My Guardian Angel

I have always been with her since she was born, from her first cry. To how her parents quarrelled daily because they didn't want her. Scarlet. I’ve seen her cry in her cradle, crawled across the freezing kitchen floor, fall off the monkey bars, and swore she had seen someone grab her, preventing her from falling. It was me that was my duty. But now, she is all grown. Twenty-eight. With brighter eyes, spirit fiercer than she ever was… and more vulnerable than she could understand. She was now stronger even though fragile, but strong from her pains. Scarlet blinked her eyes as she tried to get familiar with the harsh glare of the morning sun streaming through her window. She grumpily reached for her phone on her bedside drawer to check the time, her mind still foggy from the remnants of last night's wine she and her favourite humans had gone partying for a change. 8:00 AM. She let out a sigh and rubbed her temples, trying to get rid of the slight headache. I watched her fold grumbling softly. “Ugh... oh no, it's eight already?” She reached for her phone, rubbing her eyes as she blinked at the screen. There were some notifications. 4 missed calls. A message from Austin and her assistant Sandy. I peeped into the phone before she did. "You looked too peaceful. I couldn't do the injustice by waking you. coffee's by your door, I left it for you. Love you always.” She smiled and muttered, " I love you too." As if he was there beside her. “God, what did I ever do to deserve him?” Then she screwed down to a message from her assistant. "Meeting by 10:30am with the granite group." "Ohh my God, I have a few minutes to get myself together ." I looked at her soberly "You've suffered. You've been broken. You've bled for years in silence with no comfort. I sometimes wish I could comfort you in my arms. I have even reached out to hold you in. But it's all vade you can't see me. You can't feel me. So yes, you deserve more." I spoke as if she could hear my voice. Even though sometimes she could hear, her soul could, she had a receptive soul, a really beautiful soul. She sat up, pushing her curls backwards from her face. Her eyes turned towards the picture on her bedside drawer. It was the picture of her, Zara, and Austin, arms linked together and laughter that was palpable yet frozen in time. “That was a good day. How could I forget? Those right there are all it took to make me safe; home, family, and love. I am whole with you." She spoke to the picture that was now in her hands. She traced Zara’s face. “Zaza you’ve always been my girl. You make life worth living, and with you, i forget my pain even when it creeps in.” I read through her expression closely. There was restraining in her eyes small, fleeting. But I saw it. I see everything. Six Months Ago Private Jet, Champagne, and a Ring in the Clouds, with my kind bearing witness. She was barefoot, tipsy dancing like a child to the soft tone, she loved to be free, to be a child carefree without life's troubles. This was one of the reasons he loved her, i too love her for the same. He was nervous, his heart pounding as he knelt on that red carpeted floor. “Scarlet... I don’t want a life that does not include your laughter. Or your rants. Or your late-night dance routines in oversized shirts. Please marry me, will you?” The ring emerald, with scattered diamonds around it. It was simple but expensive. He knew green was her favourite colour, and he knew she would appreciate an emerald engagement ring. Zara had given him a hint on what she would prefer. She threw her ands across her mouth. Her eyes were already watery. She didn't expect this. She didn't expect that her engagement would be so elaborate and yet quiet, like what she had always dreamt of. She burst into tears. Happy ones. “ ohh, yes, Austin!!! Of course I’ll marry you today tomorrow and always!" They kissed. The stewardess clapped. Zara took a thousand photos. And I unseen sighed in relief. She said yes. She chose love. She chose Austin. Present, Back in Scarlet’s Apartment She walked to the kitchen in her robe, humming under her breath. As she reached for the coffee cup that Austin had left at her door, she bent over to pick it up. While she was still bent over, the hallway mirror twitched. Only for just a second. A glow, an usual one. Blurry. She didn’t see it, but I did, I see everything when it comes to her. I whispered some words under my breath, reminding the seal that it wasn't time ,whatever it was that was testing the boundary… it wasn’t strong enough. Not yet, I won't let it not at my watch. Scarlet picked the cup, and her eyes captured the blur mirror “it's been a minute since I last cleaned this mirror." Sshe said to herself. She chuckled, sipping her coffee slowly, oblivious to what the mirror was trying to say or what was trying to speak through it. Later that evening, with Zara at rooftop Café. They shared a plate of wings, laughter, and juicy secrets. “so you know, I still don't know the full details on how you landed Austin.” zara said with an inquisitive look. Scarlet narrowed her eyes with so much question in them; "who else should have landed him? “Because I am smart and have a killer smile." She gave her a fake smile, and both of them burst in a boisterous laughter. “Scar have you seen your man? He is unreal, his chiselled and firm body is one to die for, " Zara said, biting into the chicken with an exaggerated lust in her eyes. "Hello, that's my man you're talking about." Scarlet laughed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, forgive me," Zara joked. “Zaza i'm in a happy place,He is sweet. He listens to me. He holds me. He values me. Truth be told Za I’ve never had this before.” Upon her last statement, her tone dropped. “Scar are you still thinking about McDonald?” Scarlet could not answer. She did not have to. The silence spoke loudly. Some two years ago, I still remembered vividly what happened that rainy evening. He was in her office, Andrew was her assistant with a pleasant figure more famine than masculine. They were kissing, she went in, her eyes met his but he didn't stop, he continued with no remorse. “Mac? What’s going on?” McDonald stepped away from Andrew, no guilt on his face yet defiance in his voice. “Scarlet ohh...you're here. You were bound to find out somehow. “You...you said you loved me, Mac...what changed?" “ohh i did for a while, but Andre here, he’s… it’s different. When I met him at your office, I couldn't resist. " Andrew was Scarlet's secretary. He didn’t even apologize. He just looked at her like she’d interrupted something sacred. "Well, I'm with Andrew now. As you can see, he is better than you could ever dream of being. " Those words sent a sharp knife deep into her heart, she cried, and begged but Mac didn't even look at her. Scarlet’s Car, Parked Outside the Café She sat still. Quiet. With some droplets of tears in her eyes. It still hurts the way she was dumped. " Hey Scar, it's okay. You have Austin now, any woman's dream, man. There is no need to cry over spilt milk." The city had its energy, busy energy around her, but she was frozen in her past. I wanted to reach out to her. To hold her hands and assure her. To wipe off that one tear that slipped down her cheek effortlessly. But I cannot. Not until she wants me. Her attention was brought back to her environment when her phone rang, and Zara passed it to her. " it's Austin." “Hey, honey, did you have a good day? Just wanted to say I love you. Did you get the coffee?” his voice came from the other side as endearing as always. “I did, honey, and guess what you’re my favourite human.” " Do I have a tough competition?” “You have no idea. Zara is ready to kill me." They laughed. Light returned to her voice. “ I'm thinking of throwing a little engagement party. Nothing too elaborate. Just friends, good food, music. At my place." Austin continued. “Do I have to dress up?” “you know that no matter what you wear, you're always the most stunning in any room.” Austin said. “ohh you keep spoiling with your words. I will keep my fingers crossed to see my chef do the magic." "It will be my utmost pleasure to cook for you honey." The call ended with a sigh, a contented sigh. I watched the city lights glinter through her eyes. But deeper still, I saw a shadow stirring at the edge of her aura. I felt trouble approaching. The veil had been tested once already this week. Someone or something was beginning to take notice of her light. They always do. But I am here. And I will always be watching over her. I am her guardian angel.