Holy Communion II

Here you go Aaron. I took your advice and added a second piece.

Holy Communion II

Did he really think I didn’t know? They said that a woman could tell when her husband was being unfaithful. We picked on up the little signs like body language and the uneasiness that hovers when it was just the two of us. And then there were the words; the lack of or the excessive use of them.

He took my hand as we sat down. It felt awkward and I knew he felt it too. But he didn’t stop there. As if convincing the both of us, he leaned over and whispered in my ear. He told me he loved me. And he had to add ‘like no other’. At that moment I felt like stabbing him with a pair of scissors. The rustiest, sharpest kind there was. I wanted him to feel the way I had for the last few days.

I stopped myself. It was time for Holy Communion and I pulled my hand away to receive the tray from one of the ushers. I took one of the tiny plastic cups and a broken piece of cracker. I held them in one hand and closed my eyes. Deep breaths, I told myself.

I had always looked forward to Holy Communion. Ever since I got to know God for real anyway. To me it was sacred and not just religious. It was a time where nothing and no one else mattered, but us.

With my eyes shut tightly, I opened up my heart to him. We didn’t say anything. We usually never had too. It was hard to explain but this was how I can best describe it. It was like the both of us, touching foreheads with one another and staying. Staying in that moment as he breathed over me, into me. And our hands, we clasped our right palms together as if holding each other up.

In that instant, I knew him. I knew his love and I knew the cross. As I chewed the cracker and swallowed the juice, I felt his forgiveness cover my sins. I pictured that rusty, sharp pair of scissors in my mind. I was far, far, far from perfect. And for that moment, I felt a bit of what God must have felt when I disappointed him.

I opened my eyes and it all came back to me. I took his empty cup from him. I wondered how he would respond if I confronted him later. I felt him take my hand, kiss my fingers and place it on his lap. I wondered if I could ever forgive him. I left my hand there and thought about Holy Communion. I wondered if I could ever love him that way. I sat there, deaf to the sermon.

Holy Communion

Aaron, Jean, Lydia and I are doing this thing where we write a fictional piece based on a theme. Our very first one is 'Holy Communion'. Here is mine:

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Holy Communion

I couldn’t help myself. Before I knew it, there I was in her bed-naked, sweaty, breathing heavily from the past few hours of pleasure.

I had a wife waiting at home thinking I was away on a business trip. She must never know the kind of business I was involved in. I tried to picture her face if I told her.

A tap on my shoulder roused me. The communion tray was being passed out. There was that face, smiling placidly, innocent and kind. How could I ever tell her? The pastor read the usual words. I fiddled with the jagged piece of cracker between my fingers. I brought the tiny cup to my nose. It smelt sweeter than usual.

With what I had done earlier, I would have thought that it would have been impossible to take communion. But it wasn’t. At least not for me. I admit to some hesitation at first, after which, I continued mechanically.

‘…do this in remembrance of me’. That was our cue. I looked at the cracker before I slipped it into my mouth. I had hoped it would do its trick. I had taken the biggest piece I could find. It seemed like I needed it to be bigger this time. I also took the fullest cup of juice, and apparently, the sweetest I had ever tasted. This was a good sign.

I chewed the cracker and drowned the remaining bits down with the juice. Then I waited. I waited to feel different, to feel somewhat better, somewhat cleansed.

It didn’t happen. The aftertaste of the cracker and the sweetness of the juice had left but I still felt the same. Maybe it hadn’t worked. She took my cup from me and passed it along. Maybe it didn’t work this way. I took her hand in mine and kissed her fingers before placing them on my lap. Maybe this wasn’t what Holy Communion was about. I sat there, deaf to the sermon.

The newsletter

Dear Teacher,

I was asked to write a newsletter on behalf of my family. It's supposed to update friends, especially those overseas. Anyway, I attached it to this letter. This is what has happened in 08, in the briefest form possible.

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Dear Friend,

I am pleased to announce that this is the first of many (fingers crossed) newsletters that will arrive in your mail annually. My parents, being firm believers in constant productivity, have created a list of things for me to do while back on holiday. Writing this letter happens to be one of them. So here I go.

A lot has happened this year in terms of transitions and change. The very first being my taking off to Melbourne to further my studies in February. Along came the dizzying assignments and the countless serves of Fish and Chips. But time flies and my first year is over. How quickly I find myself back home with the family I love, with their assignments and an endless supply of Fried Kuay Teow (noodles).



About the time I left, my brother, Edmund, got to know a girl called Jen. Before long they were going out, and their love for each other escalated to a whole new level. It was absolutely entertaining to see him so smitten. In July, Edmund proposed. In September they were married! They have since been living with my parents and are in the process of putting together a wedding for the middle of next year. We are all so happy and grateful to God for Jen joining our clan. We look forward to great times together as a family.

As for Dad, he is now semi-retired and finding it a little bit frustrating. If you know him well enough, Dad always, always needs to have something to do. He is still very much involved in community development in the Philippines and the ministry to the drug addicts here in Kuala Lumpur. But he desires to do more and continues to pray about it. On a lighter note, since Yeni (our previous helper) has left for Indonesia for good, Dad has put himself in charge of our 4 dogs and fishes and doing a good job at it. They never go hungry.

Mum on the other hand, ensures that we never go hungry. She has become familiar with the wok once again and Jen, Edmund and I take turns helping her out while learning the art of Chinese cuisine. When she’s not caring for our family, she’s out helping the women at a halfway home nearby. Her heart for others just keeps growing.



Both Mum and Dad paid a visit to Edwin and Mija’s in November. We all know the real reason for the visit. It was, of course, their pride and joy that came in the restless body of a three year old called Ethan. They spent every moment with him and loved it. They took him swimming, bird-feeding and kite-flying in Melbourne among others. I have never seen prouder grandparents than the both of them.

With this year drawing to a close, we are relieved for the break yet brimming with excitement for what’s ahead. But before we look forward in anticipation, we take some time to look back with so much gratefulness. Indeed, we have much to thank God for. He is good.

Wishing each of you a meaningful Christmas and joyous 2009!

Much love,

Kristy, on behalf of,

Alan, Maggie, Edwin, Mija,

Ethan, Edmund and Jen.

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So there. Happy New Year to you!


is excited about the days ahead,
Twisty