Sabina Leads the Novices Into the Garden

The following day passed like a twilight dream for Sister Sabina. Again and again she pondered how she could best fulfill Angelo's request. All the while, she secretly observed the four novices who had entered the convent in recent months. First, there was Clara: slim and tall, with long, straight, dark brown hair and soft blue eyes. Her personality was quiet and reserved, she often seemed thoughtful and harbored a deep spiritual curiosity that had led her to the convent. Elisabeth: Small and petite, with reddish-blonde curls and freckles on her pale skin. She had a cheerful and optimistic disposition, always with a smile on her lips, but those who knew how to look behind the façade recognized that she was struggling with insecurities about her place in the community. Maria wore her black hair tightly braided into a plait under her hood. She was serious and disciplined, strict with herself and others, and sought structure and order above all else in the convent. Finally, Agnes: tall and slim, with hazel eyes and short, dark hair. She seemed lively, direct and humorous, which made her popular with her fellow sisters, but at times her behavior seemed exaggerated and artificial, as if she was just trying to cover up something that was nagging deep inside her but which she didn't want to reveal.

Meanwhile, Sabina couldn't get anything done herself. She was too distracted by her thoughts, which were constantly revolving around how she would see her dreamt-of love again that night and how he would finally give her what she longed for most. Time ticked away, the hours until vespers stretched into infinity. Sabina became increasingly nervous and restless. Even during the silent prayers, she was constantly looking for something to occupy her hands, incessantly plucking at her robe and veil, which earned her more than one disapproving look from her fellow sisters. No one spoke to her about it yet or even reprimanded her. But it couldn't be long before she would have to justify her unusual behavior. She couldn't postpone the meeting with her lover any further into the future, even if she wanted to. It had to be that night!

Finally! Evening prayers in the cycle of the Liturgy of the Hours ended with the last psalm and the priest's blessing. Sabina **** herself not to jump up hastily so as not to provoke any questions that could have jeopardized her mission. Instead, she deliberately rose slowly and strode measuredly towards the four novices, who were forming a neat line one behind the other to go to their cells.

“My sisters, please wait. I have an assignment for you.”

All four turned towards her. Elisabeth smiled kindly as always. Clara looked attentive and seemed eager for the task. Maria, on the other hand, furrowed her brow, irritated at the interruption to her usual daily routine. Agnes took the floor for everyone.

“Yes, sister, what is to be done?”

A furtive sideways glance showed Sabina that her appearance was not attracting any unwanted attention; all the other nuns were busy with themselves or had already left the church. So she continued with the sentences she had prepared.

“I know you've had a long, tiring day. But I'm asking you to help me look after the garden. I know it's hard work and keeps you from your well-deserved rest. But it will thank us and give us plenty of fruit in return. It was a hot day and the plants need a lot of water. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to water all the beds. Especially at the back along the wall, where the distance from the well is particularly long, we still need to water extensively. This is best done in the dusk so that the moisture can penetrate deep into the soil before the sun evaporates everything again. If we all pitch in, we should be able to finish it quickly. I hope I can count on your support?”

“Of course, Sister Sabina. We are happy to help.”

Everyone nodded, even Maria wrestled a brief shrug of the head.

As they stepped out of the cool monastery walls, they immediately felt the echo of the day's heat still hanging in the air, heavy and immobile, as if the garden were shrouded in a warm veil. Soft noises broke the silence - the gentle rustling of leaves in the barely perceptible wind, the occasional chirp of a cricket, far away. The path crunched softly under the feet of the novices as they walked single file behind the older, experienced sister. Faint scents of lavender and rosemary, which had stored the warmth of the day, rose up and mingled with the earthy aroma of the dust-dry beds. Sabina breathed in these familiar scents, but her thoughts drifted back to the encounter that had changed everything.

She cast a quick glance back at the novices. They followed her obediently, only Elisabeth and Agnes whispered quietly to each other, while Clara stared seriously ahead of her. Maria, as always, walked at the back with an almost stoic expression. All four of them had no idea of the growing insecurity that was currently plaguing Sabina. The place where she was leading the novices was no longer the same as before. There, at the hidden gate, she had received Angelo. She remembered his penetrating gaze, the desire he had awakened in her and the tinge of guilt that had lingered over her ever since. Doubt gnawed at her as to whether she was doing the right thing. What if the novices sensed any of this?

“Here,” she finally said as they stopped in front of the thick rose hedge behind which the secret gate lay hidden. Her voice sounded firmer than she felt. “This garden is hidden from most people's view, but despite that, or perhaps because of it, it needs special care and attention. A skilled gardener can water it and make it fertile.”