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The car trip from the Vatican to Rome was a quiet one, but Shanumi felt a whole lot better than when she first came.
Sister Agnes had been so kind after Shanumi's “confession” with Cardinal Lawrence, making her countless mugs of tea while making sure she had the best flight home possible. Helping her pack up her meager baggage. Packing up some pastries and meals from the kitchen for her flight home.
Moments like these that reminded her that she has her sisters. All around the world, she could always rely on their care and she could extend her own care for the hurt and the needy.
Promise me you'll call as soon as you can, Agnes whispered as she ushered Shanumi into the car that would take her to the airport.
I'll make sure your story is being heard.
We - everyone in the church - don't have to carry this pain further. It doesn't have to continue.
Agnes squeezed her hand in promise. She felt a million times lighter.
After 12 hours of flights, she was home. Familiar air and soil felt a lot better with her newfound ally and care. She stepped into the arrival hall, watched as a large crowd gathered around a store with the television screening a piece of programme.
Breaking news.
Habemus Papam.
Intrigued, she approached the crowd to read the infographic the news provided for the new Pope. The man looked younger than how one would expect to fill such a high position. The name was not someone she would recognize immediately. Vincent Benítez, she thought, I'll have to ask the other nuns and nurses if they've heard of this man.
She was relieved to listen to his past works at the margin of the Church. Real hard work that she recognizes. Even with the women! she thought, reading his past posts and efforts.
She decided to stick around a little longer as the newly appointed Holy Father came to address the crowd, praying for the healing process of the bombing victims and for the public to begin healing from the division amongst them.
She remembered a promise. She turned on her cellphone and typed in the only number she saved from the Vatican.
“Hello?” a small weary voice greeted her after a long wait.
“Sister Agnes?”
“Ah,” she could hear a small smile forming at the other side of the phone, “Have you made it back home yet, Sister Shanumi?”
“I'm still at the airport,” Shanumi replied, eyes gazing at the crowd excitedly chatting, “Decided to watch the news while waiting for my pickup.”
“Of course.” A nervous reply came from the Mother Superioress.
Silence.
“Sister Agnes” Shanumi started, “I have to thank you, for –” she eyed the ceiling, “ – everything, I suppose”
“Well, we take care of each other, do we?”
Shanumi replied with a chuckle.
“Don't forget to rest, Sister Agnes”
“You too, my dear. So many things that we both have to do after this”
“Of course, of course”
“I certainly cannot wait to hear more stories from you and the clinic”
“Thank you, Sister Agnes. You as well.”
Yes, Shanumi mused after the call. She felt renewed.