No Engagement Ring

by Julie Sewcharan

  “It's awesome!” Jonathan answered still reeling.

  “Where did you get the song from?” Troy asked without looking at Jonathan.

  “A friend,” Jonathan said quickly almost revealing Hannah's name.

  “Your friend has a great eye for music. From our congregation?”

  “Yeah,” Jonathan said nonchalantly.

  “I'd like to meet him to find out where it came from,” Troy said enthusiastically.

  Jonathan shrugged not correcting the gender. “I'm sure you will. You going to use that then?”

  “Most definitely! It won't be difficult for the team to practise it either. Which reminds me, I better get cracking on the preparations for the practise session.”

  Jonathan was relieved that Troy didn't pursue the identity of the 'friend'. Impatience to tell Hannah, took hold of him but it was only eleven o'clock. School was not out for another few hours. He would just have to bide his time. Back in his office, however, he was required for a number of things which helped to quench his impatience. By the time he got to the school, it was already five.

  Madeline was about to leave but he quickly caught her. “Is Hannah still here?” he asked distractedly.

  “Sorry, Jonathan, she left already.”

  Jonathan just nodded. She was probably on her way to see Clare or Genevieve. He just could not remember which days she was giving music lessons to which girl. It would have to wait until tomorrow, even though he would have like to tell her right now.

  Blissfully unaware of the excitement Jonathan was housing, Hannah was busy doing music lessons with Clare. Since exams were in progress, Genevieve's parents put a hold on the singing lessons. This gave Hannah more time to spend with Clare. Feeling she was getting Clare to open up, she appreciated the extra time.

  Friday was just as busy for Jonathan and he didn't get a chance to see Hannah during the day either. Therefore, it was with gladness he met her at six thirty that evening.

  “You look smug!” Hannah pointed out when he arrived in the main church; after greeting him.

  He took her hands in his and kissed them both. “I am feeling smug because I am marrying an amazing woman.”

  “You are?” she asked with mock puzzlement. “Do I know her?” she teased.

  “Very funny!” he laughed. “Your song is amazing!” he said with passion.

  “You heard it?” she asked nonplussed. “How?”

  “Troy played it as soon as I handed it to him. Eager to meet the writer.” His eyebrow lifted.

  Hannah ignored his plea. “I can only thank God for that song. It is His!”

  “And you made yourself available for it to become known. Thank you!” He stroked her cheek. He so badly wanted to kiss her but his promise reared its head.

  “I am glad Troy likes it,” she said humbly.

  “And the church is going to hear it on Saturday,” he said proudly.

  Hannah stiffened. “Oh, no, that's tomorrow! I didn't even think about that,” she wailed.

  “Don't worry! No one knows it yours, although I wish they did.”

  She chewed her lip thoughtfully. “You are right, no one knows the writer of that song, so it should be cool.”

  Jonathan saw the hesitation but he wasn't going to give her any more room for panic. Instead, he said, “Shall we begin with the study?”

  She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Yes!” Wrapped up in the study, she forget her anxiety.

  Chapter 21

  The next evening, she brought Clare along to the year end production. They sat quite a distance away from the stage. Emily and Derrick had been only too glad to fetch Clare on the way to church. Caroline and Denise were not able to attend but they were glad that Clare was going to be there and grateful that Hannah fetched her.

  As soon as they got to the church, Clare showed a few signs of anxiety, especially going through the doors. Supportively, Hannah put her arm around the girl's shoulders. They were the same height. She was glad that Jonathan had warned her to expect these sort of things for a while.

  Going further into the church, Clare calmed down sufficiently. Awed by everything around her, the young girl stayed close to Hannah, who squeezed her hand reassuringly. When Meredith's family sat in the same row as theirs, Hannah was especially glad. It was an opportunity to introduce Meredith's adopted sister who came from the same background as Clare. The girls bonded immediately, sitting together for the entire duration of the performance.

  The performance was amazing but Hannah was too nervous to catch most of it, waiting for her song to come on. Finally, it did. Instead of feeling insecure, though, she was in awe of it. This was the first time she heard it sung by someone else and the band did an extremely good job. She was lost in the beauty of their rendition.

  Everyone clapped loudly, bringing her out of her enchantment and causing her to blush.

  “That was something new, as I am sure you are all aware of,” Troy said from the stage once the applause died down. “So I think we should give the team another big applause for that.”

  Another clap went up from the congregation, a deafening sound to Hannah. She couldn't believe that they liked the song so much. The team did deserve praise for that but she knew the real praise went to God. The song had come to her when she had wept for forgiveness. Wow! she thought with tears in her eyes which she had to get rid of quickly as they ended the evening.

  “That was awesome!” Meredith's adopted sister, Julia, said. “Maybe next year I can participate.”

  “I don't see why not,” Meredith encouraged.

  Clare didn't share anything about her experience of the performance and no one pushed her for opinions. Julia and Clare continued to discuss other things.

  Since Clare and Hannah were going back with the Garricks, they had to wait for them. There was plenty of time to chat with each other during the wait. It was also an opportunity for Meredith and Hannah to catch up as there had been no group meeting that day due to the evening's event. It wasn't much later that the took their leave of each other. Julia and Clare promised to keep in touch, getting permission from Meredith's family to visit each other which was gladly granted.

  Hannah was still reeling with the beauty of the entire evening when Jonathan came up to them. Since she was with Emily and Derrick, she had no choice but to stay.

  He briefly greeted Hannah and Clare, then shifted his attention to Emily and Derrick who were saying that they enjoyed the production.

  “Did you enjoy it Clare?” he asked kindly, after everyone shared. Hannah's heart skipped a beat at the kindness he displayed and for the umpteenth time thought how blessed she was to be marrying him.

  Shyly, Clare nodded. She was still afraid to speak to men or anyone for that matter but they knew it would take time and prayer before she could trust anyone.

  “What did you think of the new song?” Jonathan asked casually, his question encompassing the entire group.

  Hannah bowed her head not wanting to look at anyone while they answered.

  “That was a fantastic song,” Derrick chirped. “Hope they will teach it to us for Sunday worship,” he added with eagerness and great desire to sing along.

  “I agree,” Emily said with gusto. “I certainly would like to sing along.”

  “It is the most beautiful song I've heard,” Clare said softly.

  Hannah looked at the girl with wonder. She wasn't even aware that Clare was paying attention most of the time during the entire evening. I guess people digest differently, she was thinking when Jonathan asked, “What did you think Hannah?” His eyes held a hint of mischief when he looked at her.

  Narrowing her eyes, she tossed her head and replied, “I think they were great!” She was not going to give him the satisfaction of drawing her out. “But then my opinion doesn't matter,” she muttered so only he could hear. Annoyed at him for putting her on the spot, she glared at him. Even though there was laughter in his eyes, she spotted a look of pride too. But totally ignored it
, even though she felt ten feet tall.

  She was thankful when Derrick said they should leave. Tomorrow was Sunday after all. Mad though she was with Jonathan, she felt sorry that he would have to stay until late with the rest of the production hands to help clean up and set up for tomorrow. But she couldn't tell him that; not in front of so many people anyway.

  With a stiff goodbye, she left with the Garricks and Clare. But that night she basked in the feeling of victory. Her Father had brought her far; so far that she was now prepared to share her music. She just wasn't prepared to be recognised though. A sense of peace prevailed over her. There was no need for her to be recognised, as long as the Father was. With that she slept a wonderful sleep.

  The next day she woke up with a start! Today was her birthday and exactly a week to her wedding and marriage. Before now, busyness had kept her from feeling the strain of it but suddenly it returned. Anxiety, too, returned. Would it take place?

  Everything was ready. Invitations had gone out a good few weeks ago. Only twenty people, nineteen without her sister, would be attending, a number still too big for her liking. The numbers were made up of her parents, brother, aunt and uncle, Jonathan's mother, Derrick, Jonathan's sister and husband, Jonathan's brother, his wife and two children, Emily's sister, Pastor Michael, Sarah and her husband and a couple of Jonathan's closest friends. Her friends, who were also friends with Simon, she did not invite. Everyone on the guest list had been sworn to secrecy.

  Her dress was all ready and looking beautiful. The venue was sorted, the reception afterwards was taken care of. They did not have to pay a cent towards that. It was a gift from the restaurant owner who was a dedicated member of the church. A very generous member too, Hannah reflected gratefully. And how he managed to keep their secret, was beyond her comprehension. Keeping their secret, though, said a lot about his character.

  Still Hannah panicked. It didn't mean it could not all just blow away on the wind. She needed reassuring. The only person who could do that was Jonathan but he would be preaching today so she was not going to be able to see him alone.

  Her phone rang insistently. Her parents were calling to wish her for her birthday and shortly thereafter her sister called. Hannah hid her concerns well for no member of her family picked up on her feelings. Worse, though, was that it was the first birthday she was spending away from her family and since she had not divulged the date to anyone here in the city, no one else knew about it. At this point, it did not matter, she frowned.

  Getting through the first half of the day was not easy and she moped around the cottage after service. So when the knock on her door came just before lunch, she was glad to answer it, thinking it was Emily.

  It was Jonathan, though. She just stared at him as if he was a figment of her imagination. “Hannah?” he called her name bemused.

  “It's really you,” she blinked close to tears.

  “Honey, what's the matter?” he asked concerned, leading her into the cottage.

  “I needed to see you,” she said emotionally.

  He sat her down and took her hand. “What is it?” he asked gently.

  “It's a week to our wedding,” she just stated.

  “Yes,” he confirmed hesitantly.

  “I just needed to know that it was going to take place.”

  She didn't have to say another word. Jonathan immediately knew what her dilemma was. Grabbing her into a tight embrace, he rocked her. “It most certainly will be, darling! I promise I will be there waiting for you.”

  “Sorry!” she sniffed.

  “I understand! And you know that you can call me any time.”

  She nodded. “How did you know I needed you?” she asked after a little while.

  “Intuition?” he teased. “I wish you had called me earlier though.”

  “I didn't want to disturb you with some silly notion,” she dismissed.

  “It is not a silly notion,” he reprimanded lovingly. “You have every right to demand reassurance.”

  “Thank you!” she said humbly. He kissed her head. It was then Emily chose to interrupt with an invitation to lunch which they both gladly accepted.

  Lunch, though was a pleasant surprise for Hannah. As soon as she entered Emily's house, they shouted out “Surprise!” wishing her happy birthday. They had planned a birthday lunch for her! Hannah was stunned and her eyes filled with tears of gratitude.

  “How did you know?” she directed the question to Jonathan.

  “I read your CV remember?” he grinned.

  “And you remembered!” she was pleased. She had actually forgotten about her birthday with all that was going on and with her first song being sung in public. It was endearing that he would remember.

  Abigail was also present at the lunch. Hannah received treatment that made her feel special and she momentarily forgot her woes. They even gave her gifts which was so thoughtful, she told them feeling embarrassed at the attention she was receiving.

  To end the day, she got to spend time with Jonathan in the garden until the sun went down. They spent the hours talking about anything and everything. She wished the day didn't have to end but the next day was Monday...Reluctantly they said goodbye to each other.

  Monday saw the pupils very excited. Exams were over and it was the last week of school. They were not doing any lessons, just waiting for the marking to be completed and reports to be handed out.

  Even the younger grades were not doing any work as teachers got their reports ready, a lot less work than the higher grades, though. It was more tiring though than doing a lesson. So when Emily called to Hannah as she was going into her cottage, she wasn't very eager to spend time with Emily but couldn't very well refuse.

  Obediently, she walked into Emily's lounge and stopped dead. “Deb!” Hannah exclaimed with great delight spotting her sister in Emily's lounge. “I thought you were not going to make my wedding!” she said stunned, still unbelieving that her sister was actually in front of her.

  “Miss my little sister's wedding? No ways.” Deborah gave her sister a long hug, which Hannah returned.

  “I can't believe it,” Hannah said with tears in her eyes.

  “You better believe it. I couldn't let you have a wedding without a maid of honour,” Deborah teased with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Thank you!” Hannah said with deep feeling. “It means so much to me. When did you get here? And where are you staying?”

  “Got in a short while ago and came straight to your place only to discover that you were still at school. And in your wedding week!” She made a tut tut sound. “Will need to still find a place.” Deb answered the second question, pursing her full lips.

  Just like Deb, Hannah thought smiling, taking in the sight of her beautiful sister. They were similar in looks but Deb was slightly taller than her and a bit more filled out. Whereas, Hannah wore her hair long and always tied, Deb wore hers short and it was straight. Their light brown eyes had the same specks of gold and when they smiled it deepened.

  Before Hannah could voice any opinions about Deb's accommodation, Emily piped up, “Why don't you stay with Hannah? I am sure you two girls shared a room once before and can do so for a short time?” She lifted her eyebrows. She had taken an immediate liking to Hannah's sister. They were so similar except that Deborah was not at all shy. Very different from Hannah in that aspect.

  Both girls squealed with delight at the generous offer. “You don't mind?” Hannah asked timidly.

  “For my daughter in law? Not at all. We are family now.” Although Emily's voice was steady, her eyes were slightly moist.

  Hannah hugged her and whispered, “Thank you!”

  Deb's accommodation sorted out, the girls proceeded to the cottage. They had much to catch up on. Hannah could not believe her good fortune of having her sister with her the whole week.

  “Does mum and dad know you're here?” Hannah asked as soon as they got inside the cottage and disposed of Deb's luggage in the bedroom.

  “I c
alled them from the airport. They are excited that I could make it.”

  “Oh, Deb, this means so much to me.” Hannah cried.

  “I know Hannah. My boss also realised how important this was for me. Off course it means I can't come home for Christmas.” Her tone was not condemning.

  “Oh, no!” Hannah cried horrified.

  “I don't mind. I get to spend it with Karl.” Deb winked.

  “Karl?” Hannah looked confused. She didn't remember her sister mentioning Karl in any of their messages to each other.

  “Mm mm!” was all Deb was offering.

  “Is he the man in your life?” Hannah asked knowingly.

  “We'll see! We haven't done any serious dating yet but a girl can hope. Anyway we just met.”

  “Does he work with you?”

  “No! We met at the church I am attending there. He has been helping me find my feet in Germany,” Deb stated that with a dreamy sigh.

  “Have you prayed about it?” she asked superfluously.

  “I have and things seem pretty much going in that direction.”

  “So what's he like?”

  “Tall, blonde and handsome. And very kind,” Deb said dreamily.

  “Sounds like you're in love,” Hannah said in amazement.

  “I think I am but I don't know if he thinks that way.”

  Hannah understood all too well that it didn't have to take years to love someone. After thinking on it for a moment, said with dawning, “If you decide to get married, will you live in Germany permanently?”

  “Most probably. He is a natural citizen there and he hasn't indicated that he would live elsewhere. But who knows what the Lord has planned. Either way, I can handle it.”

  “Yes, you could,” Hannah agreed readily.

  “Enough about me,” Deb said like a mother hen. “You are getting married. And you never said anything before this.”

  “Sorry!” Hannah felt guilty for not involving her sister from the beginning. “But I wasn't sure of anything and still am not sure that it will all go ahead.”

  “Because of Simon?” Deb asked regretfully.