Erlebnisse: A Compilation of Short Stories about Life, Love, and Grief

A Special Guest

Zoe's POV

I heard someone knocking so I rushed to the door. As I opened the door, I saw a tall guy wearing a black suit ensemble. He smiled at me. "You must be Zoe." He said in a deep voice.

I couldn't help but stare at his jet black eyes. He's actually good-looking. He looks mysterious. However, a part of me believes that I can trust him. He held out his hand and introduced himself as "Azrael". We shook hands, "Zoe".

Azrael. His name perfectly suits him. He said that he was sent to accompany me. "Are you ready to go?" I'm already running late and haven't finished packing yet. I don't exactly know what to bring. "No, I still haven't packed my bags." I said, apologizing. He assured me, "Take your time."

I welcomed him into my room. I said, "Make yourself comfortable" and offered him some snacks. I let him wander around my room while I packed my bags. He looked at the photos of me and my loved ones pinned on my corkboard. "These are wonderful memories." I nodded and smiled.

"I know."

"You have a beautiful smile, Zoe." He said while holding my solo photo, which was taken for my College graduation. I tried to imitate my pose from the photo and he laughed. Finally, he decided to eat the cookies I baked this morning. "Wow, these cookies are actually good. Not too sweet, just the way I like it" I smiled to myself. I only followed a recipe I found online. "Thank you!"

He read the old letters I received from my friends. I've always kept them like priceless treasures and read them every time I feel happy or upset. I wonder if I'm allowed to bring those to the place where he'll take me.

He'd occassionally smile, but there are times when he'd stare into space as if he's thinking of something deep. "Are you okay?" I asked, curious of what's in his mind.

He looked at me with a smile. "You are loved." He's right. I'm loved.

I showed him my paintings and let him read my poetry. He tried to interpret my works like an art enthusiast, giving his own meanings about my choice of strokes, colors, words, and punctuation. He even lectured me about the psychology behind art and literature.

"You can tell so much about a person by looking closely into his/her art." He said with such enthusiasm. I just rolled my eyes.

He saw my guitar so he asked me to play him a song or two. "I figured, it might be the last time I'll ever play so..okay" He held my hairbrush across my face like a microphone. I tried to sing and play the guitar like a rockstar. Okay, maybe the rockstar part was an exaggeration. I sang the songs I wrote. He clapped his hands afterwards. "Damn, you're too talented"

I bowed like a theater actress. "Thank you, Azrael. I have a talent fee, you know."

He grinned, "Don't worry, I'll grant you one favor." We both laughed. After that, I spent my energy back to packing. He helped me as well so I finished in no time. He placed my luggage on the trunk of his car.

He opened the door of his car for me. I sat on the passenger side, nervous of what's about to come. "Wear your seatbelt, please." He leaned closer so I closed my eyes, panicking. He just pulled my seatbelt and buckled it.

On our way, I told him that my life has been worthwhile. He asked me to tell him beautiful stories about my family and friends so I did NONSTOP. He didnt complain though. Despite that he was busy driving, he still listened to me and occasionally looked over to me.

"You're a strong person, Zoe." I gave him half a smile and sighed. I know I stopped being courageous a long time ago. My lack of courage even led me to this decision. I went silent for a couple of minutes. Azrael's words kept on echoing nside my head repeatedly.

"These are wonderful memories." There are wonderful memories I have yet to make.

"You have a beautiful smile, Zoe." Oh, not that one. I blushed.

"You are loved." I also have so much love to give.

"Are you ready to go?" It was as if I felt a splash of cold water on my whole body. I'm not ready to go!

"Don't worry, I'll grant you one favor." A favor, of course. All this time, he's been trying to tell me something. I tried to calm myself by breathing deeply. I shut my eyes closed before saying his name.

"Azrael" He looked at me intently.

"I'm not ready to go." I could tell he was a bit disappointed that I just figured it out now. He shifted gears and made a U-turn. We were silent the whole time.

He stopped in front of my house. We both stepped out of the car. He helped me unload my luggage from the trunk. I couldn't thank him enough for making me realize lots of things.

He went back to his car so I walked towards him. He lowered down the window of the passenger seat for me.

Our eyes met. "Uhm. Thank you, Azrael. It was nice meeting you." I said in the most awkward way.

He grinned. "Good bye, Zoe!" I waved good bye and he winked at me.

"Until we meet again." He whispered something that I was unable to hear. He wore his sunglasses before he started driving.

End

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It is during those moments of darkness and fear, where you find your purpose in life and plenty more reasons to live.