ASHER GREY DAWSON

I froze? the moment? I saw my unconscious body lying in the hospital bed. Fvck! What the hell happened?

"Honestly, we can't say when will they wake up. Don't loose your hope, Mr. And Mrs. Dawson. There are some cases here in our hospital that they're son had been in coma for five years and was given another chance to live again. There's always a miracle so the thing that we can only do now is to trust Him." the doctor said. I saw my parents crying while looking at my body that is supported by a life machine. My gaze went to my cousin Levi.

I don't want to believe at those spirits being separated by their body until I experienced it. I thought I am the only one who's given another chance when I saw my cousin. We're on the same situation right now.

We are known to be the devils in the class. Always ditching classes just to escaped those boring professors who are always feeding us with their boring lessons. We have no interest in studying at all. We only know one thing, that is to drink, hang out with friends and date different damn girls until we're satisfied.

Reaching at this situation is hard to believe. We became those angels in disguise that need to save 100 people in order to go back to our body. I may look like a damn fool for saying this but it's all true. Who would have ever damn thought that the devil like us is assigned to be someone's savior?

We've been in coma for 2 years. We left our body in Canada in order to save the remaining 26 people we need to save here in the Philippines. Levi studied in North Kellenberg to save his next mission while I'm here in Cambridge to guide those hard headed humans I need to save. I enrolled here starting in highschool until I'm down on my last two humans to save from death.

I don't know if we're angels to consider since we still have our unconscious body left. We are not actually dead. I don't like to be called one either. I used to hear people calling me devil because my attitute sucks.

No one knew us here in this country. They have no idea that the real me was in coma and the Asher that they are seeing now is just a pure illusion. After our mission, they will forget everything about us. They will not anymore remember our existence. As well as us, after we went back to our body, we will not remember anything.

Levi and I live on a separate house. I'm heading my way home when I saw my next human to save. I saved her from hunger right after her love ones died. She has no one to ask for help so I told her to live with me and I'll give her opportunity to study.

I considered Mara as my sister since I started to miss my real sister too. I imagined Ashira's expression if she'll know that his brother once became an angel. I'm sure she won't give a damn to believe me.

I thought that it will be easy for me to save the last human but it was the hardest among the remaining 99 people. I have no idea what I need to fix in her life just to save her from pain and sadness. Her life is too complicated. I became friends with her starting highschool until I reach college and my mission was still incomplete. Fvck!

The most important rule that we must obey is to keep our mission as a secret. Levi told me that we need to be normal like them that's why we studied. Sinong mag aakala na ang gagong tulad ko noon ay magkakainteres sa pag aaral?

"Ash, can I share my problems to you?" Laurene asked.

She's the last human that I need to save. I need to be with her and I need to know everything about her para makabalik na ako sa dati kong katawan. I am his damn guardian angel. I already saved her for consecutive times and still my mission remains undone.

During our first encounter, I don't actually like her. I've been bothered everytime I feel her presence. She's indeed pretty but annoying. Sa una ay aakalain mong tahimik pero hindi pala. After I was able to know her whole story, that's when I started to realize what's my mission on her.

I distance myself to all the girls. I became cold which is not I am used to. Babawi na lang siguro ako sa oras na makabalik ako sa katawan ko. There's only one thing running in my mind now, I want to finish my mission because it's driving me crazy. Fvck! I've never been stress not until this one came.

After driving Laurene home, that motherfucker Levi called me to tell something again. I was trapped in this heavy traffic until I saw this stupid human crossing the street while it's still red light. She's not included in my mission but I saved her. Right after that, hindi ko alam na muli kaming magkikita.

"Hard headed, human."

She's very annoying more than Laurene. After saving her for the second time during the practice of Archery in the field, doon nya ako nagsimulang kulitin. She also auditioned to be the team's representative but I didn't chose her. I chose Laurene because I want her to gain friends.

That made her mad at me.

I don't see something special on her. She's like my girls before na walang ibang ginawa kundi ang maghabol sa akin. Sa sobrang kulit nya ay naiinis na ako. Until I saw different scenarios that made me change my impressions in her. Akala ko noong una ay puro pagpapaganda lang ang alam ng babaeng ito. She proved to me that I am wrong. She's actually different. Her pure heart made her something special for me. Starting that day when I saw her giving advice to Mara, that's when I started to change. Every morning, I saw her giving food to the unfortunate people in the street. Marami akong bagay na na-realize na hindi ko nagawa noon. Kung hindi pa ako malalagay sa ganitong sitwasyon ngayon, ay hindi ko magagawang tumulong sa ibang tao. The truth is, I only care for myself before. I am so damn selfish.

I started to like her even if we're on wrong situation. I never admitted that she's the girl I like when she asked me about it. I brought Laurene her favorite tulips because I know that can make her happy. She need to think that there's someone who cares for her in her situation right now. She badly needs attention because if not, she ends up hurting herself for several damn times. I won't let that happen since she's the last human that I need to save.

"Why are you here Levi?" I asked my cousin. I've been seeing him always tailing with Haven so I gave him a warning.

"She's my last human, Asher. There's no need to be jealous about." sagot nya na parang hinahamon ako. Tinulak ko ito. I was about to punch his face dahil nami-miss na ng kamao ko yung mukha nya kung hindi lang dumating si Haven. She keeps on calling my cousin Draven. At talagang may endearment pa. Remy? She doesn't deserve that kind of cheap nickname. It should be Haven. Sounds like heaven. Mas bagay sa kanya.

From that day on, I always keep an eye on her. Ilang beses na syang muntik na maaksidente at mabuti na lang dumadating ako. I'm very pissed at Levi because he's not minding his responsibility. I told him to transfer here in Cambridge so he can protect his last human from any harm but he didn't listen. He don't have any idea about Haven's fvcking ex-boyfriend who almost killed her. Kung ayaw na ng babae, bakit mo pa pipilitin di'ba? I maybe an asshole before but I can't be compared to that motherfucker Jerome. How can he do that to my girl? He's stealing someone's property at mamatay muna sya bago nya mahawakan yung babaeng gusto ko ngayon.

"Protect her for me when I'm not around." Levi asked. Nalaman ko kung ano yung pinagkakaabalahan nya at tama nga ang hinala ko. He can't leave his school because he's damn inlove with someone else. Pinipigilan ko nga yung sarili ko tapos itong gagong 'to ay naunahan na pala ako.

"After our mission here, we'll totally forget about everything. She won't remember me as well as us, I can't remember her. That's why even if it's damn wrong, I took the risk." he answered. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagkalakas ng loob ng sinabi nya iyon.

I've been inlove with her before the moment I felt that she's inlove with me too. It's the first time that I felt this feeling for someone. I've never been inlove not until I met her. She changed my entire perspectives in life. I can't help but to smile because Levi is right, she's cute.

Until I realized that telling her how much she mean to me was my damn biggest mistake. Everything was connected to each other because she's part of Laurene's complicated life. I am fucking stuck in a decision between choosing her or choosing my life.

"I will accept the fact that I'm not the girl you love, Ash. Find someone else. Huwag yung kapatid ko. Kahit sinong ipalit mo sa'kin, huwag lang sya." Laurene is crying when she said those. I thought she's just scaring me that she will kill herself if I didn't end eveything about Haven and I but I was? damn wrong.

If I didn't do what she wanted, she may attempt to kill herself again. The moment I decided to fight for Haven, I know my mission here will fail. If I'll choose Laurene and eveything went alright, makakabalik ako sa katawan ko.

We only have few time left. Lumiliit na yung tsansa na mabigyan kami ng pagkakataong mabuhay ng pinsan ko.

Even if it's fvcking hard for me to break her heart, I ended my relationship with her. I left her without explanations. That's the hardest decision I've ever made. I denied my feelings for the girl I want to scream the most.

"You did the right thing." Levi exclaimed as he tapped my shoulder. I'm very pissed right now that's why I mouthed fvck you. It's the first time that my cousin and I fell inlove at sa maling pagkakataon pa talaga. Curse that destiny! Ang galing nya pagdating sa parumihan ng laro.

"What about your girl?" I asked him.

"I let her go. She's happy now with someone else." he answered. Alam ko sobrang gago ko para saktan yung babaeng gusto ko. Like what I've told her, I can't imagine myself loving any other girls if it's not her. Hindi ko alam kung pagkatapos ba ng lahat ng ito, may babalikan pa ako sa kanya.

I'm fvcking tired seeing her suffering from the pain I've caused that's why my full attention went on Laurene. I already told her that I don't love her. Wala akong ginawa kundi ang bantayan ang kilos nya.

Gusto ko ng matapos ang lahat dahil sa oras na makabalik ako sa katawan ko, makakalimot na kaming lahat. She won't anymore suffer to the pain I've caused. Mas maganda na din 'yon dahil alam kong kapag lumapit pa ulit ako sa kanya, pareho lang kaming masasaktan.

I went to Laurene's house. Hindi pa man ako nakakapunta sa kanila ng biglang magkagulo. Napamura ako sa isip ko sa kung sino ang may pakana sa nangyayaring sunog ngayon. I immediately went there.

Fvck! Am I too late?

Agad akong pumasok sa loob at tinahak ang daan papasok sa kwarto ni Laurene. She was about to jump dahil wala na syang madadaanan sa laki ng apoy.

"Kelsey!" sigaw nya ng hawakan ko yung mga kamay nya. She's crying to me now.

"Don't worry. She'll be safe." sagot ko bago kami lumabas doon. I know Levi will protect her. He's her savior at hindi ako. I'm just the devil guy who just make her suffer in pain. I don't deserve an angel like her.

I went to the hospital to visit Haven. Nang magtama ang paningin namin ni Laurene ay mabilis nya akong niyakap.

"T-thank you for saving me, Ash. S-sa kabila ng lahat ng kasalanan ko, niligtas mo pa din ako. I'm very sorry about you and Kelsey. I became very selfish at hindi ko mapapatawad yung sarili ko kapag may nangyaring masama sa kapatid ko. I already realized my mistake. P-pinagsisisihan ko na lahat ng nagawa ko. Wala akong kwentang kapatid." pilit ko syang pinahapatahan ng sinabi nya iyon sa akin. I wiped her tears dahil alam ko masasaktan yung kapatid nya kapag nakita nyang nasasaktan yung mga mahal nya sa buhay ngayon. She never change. She's always willing to save her family without any hesitations. She always care for other people. My girl is very selfless. 'Yon ang isa sa mga bagay na sobrang minahal ko sa kanya.

"It's never too late." I replied. My mission here is done. Pakiramdam ko na malapit na akong bumalik sa katawan ko.

The night before I leave, when everybody is asleep, I went to check on her. She's like an angel peacefully sleeping in a hospital bed.

Hinawakan ko yung kamay nya. I will never regret that I was involve in a car accident and was given another chance to live again by saving other people's lives.

"I love you..." wika ko kasabay ng pagpatak ng mga luha mula sa aking mga mata. I gently kissed her forehead.

"I know someday, our paths will cross again. Goodbye, my angel."

---

"Mom! I can't believe this. Kuya Asher! He's already awake." I heard the familiar voice of Ashira. I can't remember why I am inside the room. I was just in silent for a week. My brain is still processing. I can't speak na parang ang tagal kong nawalan ng malay.

"You've been in coma for three years kuya. Akala namin hindi ka na magigising." Ashira said while crying. Tumigin ako sa katabi ko. Hindi pa nagigising si Levi.

There are some things I can't remember but I can still recall my family's names. Halos dalawang linggo din akong nagpahinga habang si Levi ay wala pa ding malay.

I thought it was my end. It's indeed a miracle because after three years of being in coma, I finally woke up.

"I'm so worried, Ash. I thought you'll not anymore wake up." Viena said. I'm going to marry her soon. Hindi ko alam kung magandang balita pa ba na nagising ako kung pipilitan lang din nila akong ipakasal sa babaeng ito. Damn that business. I'd rather want to grow old alone than to marry someone else! Ni minsan, hindi ako nagseryoso sa babae.

Dalawang taon na din ang nakalipas.

Two years had passed and everything went back to the way it used to.

"What the fvck are you doing?" Levi put his things inside my car.

"Vacation with you and Viena. It's happier when you bring me with you guys." he replied. Pinapasunod kami nina daddy sa Pilipinas. I'm aware that it was all planned again. Ipagkakasundo na naman nila ako kay Viena kaya pinagsabay kaming bumyahe ngayon. Maybe it's a good thing that Levi is here. Bakit ba hindi na lang ang kumag na 'to ang ipakasal sa maarteng babaeng katabi ko? I'm so damn sure that they'll fit each other.

When we're already in the airplane, natulog na lang ako sa byahe. Nagising na lang ako dahil halik ni Viena sa akin. I don't want to hurt her but she's pushing me to do it. Naitulak ko sya.

"I'm sorry, Ash. W-were already here." wika nya. I don't want to go on a vacation with her. I told them that I'll just buy something but the truth is, I already escaped from them. Tumawag sa akin si Levi at narinig ko ang malulutong na mura nya.

"Gago! Balikan mo kami dito!"

I smiled playfully after hearing his voice.

Matagal na din pala simula noong huli kaming nagpunta dito sa Pilipinas. I was still eight when I went here.

Habang nagmamaneho, mabilis kong nai-preno yung sasakyan ko dahil sa biglang pagsulpot ng isang babae. Fvck! Muntik pa akong makapatay.

Inis akong lumabas ng kotse ko. I saw that woman with her shoulder length hair directly looking at me.

"Do you want to die?" I asked angrily. Instead of answering, natulala ito sa akin.

Maya maya ay nag unahan sa pagtulo ang mga luha nya.

"A-asher?"

Natigilan ako ng banggitin nya yung pangalan ko. It's the first time that we met. How did she know my name?

"Who are you?" tanong ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa puntong iyon ay nasasaktan ako sa tuwing nakikitang umiiyak sya. I can feel the pain buried in her chest.

"T-talaga bang hindi mo na ako naaalala?" naguluhan ako sa sinasabi nya. I looked at her eyes hanggang sa dumako ang tingin ko sa kwintas na suot nya. There's something different from it. Something that I can't even explain.

"Where did you get that necklace?" tanong ko. She holds it like it is something very important to her.

"T-this came from Draven. He told me that only two people inlove can see what this necklace can do." she answered. Why the hell did I asked that?

"I'm not interested. I have to go." umalis na ako ng mahawakan nya yung braso ko.

"A-asher, I'm H-haven. Ako to. Y-yung babaeng minahal mo." she cried infront of me. Binigyan ko sya ng panyo dahil baka isipin ng ibang tao na pinapaiyak ko ang babaeng to. I removed her hands from me.

"I don't know you." sagot ko bago ako bumalik ng kotse. I just continue driving hanggang sa maalala ko yung suot nyang kwintas. Hindi ako mapakali sa pagmamaneho na parang may nag uudyok sa akin na balikan sya. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko ng maalala ko yung imahe ng babaeng muntik ko ng mabangga kanina. Shit!

I was late to realize that she's that girl. Yung babaeng madalas kong napapanaginipan. I immediately went back to the place where I saw her earlier. Nagmadali ako dahil baka hindi ko na sya maabutan. Mabuti na lang at nakatayo pa din sya sa lugar kung saan ko sya iniwan. Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya. The moment that our eyes met, nagulat ako ng bigla nya akong yakapin.

"A-asher please. Wag ka ng umalis. Wag mo na ulit akong iwan. Ilang taon na akong naghintay sayo. Kahit sabihin man nila na nababaliw ako sa tuwing binabanggit kita sa kanila. I still believe that your existence were true kahit ako na lang y-yung taong nakakaalala sayo. W-wag mo na akong iwan. H-hanggang ngayon mahal na mahal pa din kita. Y-you were the only man I love this way. At a-ang sakit sakit lang kasi nakalimutan mo na ako. P-please remember me. R-remember me Asher. Ayoko na ulit maiwan. H-huwag mo na ulit akong iiwan."

I felt the pain in my chest. The way it beats fast is far different from before. The moment I saw for the second time the necklace that she's wearing , nagsimulang bumalik yung mga ala ala ko.

Kumalas kami mula sa pagkakayakap sa isa't isa. I wiped the tears running down her cheeks.

"Our paths crossed again." I looked at her the same thing I looked at her before. She's still the most beautiful angel I've ever met.

"N-naaalala mo na ba ako?"

Instead of answering her question, I kissed her. I want her to know that after all the years, kahit na nakalimutan ko man sya, wala pa ding nagbabago sa nararamdaman ko.

"I miss you." I whispered to her ears bago ko ulit sy niyakap.

"I'm sorry because I keep you waiting for years. I know, I really messed up things. I won't leave again. This will be the last time you'll cry because of the pain I've caused. I love you, Haven. I really do."

God has given me so much chances so I'll not waste it. We can all be angels in our own special ways. I may not be his guardian angel but it's the other way around. She brought different lessons withiin my life. I realized many things from her. She brought the light to me and her smile was the beautiful scene I've ever saw. And lastly, she taught me how to love, to be selfless and to be a real man.

She once accused me for being her guardian angel with an invisible halo on his head not knowing that she herself is already an angel.

My angel.

---END.