by Anika Rahman
“Leave us alone, you are supposed to be dead. That‘s why you’re wearing white dress. You became an angel,” another one of them said. Great, I was a witch and an angel to them. I grabbed a cross out of one of their hands and they all retreated. I twirled it around my fingers, smiling at them. Adrian was struggling so hard to get out of their hold, all my friends were struggling. I hated seeing that.
“Really? You think these are going to kill me? And I am supposed to be dead?” I scoffed and they all retreated back to the door, their eyes widening with each step they took. Adrian broke free from the stupid guard’s hold and ran across the room, over to me. He didn’t even hesitate to pick me up in his arms and twirl me around, my face buried in his shoulder while his face was buried in my hair. He put me down on my feet and looked at me for a long time before unexpectedly kissing me, hard on the lips, in front of everyone.
My cheeks became very warm, but I kissed him back anyways, wanting to be held by him. Adrian kept kissing me and I was running out of oxygen. He got the hint and pulled away, only to kiss me again. We kissed for a while and then, he let go of me, his hands on my shoulders as he got a good look at me. His eyes were filled with tears, waiting to break out. I hugged him and he instantly melted into my embrace.
“Why’d you leave me, Roza? You left me for the second time this lifetime,” Adrian cried and I felt myself crying along with him.
“Adrian, get away from her. She’s not real,” Maddie and Elliot cried, but their eyes told me a whole different story. They wanted to believe it, but they didn’t.
“NO, she is real and she’s MINE,” Adrian yelled out across the room, pulling me closer to him and holding me tightly, showing everyone that no one can lay a single finger on me. He sent death glares at those who dared to take a step closer to us.
“Adrian, please calm down,” I told him soothingly.
“NO, Roza, I can’t calm down. Do you know what they were doing? They were trying to take you away from me. I hate them. I love you, Roza. I don’t know if you’ll believe me or not, but I do love you,” he cried, tucking away the loose strands behind my ear. I noticed how hoarse his voice sounded and on top of that, every time he said “I love you” to me, his voice cracked. I couldn’t help but hold onto him tighter than before. I wish I could make it all better, but I am not a magician.
“I love you too, Prince Charming,” I smiled, trying to lighten up the mood. He smiled too, sending my heart into overdrive. Oh, how I longed for that heart-melting smile of his.
“Can you give us a minute?” Adrian asked lightly and they all obeyed, clearing out of the room and closing the door behind them. I can’t believe it; I was able to calm him down with just a few words and a smile. I led him over to the bed and he sat down, pulling me on top of his lap. Adrian smiled and kissed me again as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Roza, where were you? Was this some sort of a joke?” Adrian asked me, breaking the kiss.
“I was in the middle of nowhere, meeting your mother. She’s very nice,” I smiled and he groaned, burying his face in my neck as I laughed.
“You mean . . . that place? Oh, mother. Did she say anything bad about me?” Adrian asked me.
“Nope. So, Adonael, tell me everything I need to know about soul mates and how to be a good soul mate,” I laughed as he groaned louder this time, muttering something incoherent under his breath.
“I swear, the next time I see her, I’m going to teach her how to handle her son’s girlfriends. She messed it up for most of my brothers,” Adrian and I smiled at the same time.
“Adrian, how did you know it was the real me when everyone else looked like they wanted to get rid of me?” I asked and his hold on me tightened, both of us suddenly pokerfaced now.
“I’m your soul mate. I know that it was you from the second I sensed your presence. It’s part of the bond we share. Don’t worry, you’ll learn how to develop the bond and then, we can do all sorts of cool things,” he smiled.
“Adrian—,” I started, but he cut me off.
“Roza, I’m really, really sorry. I didn’t mean a word I said during our . . . breakup. Will you take me back? Will you give me a second chance? Please? I just want you back; I never want to lose you ever again,” Adrian asked me and in response, I kissed him. At first, he tensed, but sluggishly liquefied into the kiss, getting my message clearly. We immediately pulled away when we heard someone coughing behind us. I turned around and saw that Elliot was looking down at his feet. I blushed and hastily got up from Adrian’s embrace who, reluctantly, let me go.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” he said awkwardly and left. The second Adrian closed the door, Elliot hugged me, crying. Yay! More crying! This just couldn’t get any better.
“Ells, don’t worry, I’m here now,” I said and he pulled away, looking down at me with depressing eyes. He pouted a bit, pulling me closer to him.
“You weren’t here five days ago,” he said and my eyes widened in shock. I was dead for five days and then came back. No wonder why they were all so surprised.
“Well, I’m here now,” I smiled and he lightly punched me on the shoulder. When I fake-pouted, he just ruffled my hair, just like old times.
“Don’t ever do that again. I hate the thought of truly losing you,” Elliot smiled as Maddie appeared in the doorway, approaching me for a hug.
“Alice, don’t you dare do that again,” she warned me in a playful tone, but I knew that she was serious.
“Wow, you must’ve really missed me. I mean, look at your face. You were crying like crazy,” I said as she hastily wiped away her tears.
“This is all emotional bullshit,” she muttered and we all laughed. Elliot and Maddie pulled me in for a hug and told me to rest.
I sat down on my bed and yawned. I stopped halfway when I heard that similar musical voice in my head again.
Rosemarie, I’ve provided you with a protecting amulet. Don’t lose it. Sweet dreams.
I smiled and lightly touched the necklace that was resting on my collarbone. It just appeared out of thin air. But I frowned when I realized that this looked very familiar. I just couldn’t pinpoint it with that usual ten-month cavity in my memory. I looked down at it again and felt the bed dip beside me. I looked up and saw Adrian smiling down at me.
“Let me guess, my mother gave it to you?” he asked and I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in that sweet scent of his. He sighed and I looked up, concerned.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, searching his eyes for some clue but I got none.
“Can-can I-I . . . Ummm,” Adrian hesitated and I rolled my eyes again. His weird habit of scratching the back of his neck whenever he felt nervous or awkward was cute, but not after all of this.
“Don’t be afraid, Adrian. You can ask me anything,” I told him, lightly touching his cheeks and turning his face so that he was facing me.
“Can I sleep with you tonight?” he blurted out and my eyes widened. His eyes widened as he understood the double entendre and quickly shook his head. Adrian actually blushed again and his hold on me tightened, afraid that I might slip away from his embrace and reject him.
“I meant sleep with you. I’m just going to hold you the whole night. I promise you I won’t try anything, I swear,” Adrian said solemnly and I giggled.
“Of course you can, Adrian,” I said, getting my laughter under control as he breathed out in relief. He kissed me again, pulling me closer to him so that I was straddling his waist. Once we pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, smiling.
“I love you, Roza. I love you so much that it hurts me sometimes. I’m afraid that I might lose you again,” he smiled lugubriously.
“I love you too, Adrian. I’ll be with you forever. I won’t ever leave you, I promise,” I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Unconditionally, forever and always,” we both alleged before he leaned down to kiss me again, fastening that undertakin
g of ours that was absolutely resilient. Nothing in this world can change that. We loved each other unconditionally, forever and always. I think.
CHAPTER 22
BOUND AND EMPTY
The next couple of days went by in a blur. I had to spend a few days in the hospital despite my protests. Adrian came to visit every day, helping me along the way. Now, here we were, sitting on my bed with me on his lap, my head resting on his chest, listening to the rhythmic heartbeat of his.
I tried to imagine my life without him. I would have moved on with my life, going to dances with Maddie, living life like normal people, still dating James. I shuddered at the thought of James. Just thinking about him brings back the pain. My hands still somehow felt sore from his furious grip. I cogitated about what would’ve happened if Adrian was never there to help me. I thought about how Adrian must’ve felt each time he lost me. I didn’t realize I was crying until Adrian tightened his grip on my waist and whispered soothing words in my ear.
“What’s wrong, Roza? After you . . . revived, you’ve been crying nonstop for days now. Please, let me in. Let me see what you’re feeling. I need to know what is making you so upset so that I could make it all better,” Adrian said rather lugubriously, his voice laced with that longing and heartbreak in them.
“Nothing,” I responded quickly and wiped my tears away. Crying in front of him made me feel pathetic and impractical. I wanted to be resilient in front of him. I wanted to be the perfect soul mate but I knew that was impossible.
“Adrian, can I ask you some things about angels?” I asked nervously as he bit his bottom lip. I sighed and shook my head. “Never mind,” I told him and hugged him again.
“Hey, Roza, why are you so moody all of a sudden? Did my mother do something? Are you afraid of something? Please tell me,” Adrian begged me and I shook my head.
“Nothing, really. Nothing’s bothering me. Seriously, nothing,” I tried really hard to smile, but I obviously failed at it. Adrian took my face in his hands and looked me in the eyes.
“What’s wrong? Did James do something to you?” Adrian asked me lightly, his thumbs creating slow patterns on my cheeks.
“No, James didn’t come near me,” I said and he sighed and pulled me closer to him, our faces were a few inches away from his.
“Is it something I did? If you want to know more about angels, then I can tell you more about them, you know,” Adrian told me, trying to get me to tell him the real reason behind my sadness.
“No, you didn’t do anything, I swear it wasn’t you, Adrian,” I said softly and got up from his lap, heading over to my balcony. Adrian followed me over to the balcony and wrapped his arm around my waist from behind me, his face buried in my neck.
“What’s wrong, Roza? I know there is something you’re not telling me,” Adrian asked me, turning me around so that I was facing him while he searched my eyes for something, anything.
“Adrian, how does this whole soul mate thing work?” I asked, trying to ignore other topics for our comatose tête-à-tête.
“Okay, you sure that’s what’s been bothering you?” he asked me, raising one eyebrow, his expression filled with doubt.
“Yes,” I lied and gulped inaudibly. If Adrian found out the truth, then he would go out on a killing spree. He couldn’t know about it, at all.
“Okay, then,” Adrian said, lightly running his finger over my arms and down to my waist. He loved this dress on me; he said it made me look older for some reason; more matured. I was wearing a cream chiffon tiered ruffle dress with contrast black waistband. It had short sleeves and the waistband had little white diamonds encrusted in them, creating a rose-like pattern.
“Roza, for every angel, there is an angel soul mate. When an angel Falls from Heaven, he/she can still have a soul mate only if they are a Heavenly Angel. If you Change into and Abaddon Angel, then you don’t have a soul mate. Outcasts don’t have soul mates either. Soul mates are meant to be compatible and like ‘soul mates’. Their souls are tied. If one of them dies, then the other one will grow weaker. Only a soul mate can heal his/her mate unless you’re a Heavenly Angel. Then, you can heal yourself, however, you soul mate can heal more serious injuries and heal you four times faster,” Adrian said, thinking about each word carefully.
“So . . . you can’t heal yourself?” I asked.
“Of course we can, but it will just take us longer. Our soul mate can heal us faster. They have to kiss the injured soul mate or just touch the wound and will for it to heal. Each of us have a different way, their unique way,” Adrian answered.
“So . . . what do you mean their souls are tied?” I asked. Were they bound together? Forever?
“They are sort of bound together. They share a bond. Angel soul mates can feel what their mate feels. They can instantly communicate with each other without difficulties. They can read each other’s minds as well,” Adrian said, looking down at his feet when saying the last sentence. I immediately blushed and looked down. Oh. My. God. He knew what I was thinking and everything.
“Can’t the mate block out their mate?” I asked, wondering if I could block out Adrian and prevent him from reading my mind.
“You’re not planning on blocking me out, are you?” Adrian asked me; hurt seeping its way into his voice.
“No, of course I’m not. Just forget about the question. What is the purpose of a soul mate?” I asked. Surely, there has to be a purpose.
“There’s just a simple purpose: to create more angels. Soul mates are meant to love each other. The second they are born, their fate is sealed. Once they turn sixteen, they meet their soul mate. God ‘coincidentally’ makes them meet each other. During their first meeting, they must choose whether or not they reject their mate or not. Most angels don’t reject their mate, but some do. And those who do reject their mate, they live their life in misery, dying out very quickly with no one to pass on their title to. So soul mates are basically to love each other, care for each other and make more angels. They have to make at least five angels, according to my mother,” Adrian said, his face turning redder than before. I took my time to absorb all of this . . . information.
“There is an exception, though. You don’t have to make at least five angels, not unless you’re that special type of angel. If you are, then you can choose to have just one angel or whatever you want,” Adrian continued.
“What kind of special are you talking about?” I asked, placing my hands on his chest lightly.
“Ummm . . . they are called Earthly Angels. They are only females, unfortunately. There is only one Earthly angel present in the whole universe at one time. If there is more than one earthly angel, then the whole Heaven and Hell thing becomes unstable and one of them has to die,” Adrian said sadly and I gasped. Adrian instantly looked at me, his eyes filled with shock and fear. I understand his surprise, but why fear?
“What’s wrong? Roza, answer me. What’s wrong?” Adrian asked me, tilting my face up so that I was locked in under his warming gaze.
“Nothing. I just feel really bad for them. That’s all,” I shrugged and Adrian let out a breath of relief. Something was not right. He was acting really weird; well, weirder than usual.
“You told me that all angels have angel soul mates. Then how come I’m your soul mate? I’m not an angel,” I asked, frowning slightly and his eyes had that faraway look in them.
“You’ll find out about that later. Just remember, no matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side. I’ll always be there for you. You can come to me for anything,” Adrian told me, pressing his lips into a thin line, causing my frown to deepen. Why was he ducking my questions?
“Okay,” I said cynically, letting the topic go, just for now. He sighed and leaned in to kiss my forehead.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Roza. Please don’t hurt yourself. I don’t want you to worry about this whole soul mate thing. You’ll get everything when the time comes,” Adrian told me and I nodded. Again with the when the time comes. He hugged me a
nd that same goofy smile spread over his face once again, but this time, the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Adrian left and I felt empty all over again.
I quickly rushed over to my bedside table and took out the letter. That’s right; I got another threat from my secret admirer. I didn’t tell anyone about it, not even Adrian. I didn’t want him to know why I was so bipolar every day. I opened it and encountered that same coppery smell, telling me that the letter was written in blood again. I read it carefully, trying to remember all of this threat. I didn’t even bother to read it once I saw it on my bed when I returned from the hospital.
Rose,
You are so beautiful; I’ll never get tired of looking at your beautiful face. I see that you’ve returned from the dead. How does it feel? I was very happy when I heard about your breakup with Adrian but not anymore. I see you’ve gotten back together with your soul mate. You’ve failed to follow my orders. You think you can escape my pressures, but guess what; it is unmanageable to run away from me. I’m everywhere. I’m always watching you. Maybe your protector isn’t doing a very good job. You disobeyed me and now, you’re going to see what I can do. You will feel my wrath and I almost feel bad for you. But only if that was possible for me to feel. I don’t regret doing anything I’m about to. Trust me, I will not hurt you, but I will slowly kill you once and for all this time. I am going to torture those you love, agonizingly slowly in front of you. I think I’ll start with Prince Charming. He looks like a great target, don’t you think? Mark my words, Rose, now, there’s one more realm trying to capture you. Death’s mark is on you. You can’t escape death, Rose. You messed with the wrong people. Sweet Dreams.
Love,
Your Secret Admirer.
CHAPTER 23
BROKEN PROMISES
What should I do? I can’t suicide and leave Adrian. Who is this person? I can’t tell anyone about this. I can always break up with Adrian and keep him safe that way. Maybe then, the “secret admirer” will stop hurting him and hurt me instead. I don’t want Adrian to get injured. Just then, the doorbell rang, breaking me out of my incubi. I ran down the stairs and unlocked the door, only to meet the last person I anticipated to see right now.
