𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉
𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦- 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘴

≿━━━༺❀༻━━━≾

Tatlong araw pa lang naging bagong CEO si Belphegor sa bagong kompanya na ipinasa sa kanya ni Satan ay wala itong ibang ginawa kun'di matulog. After doing his paper works, he hands it to the secretary. Even in business meetings with foreign investors, he's found slacking off, but for some reasons he was able to pick up every information said on the table even if he was asleep. 

Hindi na bago sa mga empleyado ang pagbago-bago ng boss sa loob ng isa o dalawang buwan. Hindi rin naman nila magawang magreklamo dahil kahit pa man iba-iba ang personalidad ng mga ito at pag-uugali sa trabaho ay hindi maitatangging maganda ang pamamalakad ng mga ito at nadadagdadgan pa ang sahod nila. Bukod doon ay hindi maitatanggi na mas lalong ginanahan magtrabaho ang mga ito dahil may hitsura ang boss nila. 

"Bakit kaya ang po-pogi nila magpipinsan?" Bulong ng manager ng marketing department habang pinapanood si Belphy na nakapamulsang naglalakad papasok ng cafeteria. 

First, it was Asmodeus, the playful man who was friends with everyone, especially those smoking hot ladies in the company. Later on, it was a bachelor named Baal, the goofy boss who loves food to be delivered to his office every hour, but in contrast to his gluttonous nature, he takes work professionally. Satan was the strictest among them; day by day, an employer got fired if he noticed they were slacking off. He's a workaholic boss who pays his subordinates according to their performance. 

"His sleepy eyes are so attractive, don't you think?" Tanong pa ng isang babae habang diretsong nakatingin sa binatang nakatingin sa mga ulam na nakadisplay sa cafeteria. 

"Oo nga e! Kapag napapatingin ako sa mga mata niya pakiramdam ko inaakit niya ako!" Impit na irit naman ng assistant manager ng HR. 

Belphy pursed his lips. He can hear everyone whispering about him, even their thoughts in their heads. He had to shut down his mind-reading ability to sleep peacefully every day. For him, these humans had nothing to do but gossip behind people's backs instead of minding their business to improve their lives. Well, he wasn't expecting much from them. 

"Do you have coffee ice cream?" Saglit na natulala ang taga serve ng pagkain nang marinig ang matipuno nitong boses. 

"Y-yes." Pasimple itong sumulyap sa binatang kaharap at napakagat na lamang ng labi nang mapansin kung ganao ito ka-gwapo. "Give me a few scoops and have it delivered in my office." Utos nito bago lisanin ang cafeteria. 

He could just ask the secretary do it for him instead of coming personally in the cafeteria, but he was used on doing things on his own. Marahil isa sa dahilan ay noong mga panahong nasa Inferno pa ay sa kanya naipapasa ang mga gawaing dapat gawin nila Leviathan at Satan. Kaya naugali niya na rin na kung kaya niya gawin ang isang bagay ay hindi niya ito ipapasa sa iba upang hindi makaabala. 

When he arrived at his office, he played a classical song on a cassette tape. Walang pag-aalinlangan itong humiga sa mahabang couch habang magkakrus ang braso. His eyes hurt after reading a pile of business proposals on his desk. May mga kontrata pa itong binasa na singkapal ng hinliliit niya. He wanted to rest. But then, he remembered something. He pulled his phone in his pocket and dialed a certain number. After a few more rings, someone finally answered it. 

"How the hell does this shitty box works?" Iritang bulong ng isang babae sa kabilang linya. 

"Hello? Hello? Hello?" Paulit-ulit nitong tanong sa kawalan habang sinusuri ito nang mabuti. Kulang na lang ay ihagis niya ito dahil pakiramdam niya wala naman itong kwenta.

"Avalon, haven't Lilith taught you how to use a phone?" She heard a subtle sound coming from the box that sounded like one of her respected masters. 

"Hello? Lord Belphegor is that you? Why do you sound like you're stuck in a hell hole?" Antok na napakamot ng ulo ang binata dahil sa naging tanong nito. 

"Avalon, turn on the phone's loudspeaker." Saglit ito nanahimik. 

"How do I do that?" She cluelessly asked back while staring at the phone with unknown buttons she did not know about. 

"Just find the speaker icon and push it—" 

"What's a speaker?" 

"You know, forget it. I just wanted to ask how Loki is doing." 

"Oh, the little monster is asleep." Sagot nito habang nakatingin sa batang natutulog sa pagitan ng braso niya. 

Belphy had no idea how Lilith convinced Avalon to be on her side. At first, Avalon persists in bringing her back to hell. As a loyal demoness who served Lucifer, there's no way she will betray him and lose his favor. But after exchanging a few words with each other, Lilith could turn the tables, and Avalon willingly destroyed her tracker. 

And that's how she ends up as Loki's babysitter. "Is Lilith there?" Tanong ni Belphegor. 

"Oh, the mistress? She said she went out for a date with a filthy sinner. What was his name again.  . ." Nabitin sa ere ang sasabihin nito, pero doon pa lang ay kilala na kaagad ng binata kung sino ito kaya napatayo siya mula sa pagkakahiga. 

"A date?" Napasinghal ito. How dare that puny human have a date with his fiancée? He can't even do that in her spare time. 

He called his secretary and demanded to cancel of his appointments in the afternoon. There's no way in hell he'll stand by and do nothing. Hindi pwedeng mauna sa linya ang taong iyon. Nararapat ay pumila siya nang maayos. 

He left his office. Sumakay ito ng elevator pababa hanggang marating nito ang parking lot. Pagpasok niya sa sasakyan ay kaagad niyang tinawagan si Asmodeus. Ilang segundo lang ay kaagad itong sumagot. 

"You called because she had a date, right?" Diretso nitong tanong sa kabilang linya. 

"Don't tell me she was serious about pretending to be lovey-dovey with that bastard?" Imbis sumagot ay isang halakhak ang narinig niya. Subalit natinigan niya ang inis sa halakhak nito. 

"We're actually tailing them, Bel. We're undercover demons." Rinig niyang sabi ni Baal na mukhang katabi lang ni Asmodeus. 

"Undercover demons sounds so lame." Walang ganang komento ni Satan sa backseat na ikinaingos naman ni Asmodeus. 

"Ano gusto mo Christian the great? Christian the saint?" Kumunot ang noo ni Satan dahil sa sarkastikong atungal ni Asmodeus. 

"How about Asmodeus the porn star? Asmodeus the new Johnny Sins?" Palatak nito pabalik. 

"How about Tan-tan and friends to the rescue?" Gatong pa ni Baal na siyang ikinasama lang lalo ng timpla ng mukha ni Satan. 

Tan-tan and friends ampotingina. 

Umiling na lang si Belphegor habang naririnig ang bangayan nilang tatlo sa kabilang linya. He could only imagine how  stressed out Lilith could have been while dealing with those three. Sa kanyang isipan ay nakikita niya silang tatlo na nakaluhod habang pinapagalitan ni Lilith dahil sa kabalastugang pinanggagawa nila. 

"Send me your location." Aniya rito. 

Kusa niya na lang pinatay ang tawag dahil hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagtatalo ang tatlo. Asmodeus sent him their location afterward. He could find them in seconds, but their presence was hidden because Avalon wasn't the only bounty demon sent here to see them. It turned out Achlys and Kore were also deployed to catch them.

𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀 ay nakatago naman sa malaking pumpong ng bulaklak ang tatlong demonyo habang binabantayan si Lilith at Lucas na kumakain sa isang mamahaling restaurant sa kalayuan. They were chatting interactively. Nakangiti rin ang dalaga habang kausap ito. From afar, they look like a typical lovely couple catching up with each other for a long time. 

"What do you say if I turn him into a frog?" Suhestyon ni Asmodeus habang nanggigigil na nakatitig sa nakangiting mukha ni Lucas. 

"I suggest you turn him into a fucking donkey." Komento ni Baal habang nilalagyan ng tangkay ng bulaklak ang magkabilang tenga ni Satan upang mag camouflage sa kanilang pinagtataguan. 

"A donkey? Like in the Shrek movie?" Balik tanong ni Asmodeus habang nakatuon pa rin ang pansin sa lalaking ka kompetensya niya. 

"Why not turn him into Shrek himself?" Sabay na napalingon ang mga ito kay Satan. 

"You watch that too?" They asked in unison. Satan gave them a bored look. 

"You watch it all the time with that kid, how am I not supposed to know that?" Nagkibit balikat naman ang mga ito. 

That's right, Loki as a child always have a weird taste of movies to watch. Imbis cocomelon at peppa pig panoorin mas gusto niya mga cartoons na puro hayop o mga halimaw ang karakter. He even loves watching Monster Inc. 

"Oh—that piece of sh—" Kaagad hinila pabalik ni Satan at Baal si Asmodeus nang akmang susugod na ito dahil sa ginawang pagsubo ng pagkain kay Lilith. 

"Asmodeus! Calm down—" Nagpumiglas ito nakaangat na ang dalawang kamao nito habang sumisipa-sipa sa ere. Hawak ni Satan at Baal ang magkabilang braso nito at hinihila paatras pabalik sa pinagtataguan nila. 

"What the hell does he think she is! She can even lift a mountain single-handedly! Akala niya ba hindi siya marunong magsubo ng sariling pagkain! That dimwit! Let go of me! I will—" Dumampot ng bulaklak si Satan at sinaksak ito sa bunganga ni Asmodeus upang matahimik. They dragged him to hide near the decorated bush. 

"Pwe!" Nandidiri nitong niluwa ang petals ng bulaklak sa bibig niya. 

Naningkit naman ang mata ni Baal nang paglinga niya sa direksyon ni Lilith ay pinupunasan na ni Lucas ang gilid ng labi nito. He remembered doing the same deed to Lilith and it pisses him off that another man copied him. It was alright if it was one of the archdemons, but him a filthy human? He won't stand idly. 

Kumuyom ang kamao nito, at nakakadalawang hakbang pa lang siya ay hinila na ni Satan ang likuran ng kwelyo niya upang pigilan siya. Matapos mailuwa ni Asmodeus ang bulaklak sa bibig niya ay tumayo ulit siya para sumugod kaya naman hinila rin ni Satan pabalik ang likuran ng kwelyo niya. 

"Look oh, ang gwapo sana nila kaso mukhang may sira sa utak." Napalingon ang mga ito sa babaeng nagsalita. Umiiling-iling ang mga ito habang nakatingin sa kanilang tatlo. Sininghalan ito ni Baal at Asmodeus kaya mabilis na nag-iwas ng tingin ang babae. Nagmamadali itong lumakad paalis. 

Satan's lips quivered in annoyance. He was thankful that Avalon was Loki's new babysitter. Sa wakas ay makakapagpahinga na siya at hindi na nauubos ang pasensya niya kakabantay sa makulit na batang iyon. Ngayon ay hindi na nga niya binabantayan si Loki pero parang wala pa rin itong pinagkaiba sa ginagawa niya ngayon. He looks like Baal and Asmodeus' babysitter. Mukhang iyon na nga talaga ang silbi niya tuwing magkakasama sila, taga-awat sa kung ano mang kabalastugang gagawin. 

"Will the two of you behave like an adult!" Inis niyang bulyaw sa mga ito. Napatingin silang dalawa kay Satan na may kalmado pa ring mukha sa kabila ng inis sa boses niya. 

How can he do that? "Aren't you mad of how he's touching her?" Angal ni Asmodeus bago ayusin ang kwelyo niyang muntik na mapunit sa lakas ng hila ni Satan. 

"Oo nga. I thought you would be the first one to kick his ass!" Baal exclaimed while fixing his wristwatch. 

Well, it's true. He won't deny it. He wanted to punch Lucas in the face and chop off his limbs so he could stop touching her. He just had enough patience to restrain himself from doing anything. After all, Lilith knows what she's doing. There's no way she will let him touch her beyond her boundaries. So he must keep calm and trust her. 

"I think they're done eating." Napalingon ang mga ito nang marinig ang boses ni Belphy sa likuran nila. May bitbit pa itong kulay itim na payong habang nakapamulsang nakatingin sa kanilang tatlo. 

"Since when did you arrive?" Tanong ni Asmodeus. 

"Since Satan was dragging your idiotic ass from strangling that moronic dung fly." Napakamot naman ng ulo si Baal. 

Did he just called human race a moronic dung fly? Indeed, he always has multiple unique ways to insult them.

Walang sinayang na oras ang mga ito at sinundan ang dalawa sa kung saan man sila patungo. People were looking at them weirdly. Si Satan na naka grey jogger pants and white shirt, si Baal na naka Hawaiian print shirt and shorts. Naka 3 piece suit naman si Belphegor at naka beige retro long sleeved shirt and corduroy pants naman si Asmodeus. 

The four of them walking together with different fashion taste makes it even more eye catching for the people. Kaya naman habang naglalakad ang mga ito at panay tago sa tabi-tabi tuwing mapapalingon si Lucas ay pinagtitinginan ito ng mga tao. Some of them were weirded out by their actions, but most find their actions cute and adorable. 

"Just where the hell are they going?" Inip na wika ni Asmodeus habang sinusundan ang mga ito paakyat ng elevator. 

"I watched in movies that after a couple eat in a fancy restaurant, a typical next date destination would be watching films in cinemas. I heard they are usually located in the top floors of malls." Mungkahi ni Baal habang nagme-make face sa batang paslit na kasabay sa escalator. Bigla itong umiyak kaya kaagad siyang tumalikod upang humarap kay Satan. 

"Wow, that's very informative, Baal. I didn't know you knew something aside from bloating yourself eating." Pagwawalangya pa ni Belphegor dito. 

"Coming from someone who sleeps all day waiting for his princess to kiss him to wake up." Ganti ni Baal habang magkakrus ang braso. 

"Can you all shut up?" Rinding-rindi na si Satan sa mga ito. If only he could go back home, but he can't. He needs to watch them before they do something stupid. 

'Gaya ng sinabi ni Baal ay sa sinehan nga papunta ang mga ito. They watched Lucas buying a box of popcorns and drinks before buying a ticket to the cinema. Matapos makitang nakapasok na ang mga ito sa sinehan ay kaagad nagtungo ang mga ito sa ticket attendant. Baal went to buy them snacks and Belphy went to a nearby store to buy Ray-Ban sunglasses. 

"Hi, gorgeous. Can I ask what movie those before us choose to watch?" Saglit na natulala ang babaeng nagbabantay. Muntik na umawang ang bibig nito dahil sa dalawang nag g-gwapuhang lalaki sa harapan niya. She nearly lost the capability to think straight. 

"T-they will be watching The Exorcist, sir." Nginitian lang ito ni Asmodeus, dahilan upang muntik na mahimatay ang babae dahil sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib niya. 

"I would like to have four tickets." Asmodeus handed her a card. She immediately swiped it and returned it before giving them tickets. 

"P-please enjoy, sir! Thank you!" Sakto namang dumating si Baal na may bitbit na dalawang box ng popcorn at apat na drinks. 

"What are we watching?" He asked. Binigay niya ang iba niyang hawak kay Satan bago tingnan ang ticket na inabot sa kanya ni Asmodeus. 

"The Exorcist? Who the fuck watches an intense horror movie on a date?" Bulong nito habang magkasalubong ang kilay. 

"Nasaan si Belphy?" Takang tanong ni Asmodeus sa kawalan nang mapansing hindi nila ito kasama. 

"Here!" Kaway nito sa malayo. May suot-suot na itong itim na sunglasses. "I bought it to perfect our disguise!" Hinagis niya isa-isa ang binili niyang sunglasses at mabilis naman nila itong sinalo bago isuot at pumasok ng sinehan. 

"Tangina, ang dilim." Reklamo ni Baal nang muntik na ito madapa sa hagdanan. 

"Don't step on my foot!" Inis na bulyaw sa kanya ni Belphegor. 

"Nasaan na ba ang mga 'yun?" Inikot ni Asmodeus ang tingin niya pero hindi niya ito makita dahil bukod sa madilim na nga ang sinehan naka itim na sunglasses pa ito. Parang mga tanga. 

"I found them. Come." Parang tuta namang sumunod ang mga ito kay Satan. They sat three rows away from them. Tahimik lang nila itong binantayan habang nagsisimula ang palabas. 

Matapos ng ilang minutong panonood ay walang naging reaksyon ang apat sa kabila ng pagsisigawan ng mga tao at pag-iiyakan ng mga batang nanonood. Some of them could not take the movie and ended up vomiting. "This movie is boring." Walang ganang sabi ni Baal habang kumakain ng popcorn. 

"I thought it would be interesting since it says it was based from actual events. I bet the demon in the child's body was nothing but an average evil spirit. They're not that scary." Dagdag niya pa. Akmang iinom pa ito ng iced tea nang wala na itong mahigop. Tinanggal niya muna ang glasses ng katabing si Belphegor, at nang masiguro niyang tulog ito ay kinuha niya ang juice nitong wala pang bawas at ininom. 

"Only weak demons can be exorcised using those little tricks. It's purely exaggeration." Sangayon ni Asmodeus dito. 

Satan remained silent. It may have subtle forms of exaggeration, but he could see the message it wanted to convey. There are things in the world that even medications can't cure. Science can't explain it. It all comes down to supernatural phenomena they refuse to believe. That evil entities and demons exist. They cling to people with weak mental and spiritual health. It's a matter of good and evil that challenges your doubt and faith. 

 "Do you think demons exist?" Napalingon ang mga ito nang marinig ang naging tanong ni Lucas kay LilIth. 

A woman wearing a red bodycon glitter cami dress with a backless chain strap kept her eyes on the vast screen. "Who knows? Maybe you're already sitting with one." Nanlaki naman ang mga mata nito bago luminga sa paligid. It nearly gave him a heart attack. 

"Everyone has their demons inside them. They tend to keep them hidden but forget rotten things smell." Lilith turned her head sideways to give him a sly smile. 

She stood up and glanced at the four idiots from afar. Do they seriously think she won't notice them? "The movie is making me sick. I'll have to take the bathroom." Palusot ni Lilith upang saglit na magpaalam dito. 

Does the movie make her sick? She'd done and seen the worst; to her, it was plain and boring. 

Pumasok siya sa loob ng cubicle. She took her time thinking why she ended up having a date with that guy. She could erase his memories and pretend she doesn't know him, nor is he a part of her life. But for some unknown reason, something about him made her feel familiar. Hindi niya lang alam kung bakit, and that's what she's trying to figure out by spending time with him. 

Akmang lalabas na sana siya ng cubicle nang marinig ang malakas na pagsara ng pinto. She heard it was locked by someone. Matapos ng ilang segundo ay may kalabog mula sa pinto. "Samantha! Please open the door! Do not do this to me! Please!" It was a voice of a man, begging. 

"Let me do this, Eric! I am not ready! My parents will disown me!" Lumakas lalo ang paghampas sa pinto na para bang doon nakasalalay ang buhay ng kung sino mang nasa labas. 

"No, Samantha, please! We did this together! We're in this together! You will never be alone! I will be with you all the way! May trabaho ako, kayang-kaya kita buhayin at ng magiging anak natin! Just please, don't do it! Nagmamakaawa ako sayo. . ." Halos mamaos na ang binata sa kabilang bahagi ng pinto pero walang naging sagot ang babae. 

"I. . .I am not ready! Panganay ako, Eric! Sa akin nakaasa ang mga magulang ko pati ang mga kapatid ko! Ni hindi ko alam paano maging isang magulang!" Lilith rolled her eyes while listening to their drama. 

Sa kanya nakasalalay ang magulang at mga kapatid niya? She should have think not twice but multiple times before opening her legs. 

"Then. . .I will support your family as well! Kahit ako na rin magpaaral sa mga kapatid mo! I will willingly do it! Buhayin mo lang ang anak natin! Samantha, please!" The desperation in his voice was evident as he tried to stifle his cries, but he failed. Humagulgol na ito. 

He was willing to do anything for her, what more could she ask for? Iba nga hindi pinanagutan at tinatakbuhan lang ng nakabuntis. 

"M-may pangarap pa ako sa buhay, Eric! There are things I won't be able to explore dahil may anak na ako! I will be chained with responsibilities I don't know I can handle! And we're. . .not even married. Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila sa akin?" She bit her lower lip. "And it's my body! I decide what to do with it!" Isang ngisi ang pinakawalan ni Lilith. 

If a man runs away from his responsibilities because he is not ready to be a father, it's called irresponsible. But when a woman aborts a child because she isn't prepared for the responsibility of a mother, it is her body, and she decides what to do with it. Wow. 

Whether it was only a clump of cells or a life, Lilith personally had no problem if a woman terminated her pregnancy. No matter their situation and circumstances, it was their decision to make; it was their sin to pay. 

"I'm sorry, Eric! I can't—" Napatigil ito sa pagsasalita nang biglang bumukas ang isang cubicle. 

Diretsong naglakad papuntang sink ang dalaga. Hindi nito pinansin si Samantha na may hawak-hawak na bote ng pills. She washed her hands and smiled at her in the mirror. Saglit niyang tinapunan ng tingin ang tyan nito bago patuyuin ang kamay. 

"It's gonna be a healthy baby girl." Kumurap-kurap si Samantha dahil sa narinig. 

"Excuse me?" 

"You're three weeks pregnant. Your child will become a successful doctor when she grows up." Napatigagal ito dahil sa narinig. 

How did she know she was three weeks pregnant? A girl? A successful doctor? What absurdity is she talking about? 

"Just because you heard everything doesn't mean you have the right to meddle with my problem!" Galit nitong saad. Lilith shrugged and gave her a stern look. 

"Who says I was meddling with your problem?" Walang pakialam nitong sagot habang inaayos ang kulot nitong buhok. 

"You're still lucky. The father of your child is responsible." Lilith murmured while applying lipstick on her lower lip. It wasn't in vain. 

"But well, you can only blame yourself if you choose to open your legs to irresponsible men." Palatak ni Lilith. She said what she said. Why would you ignore red flags and blame them on men because you tolerated them? 

"What are you trying to point out here? A man must be responsible! They should be!" Lilith puckered her lips and eyed her like she just said something ironic. 

"A man must be responsible, and a woman shouldn't?" Lalong kumunot ang noo ni Samantha. 

"What are you—"

"He's responsible. That's why he will do everything for you and his child. Do you blame him because he fucked an irresponsible woman?" Walang preno nitong saad. 

"How dare—" 

When their eyes met, Samantha was stunned to see random images of a fetus' growth until it she gave birth to it, crawled, said her first word, and when she took her first step walking. Sa ilang segundong pagtama ng kanilang paningin ay nakita niya ang sarili niyang tumanda kasama si Eric at ang anak sa sinapupunan niya. She was a good child and a loving daughter. Totoo nga na naging tanyag itong doktor. 

Umiwas siya ng tingin at muntik na matumba kung hindi ito nakahawak sa sink. She touched her cheeks. Hindi niya namalayan ang pagtulo ng luha niya sa kanyang pisngi. Ni hindi niya alam kung bakit siya lumuluha. 

"You can abort the child, Samantha. It's your choice. No one can stop you." Humakbang ito papalapit sa balisang babae. "But as a price for killing a life, you will never have a chance to give birth again. You will live your life guilty of the crime you committed." She tapped her shoulders as if she was assuring her. 

"Well then, goodbye." Lilith turned her back at her and unlocked the door. Sa labas ay nakita niya ang lalaking pulang-pula na ang mata kakaiyak. He immediately rushed inside to check on Samantha. 

For demons, there's no such thing as precious as lifelong guilt and regret. To sin is considered their happiness. To see people suffering the consequences of their actions was satisfying. 

But for Lilith, there is an exemption. Young children don't deserve the cruelty of the world. They do not shoulder their mother and father's sin. They do not carry their burdens along with their crimes. For a child, it is a bundle of hope. 

They are precious little angels I could only dream of having. 

G O L U C K Y C H A R M