The seminary bell rang twice that morning—short, excited chimes instead of the usual slow call to prayer.
Michael looked up from the table in the study hall.
Around him, several seminarians were already smiling and whispering.
Samuel leaned over from the next chair.
"You forgot what today is?" he asked.
Michael frowned slightly. "What?"
Samuel grinned.
"Visiting Day."
Michael blinked.
Outside the tall windows, he could already see movement near the front gate of the seminary. Families were entering the compound, carrying baskets and bags, greeting their sons with laughter and hugs.
The usually quiet grounds felt alive.
Michael's stomach fluttered.
"My sister said she might come," he said quietly.
Samuel stood up immediately.
"Then what are you still doing here? Go before someone else eats the food she brought."
Michael chuckled softly and gathered his books.
The seminary courtyard was full of voices.
Parents sat beneath the large mango trees, spreading cloths on the grass while their sons knelt beside them, laughing and talking.
Some families brought homemade meals. Others carried boxes of fruit and bread.
The scent of cooked rice and fried meat filled the air.
Michael scanned the crowd.
Then he saw her.
His sister stood near the stone fountain, holding a small basket.
The moment she spotted him, her face lit up.
"Michael!"
He hurried toward her.
She wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"You've grown thinner," she said immediately, holding his shoulders and studying his face.
Michael laughed.
"You say that every time."
"That's because it's always true."
She handed him the basket.
"I brought food."
Michael peeked inside.
His eyes widened.
"Home stew?"
"Of course."
Michael smiled widely.
For the first time in weeks, he felt completely relaxed.
A few minutes later, a familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Looks like someone is eating well today."
Michael turned.
Lucas was standing there.
His expression softened when he saw Michael laughing with his sister.
Michael's face brightened instantly.
"Lucas."
Lucas greeted his sister politely.
"Good afternoon."
She smiled warmly.
"And you are?"
"Lucas," he said. "Michael's friend."
She studied him briefly.
Lucas stood calmly, his posture relaxed but respectful.
Something about him immediately made a good impression.
Michael quickly added, "He's in the choir."
Lucas chuckled softly.
"And Michael helps serve mass."
It was subtle.
But familiar.
They sat together beneath one of the mango trees.
Michael's sister opened the basket and began handing out food.
Lucas tried to refuse politely.
"I don't want to take your meal."
She waved him off.
"If you're my brother's friend, you eat too."
Lucas laughed.
Michael had never seen his sister so quickly comfortable with someone.
They talked easily.
Lucas told a few stories about choir practice.
Michael teased him about always being late for philosophy class.
The sister watched quietly.
Every time Lucas spoke, Michael listened with a small smile.
Every time Michael laughed, Lucas seemed to relax even more.
It was something small.
But unmistakable.
And it made her heart warm.
He looks happy, she thought.
Happier than she had seen him in years.
Michael handed Lucas a small piece of bread from the basket.
Lucas accepted it with a quiet thank you.
For a moment they ate in silence while families chatted around them. Children laughed somewhere near the fountain, and the smell of home-cooked food drifted through the air.
Michael glanced around the courtyard.
"Your family didn't come?" he asked gently.
Lucas shook his head.
"No. They live too far from here."
Michael frowned slightly.
"They've never come?"
Lucas shrugged lightly, though his voice remained calm.
"My father works most days, and my mother has my younger brothers to take care of."
Michael nodded slowly.
"If they came," Lucas added with a small smile, "my mother would probably bring enough food for half the seminary."
Michael laughed softly.
"You're welcome to share ours today."
Lucas looked at him for a moment, warmth in his eyes.
"Thank you."
Later, Lucas excused himself to greet another seminarian's family.
Michael's sister leaned closer.
"So," she said casually.
Michael glanced at her.
"So what?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"That boy."
Michael stiffened.
"What about him?"
She smiled.
"You smile differently when he's around."
Michael suddenly became very interested in adjusting the basket beside him.
"You're imagining things."
She didn't argue.
Instead she simply said softly,
"He seems kind."
Michael looked up slowly.
Their eyes met.
She held his gaze for a moment.
Then she added gently,
"I'm glad you found someone who makes you smile like that."
Michael froze.
For a second he couldn't breathe.
"You… know?" he asked quietly.
She smiled softly.
"I've known my brother a long time."
Michael looked down, embarrassed but relieved.
She nudged his shoulder lightly.
"You deserve to be happy."
Lucas walked back toward them a few minutes later.
Michael's sister watched the way Michael immediately looked up when Lucas approached.
That confirmed everything.
Lucas sat down again.
"Did I miss anything?"
Michael's sister smiled knowingly.
"Not much."
But her tone held a secret warmth.
As the afternoon faded, families slowly began leaving the seminary grounds.
Michael walked his sister toward the main gate.
Lucas followed a few steps behind.
She hugged Michael tightly.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will."
Then she turned to Lucas.
"Thank you for looking after my brother."
Lucas blinked slightly.
"I Try."
She smiled again.
Then, just before leaving, she said quietly—
"Take care of each other."
Michael froze.
Lucas looked at her in surprise.
But she simply waved and walked toward the gate.
Michael stood there for a moment.
Lucas stepped closer.
"I think she knows," Lucas said softly.
Michael sighed.
"Yes."
Lucas glanced toward the gate where she had disappeared.
"She seems nice."
Michael smiled faintly.
"She is."
They stood together quietly as the courtyard slowly emptied again.
For the first time since their secret began…
Michael felt a little less afraid.