Chapter Three: Angel + Angel:

I met her in one of the gardens in Heaven.

At the time, I was starting to question myself. I grew tired of father’s constant attention on me. It felt kind of… smothering. It felt like he was smothering me. What did he see in me? I was just me. I didn’t stand out. Sure, I learned faster. But, there were other angels that learned as fast as me. I couldn’t understand why.

Such a question led me to wander out in the rose garden. The sun was enough to snap me out of my thoughts. I froze at the sound of birds singing around me. When did the roses look that red? I reached out to one of them touching my cheek. This was hiding back here. I didn’t think such beauty could exist.

“Do you like them?” I heard someone ask me. My eyes trailed over to the source.

Her smile.

I didn’t think that angels could be that pretty. They all looked the same. I wasn’t sure what stood out about her. Her long pink hair bounced when she moved her head. She had the cutest round face I had ever seen. But it was her smile that did it for me.

“I haven’t seen them before,” I said. “I didn’t even know that this was back here.”

“Of course,” she said. “Father has me tending this garden with a few other girls.”

“Why does he keep it hidden away?” I asked.

“Why doesn’t anyone try to look for it?” She twirled about with her arms out. The sun danced on her hair dress as she moved. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

“How come I’ve never seen you before?” I asked. She stopped and looked at me.

“Were you even looking at me?” she asked. She giggled and ran over to me.

“I know who you are,” she said.

“Do you?” I asked. “I don’t know who you are.” I didn’t know that amber eyes could have such a deep glow to them.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“Bayu,” my sister said.

“Ba… yu?” I asked. “Why do you have such a weird name?”

“Why do you have a weird name?” she asked back. Her smile shot me again in the chest.

“But seriously, why are you here?” Bayu asked.

“Uh… I just wandered here,” I said. “I had so much on my mind. Can I ask you something?”

“What?” she asked.

“Do you ever wonder why you are special in any way?” I asked. “I’m sorry if this sounds weird. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Special?” Bayu asked.

“Yes,” I said. Her eyes looked like they disappeared into a haze of confusion. I shook my head.

“Never mind,” I said. “Listen, can I stay here in this garden with you? If you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” Bayu said. “This is father’s garden. Everyone is welcome here.” I felt myself smiling.

“Of course,” I said back. I don’t think I left the garden that day.