Light. What does it symbolize? Is it hope? Peace? Serenity?

Perhaps we all have different ways on how to view light but to me, it was the symbol of chance. That despite being lost in the darkness, even a single beam of light could give you another shot in everything.

A chance to correct your mistakes.

A chance to try again. To try harder.

In my case, the light struck my eyes as soon as I woke up from deep slumber. I could only blink back the discomfort. Hindi ko inakalang makakakita pa ulit ako ng liwanag, kaya kahit masakit sa mata ay nakaramdam ako ng tuwa.

"Oh, shit." Somebody took hold of my hand. "You're finally awake. I was so close to abandoning the trial when I heard about you, love." The stranger said, his face painted with worry.

Natameme ako nang walang pag-aalinlangan niya akong halikan sa pisngi. I was just too weak to evade the kiss, but why would he kiss me?

Just... who the heck is he?

With those hazelnut eyes, he looked so intense and mischievous. His thin, pinkish lips kept me distracted, like it was telling me to sin first thing in the morning. Tall, but not bulky. He wasn't thin, either. His hair was fixed into a clean cut, but what caught my attention was the perfectly angled jawline resting on my shoulder.

Handsome.

As hell.

But it's not the right time to admire his looks.

"W-Who are you?" I asked him, slightly distracted by the sound of the beeping machines beside my bed.

The unfamiliar man frowned. "What do you mean?"

Namutla naman ako sa tanong niya. He sounded so offended, but... what can I do? I was just being honest! Kakagising ko lang. He suddenly pops out of nowhere and kisses my forehead when I don't even have the slightest idea of who he is! Sinong hindi matatanga sa gano'n?

Sino ba kasi siya? At sino ba ako?

Napahinto ako sa sarili kong tanong. I stared at him absentmindedly, slowly digesting the facts of what happened to me.

"Save him. Remember, your name is Stellar... and he is innocent."

Gabriel. A mission from God.

He's innocent.

My name is Stellar.

"Gaia? What has gotten into you?" I looked at the stranger. What did he just call me? "Did you hit your head? Why can't you remember me?"

I creased my forehead, trying to remember some more of my conversation with Gabriel.

"You will borrow a vessel for awhile. Take good care of her, and make sure you never interfere with her personal affairs."

So, I'm alive again but I'm in a different body? Is that what he means? That's insane!

"Gaia, sumagot ka. Hindi mo ba talaga ako kilala?" he asked me again. When I didn't mutter a reply, he raised his hand then showed me that thing on his finger. "Love, we're engaged."

Engaged?

Napatingin ako sa kamay ko. I also had the same ring. Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa lalaki, at mukhang hinihintay lang niya na magsalita ako. His eyes narrowed into slits.

Wow.

I mean, wow. I'm actually engaged to some random guy that I don't even know. Kaninong katawan ba 'to?

"I'm sorry, l-love." I stuttered.

Gabriel owes me an explanation. I need to see him as soon as possible. For the meantime, I need to play along with this stranger, since I think I borrowed the body of a woman named Gaia... who's eventually engaged with this beautiful, overdramatic man.

---

I fixed my eyes on the television. Good thing the guy went outside to buy me some fruits. I was aware of the fact that he was weirded out by me, but it seemed like he was trying his best to understand my changes... or more like, the changes of his fiancée.

Anong magagawa ko? True enough, this isn't really my body. I don't even know this person. How could I possibly pretend to be someone I've never met before?

"Are you alright?"

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang may nagsalita sa bintana ng kwarto ko. I saw Gabriel sitting on the window, smiling to me in mischief.

"You meanie!" I exclaimed and removed my dextrose. Galit akong bumangon sa kama at nilapitan ko siya. "You left me hanging! Ni hindi mo man lang nilinaw sa akin kung ano ang dapat kong gawin! What is this? Why am I on someone else's body, Gabriel?!"

He raised both of his hands. "Chill, Stellar."

"Chill? Everything is so confusing! How could I possibly chill?!" I fought against the urge to punch him when he laughed. Ako, na halos mabaliw na sa mga nangyayari, tinatawanan niya lang. Great. "Okay, so I'm the only one freaking out. Look, I'd appreciate an explanation. Really."

He was still in his formal suit. I don't know what exactly he is, and I don't care anymore. He could be the grim reaper for all I care. What I want now is a solid explanation.

"I told you, He gave you a mission." Gabriel reiterated.

"What mission?"

"You need to save someone."

I took a deep breath. "Who, exactly?"

He smiled. "It's not my secret to tell, Stellar. It's for you to find out."

Ugh! So annoying.

"Fine. Then why am I here? I mean, this is not my body, right? This woman's name is Gaia, and you said that my name was Stellar."

"For the meantime, you'll be using the body of Gaia Venice. Bear in mind that you were placed in that body for a reason."

Mas lalo lang niya akong nililito.

"She was supposed to marry that man. But for some reasons, the wedding was delayed. Sooner or later, you'll know why."

His lips parted when my eyes turned moist. This is just too much for me to handle. Hindi pa ba sapat na patay na ako? Why are they making me do these things?

"Please, hush. You shouldn't be like this." Gabriel patted the small of my back in an attempt to comfort me. "Someone out there needs you. His life depends on you, Stellar. You should be strong."

I felt scared. Why does it have to be me?

"Do you want me to make it easier for you?" I nodded to his question, making him sigh. "Then let me tell you a secret. There might be a time when your life will be endangered."

He suddenly ran his fingers to my back, like he was tracing some sort of...

My jaw fell. "Wings?"

"It's a gift to you. Until you get to be reborn again, you can use them. Err... carefully, as much as possible. We don't want people gossiping about a human bird, do we?"

Tumango ako sa kanya.

He smiled and patted my head. "I have faith in you, Stellar."

With those words, my fear was alleviated.

"Love?"

I gasped and turned around, only to see my supposed fiancé entering the room. He looked so astounded. What was his name again?

"L-Love!" I called him, nervous because Gabriel was just behind me. Lumingon ako sa likuran ko at nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang makitang wala na siya roon.

"What are you doing?" He asked, slightly irritated. He placed the basket of fruits on the table. "Why did you remove your dextrose? At sinong kausap mo diyan?" sunud-sunod niyang tanong.

I gulped. "Huh? Wala akong kausap. Baliw ka ba?"

He sighed in exasperation. "Really, are you okay?"

If only you knew.

"Of course!" Nameke ako ng tawa. "You're thinking too much."

He sat on the bed and tapped the space beside him, gesturing me to sit. So I did.

"I was worried. It took a lot of self-control to stay inside the courtroom knowing that you got hospitalized." He wrapped his arms around me. Ang clingy talaga! Hindi ba naiinis si Gaia sa lalaking ito? At talagang papakasalan niya pa?!

"What are you even doing inside a courtroom, love? Kriminal ka ba?" I asked him, which I regret, because he glared at me.

"I'm a lawyer, love." he answered as a matter of fact. I swallowed the lump on my throat when he stared at me confusingly. "I don't get it. You seem to be an entirely different person." he whispered to himself.

Because I really am, love.

---