Pardon me...

He looked remorsefully at the blood laden man in front of him stoned to the cross. He kneeled down before him and closed his eyes. After a minute of silence, he spoke.

“Dear Jesus. I have erred. And you know it hurts me whenever I err don’t you? I seek your pardon for this ghastly wrong doing of mine. But before I start my confession, I must thank you. I thank you for giving me all I ever wanted. Yes my parents dumped me when I was young. But I always had you for support. As a father, mother and a teacher. I lead a life which is independent of others and I cherish that freedom. But more than that, I thank you for giving me a wonderful voice. A voice that attracts people towards me. To go with it, a charming face. I have enjoyed a lot thanks to them and I live on the confidence I get from them. A local celebrity I have become. I strongly believe that everything that happens to me is preordained by you. That’s why I never missed singing carols for you. It was at your instruction. And that’s when I met her…

She maybe young and poor but she does something not many can dream of. Cleansing the Lord. She does a good job cleaning you and your premises daily doesn’t she? I saw her cleaning the tables one day humming a carol that I am fond of. Her voice was so impressively melodic that I had to invite her to join the chorus. She was hesitant but I insisted on it. She joined us and ever since it has been a dream. I used to look forward to meeting her daily. Time flew away when she was with me. We spoke of everything under the sun and the ease was conspicuous. I was getting emotionally attached to her. We roamed around the city. I got her gifts, surprised her with visits and suddenly found her to be deathly beautiful. She never asked me to define the relationship. She assumed that a tacit agreement existed between us. And that’s when all the problems started…

Didn’t I tell her I have had many girls in my life before? She is my 5th isn’t she? And isn’t she too young to even think about us seriously? Not even 17? And isn’t she sensible enough to understand that she, the cleaner, can’t be with a local celebrity? She started assuming things and expected me to comply with it. It was suffocating me. Luckily, her parents have decided to shift to the next city. That has given me the much needed break to break this all. Till this I feel I was justified. But now I seek your pardon my Lord. I didn’t control myself when I should have. It’s a weakness that you have given me. I have done this before but I never asked for pardon because I was never emotionally attached. This time I was. Pardon me my Lord. For I did her yesterday night…

She didn’t resist or complain. In fact she cooperated and let me barge in. I loved it when I did it. But knowing that I am going to ditch her, it’s tough to accept. That poor soul still thinks we will be in touch after she is in another city. I won’t attend her calls, reply her mails. I will probably find another girl within weeks. And soon, she will be history. I take pledge my Lord that I shall not involve emotionally with anyone hereafter. Please pardon me this once. Amen…”

THE NEXT DAY:

She was kneeling before the Lord in another city with tears dripping down her pink cheeks.

“My Lord. I have committed an unpardonable sin. I no longer can cleanse you. I rejected the cleaner post I got in this church. I am a sinner…

His voice was magnetic. He was charming and loving. He got me chains, earrings, chocolates, huggables, and all costly gifts which I couldn’t afford on my own. He even composed a song especially for me. He took me to places and I played truant many a times just to be with him. We never had fights and whatever he did to me overjoyed me. And I fell into his trap. Even knowing that he had had many a flings, I thought he loved me too well to leave me. And I allowed him to break my chastity. Still I was happy. I knew my life was safe with him. But yesterday, I overheard him talking to you. And I realized that I was being fooled. He acted smart didn’t he? I wasn’t going to get fooled forever. He had once unwittingly told me something about him that would prove decisive against him. As a parting present I gave him five costly beer bottles bought from every penny I had saved from childhood. That would serve him. From now on, he can’t fool anyone else. Pardon me my Lord. For the sins that I unknowingly and knowingly committed during the past 2 days. I am a sinner…”

A WEEK LATER:

The doctor instantly recognized him.
“He sings on TV” he proclaimed to the nurse. “What is the condition?” the doctor probed.
“He is getting mentally retarded sir. He has been doing wild things. He was spotted urinating inside the church hall in front of all. He has been castigating the Lord openly and showed many other symptoms that people suspected him to be an imbecile and brought him here. Lab reports say that his phenylalanine levels have been too high for the past week or so. Apparently, he has been drinking a lot. And he has mixed the drinks with Aspartame, the artificial sweetener, in spite knowing well that he is a Phenylketonuric.”
“Hmm. An attempted self-mutilation you believe?”
“Maybe sir. He has no relatives. Lonely life.”
“This seems tough. Let’s see then…” and the doctor started his treatment.