DEVIL'S HIGH

KIARA’S POINT OF VIEW “Kiara has once again aced this semester’s exam, and she has been doing it for the past two years. As a token of appreciation, there will be a function held next week at the Public Library and everyone’s invited, including your friends and family. The students whose GPAs are above average will also be awarded with medals and certificates. The main guest would be Archangel Michael. Don’t forget to take part in this glorious event. Best regards, Principal.” Mr. Andrews crumbled the small piece of paper after reading it out loud and tossed it into the dustbin. Although his words were supposed to give the pupils joy, his facial features didn’t allow it. After all, Mr. Andrews was the most nonchalant teacher in the entire school, and it was outrageous to expect a hint of emotion from his eyes. However, his method of teaching is otherworldly and, because of that, students keep fighting to be in his classes. It is rare to excel in his tests and if one does, then he/she could pass any tough examinations with ease. The lecture continued for another ten minutes and once the main bell rang, Rachel, my best friend, patted my back and gave me the widest smile that she saved for special occasions. “Ara, you would get the medal from your own father. How cool is that? I bet he was super proud when the principal called. And the fact that I will personally see him and be near him. Oh, God!!! I am already shivering with excitement.” I smiled on seeing her bouncing up and down, clapping her small hands and, to be honest, I was just as exhilarated as Rachel. But I was used to maintaining a cool composure even during extreme times from a very young age, and it’s like I forgot how to express myself anymore. Don’t take me wrong, I am far more demonstrative than Mr. Andrews, however, I never allow myself to lose my calm. Being the only daughter of Archangel Michael and the only sister of six powerful Angels, I know better than to not vocalize everything that comes to my mind. Whenever I cried over little things during my childhood, the reason behind it either ended up outside the house or broken. Once I accidentally hurt my arm while playing with my precious metal toy, and my oldest brother burned it till it got melted on the ground. Ever since then, I have been careful of my actions. Me and Rachey headed to the buzzing cafeteria just like the others and took our usual spot, which was the farthest corner from everyone else. Rachel was the only one who was not afraid to be my friend, and she even thought it was more thrilling to be with me than with the boring others. Although I was also adopted by my father, just like how these kids were taken care of by theirs, the students and staff gave me different treatment and I hated it more than anything. If it was possible, I would have studied here anonymously rather than be considered as royalty. My protective brothers added fuel to the fire by picking up and dropping me to the school daily like bodyguards and they never forgot to look intimidating. There is even a chart at home where my brothers sign up in the evening after taking their turns at driving me. It’s so childish and suffocating. How will I ever have friends if they continue behaving like this? “Your brothers will come for the function as well, right?” I munched on the lettuce and shrugged my shoulders in defeat. “They will be in the front row.” Rachey smiled apologetically at me, knowing very well how I felt about my family. However, her question wasn’t concerned about all my brothers but the fourth one in particular, on whom she harbors a secret crush. There is no marriage in heaven, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have relationships. Marriage is supposed to be a unique test and illustrate faithfulness for the humans, which is unnecessary in heaven. Even then, all angels aren’t capable of relishing every bodily enjoyment, and the ability decreases as their rank increases, like my father. But his love for his children is beyond the world and he is more vigilant than the boys. It’s not that I don’t love them, in fact, I wouldn’t want to replace them at any cost if I got a chance, but these over-caring gestures were getting to my nerves the more I realized how much of a normal life others have. When I was a kid, I thought it was usual to have strict family members like this, but now, at sixteen, I know that it was just me. “Don’t worry, Ara. You will soon graduate and you can choose the area you want to practise in. Your family has no say in it and to be honest, I don’t think they will oppose you helping humans, since it’s the only field left for someone from your family to take.” What Rachel said was true. Even if the Authority sent me to the human world, as per my wish, they wouldn’t be able to resist my decision. And it has always been my dream to see the place that filled my textbooks, to help those needy people and to guide them along the path of righteousness. It all started when I learned how independent those people are and yet they are restrained by their own fears and the urge to possess more than what they need. I would be a personal guardian and set my human as an example for others, thereby influencing many. Yes, that is what I would do. Just a year more and I will be free. After finishing the food, we headed to the waste disposal area and suddenly the speaker above us gave out a loud shriek. “Holy father of the father, what possessed that electronic thing?” The old lady behind the counter growled as she covered her ears with her wrinkly palms and we followed the action as well. The ear drum breaker continued to screech until it was replaced by our principal’s booming voice. I saw a junior near me firmly rubbing her ears to stop the ringing voice from resonating all around her head. “I apologize for the technical error.” He cleared his throat and we could hear papers shuffling in the background. “There is an important announcement about next week’s ceremony. The higher authorities have requested us to postpone the function until further notice because of an emergency. Also, there will not be any classes this entire week. The students should compulsorily leave the premises within the next thirty minutes. Thank you.” The cafeteria broke into a series of ‘Whys’ and loud whispers once the announcement stopped and I, too, was equally astonished. Other than holidays, the school never gives a free day to the students and suspending classes for several days without a proper reason was a first. The staff were also surprised, and they joined the students to get some idea about what was happening. Seeing that no one was planning to move from their spot, several teachers barged in and started to literally shoo away the youngsters like we were some birds. “What in the heavens is happening here? Ara, feel my heart.” Rachel guided my hand over her chest, which thudded against my skin. Her eyes were shining from all the excitement, and I swatted her back in disbelief. This girl never ceases to amuse me. We were pushed by the swamp of students, finally making it to the outside. The first thing that caught my sight was my father’s car. The officials were not allowed to use their wings in daily life, so we borrowed numerous inventions from the human world to keep everything simple. His car was parked in between a dozen other automobiles, and most of the top-level executives were sitting inside them. They were most probably waiting for the students to leave, so as not to cause any commotion; but their scheme didn’t seem to work, since the teenagers were busy gawking at the distinguished men. “Isn’t that your father, Kiara? Oh my God, I have just seen his face in textbook pictures. He looks so divine in real life.” Rachel’s voice was louder than it should have as it drew unwanted attention and prying eyes started to now turn in my direction. Just great! .............