Caring for children is a delicate mix of structure and play, a dance between order and chaos. A loving hand must lead children through life's twists and turns, and a steady voice must quiet their anxieties and comfort their sorrows.

This caring to the hearts and minds of the young is a work of love. A never-ending work that requires every ounce of energy and concentration while also filling the spirit with joy and purpose.

That is how mortals express their affection for those innocent, young lambs. And although I am fortunate enough not to be mortal, I need to act like one, which includes participating in this charity work that our university has assigned to our class.

"Wait a minute, just a moment!"

"You should eat now."

"Drink this and you’ll be stronger."

"Wow, that's great. You're so kind!"

Exhausted and barely able to move, I collapsed onto a seat. The orphanage we visited in the neighboring town was brimming with mischievous children, and we spent the entire day running after them. Despite the added supervision of the teachers, I had to stay alert and avoid getting scolded, not wanting to waste any of my precious time.

"Water?" Raphael asked, offering me a plastic bottle. I nodded, gratefully accepting it and gulping it down in one go. Even being helpful can be tiring.

Raphael sat down next to me, sighing in frustration. "Our classmates said there would be games, but it turned out to be just for kids. How annoying!" he complained, taking a drink from his own bottle.

I chuckled and couldn't help but smile at the memory of Raphael stumbling while chasing after the kids. It was hard to stay angry at him, especially when I recalled how he was teased for his long hair, being called "sister".

"I know it's not your first time interacting with humans, but it's been a while, right? You might be a bit behind on things. And just a reminder, you shouldn't believe everything you hear."" I teased, the smile on his lips fading as he looked away and swallowed.

Something seemed off, but before I could probe further, he stood up and declared, "Mass is about to start. Let's go."

I followed him obediently, not in the mood to come up with an excuse to leave if we were caught. Chasing after the kids had left me exhausted, so I let Raphael take the lead.

"Hey, where are you guys going?" our classmate, Sapphire Tordecilla, asked as we left the orphanage. Although I didn't know her well, we were in the same group for our charity work today.

Raphael gestured towards the road in front of us, filled with food stalls, street food, tapsilogan, and many other things.

"Just looking for something to eat," he replied.

Sapphire nodded and advised us. “You should probably head back soon. Mass is about to start."

With a grin, I followed Raphael out of the orphanage, taking in the vast property with its own chapel and beautiful garden, with swings and an abundance of flowers.

"Well, well, what should we do now?" Raphael asked, surveying the road in front of us.

"Let's just walk around and see if we can find something to eat–" I suggested, my words interrupted as I almost collided with a woman carrying a basket of vegetables. "I'm sorry, miss," I apologized, stepping back.

"Rory," Raphael called out to me as we passed the woman.

I nodded while still keeping my gaze on the woman, "I know. Let's follow--"

"Rory, don't bother," Raphael interrupted as he firmly held onto my shoulder.

"Just hold on for another month. You managed to do it before, you can do it again."

I didn't even spare Raphael a second glance as I brushed his hand off my shoulder and sprinted after the woman I had seen earlier. It was clear she wasn't heading towards the church; rather, she seemed to be making a beeline for the east wing of the orphanage. The only thing out here was the sprawling garden, and then it hit me: the swing! That must be where she was headed.

I raced towards the swing and, as it turned out, I was right on the mark. The woman who had collided with Raphael was there, seated on the swing and gently rocking back and forth, caressing her stomach as she closed her eyes and began to sing.

I stopped in my tracks, mesmerized by the sight and the sound of her voice.

"How can I long

For someone I haven't touched

Somehow it reminds me

Of the dreams I've lost."

I walked closer to her, my heart heavy as our eyes met. I sat down next to her on the swing and looked up at the sky as she continued to sing, her voice as tranquil and beautiful as a grieving bird.

"I had you for a short, precious time

I feel your absence, my little child

It's breaking me, hurting me

No, I cannot be free."

When she noticed me approaching her, she stopped the swing's movement and looked down at her feet, covered in dirt. She made no move to speak to me, her sadness palpable.

I took a deep breath and asked her, "What's your name?"

"Petinah Alarcon," she replied, still not looking at me.

I wrapped my hands around the chains of the swing and gently set it in motion. "Why did you abort it?"

I couldn't be sure if the child inside her was no longer there, but the pain in her eyes told me that something had been lost that could never be regained in this world. Her reaction confirmed my suspicions.

"No! You're wrong!" she yelled, standing up from the swing and turning to me, anger etched on her face. "You wouldn't understand anything!"

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Tears streamed down Petinah's face as she struggled to keep her lips from trembling. I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do. I longed to wipe away her tears and hold her close, offering her comfort, but I stopped myself. I couldn't find a single good reason to do so. My purpose here was to exploit her pain, not share it with her.

"I'm sorry," Petinah said softly, noticing my inaction. "I-I was just taken aback."

"I can help you," I offered, hoping to make amends for my inaction.

Petinah wiped the tears from her eyes before turning back to me. Her eyebrows were raised in a silent question. "Just having someone by my side right now means a lot. Thank you-"

"That's not what I meant," I snapped, my words causing Petinah to start in surprise. I leaned in closer, my voice low and serious. "Have you heard of the Pain Reaper?"

Petinah clutched her stomach and looked down at the ground. "Yes," she replied. "I've tried calling that number on the page I found online several times, but..."

"But?" I prompted.

Petinah took a deep breath before continuing. "But I don't know if I can really summon the courage to forget what I did to my child."

I looked up at the sky and grasped the swing, my thoughts heavy. "Is it really worth it? Would you really choose to carry that pain with you when there's an easier way to stop suffering?"

Petinah's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Have you ever fallen in love?" she asked, ignoring my question. I stopped the swing's movement, my thoughts turning inward. Demons don't fall in love. We are not capable of loving or being loved. As long as there is even the slightest trace of evil in mortals, that's enough for us to live on.

I closed my eyes and clutched my head when my head began throbbing, then images just started rushing in.

I see myself talking to someone. Like before, I know it's a man, but I don't know who he is in my life. I can't see any of his features – not the color of his hair, eyes, skin, or lips. Everything is blurry. But even so, I feel at peace with my head leaning against his shoulder. I'm worried that our time together might end, but the happiness of being with him at this moment overwhelms me.

Who is he?

"I wish," I said without realizing it, "...that this moment wouldn't end."

A smile spread across my lips as I felt the warmth of the man’s hand on mine. I felt his gaze on me. "I'll find a way,"he promised.

"Are you okay?"

Petinah’s question pulled me out of my reverie.I leaned back and nodded, opening my eyes again and grounding myself to reality. "Y-yeah. I'm fine. What was your question again?"

"It's nothing. I think you just don't want to answer," Petinah replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"It's just that..." Petinah turned to me, her voice shaking with emotion. "...I fell in love at the wrong time and with the wrong person," she added, her hand rubbing her stomach. Tears spilled down her face as she spoke. "And an innocent life was dragged into it, never getting the chance to see this world."

"Back then, I used to believe in fairy tales," she began, trying to steady her voice. "Like any kid, I dreamed of having my own prince charming. I believed that one day I would find my true love and finally be happy. I would be treated like a princess and I would have my future king by my side." A smile played at the corners of her lips as she spoke, but it quickly faded. "But maybe, happiness isn't meant to last. Everything comes to an end eventually."

She took a deep breath before continuing. "It all started with Alex. I loved him..." Fresh tears flowed down her face. "...so much."

I watched as she clenched her skirt tightly in her fists. "I gave him everything, even my body, to prove how much I loved him. But after he got what he wanted..." She struggled to catch her breath. "...he left me like I was nothing. Like nothing happened and we never existed."

She bit her lower lip. "After all the shit that tore me apart, I stopped glorifying god. I can't accept the fact that the very father of the child I'm carrying is the one who killed our child. I was never treated like a princess, but a slave. He hurt me, emotionally and physically. He knew about our two children, but he deliberately hit me until I bled. Until I lost my baby." She froze, tears streaming down her face again. She raised her hand and placed it on her stomach, "Until my baby was gone."

Miscarriage.

The loss of a child is a deep wound for a mother, especially for Petinah who experienced it at such a young age. The process of healing from it is already painful, but she will carry it with her until she returns to the dust. She might blame herself for it, thinking that she was careless and didn't even defend herself.

I should be happy in this moment. Petinah's struggles weigh heavily on her, and I can help her greatly. I can take away her pain and consume every precious memory she has to offer with no extra effort.

But why do I feel this way?

Why do I understand what she's going through?

"That's how love fools people," she said again. "It clouds your mind with delusions until there's nothing left for you," she replied with forced laughter. "I tried to mend him, but in the end, I was the one who was broken."

"Petinah..." I said as I placed my hand on my back. I immediately felt the heat flowing through it, a sign that a flower had already bloomed there.

"No, it's okay," she said, brushing a brave smile. "You don't have to force yourself to feel sorry for me."

"Petinah, I am the Pain Reaper," I said without hesitation. Her eyes widened at my words, but I did not allow her to speak further. "I can take away the pain. I can help you rid yourself of the burden that weighs heavy on your heart-"

"But I don't want to forget my–”

"And still keep the memory of your child," I interjected, placing a gentle hand over hers and pressing the grey-colored flower into her palm. She looked at me with a mixture of sadness and hope in her eyes, so I continued. "I only reap the pain of my clients. In exchange, The memories that come to me in exchange are the most important memories to them."

"Memories that brought them joy,” I finished.” Petinah looked into my eyes for a moment, wiping away her tears before looking away. She placed a hand on her stomach and clutched the flower tightly.

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I see. If that’s the case, then..” She looked back at me, tears streaming down her face as she begged, "Please, help me."

Without a word, I ran brushed my hand over my arm. My grimoire appeared, encircling us in a soft, grey light. Petinah watched me with a blank expression as tears continued to fall from her eyes. The pages of my book flipped and stopped at the incantation I needed to recite.

"Roses are red," I began, and the ground beneath us softened.

"Violets are blue," Petinah said, raising the flower in her hand.

"Memories are dead..." She plucked a petal from the flower.

"Thank you..." she mouthed.

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see her cry while smiling as if her hope and salvation depended on me.

"The soul is anew," I said, and the petal was swallowed by the soft ground.

Petinah appeared before me, sitting in a crowded room. From what I could see, they were at a gig. A man played the guitar on stage, singing a song that was unfamiliar to me.

"I'm asking you,

Listen to the beating of my heart,

You came into my life unexpectedly,

I'd like to be,

Right beside you every time."

I looked at Petinah, who had her hands covering her mouth as the man, whom I assumed was named Alex, sang. The room was quiet, the only sound was the strumming of the guitar and the two of them singing. It was as if the world revolved around them at that moment.

"You dazzled me

With that weird smile and clever mind

Your face is everything I ever knew

Oh darling,

Let me take care of you."

This is the memory that fills Petinah's mind. It is a common experience among young people when they gaze upon the one they love.

"What are you waiting for?

Take my hand

Our hearts beat as one

Oh let me, sing this with you."

As the song came to an end, Alex stood up and placed his guitar to the side. He took a bouquet of flowers and descended from the stage. He approached Petinah.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Tears of joy streamed down Petinah's face. She didn't realize that more tears would eventually fall after she answered "Yes" to that question.

I watched Petinah, who was now leaning against the metal swing, fast asleep. Her cheeks were still wet with tears, but her lips still wore a smile. What will become of her now that she has suddenly been relieved of the weight she carried? Will she make the same mistake again?

"Rory..."

I turned to Raphael as he appeared before me, concern etched on his crimson red eyes. He crouched slightly so that we were at the same level and looked directly into my eyes.

"You shouldn't have done that," he said, his voice laced with worry. I grimaced and was about to protest when he gently took hold of my face, wiping away the tears on my cheeks with his thumb.

I was crying? How can that be?

"Raphael..." I couldn't find the words to say anything else. I was overwhelmed with emotions that I couldn't begin to understand. He offered me a small smile before pulling me into a tight embrace.

What he provided was company and silence, and I gladly received it.