I was not used to hearing words of resentment directed to my Father. The people who surrounded me praised Him for His merciful and generous self at all times. The words "I hate God" made me stand paralyzed in place and reboot for a while.

"Bu–But he loves you." It was the only response I could make out in my dumbstruck and nervous position.

Cain clicked his tongue.

"He doesn't love the ones who hate him. Don't give me that crap. Wake up and see that people aren't given equality. There are ones who are filthy rich and they die with dignity and most live with mere crumbs on their plates. Fuck off."

My mouth hung in disbelief. Cain lifted a box containing canned foods and walked away while he grumbled about Christianity being a source of hate and problems for people.

How could someone be so hateful?

My mind was left blank. I didn't even know why I was in that section anymore.

There would always be people who'd challenge my credence. The Lord warned His children about it. But with the constant hits on me, I didn't know if I could last.

I gathered my scattered wits and went home with Samantha, feeling forlorn. Up until this Sunday's mass, I sensed the negativity beginning to call its friends to break down my walls. I wasn't even able to listen to the priest about the lesson for today. What I did notice though, was that the church wasn't as filled as the Sundays before. Did the people forget that it was worship day?

After the healing, I dreaded what I would see once I exit the church. I expected my dad's booming voice, shouting how people should donate two-hundred dollars and how it was mandatory. To my greatest relief, there was no box of greediness anywhere. Have they come to repent how they took advantage of these poor citizens?

"Hey, did you hear? There's this big-time businessman who will come here soon and offer jobs. I heard he pays well," A churchgoer said as he went out of the building with one of my regulars. "People are going to that huge convention tent just outside of town."

So that was where people were? I wonder if my parents were there looking for jobs? I do hope that they weren't getting into somewhere illegal. Samantha came to pick me up instead of Derek.

"Honey, he's looking for a job in that convention thingy," she told me. I hummed in response, watching the cars and people going in the direction opposite of us. My curiosity skyrocketed. Just how many people were getting pulled there?

"Can we go there and see?" I asked Samantha.

Samantha inclined her head with a smile. "Sure, but we have to hurry, Kennedy might drive the babysitter nuts," she laughed.

We went along the flow of cars and people. The buildings and houses started to decrease as we neared the exit of town. The tent they were talking about was built outside of the road and was slightly surrounded with trees. There was a long line of people waiting outside. Samantha parked the car after almost half an hour of foraging through the parking lot. People held envelopes and folders; excited grins were plastered on their faces. They didn't even pay much attention to me which was a new thing. They'd usually flock around me to plead for their disease.

There was signage by the entrance of the tent with letters written in bold red.

"WE NEED FACTORY WORKERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, CLERKS, AND MANAGERS. EXPECT TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $30, 000 A MONTH! DITCH YOUR CURRENT JOBS AND APPLY NOW!"

Was this some kind of scam? How could they pay more than thirty grand a month to somewhat low-paying jobs? What kind of company were they running?

"Keetan!"

Abel waved at me from a short distance. I jogged towards him, greeting him with a beam. He looked better than last time I saw him.

"Hey Abel, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. My brother is in the queue for a job interview."

Why do I feel a tingling feeling in the pits of my stomach as if I knew who his brother was already?

"I want to introduce you to him," he cheered. Abel grabbed my hand, starting to pull me. I hooked my feet on the grassy soil.

"Wai-wait!" I panicked.

I didn't think his brother would like to see me and the feeling was mutual. I was still at my weakest from the past events and getting another shot of hateful espresso would not do any good to me. Abel ignored my protest, hauling me towards my doom.

"Cain!" he chuckled when we finally saw his brother by the entrance.

I knew it.

But I didn't expect to see him smile so brilliantly towards his brother. There were deep dimples on both of his cheeks.

As soon as he saw the little God worshiper tagging along with his brother, his grin turned into a cloudy and grim scowl. His face said it all. Cain heaved Abel from me, wrapping him protectively with his arms. Abel looked at him like a lost puppy.

"Cain?" he asked innocently. I really wanted to melt into a puddle from the heated glare he gave. "Keetan used his magic to heal me last time. I was really sick, remember?" Abel reminded. I was grateful for his explanation even though he described my healing power as "magic."

The older one's face started to relax but his glare still pinned me down.

"Why?"

I cocked my head to the side. "Why what?"

"Why did you heal him? We don't even go to church."

I stared at him for a while and spoke out my thoughts. "It came out of instinct. I was made to be of service to others so that they can live out their lives. It is my divine duty."

Cain's eyebrow slightly twitched in annoyance. "That's a dumb reason but whatever the case, thanks for healing my brother."

I nodded at him. His name was called. Abel waved goodbye while his brother acknowledged me with a nod. If it weren't for Abel, Cain would probably still be burning me in his mind.

Their relationship was ironic. In the bible, Cain killed Abel because of his jealous rage. These brothers showed the opposite to where their names must have been derived from. It was heart-warming to see.

I walked back to Samantha; she was gossiping with a friend with a cup of coffee in hand. Derek got home two hours later looking like he had won a million dollar lottery. He was accepted as a construction worker. It suited his bodybuild. They do deserve more payment for their jobs. They worked under the blazing heat of the sun while being placed at risk because of the hazards that came along with their line of work. Samantha cooked up a large feast. Kennedy and I helped out.

I really envy this family...

They lived simple lives yet they were happy and content. I doubt dad would accept the kind of job Derek was grateful to have. He had gotten used to having money without straining his muscles.

I sighed through the warm sprinkle of the shower. The maids were able to pack a lot of my things in two luggages and one duffel bag. I wouldn't have to borrow clothes from Kennedy anymore. I thought of what Cain said before which made sense.

People were made very different. Some were insanely smart and some were ridiculously slow (but I believe they would catch up with hard work and prayers). Some were filthy rich and some were sadly poor.

This was the life given to me and for many reasons...I was starting to grow ungrateful for it,

I laid down on the bed provided for me. Kennedy came inside with his jumpy and bubbly self. "Keetan! Are you tired? You look tired! I saw dogs smelling each of their butts lately. It was really weird."

I stared at Ken in disbelief. "Why do you say such things?"

"Let's watch porn!" He screamed.

"Kennedy! Are you using my laptop again?!" Derek screamed furiously from downstairs. He stomped his way to the room where we were and reprimanded

"Does that mean I'm allowed to be a pervert when I reach your age, dad?"

I swallowed the laughter that tried to escape from me. Wait...why did I laugh at hearing him wanting to sin in the future?

"You are grounded!"

"Aw man!"

He really did get grounded everyday. It was Samantha's and Derek's signature line.

I listened to Kennedy's grumbling. Lights were out at 10 in the evening. I'll need to catch up with the lessons I missed. I snuggled in the comforts of the bed I was borrowing, fisting the blanket closer to my neck. I fell asleep in the midst of thinking of my parents.

My Father gave me too many hurdles that even adults won't even have the endurance to deal with. Did He believe that I had the strength to withstand them all? If he does, then I will do my very best.

The warm cover of my blanket was pulled down to my feet and was replaced with a natural body heat. I couldn't move at all or react to what was happening; it was as if my eyes were not mine to control. My heart sped. Fear got a hold of me. My pajama was gently pulled down as heated kisses were placed on my exposed skin. Each kiss was long and hard. My inner thighs were softly nipped. My fear was overcome with lust. The flag on my southern regions hardened.

I prayed inside my head. I didn't want to commit sins anymore; however, just like the song by REO Speedwagon, I just can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I was fighting for.

It was too much. It wasn't mere lust. The warmth filled the crater I had in my heart and satisfied the longing I never knew I had.

The person touching me was a man. His rough and big hands gently held my cheeks. His shaky breath fanned my face as if he was trying to stop himself from crying. I couldn't help but react to him. My eyes started to tear up. I desperately wanted to embrace him. The love I was achingly looking for was given to me in one serving when his lips delicately merged with mine.

It was a feeling of supreme bliss.

"Miniel..." He whispered from above me. His voice was foreign yet was giving me a sense of deja vu.

What my heart was searching for all along was...against my beliefs. I was looking for a man. This man.