Heaven In Devil's Arms

▪ I: Shaina

"Ouch!" Napangiwi ako nang maramdaman ko ang semento. "Daddy!!!" Umiiyak kong sigaw habang nakatingin sa langit.

Why did I fell? Payapa akong nag-aayos ng mga spiritual garland doon tapos bigla na lang nahuhulog na pala ako. Dahan dahan akong tumayo kahit na masakit ang balakang ko, kailangan kong bumalik sa langit!

Lilipad na sana ako kaso mukhang bali ang pakpak k----BALI ANG PAKPAK KO?!

Napatingin ako sa paligid, sigurado akong nasa mundo ako ng mga tao. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. It is dark and the place seems to be dangerous. Sinubukan kong tingnan ang pakpak ko at mukhang nabalian talaga ako, sino naman ba kasing makakapaghandang lumipad kung biglaan ka ngang nahulog.

I kneel as I start to weep. How can I go back to heaven? I trust the Father Almighty but I don't know how will he know. Kinakabahan din ako, kasi kung alam ng Ama na nahulog ako ay sana nahuhulog pa lang ako ay nakabalik na ako sa langit.

I started crying again, is this destiny? Is this fated to happen? But what's the catch? What's my mission?

"Oh, woah, an angel?"

Napalingon ako sa gilid ko at nanlaki ang mata nang mapagtanto kung ano iyong nagsalita.

"Devil!!!" Napasigaw ako at agad na napaatras hanggang sa nauntog ako sa parang basurahan at tumapon sakin ang mga nakaapaw na basura kasama na doon ang hindi naubos na milk tea, basa na nga ako puro sago pa!

He burst out laughing as he look at my current situation, sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at tumigil naman siya. I'm sure he is a devil, I can see his black wings and dark aura.

Nagulat ako nang naglahad siya ng kamay sa akin. Is he going to help me? But he won't! He is a devil!

"Hey that's judging. Nah-ah, bad angel." He grinned. Why can he read my mind? We don't have such power! Maliban na lang kung guardian angel ako, mababasa ko ang isip nang binabantayan ko.

"Of course I can read your mind, I'm a devil, we always barge in, eavesdropping is a sin afterall." He smirked at me.

"Give me privacy!" Inis kong wika. Napapikit ako habang hawak hawak ang ulo at yumuko. Paulit-ulit akong umiling.

He can't be reading my mind!

Napatingala ako nang tumawa na naman siya kaya tiningnan ko siya ng masama, itinaas naman niya ang kamay niya na para bang sumusuko siya.

"Okay fine, I won't read your mind. Just take my hand at nang makatayo ka na." Sabi niya at muling inilahad ang kamay, is he really helping me? And then why? "Grabe angel, kayo lang ba ang pwedeng tumulong?" Nagsalita siya ulit at tinapunan ko na naman siya ng masamang tingin.

"Sabing don't read my mind e!" Napaarte ang pagkakasabi ko kaya naman lalo siyang natawa, mukha ba akong joke?

"Just take my hand." He said as he smile, I mean, as he devilishly smile. Tinanggap ko na lang ang kamay niya at marahang tumayo, masakit ang balakang ko kaya napangiwi ako.

"Why did you help me? I know there is something I have to bargain, let me tell you this devil, my loyalty belongs to----"

"Shut up angel or else your lips will sin." He smirked at me and I just shut my mouth.

"You can't make me cuss." Mahinahon kong wika. That's what sin my lips can do.

"Nah-ah, not that. A lot sinful than that, sweetie." He said. "Bakit ka nandito? Naliligaw ka ata." He added.

Why is he concern? He is a devil!

"Why do you ask?" Tanong ko. Mabuti na lang at mukhang tinigilan na niya ang pagbasa sa iniisip ko.

"It's very unusual to see an angel in here. This place is a lair for humans who doesn't believe in any God, atheists." He explained which made me raise my brows.

"Then it's very unusual too to see a devil in a place like this. Since they worship no one." I countered.

"Yes it is usual. People in here are vulnerable at making sins and pissing off your so-called 'Daddy', 'Ama', 'Papa' and whatsoever." He answered.

I felt like all my blood go up in my head as he said 'pissing off your so-called'--ughh! This devil is on different level of hell!

"You are rude!" Inis kong wika sa kanya.

"Because I'm a devil." Tumawa siya. The laugh of a devil.

I sighed heavily as I close my eyes. I calm myself. "Thank you." Sabi ko na lang at nagsimulang umalis kaso masakit talaga ang balakang ko. "Ouch!" Daing ko nang maramdaman ang hapdi.

Naramdaman ko naman ang paglapit niya at maya maya ay naramdaman ko ang pag-angat sa lupa. I thought I was able to fly but then I realized that he carry me.

"H-hey!" I stuttered as I look at him. He just smile.

"You can't walk sweetie." He stated the obvious. "What have you done that it made you fell from heaven?" He naughtily asked. "Did you kiss your co-angel up there?" He added.

Hinampas ko ang likod niya. Kiss?! Huh! Unbelievable.

"Pervert!" I hissed and he just laughed.

"I think you should be in human form. I'm going to bring you at my apartment here at human realm." He said as he change into human form. He has pale skin but he looks lively in his reddish lips. His eyes were mysterious and enticing, gone his black wings but I can still see his dark aura. Devilishly handsome.

"B-but----"

"No buts, angel. People will wonder why I seem to be carrying a ranting angel."

"I am not ranting!"

"What is that?"

"Ugh! You're unbelievable!" I groaned. I just found myself having a human form as I obey this devil who carries me.

He started walking the silent street. Mabuti na lang at mukhang tulog na ang mga tao.

"I think I should know your name." He said out of nowhere.

"Why would I? Baka isulat mo pa ako sa listahan ng mga mapupunta sa impyerno." Sagot ko sa kanya, totoo naman!

If we have book of names of good people then them too!

"Lame." He countered. "If I want to bring you in hell, I would like to make you do grave sins, in that case you wouldn't be forgivable. Isipin mo angel, kung basta ko lang isusulat ang pangalan mo doon, siguradong ililigtas ka ng tatay mo." He added.

Well, he has a point but still, I won't give my name.

"But that will still make me vulnerable into other devils like you." I pouted. I don't even know why am I talking to this guy, I shouldn't trust him.

"Then give me a pseudonym."

I rolled my eyes.

"You know I can't make myself a name. Only God can give me name, devil. At isa pa, di naman kita kilala, I think it is fair." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"I'm Elijah." He glance at me and turned his gazes on the road. "If that's the case then I will give you a name." He added.

"Elijah? A pseudonym or your real name?" I asked.

"That's my real name, angel." It's dark but I'm sure there's a hint of sadness in his eyes!

"You can't just give me names, Elijah." I pouted. "You are no heavenly Saints or an Archangel." I added.

"But I am the hellish no-Saint of Music." He said. "I think I will call you Shaina." He added.

My body glowed as I feel something changed in me. It only means my heavenly body accepted the name.

Who is he? Why is the name he gave me acceptable?

"Oh, I think that makes you Shaina of human realm." He smirked.

***