Forgotten and Forgiven
I had to blink a few times before I could leave my eyes open—enough to be able to comprehend what was going on —for two reasons. First, I was blinded by the sudden bright and shocking light. It felt like my eyes had just been touched to a blazing fire. And second, I had to blink twice in astonishment because I saw an angel sitting in front of me. The beautiful (the word was an understatement) creature staring at me was solid proof that I'd died and gone to heaven.
"Oh thank goodness you're awake," the angel said, heaving a sigh with thick relief; as if an enormous burden had been lifted from his shoulders. "I was beginning to worry. You've been unconscious for a long time," A mixture of anxiety and angst made his words slur and run into each other, but somehow they came out so articulately and clearly. His voice was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard in my whole entire life. It was so intoxicating I got a little dizzy and my head began to spin. I took in a sharp breath as I anticipated the next words formed by his addicting voice. I deeply craved to hear it again.
As I impatiently waited, my eyes traced his face—it was so perfect. I couldn't think of any movie star who had better looks. I sighed with admiration, blood rushing to my cheeks when I saw the angel's eyes. They were the most wonderful golden color; and hid behind long and entrancing eyelashes. His face was absolutely flawless. Clean, clear, and obviously velvety smooth. He arched an eyebrow as if he could hear the loud thumping of my heart and I blushed again. I had never been in a hurry to die, but if I had known that this was what was in store for me in heaven before; I would have committed suicide a long time ago. From that moment, I knew for sure that I would never tire of marveling him.
I wanted to reach out to him and stroke his face; run my fingers through his tasteful bronze hair just to make sure he was real, but I was so dumbstruck I couldn't move. Was it really possible such an amazing creature could exist? If I was in heaven, were there even more angels? More of… him? Was I an angel? The last fact didn't seem possible. I decided not to waste my energy racking my brain for answers and exert some more effort into asking them.
"Bella, are you alright? The silence is unbearable. Please. Tell me. Do you need anything? Are you in pain? " My heart fluttered excitedly as I listened to his voice for the second time. He knew my name! I felt lightheaded and smiled a little. I winced when I realized that all the thinking made my head ache. It wasn't just my head that hurt. My back felt stiff and I realized I was on some sort of metal bed. Didn't heaven provide luxurious beds made out of clouds? Oh well.
"What's wrong? Does your head hurt still?" His hand approached my face and gently held my cheek. "Please speak," he pleaded.
"Hello," I finally breathed. The angel rolled his eyes but smiled crookedly and then laughed. His laughter was like the soft happy sound of water brambling down a brook. I had to remind myself to take in another breath.
"I'm quite sure you can do much better than that, love," He laughed. My eyes widened with fright and shocked as he held my neck, leaned down and kissed my forehead. The words escaped my mouth before I could think twice.
"Are angels allowed to do that?" I asked after I recovered from the burst of adrenaline and zap of excitement that rushed through my veins. "Kiss…"—I stumbled on the word. I wasn't
sure what I was. Was I still human? A ghost? An angel? I had no idea.—"…I mean. Um…wouldn't God get angry?" I felt silly asking the question. The angel's eyebrows furrowed and his face depicted a playful, confused, and humoring expression.
"Bella, you're not dreaming. You're awake. What are you talking about?"