Every morning has a new beginning.
It was Easter Sunday and we decided to go to church.
The bell rang from the highest tower beside the church; we entered and sat down as the preacher delivered the word of God through Homily. According to Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov 1:7). It is said that "fear of the Lord", is based on the proper attitude toward God. He also emphasizes Prov 2:1, 5: "My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you…then you will understand the fear of the Lord. " It is such a typical word.. for a teacher to instruct a child how to behave to gain wisdom. He explained that admonishes the teacher and this advice will result in a long, fruitful life likewise, in connection with the Prov 3:5. 9 " Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce" it makes sense that everything will be possible if only we trust and worship God. Those homilies enlightened me and taught me practical advice on how to walk in the path of wisdom. We are blind and lose sight of his divination because of a sudden fear deep inside our hearts and we walked through a shadow without even recognize his presence.
"Forgive us my Lord for what we've done wrong to our lives and bless us the things we must give importance that our selfish desire." I prayed.
Afterward, we hugged each other and bid goodbyes. This is the last time we saw ourselves as newfound friends before we headed home.
I missed Stefanie, I cared for her because she reminds me of my younger sister and it's kind of odd but it gives me a sense of gratitude to cherish those memories we had.
After a few days ago, I went to my parents and spent happy times with them and I visited the cemetery to see my younger sister Calista. I knew from the bottom of my heart that the soul of my sister may find peace in heaven. I stop contemplated her death but instead I recited prayers before I left. Now I can have peace of mind after those tragedies encountered.
We go back to our normal life: Travis returned to his family likewise Stefanie go back to her university and lived with her parents in the countryside while Paris lived with her family and soon engaged to his girlfriend, Belinda arrived from New York with her family, Brendan went back to his family and started a new life as a college professor in a public university and I went back to my country. As for Stella, she was getting a degree in Law. Her world was all file of cases. Even in her religious beliefs, she went straight by the book. For her, there was no thinking outside the lines. No, I couldn't let her know, but I couldn't lie either. I couldn't tell her that we encountered a powerful demon and flocks of guardian angels from heaven.
From that day, I never heard them nor calling on the phone.
As for myself, I live with Stella before I decided to propose to her.
I loved her and I'm pretty sure to marry her and have kids.
But then life goes on, we started to work hard and we face the beauty of every morning with a happy heart. We thank God for saving and protect us every day. Our phobias are gone and we believe that it was just a state of mind. It is important to have fear in God and faith in him.
Some other day we met somewhere and chat for a while but something tends to me back and we heard whispers like the Shinigami suddenly return and tease us for something but we ignored the feeling because the temptation is everywhere and Satan never gives up to create one. Trust me!
My girlfriend must have known I was into something over my head. I could tell the way she looked at me, and the way she judged my answers to innocent questions as if there was hidden meaning in everything I said.
Right before she left and started to work, she gives me something.
I followed her into her room, and she went to a secret compartment of jewelry and accessories and pulled out a necklace with a pendant. "This is Saint Benedict, he is known to offer spiritual protection to help people guard against corruption and stay strong in faith. He also protects people from being poisoned."
"My mother gave this to me when I was about a teenager."
My eyes snapped up at her. I could tell by looking at her that she didn't know the truth. I want to tell her about that dreary encounter and near-death experienced with the demon. I wanted to explain to her, but how could I when I couldn't even explain it to myself? In the end, all I could do was staring at her.
Stella looked at me, studying me for all the layers of meaning beneath my secret, then finally gave up with a sigh.
"Keep it close to your heart," she said, so I slipped the necklace over my neck and tucked it beneath my shirt. It wasn't exactly an anti-demon necklace, but at least it would protect me from danger.
"I want you to have it," Stella said. "Wear it while we're far from each other, so Saint Benedict will protect you."
"Sure, Babe," I said. "Sure, I'll wear it." And then I kissed her and hug before we depart.
"I love you," I said.
I felt overwhelmed and satisfied with the simple happiness she brought me.
But sometimes life gives us challenges that we are not getting to prepare for.
Something we are not usually aware of.
It turns out Stella wasn't the only one who had a present for me.