Furious. That's what Life was. He was furious at that puny human named Shiuli and also at his disgusting little brother. Life was never insulted by a human before, that too by a young teenage girl. He was every teen girl's dream and he had charms that made it difficult for them to breathe, but surely this girl was different. She needs to be put in her place. Life was not going to take Shiuli's insult so lightly. He might have quietly left that day when Shiuli insulted him, but he hadn't forgotten any of it. Every word she had uttered was seared in his immortal brain. And when Life was furious, things got worse for everyone around him.
Life tried to calm his fuming head as he entered his mother's abode. As usual, the Moon was sitting on her throne and had this authoritative air around her that Life hated. Usually, Life knew that no matter how much a human hated everyone, they loved their mother from the bottom of their hearts. That's what he had learned by observing humankind for so many years. But Life was a creature and he wasn't born out of love or the security of a womb. He was born out of necessity. He was given this existence so that he could fulfill the desires of the Universe. Hence, Life did not feel the love he was expected to feel towards his mother. She was like any other creature to him. But then again, Life was great at pretending and he knew better than getting into the bad books of the Moon herself. He gracefully walked up to the Moon and bowed his head in fake respect. The Moon just gave him a firm nod and looked at him with pained eyes.
"How are you, mother?" Life smiled.
"I'm not good. How have you turned into a monster? Aren't you my son? Wasn't my love enough for you that you had to give in to your greed?"
"I know you are upset with me, mother." Life sighed, "But trust me, I'm your son and I still love and respect you."
"If you did, you wouldn't have done all the things that you've done!"
Fire danced in the Moon's eyes. She was angry. She loved her sons with all her heart. Yes, she did not carry them in her womb for nine months, nor did she give birth to them in pain. But she was a mother. A mother that loved her children.
"Why would you do that to your brother, Life?"
"What did I do to him, mother? I do not understand."
"This human girl and Death, I know all about them. I know it was your idea to make this girl his assistant. Do not act innocent! You have some motive here. Death is in grave danger!"
"Trust me, I did not know that my brother would fall in love with this human girl and endanger his existence, mother. If I knew, I wouldn't have asked him to keep her as his assistant. I know you all think of me as a monster. I'm greedy, but not heartless!"
A tear escaped the Moon's beautiful eyes. She looked at the young boy in front of her and something tugged at her heart. She couldn't hate the boy, no matter what he did. He was her son after all. He was her child! The Moon slowly got up from her throne and walked towards Life. As soon as she approached him, she embraced him and cried.
"You said you are not heartless and I will believe you because I'm your mother. But please! Please save Death. Help me get rid of this human girl that threatens to destroy my son."
"I will, mother" Life smirked, "I will help you get rid of Shiuli Basu."
Well, that was easy. Life was happy for his plan had worked. Shiuli Basu had made a very big mistake. She had insulted him and ignored his charms… also, what kind of human girl falls in love with Death? The creature that takes life away and is the embodiment of darkness and sorrow? Life wanted to laugh, but he settled for his evil grin. He was embracing his mother who was supposed to be the queen among their kind, but it was funny how she fell prey to his lies. He wasn't going to save his little brother. No, he was going to destroy him and his love. He would instigate as many creatures he could against Death and Shiuli and would force Death to fall to his feet for mercy. Life would start a war if that's what it took to win against the new couple.
***
Death was at his place in Antarctica. He was sitting on his couch and smiling goofily at himself. It was shocking and weird how Death had started smiling for the first time in his entire existence, but he knew that it was something he had learned to do while spending time with the love of his life. He wanted to stay with her, cuddling and basking in the new feeling of comfort she brought his heart, but he knew that it was late and Shiuli had to go to school the next day. Death felt warmth creep into his heart every time he thought about Shiuli.
"Wait… Is that a smile I see?"
Death turned around and saw his beloved cousins Love and Faith stand behind him. Both of them held a smirk on their faces and it just made Death blush. Wait, I never blush! But then again, Death felt more human than a creature these days.
"I heard the whole story from Love." Faith smiled as she walked over to the couch with Love and sat next to Death, "It scared me at first, but the fact that you're smiling makes me happy. Your smile portrays the true happiness radiating inside you. I have never seen you so happy, Death. This is beautiful."
"I'm in love. The romantic kind." Death blushed yet again.
"Aww" Love laughed, "Look at that! He blushes too!"
Faith looked at the youngest creature who was smitten by a young human girl. He seemed like a whole different person, but in a nice way. Faith put her hand on his shoulder and smiled. She was genuinely happy for him.
"We must meet this girl." Faith beamed, "What was her name again?"
"Shiuli Basu." Death's eyes held love.
"Yes, Death." It was Love who spoke this time, "We must meet her. Like, I haven't met her yet! She must meet your family."
"Family? Not everyone, Love." Faith's expression darkened.
"Yes, Love. I can't let Shiuli meet mother yet." Death's eyes turned cold, "Also, Life is evil and I don't want him anywhere near my girl. However, the price I had to pay to save Shiuli's life is him meeting her once."
"We cannot let that happen. The Moon had visited me a while back and I don't think she likes the idea of you and Shiuli loving each other. We need to talk and assemble as many creatures as we can. We need to convince the Moon that this relationship is beautiful."
Love was scared. She remembered the prophecy that she had acquired when she had broken open the fortune cookie at the shaman's shop. A war was coming and she wouldn't mention that to Death or Faith yet. Death was finally happy and she was not going to ruin that by putting a new worry in his head. She wanted him to enjoy and savor every moment he spent with Shiuli and she wanted to worry on his behalf. Love remembered what the Shaman had told her that it was all in her hands now.
"I will do anything to convince mother about my relationship with Shiuli" Death sighed, "I cannot imagine existing anymore if she isn't by my side. She owns my heart now. And mother means everything to me. I cannot see mother hating the love of my life."
"Leave all the worry to me." Love smiled at her cousin brother, "You focus on keeping your love happy. She needs to see how amazing a man you are."
"Should I take her out on a date? Like these humans do?"
"Yes. Shiuli is a human too, isn't she?" Faith laughed.
Death was glad he had such supportive cousins. He couldn't imagine what he would do if it wasn't for Love and Faith. Faith had always been there for him when he needed a best friend, while Love was the reason why Death realized how much he loved Shiuli. Death wanted to make Shiuli the happiest human on the planet and he would do anything for that. This date has to be perfect. Death wondered what he could do for the date.
"Should I take her out for dinner?" Death asked, "We have to take a soul tonight. Maybe after that, I could take her for dinner?"
"Do not go to a restaurant." Faith suggested, "That is too clichéd. Organize something better."
"Yes!" Love agreed, "Set up a table by the beach somewhere. Take her to Bali or Bora Bora. Or maybe you could do that by a waterfall?"
"I have a better idea." Death smirked.
***
Shiuli was sitting on her bed and trying to complete her homework when she heard a knock on her bedroom window. Her heart raced and joy-filled every atom in her body. She knew it was Death. Even though it was eight in the evening and Shiuli knew Death was only here so they could go for an assignment to take away a special soul, Shiuli's heart beamed at the fact that she would be spending time with the man she loved.
Shiuli then looked down at her horrible nightgown and scolded herself for not dressing in a cuter one. She wanted to look her best around her man and right now, she looked like a mess. Shiuli heard another knock on the window and she sighed. She didn't have enough time to change. She slowly reached for the curtains and pulled them apart. She saw the most beautiful man she had ever seen standing outside her window in his usual black business suit and briefcase. He was smiling from ear to ear and a loving smile automatically crept onto Shiuli's face. She opened the window and let Death climb into the bed, next to her.
"How are you?" Death's smile was mesmerizing.
"I'm amazing." Shiuli giggled, "Just missed you too much. School seemed so long and the day felt like an eternity long. Now that I have you here with me, everything is amazing."
"I missed you too, but I had work to do."
"I get it. I'm glad you're here now."
"We have to go. We have a special soul who is going to die today. His name is Adam and we have to go to Poland."
"Poland is beautiful." Shiuli smiled, "But please don't make me see him die. I promise to hold your briefcase the entire time."
Death embraced Shiuli in his arms and inhaled her scent. It was the most beautiful smell ever. He felt so warm and comfortable having her in his arms that his smile stretched a little wider. Death could understand how difficult it was for Shiuli to work with him. Looking at people die is scarring for humans. Death slowly ran his hand down Shiuli's long tresses to calm her down.
"You can hold the briefcase and you don't have to watch the man die." Death reassured, "You can stand outside the man's house while I go inside and collect his soul."
"Thank you, Death" Shiuli buried her face in Death's strong chest, "I love you."
"I love you too."
"You make me so happy. You are my first boyfriend ever and this feeling is great. I cannot imagine living without you anymore, Death. You are the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I'm your boyfriend and you're my girlfriend." Death looked at Shiuli's beautiful eyes, "I knew humans called their other halves that. I never imagined I would get to call someone mine like that."
Shiuli removed herself from Death's embrace and resituated herself in his lap. She was sitting on his thighs, facing him. Basically, she was straddling him and a blush crept onto her face. She saw the same happen to Death, but she was too comfortable sitting like that and thus, she didn't move.
"Wear something nice tonight. Something like a dress."
"Why?" Shiuli giggled, "It's just work."
"Just like that. It's a special day today. It's the first time we will be heading out as boyfriend and girlfriend."
Shiuli leaned forward and kissed Death's forehead. It was an action that came from her heart and Death's face froze for a second. The next thing Shiuli knew, she was pressed tightly against him as he hid his face in the crook of her neck. He inhaled deeply, leaving a ticklish sensation all over. He then pressed his lips against the area and kissed her neck. It was a soft and gentle kiss, but it filled Shiuli's stomach with butterflies. She giggled a little as she felt him kiss her again. He then slowly loosened his hold on her and looked up into her eyes. His silver eyes shone with affection.
"You make me feel things I've never felt before, Shiuli." Death whispered, "Not only love but also a kind of passion, so intense that I'm scared I'll break you."
"I feel it too, Death." Shiuli's eyes filled with hesitation, "I know what you mean, but I'm not ready for that yet."
Death smiled at his girl. He was feeling the human feeling of desire, of wanting to have his girl in the most intimate way possible. But Death had never had such a desire before and he was what the mortals called a virgin. Death took Shiuli's face in his palms and caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. She was the most beautiful angel he had ever seen.
"I won't force you into anything, Shiuli. You can trust me on that. It's just all so new for me and I feel this desire for you. But then again, you are mine forever and I can wait for you… forever."
"I trust you with everything in me."
Death smirked, "We must leave in half an hour. I will be waiting for you outside, on the grass… get ready and come to me as soon as you can, okay?"
"Aye aye captain!"
Death kissed Shiuli's cheek affectionately and got up from the bed to go outside. He would've loved to stay in the room and watch his beautiful girl get ready, but he was a gentleman. He was going to wait till his girl was ready to consummate their love for each other. Also, Shiuli was just a teenager and this was a very intimate issue. Death sat down on the grass outside as Shiuli shut the window and drew her curtains.
Death was replaying the scene where he kissed Shiuli's neck when Shiuli's window slowly opened. Death's eyes shot up to see the gorgeous angel standing there. Death slowly got to his feet as he tried to trace his eyes from Shiuli's head to toe, but the window ended at her waist. Death quickly walked up to her window and lifted his girl by her waist. The action was so quick that a gasp escaped Shiuli's plump lips. As Shiuli landed in front of him on the grass, Death took a step back and filled his eyes with her.
Shiuli was wearing a body-hugging black dress that fell exactly below her knees. She was holding a red trench coat in her hands and looking down at her high-heeled legs. Shiuli's eyes were festooned with mascara and black eyeliner and her beautiful lips were red. As her long tresses swayed with the wind behind her, a silent 'wow' escaped Death's lips.
"Is this too much?" Shiuli was blushing furiously.
"No." Death was so in awe of her beauty that his voice was just a whisper, "You look perfect. So beautiful."
"Thank you."
"Let's go."
With that Death put his arms around Shiuli's shoulder and cast a spell, transporting them both to Poland.