LOVE AGAIN? ASK MY BIG G

Episode 1

At the outskirts of the state of this country, on a short green grassy hill situated behind the Redemption Missionary Church, lies Rachav Rai, a young lady in her late twenties. She possesses a carefree spirit, an angelic face, a warm heart, and cream-colored hair.

Rachav Rai is a Novice at the Redemption Missionary Church and originally an orphan, alongside her elder brother Michael as her only blood-related family. Rachav has been raised by the Convent under the fellowship of the LORD ever since she was four, and she...

Rachav: (Raises her head instantly) Wait!

What now, Rachav?

Rachav: Is that the Assembly Bell?

It is indeed. The thick but calming rings of the bell from the Monastery Bell Tower make even nature submit to...

Rachav: (Instantly stands up) Oh no, I'm late for the Evening Prayer!

Rachav Rai, without hesitation, packs her things, but a notebook of hers falls to the ground unknowingly. She runs into the Monastery and, after wearing her veil, sneaks to the back of the temple seats among the sisters, behaving as if nothing has happened.

After an hour of prayer, each Nun returns to her duties, and dear Rachav tries to do the same sneakily. However, her name is called out by Reverend Mother.

Reverend Mother: (Stern) Rachav!

Rachav Rai halts in her place. Reverend Mother's voice echoing beyond the temple makes about three older Reverend Sisters sure of their assumption.

1st Reverend Sister: It seems Rachav was late for prayer again.

2nd Reverend Sister: Oh, Rachav.

Reverend Mother: Come with me. (She walks out.)

Rachav, knowing that she is in trouble again, wails within 😭 and follows Reverend Mother to her study. The Reverend Sisters, discussing Rachav, start to go vocal with a forgotten hymn called Mission of the Hermit.

Reverend Mother: A letter from the Missionary Headquarters.

Rachav Rai receives the letter from her and reads it.

Rachav: The Missionary orders me to go for an annual minister?!

Reverend Mother: (Nods.)

Rachav: But Reverend Mother, why twice? I haven't even become a nun yet, and...

Reverend Mother: The last time you were sent out to the world, it didn't go well. Now that you have been cleansed and are more mentally matured, the Convent and the Missionary Headquarters have decided to send you out unto the world. This time is for touching souls, preaching about our LORD Jesus, and not bearing the burden of temptations like last time.

Rachav: But I am training to be a nun, not a Mission...

Reverend Mother: (Turns her back to her) Rachav, this is from the Missionary Leader; you cannot defy. {I can finally live some time without this troublesome girl, hehehe.} I have already informed the Senior Nun of Dormitory G, and she has, for sure, readied your things for you.

RECORD: '{}' is used for inner thoughts.

Rachav: But...

Reverend Mother: (Turns to her) We have established high hopes for you. Do not fail the Convent. (Takes Rachav's hand into hers and pats it.) Go, spread the GOOD NEWS of the Almighty Father.

Rachav: {Look at her, so happy I am going to leave.} I hear you, Reverend Mother.

She walks down the colonnade after leaving Reverend Mother.

Older Reverend Sisters from earlier: (On contralto vocals) When the lamb returns!...

Rachav Rai, in a quiet train of thoughts, stops and curtsies to them. The Reverend Sisters watch her walk past the path in short-term silence, and then—

Reverend Sisters: (Smooth vocals) We, will, tell.

The next day, Rachav Rai arrives on the pasture carrying her suitcase alongside her.

Rachav: Last time I failed. I was a greenhorn, but this time I embark on this journey with my armor.

She stares up at the sky, and amidst the tender breeze, she presses down her floppy hat on her head and giggles.

Rachav: (On vocal Mezzo C5) When the lamb returns! I... will tell!!

Birds fly past Rachav Rai, ending the episode.

EPISODE 2

The scene opens at a bustling railway station as a train screeches to a halt. Passengers spill out into the lively city.

Rachav: (Glancing around) The state has changed a lot in just a few years.

As she tries to cross the road, an impatient motorcycle swerves toward her.

Motorcyclist: Scram, you twigs!

Rachav quickly steps back, raising her hand with a smile.

Rachav: (Cheerfully) LORD bless you, my dear brother!

Nearby, a young lady struggles to steady her terrified grandmother, nearly knocked over by the motorcycle.

Lady: (Shouting after the rider) Go tighten your loose screw! Big Mommy, are you alright?

Elderly Woman: (Struggling to stand) Stella, I told you not to be laying insults on people.

Lady (Stella): It wasn’t an insult — it was advice.

Car horns blare impatiently.

Lady (Stella): Please, bear with us!

Just as she struggles to lift her grandmother, another hand joins hers.

Rachav: May I be of help?

---

Later, Rachav Rai enters her small apartment and collapses onto the couch.

Rachav: Oof, today was a hammer. Thank You, Almighty Father, for today. (Yawns) I feel sleepy… Wait!

Her eyes scan the room carefully.

Rachav: I haven’t even familiarized myself with this place yet. {I just came in to drop my suitcase at noon and hurried off to the church.}

She gets up and steps into the bedroom.

Rachav: {Hmm, quite pleasant.}

Moving toward the closet, she opens it eagerly.

Rachav: {A home is never complete without… (swings door open) a closet 🤩 !}

Tying up her hair and wearing a nose mask, she prepares to do some setting up.

Meanwhile, an hour before midnight, Reverend Mother receives a call on the old touch-tone phone in her study.

Reverend Mother: (Stern) I’ve finally gotten a break from that fidgety girl. Now it’s your turn to trouble me?

(Caller laughs on the other end.)

Reverend Mother: She’ll be an evangelical disciple for the meantime and— (pauses as caller speaks) Working at a care center? (Caller speaks again) When is she starting her main job? (Caller speaks) Fine, I’ll let her know tomorrow. (Caller speaks again) Mr. Priest, I’m trusting you. Do not let harm come near my Rachav, or else… (Caller replies 😅 and quickly cuts the line.)

The next evening, groups of Evangelists preach across the city, going in threes. Rachav, still in training, joins a group preaching near bars and restaurants. Her task is to observe how they share the word with humility and the fruitage of the Spirit.

Despite persecution, the Evangelists remain steadfast. Some unbelievers, touched by their sincerity, consider giving Christianity a try.

At one corner, an argument erupts between a young woman and her boyfriend outside a bar.

Clara: No, you don’t tell me that trash!

Boyfriend: Clara, I don’t need this right now. (Tries to leave, but she blocks him.)

Clara: Oh, now you don’t need me? You cheat on me with my cousin and still feed me lies? You’re dung, man!

Boyfriend: Lower your voice, or else…!

Clara: Or else what?! You’re less than a rat.

Boyfriend: (Snapping) Shut up!

He raises the bottle in his hand, ready to strike — but before it lands, a male Evangelist seizes his arm firmly.

Evangelist 1: It is a taboo for a man to lay his hand on a woman. Think carefully before you do something you’ll regret.

The boyfriend pulls away with disgust.

Boyfriend: Buzz off, preacher. (To Clara) As for you, if you ever step on my nerves again— (smashes bottle on the ground and points at it) —you’ll end up like this shattered glass.

He storms away.

Evangelist 1: (To Clara) Are you alright, miss?

Clara: (Snapping back) And what now — you think I can’t be alright?

Evangelist 1: (Extending his hand) That’s not what I meant, it’s—

Clara: (Brushing his hand away with teary eyes) Scram! You’re all the same!

She hurries off.

Evangelist 2: She’s been cheated on. Encouraging her won’t work right now.

Evangelist 1: (Sighs) I know. Still… she is very special.

---

EPISODE 3

Rachav: {My group leader sensed I wasn’t at ease in that environment. The evangelists are so kind… but I shouldn’t have refused their offer to get me a taxi. Now I don’t even know where the taxi rank is. Hm?}

She notices a tall man leaning on his motorbike, lost in thought with a bottle of alcohol in hand.

Rachav: Excuse me, sir — do you know the way to the taxi rank?

The man stares at her in silence.

Rachav: Um… sir, I was asking if you know the way?

He turns his face away without a word.

Rachav: {🤨 He ignored me.} Mister, I—

A cheerful fellow steps in.

Friendly Guy: Oi! Don’t mind my mate, miss.

He slings an arm over the silent man’s shoulder.

Friendly Guy: Just head straight down this road and you’ll find the taxi rank 😊.

Rachav: {Oh yes, I remember now.} (Walking off) May the Most High bless you, dear brothers!

Friendly Guy: {She’s a Christian.} Ah, and you too! (Turning to his friend) You could’ve just pointed the way. If I hadn’t stepped in, we’d never have had a sister now. I do wonder what her name is.

Strange Guy: (Brushing his arm off) Run after her if you want to know.

Friendly Guy: Eish, you’re paranoid. I do hope I meet this “sister” again someday.

---

The next day, Rachav arrives at the Tower House Child Care Centre (THCs). A gentle knock sounds on the manager’s office door.

Centre Manager: Come in.

Rachav steps inside.

Rachav: Good day, madam. I’ve come for the job interview.

Centre Manager: Your name?

Rachav: Rachav Rai.

Centre Manager: {Ah, the one sent by the Convent.} No surname, then?

Rachav: No, madam. But… if I may ask, you’re a sister from the Redemption Missionary Church, aren’t you?

Centre Manager: 😄 I am indeed. Since we know each other, let’s drop the formality. Come, sit.

They speak warmly for a while.

Later, in Child Class 2 — for children aged five to six — the mistress introduces her.

Class 2 Mistress: Right, children, gather round. This is Miss Rachav Rai, and she’ll be one of our room nannies. Say hello to Miss Rachav Rai.

Children: Good day, Miss Rachav Rai!

Rachav: Good Heavens 🤭 . Good day to you, dear lambs. How’s your day been?

Some children whisper among themselves at the word “lambs.”

Boy 1: (To his mate) Does she think we’re sacrifices?

Boy 2: Aren’t we just kids?

Rachav smiles, catching their whispers.

Rachav: Oh, little ones — you want to know why I called you lambs, don’t you?

Girl: Well… yes.

Rachav: (Sitting on a chair) Come closer, children. Let’s have a little talk. The best listeners will earn a star.

The children crowd eagerly around her.

Class 2 Mistress: Hm. She’s won them over on the very first day. Let’s see if she manages the same in the days to come.

---

Two days later, Rachav has survived the chaos of her lively class — a group known to be more energetic than a pride of playful lions.

On Thursday the 25th, she waits at the Main Gate of the Empire Territory. An elderly but sprightly man, the Head Butler, approaches.

Head Butler: Miss Rachav Rai, is it not?

Rachav: (Nods politely)

Head Butler: I must apologise for the behaviour of the gatekeepers earlier.

Rachav: Oh no, please don’t worry 😄. They were only doing their job.

Gatekeeper 1: {Is this woman defending us, only to punish us later?}

Head Butler: Indeed. This way, Miss.

He gestures courteously, leading her inside. As she passes the gatekeepers, Rachav bows her head.

Rachav: May Jehovah bless you, sirs.

Gatekeeper 2: {Whatever. Let’s just show her respect to avoid trouble.}

The gatekeepers bow in return.

Gatekeepers: You too, miss.

Through exchanged glances, they silently pray that the new babysitter of young Master Tiberius won’t repay their earlier rudeness with revenge.

Head Butler: Your agreement papers will be signed by the Master once he returns from his trip. You may begin work tomorrow.

Rachav: Oh, of course. {(Delighted and determined) It’s only babysitting. How hard can it be?}