Benz stopped at the side of the road right next to the Church. A young man in his early twenties got down from the driver's seat to open the back door for the little boy and helped him out of the car. The boy dressed in a black tuxedo with a white shirt nodded in gratitude and walked around the car to join his grandmother.
Wrinkles formed at the corners of her eyes and around her mouth as she grinned at the boy. Their matching eyes twinkled as they looked at each other, and she held his little hand in hers. Even at the age of the late fifties, his grandmother looked young. She had her golden blonde hair tied up into a loose bun. She looked beautiful in her red knee-length, high waist umbrella skirt paired with a white full-sleeved shirt.
Putting on her coat, she turned to the young man. "Mathew, we're here to offer our prayers, and you don't have to look serious all the time. Relax and smile. If you want, you can come with us," she said before pointing at the bodyguard standing near the car, "And please make sure that he doesn't scare the people around us," she said, scowling at the said bodyguard.
Mathew was there to protect his mistress and her grandson from any harm. It was his duty as their trusted, loyal bodyguard. He didn't care if he offered a prayer to God or not, but he couldn't set aside his mistress' invitation. She was not only his boss' wife but also his godmother. So he inclined his head once, silently obliging.
His godmother Katherine smiled warmly at him as her hand touched his chest patting twice in appreciation.
Securing her white bag in hand, Katherine walked with grace, her white pumps clicking against the concrete floor. She looked like the perfect English Lady that she was. Mathew accompanied them to the Church after instructing the bodyguard to stay at the Church gate.
The little boy slid his hands into his trouser pockets and watched the building before him while walking next to his grandmother. It was beautiful with Victorian architecture. The tower held a ring of ten bells, and the spire of the Church rose high above.
His grandmother always said that visiting a Church was not necessary to offer prayers. One could worship the Lord by showing love and compassion to others. Still, she would come to this Church every time she visited London.
As Katherine walked to the front along with her grandson, Mathew stayed in the back, watching them like a hawk, ready jump front at any unexpected enemy. He once again reminded himself, he was there to protect them from every danger, not to offer prayers in the Church. It was his duty to guard them.
The little boy walked in, casting his eyes down as he watched his shadow on the shiny tiles of the nave. His eyes wandered around, watching the interior of the Church. Meanwhile, his grandmother sat in the pew in the fourth row of the seating bench. He noticed how the Priest acknowledged his grandmother's presence with a single nod. Sitting beside her, the boy listened to the choir singing.
The whispering in the silence, the low-pitched music, the choir, hymns, singing, everything bored him to sleep. People were busy praying to the Lord, begging him to forgive their sins. He never enjoyed visiting the places where silence dominated every other thing. To stop himself from drifting into sleep, he glanced around, studying every little detail starting from the heavy iron-bound door.
The high arched windows, stained glass, chandeliers, high altar, candle holders, the crucifix, and the statue of Christ, nothing was distracting him enough to chase away the sleep. He could smell the melted wax as the candles burned, and the quiet air tinctured with the scent of flowers, and incense. The musty prayer books, Priests in white, people kneeling in the pews, and at last, his eyes landed on something that demanded attention.
'Is it her?'
Wondering, the little boy thought to himself while he watched the girl who sat on the second row opposite to him.
The little girl looked to the right and left, watching the people around her. Her short pigtails danced in every direction as she moved her head. Imitating the people praying around her, she clasped her hands and closed her eyes. Her milky white frock enhanced the colour of her pink ribbons tied to her pigtails.
'Dear Lord, I want to see my handsome Prince again. It has been too long since the last time we met, and I'm afraid he might forget me. Please bring him to me soon.'
Struggling to keep her eyelids shut, the little girl silently prayed and made a wish.
On the opposite side, the boy leaned forward to look at her face, and a big smile framed his face when he recognised her. He looked around to make sure that no one's looking their way. Everyone, including his grandmother, was busy praying, their hands clasped together, and eyes closed.
He slowly got up and moved out of the row of benches, walking towards her. He was careful enough not to catch anyone's attention. When he reached her, he tugged on her pigtail.
The little girl turned, looking at the culprit over her shoulder, and her big doe eyes got bigger when she saw his face. She gasped into her small hand, which covered her little rosy lips. Then a cute smile replaced the shocked look on her pretty face as she removed her hand from her mouth.
Mathew watched everything from afar and shook his head. The boy was mischievous and known for breaking the rules. But he always let him have his way and was there to keep him safe from any harm.
Putting his index finger on his lips, the boy signalled the girl to be quiet. He pointed his thumb over his shoulder, showing her the direction of the big iron-bound door at the entrance. He grabbed her hand in his, and tiptoeing together they walked out of the Church.
She let out a soft giggle once they made it out.
"Hi," she said, still holding his hand, their fingers locked together. He smiled. "So, we meet again," he stated, and she giggled again nodding her head. She was too excited after seeing him.
"You remember me?" She asked, still smiling. He returned her smile. It seemed as though they couldn't stop grinning.
"I do," he answered her question, pulling her to one of the benches outside the Church's entrance. She sat right next to him. "I'm glad you remember me," he said, looking into her eyes. Her forest green eyes looked beautiful on her creamy white complexion. He noticed, she looked taller than the last time he saw her.
"Yes, I do," she said, looking into his eyes. He remembered, they met months ago for the first time, and he couldn't forget her pretty face since then. "What are you doing here?" The girl asked him, curiosity and excitement filled in her eyes.
He laughed at her stupid question.
"People come here to pray. What else will I be doing in a Church, Stupid?" He asked amusedly. He stopped laughing when she scowled at him, and her lips pouted adorably. He realised that he'd made her upset.
"Sorry. I did not mean to make you sad. You're not stupid. My grandma wanted to pray, so I came here with her. What are you doing here?" He asked the same question which he thought stupid a while ago only to make her feel good. And she did smile before answering him. "It's my birthday, and I'm five now." She held up her little palm to show five fingers.
"Aunt Lizzy brought me here to pray. She always brings me here on my birthday," the birthday girl revealed with a wide grin.
He wanted to wish her happy birthday and just realised that he never knew her name. They didn't exchange names last time.
'How could I be so dumb!'
He thought inwardly, scolding himself for his stupidity.