Redemption

Chapter XIII

Renato went though the three stages of Hell he was meant to cross after death, from the birth of his demon, to being eaten alive. But when the tortures concluded his skin peeled off, revealing a black soul that dragged itself across a rocky land until finding a black cloud, in which he laid to find some rest. Tiredness became as heavy as thousand chains, and his eyes grew heavy and closed to a greater darkness from the absolute one that surrounded him and other poor souls. He was about to give up into an eternal dreamless sleep, when a voice called him by the last name he was given. It repeated its celestial call over the lamenting cries of the newly arrived, and he recognized as the voice of his lost angel. Enthusiasm took over him as his love for her awoke him again, and he called her by the last name she was given, 'Safiye,' and right after he heard her speak one more time, "Don't fall asleep, for rest is better in Heaven."

It was in love he found the strength to overcome the dark betraying cloud, and cross over a river that cleaned his soul, making it as transparent as the water of the river. He no longer had to drag his soul across, and he walked over the puddle of water that had the form of a path that led him to a new life. Throughout three reincarnation, Safiye was there as his guardian angel, taking away everything that exceeded his debt in life, and holding his hand to give him strength during the painful moments he was meant to live. At the end of his last life, he had proven to be worthy of Heaven, and like any other blink he had closed his eyes and opened them at the top of a mountain that was surrounded by a sea of clear water. He didn't look around to observe its beauty because in front of him he had the angel he had missed for a hellish eternity and across three lives. Tears didn't exist, and that was the only impediment of crying in bliss at their long awaited reunion. The angel took his hand and guided him on their mutual path to Paradise.

Renato woke up in a great state of peace and he understood that his dreams were not dreams but a divine message of mercy. He accepted the consequences of his sins, and took the noble decision of working on his purification even before death, knowing the right thing to do was to say goodbye for the moment. He dropped his head to a side and noticed Safiye was missing, and he calmly stood from bed and went to the bathroom to shower before looking for her. He trimmed his beard, brushed his hair and teeth, and dressed in a clean pair of cloth, wishing to look presentable for her. He went downstairs, and found her sitting next to an open window in the living room, with her white nightgown exposing her left leg that hung out of the chair, and her hair gently dancing in the wind. She had her favorite book so close to her face, that it gave the appearance she was smelling it instead of reading it, and the pages along with the picture created on her mind, blocked her view and couldn't see him approaching.

He called her name to avoid exalting her, and she raised her eyes. She immediately relaxed the muscles on her face and placed the book on the floor to run in his direction and collide on his arms. He held to her memorizing the warm feeling of her hands on his backs, and the pressure of her head against his chest. She gently pulled away to look at his face, placing a palm over his cheek, and while admiring his features she noticed the drastic change. His skin was no longer pale but had acquired a peach color that contrasted with his blushed cheeks, his eyes no longer were black, but a golden brown against the orange light of the sunset, and his smile was as gentle as if painted by Michelangelo.

All passion was replaced with love, and Renato guided Safiye to their room. She pulled his underwear down leaving kisses on her path. He pulled the ribbon on her nightgown exposing her nude body at the warm temperature in the room from the summer heat. He placed a hand on her back and gently lowered her in bed with him on top of her, resting his face between her breasts, and sending a kiss to her heart. No dessert would ever taste as sweet as her skin, as he savored on his tongue the path from her cleavage to her lips. Delighted at the taste of his kisses, she sounded her pleasure, which vibration gently tickled his lips. Her kisses would linger on his soul and keep him company through the darkest day to come, while his natural perfume would impregnate her bed for his fragrance to keep his memory alive in her future lonely dreams. His hands travelled different paths before finding her breast, that against his palm was like holding two wild roses from the depth of a garden. Uniting their bodies, their skins melted and a gate was open that led to another existence that only together they could reach. Like any other piece of cloth they took off their skin and presented their souls to the other. The memories of spring and summer erased, good or bad they lacked importance, since they truly met for the first time the moment the eyes of their soul looked at each other. How many lives went by seeking for the other, only to meet moments before they were meant to pull apart one more time. Their energies weaved together, merging to momentarily become one radiant light brighter than the sun and all the other stars combined. She rejoiced and sang with the voice of a muse, as he danced to the equal beating of their hearts. In seconds a great pleasure bloomed in her at the fountain of his love. Neither broke the union of their souls and skin, and turning in bed they carefully exchanged places with her laying over him. No flower could compare to the scent of her hair as he breathed in its fragrance before speaking, "I love you," And immediately after he felt a little rain over his chest, and with a broken voice out of bliss she answered "I love you, too." They fell asleep simultaneously, and in their dreams their spirits remained together until early morning, when they woke up to witness from bed the rise of the sun.