English Version: Sands & Sparrow

53

"Take the train traveling to West Avenue, then disembark at Fermosa Station," Sister Theresa instructed.

"I'll be there; you don't need to worry," Sister Sophia assured her, her dimpled cheek deepening as she beamed. "Thank you for allowing me to take your place." Sister Theresa returned the smile warmly. "I wish I could accompany you, Sister Sophia."

They sat together on the public bus. Sister Theresa was assigned to a Rehabilitation Center, while Sophia volunteered at a Home for the Aged. Contrary to popular belief, not all nuns led secluded lives; they were also allowed to venture outside for missionary work.

"Please call me if you need anything," Sister Theresa reminded her. With dark brown hair and grey eyes, she appeared younger than her sixty years, thanks to her warm personality. Yet, at this moment, Sister Theresa couldn't help but worry, as Sophia was about to embark on this journey alone for the first time. They had swapped places to serve, with Sister Theresa teaching Sophia the necessary directions.

"Thank you, Sister Theresa. Don't worry, I'll call you," Sophia responded, smiling at the older nun.

The nuns carried only the essentials. Although it was practical and safe to use a cellphone outside, they refrained from using it inside the monastery, adhering to their vows. Chastity, poverty, and obedience were their primary devotions. Some practiced the pledge of silence so rigorously that they rarely spoke. A nun could not own items that symbolized vanity. Sophia's personal possessions consisted of a rosary and a bible.

"We're here at Santa Cruz!" announced the driver's assistant as the bus pulled over. It was customary for the conductor or the driver's assistant to collect fares from passengers and inform them of their stopovers. "Santa Cruz! Santa Cruz!" he called out again. Passengers destined for Santa Cruz, including Sister Theresa, rose from their seats.

"I'll go ahead now, Sister Sophia. God be with you," Sister Theresa said.

"Take care, Sister Theresa, God be with you too," Sophia replied with a warm smile. The older nun nodded and waved goodbye before disembarking from the bus.

New passengers boarded, and an older man took the seat beside Sophia. With the driver momentarily away in the restroom, vendors took the opportunity to sell snacks inside the vehicle.

Sophia's gaze drifted outside the window, observing the bustling life of cars and pedestrians. The sweet aroma of boiled corn, popcorn, flavored cheese, and milk candies masked the bus's inherent scent. As the driver returned, the vendors disembarked, and the engine's rumble filled the air, soon overtaken by the smell of diesel. The conductor switched on the stereo, and the melodious voice of Karen Carpenter filled the bus, serenading the passengers with "🎶Why do birds suddenly appear? Every time you are near? Just like me, they long to be close to you.🎶"

The bus resumed its journey, weaving through the usual stops and starts. Sophia observed the power cables alongside the road, noting sparrows idly perched on the wires. A rainbow arching across the clouds drew a smile to her lips.

Opening her bible, Sophia began to read, her smile deepening with the words, all while the song played on. She took out her rosary to pray silently, but her concentration was broken by noise from the back. Two teenage girls engaged in lively banter; one's voice was particularly loud, punctuating her points by thumping the back of the seat. Beside Sophia, an older man slept undisturbed.

Suddenly, one of the teenagers laughed loudly, her guffaw resembling a donkey's bray, and slapped the back of Sophia's seat, causing her to startle. The older man awoke with a snort, briefly disturbed. Sophia sighed at the disruption but saw the older man quickly return to his slumber. As the train station came into view, she gathered her belongings, readying herself to disembark.