The Haunted’s Kiss of Regret and Repentance

“I know that you told mom you were going to stay here for a week or so, but I can’t believe that you decided to go home in the middle of the school year. Are you seriously telling me that you are risking your studies for relaxation?”

My brother Alister was never close with me, and he and Izzy became much closer over the years. I disappeared as the eldest to study in another city a few hours away from home, and I knew he hated my guts for leaving the responsibility to him.

“Wow, you haven’t seen me and spent time with me for months, and this is the welcome greeting that you give me? Don’t you have a softer side for your sister, Alister?”

I saw my brother compose himself, and the well-trained Alister De Leon was now present before me. He was definitely more mature than me, and I would never get shocked if they suddenly announced that he was now the new heir and not me.

“Well, big sister, I am aware that you were never the most responsible one, but I did assume for a while that you would take college seriously enough to actually not mess it up.”

“Don’t worry, little brother, I may be the black sheep of the family, but I still aim to be a success. Whether people believe that I can be or not, it no longer matters to me.”

The shock in my customarily composed brother’s face was pleasing to me. I have to admit, it was rare for me to outsmart or outtalk my younger brother, and this moment is priceless for me.

“Now, little brother, I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone and focus on your own studies. Based on what Izzy said a few hours ago, you’re doing great, and you should make sure you keep it up. You know that any mishaps could cause you more than you’d like to admit to me.”

I knew I hit a nerve since my younger brother has always hated my carefree spirit. He envied my lack of interest in the clan’s future, and I envied his self-control. Nobody was perfect, and whenever the three of us were together, we all had a silent agreement that what the other lacked was the other’s strength.

Alister left with an annoyed expression, but I knew that it would only take him a few minutes or hours to get over our little bickering. He was still more responsible than me, and I was proud of how he stepped up when I was away.

I silently thanked my younger brother for disturbing my thoughts because the dark and heavy presence was now gone. I was so absorbed with bickering with Alister that I forgot about the situation I was in.

I fixed the mess I made in my room, and I decided it was time for me to catch up with my studies while I was waiting for dinner. I knew that I had left my responsibility to the school publication and the other clubs that I was in. However, I was thankful for the chance to have friends that always got my back.

Perry, Kath, and the others ensured that everything I needed to worry about was taken care of. They even helped me explain to the teacher about my horrible mental situation. Apparently, they told my teacher that someone I cared for died by committing suicide, and it even took a toll on me both mentally and physically.

It was a good thing my teacher believed the half truthful story from them, and I was excused in all my classes. When dinner was ready, the entire family was at the dining table, and only my mother spoke to me about random stuff at school.

“Sis, you have to think of other ways to break the spell because mom obviously doesn’t have the solution. Didn’t you say that you were going to a church here in the city? Do you think that the pastor could help me chase away this entity and get rid of this curse?”

“Hey, this is real life. I don’t think that the things in the movies are the same as in real life. However, tomorrow is Sunday, and you could go with us and check out the church.”

“At this point, I am very willing to try everything and anything. I may look like I still have everything in control, but I feel myself slipping, Izzy. I can’t be strong for long, and I know that if my mental health would go down the drain-”

“Shut up, sis. Don’t even attempt to say those horrible words. Rian decided on his own, and no matter what he says or does to you, it is because he made a choice. You made a choice in the past, but your past doesn’t define you.”

“Wow, Izzy, thanks. I never knew you had those motivational quotes in you.”

We both laughed at realizing that we were both getting closer because of the horrible things happening to us. I decided that I would go straight to the church that she and mom were talking about by tomorrow.

For now, the only thing I needed to worry about was the fact that it was nighttime again, and I was not excited to go to sleep because of the terrifying encounters I had during my nightmares. Izzy must have seen my face and guessed what I was thinking, so she volunteered to have a sleepover in my room tonight.

“Okay, so the preaching was great, and the woman pastor had a great point about forgiveness and repentance. I think I need to message her tonight if I could find her account online.”

The four of us: Alister, my mom, Izzy, and I, were going to a restaurant after the church service. For the first time, I felt like I was both being attacked and comforted as I sat in one of the chairs in the middle of the church.

“” So how did you feel about the entire experience, Shyne? I’m sure that you would be glad to know that the pastor is known to be very effective actually doing what she’s preaching, unlike the others.”

My eyes grew a bit after hearing my mother’s words. She had a church back in their small village where she grew up in poverty, and she was always defensive whenever a church was discussed. However, for the first time in my life, I saw the sincerity of my mother as she talked fondly of the testimonies of the people she met at their new church.

“” Shyne, I believe that this church can help us heal as a family and get to know each other more. I realized after the service that we lacked connection as a family.”

The sudden talk about family obviously shocked me, and by the looks that my younger brother and sister were giving to mom, she all had the same thought. I found both my younger siblings nodding their heads as a sign of surrender, and I, too, found myself nodding in agreement.

That night, I was too busy contemplating all of the words that the preacher delivered during the sermon, and there were a few phrases that struck me harder than the others.

“You made a mistake, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it your whole life as a burden and a blockage for your appointed blessings in life. Everyone is bound to make mistakes. That is why we are told to repent and change our ways.

The Lord gave us a way to be forgiven, and we must take it. Not as a way to say sorry and do it again, but to regret and change for the better. We all deserve a second chance to be better and forgiven, even if the person doesn’t accept your apology. Forgive for your own peace of mind and changed life, not to restore the exact same relationship, but to personally become better.”

I looked outside my window and decided to take my sketchbook and draw how I felt at the moment. Every line that I drew made me feel at ease and forget about my surroundings. By the time I was done, I had looked out the window and saw that it was almost nighttime.

“Hey babe, how are you feeling about going back home?”

Brixton called me while I was preparing for dinner, and I couldn’t deny the annoying butterflies that fluttered in my belly. I felt like I was a teenager again and not a mature adult.

“I’m fine, babe, but it would have been nice if the rest of the gang was able to come here with me. I just remembered that you have never met any of my close relatives aside from my cousin, Perry.”

“” I would love that, Shyne, but knowing your family, your father, and brother would be too paranoid if you suddenly introduced a guy you call ‘babe’ to them.”

I laughed at Brixton’s words, and we talked for more than an hour before I decided to hang up to go downstairs. Dinner was served, and I knew that the family would NOT appreciate it if I came late.

“Tomorrow, the church will be preparing a show for the arrival of the Korean pastors and missionaries that visit the church every year. I have already decided to include you in their list of young people who would be doing an intermission number.”

“What?! But mom, why didn’t you tell me first before signing me up? I have a lot of things to do tomorrow, and signing me up means that I would need to practice instead of having time to myself.”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“I already did with Alister’s help, Shyne, and I am sure that you are going to love it since it involves painting. Now, I expect that you and your siblings will go to the church tomorrow afternoon and begin meeting the other kids.”

I was furious, but I refused to showcase how annoyed I was since I knew that going against my mother and brother meant that I would have more trouble. I was now in Izzy’s room, and I looked at the books she had while I waited for her to get ready for bed.

“You know that mom is trying to make amends too, sis. She just has a lame way of doing it since she is obviously winging it even after two decades of being a mom to you. You know how mom never understood any of us that well, especially you.”

“Are you trying to make me guilty, Izzy? Because if you are, your plan is working, and I hate it.”

“Just go with us to the practice. Even if you’re already twenty-three years old, you still need Jesus Christ, sis. Plus, you need a way to get close to the pastor to ask for help from her more properly. I know your prideful self is not capable of asking for help from someone you don’t know.”

I decided to agree with Izzy and went straight to my room to get some sleep before the practice tomorrow. However, Sweet called in the middle of the night to tell me a piece of news that made me rush to my sister’s room unannounced like a panicking three-year-old.

As Izzy sat up, she read Perry’s text on my phone, and her eyes turned as wide as mine.