Chapter Text
Maloi quickly dusted off her pants and adjusted the brown leather jacket she was wearing. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings—a park. It was only her second first time here on Earth. Not far from where she stood, she noticed a family of three having a picnic under the shade of a tree.
The mother and father seemed lost in conversation, too distracted to notice their three-year-old daughter wandering away.
As Maloi watched the little girl, she felt a warm sensation spread throughout her body.
It’s her.
And suddenly a vision hits her.
The little girl was exploring her surroundings when she suddenly stumbled on a branch, hitting her head on a rock and cracking it open. The gruesome image flashed in Maloi’s mind, making her shake her head to snap out of it. She whipped her head around, eyes fixed on the child.
Huh?
Maloi looks at the girl again with a frown, her heart beating rapidly in fear, she scans the area and her frown deepens when she sees that the child is fine.
So, what was that vision? Maloi thinks to herself.
She sees the little girl walking again, heading straight for the branch she had seen earlier. Without a second thought, Maloi teleported to the spot, catching the girl just before she tripped. Her hands slid under the child’s arms, lifting her to safety.
Phew. That was close. This would take some time to get used to.
“Okay ka lang?” Maloi asked, helping the little girl back onto her feet.
The little girl looked up and smiled, her eyes full of gratitude. “Opo!”
“Jhoanna!” her mother called out, running towards them. “Sabi ko sayo dapat doon ka lang kung saan nakikita ka namin ng daddy mo.” She gently scolded her.
“Sorry po, mommy.” The little girl pouted as she apologized.
Her mother scooped Jhoanna up into her arms, checking her for any signs of injury. “Buti na lang talaga she was there.” She glanced at Maloi, who stood awkwardly, unsure of what to say. “Say ‘thank you.’”
“Thank you po,” Jhoanna said, looking up at Maloi.
Maloi smiled warmly. “You’re welcome. I’m glad nothing bad happened.”
Jhoanna's mother expressed her gratitude as well before carrying her back to where her husband was sitting.
As they walked away, Jhoanna twisted in her mother’s hold, waving back at Maloi. Maloi grinned, giving her a thumbs up, which made the little girl giggle.
“Anong nangyari?” Jhoanna's father asked as they returned.
“Muntik na siyang madapa,” her mother explained as she placed Jhoanna down on the blanket. “Buti na lang talaga na andon yung—” She turned to gesture toward the person who had helped but paused, realizing no one was there.
Weird, she thought. Baka naman nagmamadali kaya umalis kaagad yung babae.
Either way, she was relieved that nothing happened to her child.
Maloi remembers the exact day she was assigned to Jhoanna Robles: the 26th of January, 2004.
It was raining that day, a steady drizzle that blurred the edges of the world below. Maloi had never been to Earth, and the thought of coming down in such dreary weather filled her with reluctance. Everything felt so gray, so drab, and... sad. She could hardly understand how anyone could thrive in a place so shrouded in gloom. The colors of life seemed muted, washed away by the relentless rain, leaving only a somber landscape that matched her mood.
But He had told her that today was special, a day unlike any other. Jao, her friend and fellow guardian angel, nudged her toward the edge of the clouds with a mischievous grin, his wings shimmering like silver against the backdrop of the stormy sky.
“It’s your lucky day, Loi! How’s three thousand years of doing nothing been treating you?” he teased, laughter dancing in his eyes.
Maloi shot him a confused look, opening her mouth to ask a question. “Huh, what—”
But before she could finish, Jao rolled his eyes in a way that only he could, teasingly pushing her off the edge of heaven. The sensation of falling was both exhilarating and terrifying as she tumbled through the thick clouds, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and fear. The soft, ethereal world of the angels faded away, and the harsh reality of Earth rushed to meet her.
The moment she landed, her body transforming into its human form, she groaned as she cracked her neck back into place, the jolting impact leaving her disoriented. She took a moment to regain her bearings, brushing off the dampness from her clothes, the chill of the rain seeping into her skin. And then, she felt it—a pull. A strong, magnetic force that resonated deep within her soul.
She knew. In that instant, everything shifted. She heard a child’s cries before anything else—piercing and urgent, cutting through the murmur of raindrops and the rustle of leaves. It was a sound that beckoned her, drawing her away from the melancholy of her surroundings.
Before the sound of the stream rushing nearby, before the crunch of a deer’s hooves over the leaves, there was that cry. It echoed in her heart, igniting an instinctive urge to protect. She glanced around, her senses heightened, as if the very air was charged with energy. The world around her transformed from gray to vivid hues of purpose and determination.
She hears Jhoanna’s soul come to life. The name is unfamiliar, but Maloi just knows that’s who she’s hearing.
She follows the sound, materializing inside the hospital. As she walks past the reception desk, she needs only a glance at the secretary for her to pass unnoticed. And then, as she moves through the halls, she feels it—something clicking into place within her. Something awakening.
It’s like a small ball of sunlight, growing and spreading warmth through her entire being.
January 26th, 2004, is the day Maloi finds her human.
The day she discovers her purpose as a guardian angel.
When Jhoanna first met Maloi, she seemed so familiar that it took her breath away.
Jhoanna swears she’s met Maloi before. There’s something so familiar about her that she starts to wonder if Maloi was a friend or even a lover from a past life.
Jhoanna was running late to her class, so she decided to book a Grab, hoping she’d make it on time.
Standing on the sidewalk, she pulls out her phone, waiting for a driver to accept her request. As she waits, she looks around, thinking she might be able to hail a taxicab instead. That’s when she notices a girl leaning against a pole with her arms crossed, a lollipop in her mouth, and a brown leather jacket draped over her shoulders.
Jhoanna raises an eyebrow.
A leather jacket? In this heat?
She shakes her head, deciding it’s not her place to judge anyone’s fashion choices.
Spotting a taxicab, she raises her hand to flag it down. But to her surprise, the cab pulls up in front of the other girl instead.
Luh? Hindi naman siya yung nagtawag sayo, eh.
The girl smirks triumphantly, and Jhoanna snickers. Yabang naman nito.
Jhoanna checks her phone again—no drivers have accepted her ride yet, and she only has twenty minutes left.
Agawin ko kaya ‘tong taxi sa kanya? Mala-late na talaga ako.
Just then, the girl glances over at her. “Miss? Nagmamadali ka ba? Pwede naman ikaw na lang muna yung sumakay sa taxi.” She removes the lollipop from her mouth and offers a sweet smile.
Ay, mabait naman pala siya.
“Are you sure? Baka may kailangan ka ring puntahan, nakakahiya naman.”
The girl in the leather jacket shakes her head. “Hindi naman ako nagmamadali, pero if it makes you feel better, pwede rin naman na tayong dalawa yung sumakay.”
Gago, bagong modus ba ‘to ngayon?
As if reading her mind, the girl laughs and raises her hands in surrender. “Hindi ‘to modus, ha. Mabait akong tao, promise.”
“I think that’s exactly what a bad person would say,” Jhoanna replies, squinting as if trying to gauge her intentions.
The girl smirks, a playful challenge in her eyes. “Ikaw bahala, sige ka, baka ma-late ka pa kung saan ka man pupunta.”
Jhoanna debates it for a moment before finally agreeing. “Saan ka ba pupunta? Ako kasi sa university, baka malapit lang doon yung bababaan mo.”
“Doon din ang baba ko.”
“Okay, sige. Tara na.”
The two of them climb into the backseat of the taxi, and Jhoanna slides over to make room for Maloi. She gives the driver the address of her university, and he nods before pulling away from the curb. As the cab moves through the busy streets, Jhoanna can’t help but steal glances at Maloi, who is casually leaning back with one arm draped over the backrest, looking completely relaxed.
“So,” Jhoanna begins, trying to break the silence. “Bakit ka pupunta sa university? Student ka din ba?”
Maloi smiles and shrugs. “Hindi naman. May kailangan lang akong gawin doon.”
Jhoanna raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push further. Something about Maloi feels mysterious, and she isn’t quite sure if she wants to dive into it. Instead, she looks out the window, watching as the buildings and people blur past.
A comfortable silence settles between them. Jhoanna feels oddly at ease as if she’s known this person for much longer than the few minutes they’ve shared. There’s something about Maloi’s presence that feels warm, like a familiar blanket on a cold day.
When they finally arrive at the university, Jhoanna reaches into her bag to pull out her wallet, ready to pay for the fare.
But before she can even pull out her cash, Maloi stops her. “Huwag na, ako na ang bahala.” She hands the driver some bills and offers a friendly smile.
Jhoanna blinks, momentarily surprised. “Sigurado ka? Ikaw na nga yung nagbigay ng taxi, tapos ikaw pa magbabayad?”
Maloi laughs lightly. “Okay lang, ang mahalaga, hindi ka na-late. Besides, you can pay me back some other time.”
Jhoanna finds herself smiling back, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Thank you, ha. I owe you one.”
Maloi opens the door and steps out, holding it open for Jhoanna. “Walang anuman. Good luck sa class mo.”
Jhoanna climbs out, her eyes lingering on Maloi for a moment before she waves. “Thanks again. Ingat ka.”
As she walks toward the entrance of the university, she glances back, but Maloi is already walking away, disappearing into the crowd. Jhoanna feels a strange sense of loss, as if she’s saying goodbye to someone she’s known for a long time.
Shaking her head, she hurries inside, reminding herself that she needs to focus on her class. But the thought of Maloi lingers in the back of her mind.
She continues to walk when Jhoanna suddenly realizes she never asked for the girl’s name. She stops for a moment, turning back to look for Maloi, but she’s already vanished into the crowd.
A pang of regret settles in her chest. She bites her lip, mentally scolding herself. How could she have forgotten to ask for her name? It’s such a simple thing, but now it feels like she’s missed out on something important.
Sighing, she turns back toward the entrance.
Baka naman magkita pa kami ulit. She tries to reassure herself, but the thought of not knowing lingers, making her feel like she’s lost a chance to connect with someone who seemed so familiar.
Jhoanna sighed in relief as she stepped into her favorite coffee shop, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversation instantly calming her nerves. This place has always been her escape—a cozy corner where she can unwind and take a breather from the chaos of her day.
She heads to the counter, ordering her usual iced latte with a shot of caramel before glancing around the room. It’s busier than usual, with most of the tables occupied by people hunched over laptops or deep in conversation. As she scans the room, hoping to find an empty seat, her eyes suddenly land on a familiar face.
It takes her a moment to register the brown leather jacket, the one she swore was impractical for the heat. Her heart skips a beat as she realizes who it is.
It’s her.
She’s sitting alone by the window, a cup of coffee in hand, staring out at the street. The sunlight filters through the glass, casting a warm glow over her figure. Jhoanna feels a rush of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and that lingering sense of familiarity she can’t quite place.
For a moment, Jhoanna hesitates. What if she doesn’t remember me? Or worse—what if she does and thinks I’m some kind of stalker? She debates turning around and finding another spot, but before she can make up her mind, the other girl looks up, and their eyes meet.
Jhoanna freezes, her heart hammering in her chest. But then, she smiles, that same easy, confident smile from before, and she gestures to the empty seat across from her. “Hey, ikaw ulit,” she says, her voice casual, like they’re old friends.
Jhoanna manages a small smile as she walks over, gripping her coffee cup a bit too tightly. “Hey,” she greets, feeling a bit shy but trying to keep her voice steady. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not,” she replies, leaning back in her chair with an air of relaxed confidence. “Seems like fate likes putting us in each other’s way, huh?”
Jhoanna laughs, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s funny, actually. I come here all the time, and I’ve never seen you before.”
Maloi tilts her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “Maybe it’s destiny then. Or maybe,” she shrugs, “I just know when to show up.”
Jhoanna raises an eyebrow. “Are you always this mysterious, or is this just for me?”
The other girl grins, and Jhoanna feels a warmth spread through her chest at the sight. “You’ll have to stick around to find out.”
Jhoanna finds herself laughing, the awkwardness melting away. She takes a sip of her drink and leans back in her chair, enjoying the moment. “Well, since we keep bumping into each other, I feel like I should at least know your name this time.”
Maloi’s eyes flicker with a hint of amusement. “Ah, right. That’s fair.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Maloi.”
Jhoanna takes her hand, feeling the warmth of Maloi’s touch. “I’m Jhoanna. Nice to finally meet you—officially.”
“Nice to meet you too, Jhoanna.” Maloi leans back, crossing her arms. “So, what brings you here today?”
Jhoanna shrugs. “This is my favorite spot. I come here whenever I need a break or just some time to think.”
“Good choice. It’s cozy.” Maloi looks around, her gaze lingering on the warm colors and soft lights of the shop. “And the coffee’s pretty good.”
“It is. I’d like to think I have good taste,” Jhoanna says with a playful smile.
“Oh, I’m sure you do.” Maloi’s eyes twinkle as she takes a sip of her own coffee. “And I have a feeling you’ll be showing me more of that taste soon.”
Jhoanna feels her heart skip again, and she finds herself grinning. “Well, if you’re up for it, I wouldn’t mind.”
Maloi sat on a fluffy cloud, gazing down at the bustling streets of the city below. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over everything, and she felt a mixture of joy and confusion as memories of Jhoanna played in her mind. Each laugh they shared, every comforting conversation, and the way Jhoanna's eyes sparkled when she talked about her dreams filled her heart with warmth.
Just then, Jao appeared beside her, his expression a blend of concern and disapproval. His wings, slightly ruffled from their earlier flight, fluttered softly as he settled next to her. “Maloi,” he began, his voice firm but gentle, “we need to talk.”
She turned to him, her brow furrowing. “About what?”
“About Jhoanna,” he said, crossing his arms. “I know you feel a connection with her, but you need to remember that this is not how guardian angels are supposed to behave.”
“What do you mean?” Maloi asked, defensiveness creeping into her tone. “I’m just doing my job.”
“Your job is to protect her from a distance, not to get emotionally involved,” Jao replied, his tone serious. “Meeting her on Earth? It’s not a good look for us. We’re supposed to remain unseen, keep our presence a mystery.”
Maloi shook her head, frustration bubbling up inside her. “But Jhoanna is different. She’s so full of life, and I can’t help but feel drawn to her. It feels wrong to just stand by and watch without doing anything.”
Jao sighed, running a hand through his hair, his expression softening slightly. “I get it, Maloi. Pero kailangan mong maintindihan na ang koneksyong ito ay delikado. If you let your emotions cloud your judgment, it could lead to complications—both for you and for her.”
Maloi felt a pang in her chest, the weight of Jao's words pressing heavily on her. “I can’t just turn off my feelings. She needs me, and I want to be there for her. Paano ko siya mapoprotektahan kung wala akong ginagawa? Every time I see her struggling, I want to reach out, to comfort her.”
Jao studied her for a moment, his eyes filled with concern. “You think you’re helping, but being too close could jeopardize your mission. If she senses your presence or starts relying on you emotionally, it could affect her decisions and her path.”
Maloi looked back down at the city, her heart heavy with doubt. “But she feels so alone sometimes. I just want to be a friend to her, to let her know she’s not alone.” Her voice trembled, and she felt a surge of emotion. “I hate seeing her struggle, Jao. It makes me feel... helpless.”
“Friendship is a beautiful thing,” Jao said, his voice calming. “But it can complicate your duty. You must remember that your role as a guardian angel comes first. Huwag mong hayaang maligaw ang iyong puso sa iyong mga responsibilidad. Remember, your primary purpose is to protect her from the shadows, not to become a part of her life.”
Maloi clenched her fists, the internal battle within her escalating. “I know you’re trying to look out for me, but I can’t ignore what I feel. Every time I’m with her, it’s like I’m finally alive. I can’t just walk away from that.” She paused, her heart racing. “What if being there for her is part of my purpose?”
Jao’s expression softened as he considered her words. “I understand your feelings, Maloi, and I admire your passion. But the rules are in place for a reason. They protect both you and Jhoanna. If you want to be there for her, it has to be in a way that doesn’t compromise your mission.”
Maloi looked into Jao’s eyes, searching for understanding. “But what if I can be both—her guardian and her friend? Can’t I find a way to balance both?”
Jao sighed, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You can try, but you must tread carefully. It’s a thin line to walk. The more involved you become in her life, the more vulnerable she will be to outside influences—and even to you.”
“I just want her to feel safe,” Maloi whispered, the weight of her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “Isn’t that worth it?”
With a serious look, Jao replied, “It is worth it, but at what cost? If your heart leads you too far, you risk everything you’ve worked for. The higher powers are watching, and they expect us to adhere to our responsibilities. You must protect her, yes, but also remain the angel you are meant to be.”
Maloi felt tears prick at her eyes as she absorbed Jao's words. “What if I fail? What if I can't protect her while keeping my distance?”
“Then you learn from it, just like any other guardian angel before you,” Jao said softly. “But you must make a choice. Do you prioritize your feelings or your duty? That choice will define you as a guardian.”
With that, he vanished, leaving Maloi alone with her thoughts, torn between her responsibilities and the undeniable connection she felt with Jhoanna. As she stared down at the busy streets, she realized that her heart was as much a part of her purpose as her duty. The challenge now was finding a way to balance both without losing herself in the process.