Heaven In Devil's Arms

▪ VIII: Angel of Music

Devil bought me a pants and a t-shirt that fits perfectly on me. Hindi fitted at saktuhan lang, he also bought me a pair of shoes. Pagkabili ay agad ko na siyang hinatak paalis ng mall.

He almost burn the guy who said I'm pretty! And just as expected we argue about that.

Dinala na lang niya ako sa isang parke at nag-iikot ikot lang kami.

"Sanay ako sa dress." I pouted. We don't wear pants in heaven. "Sana pala sinuot ko na lang yung damit ko nung unang araw ko dito." I added.

"No you can't." He answered, that made me glare at him.

"And why can't I?" Nakataas ang kilay kong tanong.

Umakbay naman siya sa akin at tiningnan ako sa mata. I felt my cheeks turned red and I felt unease.

"Kulit mo angel." Sabi niya at kinurot ang ilong ko, sabing--- "I may not restrain myself from burning guys that will keep looking at you." He said at inginuso ang isang lalaking nakatingin sakin. "Look at that guy, later you'll see him burn just like what happened to the guy on the mall." He added.

Mahina kong hinampas ang likod niya. Yes, the guy on mall had almost burn! Buti na lang napigilan ko siya.

"Don't you ever think about it devil." Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. He just pouted.

"And don't they ever look at you like they want you." He countered.

"We are naturally adorable!" So you are devil.

"So I'm naturally pissed."

Hindi ba siya mauubusan ng rebut? Why he is like Godfather that cares too much for me? I mean, to all angels. I really wonder if he is really a devil. Maybe he is an Archangel before or maybe just an angel. Pero wala naman akong maalala na katulad niya, fallen angels lost their memories pero naalala pa din namin sila. It's impossible na kami ang makalimot sa kanila.

Maybe he was a human before he turned to be a devil.

But he has power! Like setting fire! In human form. Only a former angel or Archangel could have done that.

"Devil." I called for his attention. "Why do you have power in human form?" I asked.

"Power is within us angel." Sagot niya. That is true, I forgot. Power could be destruction or creation. His power is for destruction! For Pete's sake, he will burn whatever pisses him off!

"I don't have power---" There I realized, it's impossible that I don't have power. We all have power. But what is mine? "I forgot my power." I said.

Napakunot naman ang noo ni Elijah.

"It's impossible."

"Pero wala akong maalala." Wika ko.

"What was the last thing you remember before you fell?"

"I was working with the spiritual garlands." Sagot ko sa kanya. I saw a hint of sadness in his eyes but it changed fast, those hints faded. He really changes his mood and emotion instantly.

"The garlands of people's prayer?" He asked asking for assurance though it's obvious that he knows about that.

"Yes. I am the one assigned to operate that work." Wika ko, I don't know if I should tell him about our 'lost' Archangel Patron Saint.

Maybe he knows something about that.

"You are the Archangel for that?" He asked and I saw shock in his eyes. I could feel that he is worried for me. For me? Shouldn't it be for him, if ever.

"Actually, I never knew about our Archangel. I don't know him, nor did I saw him. I don't have a clue about who he is. It feels like I woke up to be the one to operate na seventh level of heaven."

Tumahimik si Elijah at yumuko. Is he related to that Archangel I never knew?

"How's Metatron?" He asked.

"Metatron, the Archangel of sixth level of heaven?" I asked and he nodded. "Doing his job like guarding the Tree of Life in Eden." I added.

Tipid naman siyang ngumiti at napatango.

"You must be the Angel of Music." He said as if he is sure.

"Y-you know me?" I asked. Then there's no point not telling his my name afterall! There is no other angel entitled as the Angel of Music but me. I can't just deny it to him, no I can't lie. Or maybe I can, but I won't.

He stared at me like he's trying to say something that I could barely understand. I saw longing in his dark coal eyes. Mula sa pagkakaakbay ay lalo niya akong inilapit sa kanya at niyakap.

I don't know that a devil's heart beats until I heard Elijah's. I felt every ups and downs of his beats. I feel like I want to sing with those beats, like I am his lost rhythm and then we will live in harmony if we'll follow this tempo of music.

He hugged me tight like he is afraid of letting me go. Is it a sin to hug a devil? He hugged me before, but this time its different.

"You will go back to heaven angel, no matter what." He pulled me out, he cupped my cheeks and look at me will full sincerity. "You have to go back as fast as you can. You can't stay long." He added.

Naguguluhan ako kay Elijah. He's serious, I just stared at him, ayaw na ba niya akong kasama? Pagod na ba siyang alagaan ako? Natatakot ba siya dahil baka mamatay siya dahil sakin? I won't kill him, we are empowered to create but to destruct devils and evil creatures.

And Elijah is a devil.

But I will not kill him! Even if it takes off my wings, even if takes me to become a human. I will sacrifice everything just so i can't kill him.

"Bali ang pakpak ko Elijah."

"My wings are not."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Does he mean he's going to bring me to heaven? It could kill him! If he is lucky enough, he will be a human.

"Elijah!" I shrieked. "Don't. I know I have a mission why am I here, we just have to find that out." I added.

"Angeli.."

He called my angelic name.

***