I found myself standing in the middle of pitch darkness. The feeling of being here was nostalgic, and I was aware of this place.

Oblivion.

The place where souls spend their eternity.

"Greetings, Soul."

A shadowed figure materialized in front of me. Just by looking at his suit and tie, I knew who he was. Ganitong ganito rin ang eksena noong hindi pa nagsisimula ang lahat.

"What's with the formalities, Gabriel?" I irritably asked and rolled my eyes. He chuckled. "I guess I'm back here, huh? Until when am I gonna stay here?" tanong ko at inilibot ang tingin ko sa paligid. The place was dull and boring. Everything was simply black. There was nothing to see here, nothing to feel, either. It was kind of... depressing.

"Stellar, you are not as perfect as you think you are." Gabriel placidly remarked. I didn't get what he meant. "We all have our own share of bad deeds. You will have to stay here for a while to reflect on your sins."

"Then what was that mission for?"

He smiled. "I know what you're thinking. Do not rush, you shall claim your price sooner or later. As promised, He will grant you another shot of lifetime." Napanguso na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Kailan naman kaya?

I sighed. "What happened out there?"

"Conan Solaire was exonerated. Gaia Venice will be spending a lifetime imprisonment while the court has granted permission for Auxen Sylvensen to bail."

Napatango naman ako. Things are finally falling to their rightful places. I'm relieved that Conan has been released from conviction. My conscience won't allow me to let someone faultless take the blame.

I waited for him to tell me more but he kept quiet. I wanted to hear something from him, or perhaps, someone. He smiled sadly to me.

"Are you expecting another news?"

"You know the answer to that question."

He pursed his lips. "I was tasked to erase Atty. Atticus Sylvensen VII's memories. He's now living a new life, and he's doing fine."

I  felt a rush of relief. It's better this way. At least he doesn't have to suffer the pain of remembering me. I'm happy for him. Okay na rin siguro na ako na lang ang nakakaalala ng lahat. Kailangan niyang ipagpatuloy ang buhay niya nang wala ako, at mas maiging hindi na lang niya ako maalala para hindi na siya masaktan.

"This is the most heartbreaking story that I have witnessed." Gabriel told me in dismay, making me laugh. "But always bear in your mind that everything happens for a reason. You just have to trust Him with everything. You may not have lived happily ever after, but who knows? Your paths might cross again someday. That is, in the next lifetime."

I smiled. "Thank you, Gabriel."

"It is my pleasure, Stellar." he replied then patted my head. I suddenly felt curious about him. We've been through the impossible, but I don't even know anything about him yet.

"Gabriel, why did you become an angel?"

Natawa naman siya. "What?"

I frowned. May mali ba sa tanong ko?

"I'm not an angel." natatawa niyang sabi na ikinagulat ko. "I'm simply a soul like you. Seriously? All this time, iniisip mong anghel ako?" aniya.

"Then... what are you doing here?"

He scratched his cheek. "This is my punishment. I once died, too. And I was given a mission to fulfill in exchange for rebirth. But unlike you, I failed." kwento niya.

Nalungkot naman ako. "Why? What happened? Why did you fail, Gabriel?"

He smiled.

"I fell in love."