Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 22

“How many kilos of chicken?”

“One pack of calamansi for me.”

“Here is your ham, darling.”

Those are a few of the conversations you can hear on the market early this morning. The air was cold and the houses that they passed were already lighted with different colored lights. You can also hear the laughter of the children as they play in the side. The smell of different dishes being cooked can also be smelled.

+++

One month had passed since Janus and I got released from the hospital and stayed at Lola Isma’s house and care. One month had already passed but the nightmares still haunted me and caused insomnia every night. That is why Janus and Lola Isma wouldn’t let me sleep alone at night. I’m also getting used to people calling me Rachele and calling Janus, Cleo. But when there’s just the two of us, we call each other by our real names.

Now, we are currently strolling on the town market to buy something to cook for Christmas dinner. Lola Isma invited me to go out and get some fresh air while we’re at it, since it’s been so long since I took a walk out after the discharge. Janus was also with us as he had nothing to do and he still didn’t know how to play basketball that much. Neighboring men kept inviting him to a game. I accepted the invitation because I also have nothing to do and I can get good exercise out of this.

“I think we have already bought enough. There will also be a huge get-together at the city hall later after the mass so people will cook just enough food for the night,” Lola Isma said.

“Christmas in your barrio sounds fun, Lola Isma. While in Manila, they don’t have that kind of gathering and it was mostly at their homes. It’s fun too, being with your family and all, but it’s different with a large crowd. I'm looking forward to tonight.” I commented, not being able to contain my smile. We were having this conversation as we crossed the road.

“My last memory of Christmas was when I was seven years old,” Janus added.

He was holding some of the bags that contained our purchases. I felt sympathy for Janus. For the last years that I knew him, and those Christmas we had shared, all his experience, it was robbed from him. Not by Gabriel, but by Kuriel.

“Do you want to hear stories about our Christmas?” I offered, trying to lift his mood.

Janus looked down at me and I gave him a smile. If he doesn’t have much experience at Christmas, I can give it to him. Ten years of his life in a story.

“But I have a question, Lola Isma,”

Janus purposely evaded my suggestion and earned a slap from me. Janus smiled at me playfully. We are now walking towards the barrio where there is nothing but trees and rocks everywhere. There were also a number of bumps because the walk still moved smoothly.

“What is it, Cleo?” Lola Isma asked Janus, not knowing that the latter only called his name because he was joking.

We passed the small falls when I heard the rustle of the leaves. I stopped. Okay... what was that? I was looking around me and so focused on surveying the surroundings that I failed to notice the distance I had between Lola Isma and Janus. They were already a few meters away from me when I looked. I was about to move forward to catch up with them when I heard the rustle again. I did not bother to look at it again and ran.

Whatever that is, I hope it won’t follow me. Help!

I was franticly running and did not see a huge rock in my way. My feet collided with it and fell down. I shrieked in pain. My knees had abrasion but there was no blood in them. I slowly sat down and dusted my knees and blew on them. I looked behind me and saw a deer, comfortably sitting on the place where I stood before.

Really, Xandy? Really? A deer just gave me a fright!

“Rachele, are you okay? What happened to you?”

I looked up at Janus when I heard him as he ran towards me. He crouched down in front of me and checked on my knees. After that, he also scanned my whole body to look for another injury.

“Hija, what happened to you?” Lola Isma was behind him with worry on her face.

“Nothing. I had just heard a rustle earlier so I stopped to inspect it and when I heard it the second time, I ran. Then I slipped because of the rock. I'm sorry for causing trouble.” I couldn’t help but mumble those words out.

I was embarrassed when I thought about it. I was spooked by a mere deer and the poor animal was oblivious to my struggle as it kept basking in the sun and sitting there comfortably. I should not put the blame on the animal, but I also can’t help it.

“Next time, don’t get too far from our side. Look what happened to you. Are there no other injuries?”

Janus had a serious face and was scolding me but holding me gently at the same time. I was speechless at his action so I could only shake my head as an answer. Janus almost believed me and dropped the topic, but then he changed his mind. He stood up and held his hands towards me. I accepted it and leaned on his weight to get up. My abrasion stinged a little.

“Hold my arms. I can’t carry you right now because I am carrying these. Just don’t let go.” He instructed me.

I was about to retract my hands because it felt stupid and more to lean on him and hold his arms as if I had just got injured when I only had an abrasion. But Janus was quick to stop my hands.

“Don’t,” he said firmly.

“Cleo, I'm okay. It's just an abrasion. I can still walk on my own.” I tried to reason out but Janus just jokingly scoffed.

“You’re still clumsy. Just do what I say so we can go home and tend on your wound.”

I couldn’t beat Janus at that, so I did as I was told. I linked my arms to him as we walked slowly home. Lola Isma was right behind us saying that she would cover her backside if ever I

Fall down again. As if!

Clearly, it was just an act of kindness, but my own heart won’t take it as such. It was beating so hard that I was afraid that Janus might hear it. Even Lola Isma might hear it. I need to calm down. You need to calm down, Xandy. There's nothing wrong with this. Janus was just helping you and people would look at you as husband and wife. Perfectly normal!

“What a lovely couple, so early this morning. I suddenly miss my husband.” Manang Lileth said when they saw us.

Wrong move, Manang. You've just added fuel to the fire.

Janus did not put any meaning to the act. I know he didn’t. He also didn’t comment on what the older woman had said. It was as if this was just a normal occurrence for him. Maybe I was the only one who still couldn’t get used to us being a married couple. Because I had feelings for him before, I don’t know. I just sighed and hoped that no one noticed it.

+++

“Janus, the food is ready.” I shouted as I placed the last plate on the table.

“Rachele, hija, can you get the chicken outside? I think it was already cooked.” Lola Isma asked me as she was transferring the side dish on a bowl. Janus entered the kitchen when I turned around to fetch the potholder.

“Lola, we were invited by the captain to the barangay hall.” I heard him say when I went out.

I opened the lid of the casserole to check the dish. The aroma of ginger engulfed my senses. Just smelling it made my mouth water. Lola Isma was cooking *tinola for dinner. The smell of ginger, lemongrass leaves, combined with the smell of chicken and chayote with a piece of long chili brings out a harmonious and delicious smell.

“Rachele, here is the bowl. You can’t take it all out because it’s still hot. Let me help you.”

Janus passed me a bowl and I filled it with the soup and added the other ingredients. Janus quickly received the bowl and carefully went to the table. I closed the lid again and headed inside.

“Come on, let’s eat. The mass will start soon. We don’t want to be late.”

Lola Isma was sitting at the head of the table. She also led a short prayer of gratitude and then motioned for us to eat.

“Did you know, during this time, you can hear the cherubim singing at the Palace?” She suddenly said. There was a longing look in her eyes.

“Cherubim? The little angels that were singing praises to the Lord?” I asked.

I remember the story book that I was reading for the kids at the orphanage. It described different angels and their works.

Are the kids singing now? They should be performing for a party now. How was Mica? Did they know that I had already joined the angels?

“You’re right, Rachele. They are also the youngest of the other angels in the Palace,” said Lola Isma. “They either died during birth or they died when they were still a baby. This is the only time the Thrones will take a break and enjoy the songs of praise all the way to Cosmos.”

Listening to Lola Isma made Christmas even more special. I only wished I could be with Mamang on this special day.