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Chapter 7

Isn't it nice to know what will happen in your life? Wouldn't life be easier if you know who you'll end up with? And, if you're someone who has access to anybody's destiny, isn't it great to tell it to a person to somehow relieve that someone of the agony of waiting and wondering what will happen next?

"As a Cupid, sometimes you're given a mission involving your friends and families, those people who are close to you. As their Cupid, you'll witness not only the joy but also the pain that love will cause them. Sometimes, you can't help but tell them… 'Don't worry. That person is not your destiny…' It's something that you must avoid."

"What if I can't avoid it?"

"Something bad will happen," Ria answered. "It's the same punishment with the first rule. And it's not just like that, because you're not the only one covered by the punishment."

"What do you mean?" Joshua suddenly felt nervous.

"Something bad could happen not only to you, but to the people you care for."

Joshua swallowed. Only now has he felt such uncertainty since he accepted being a Cupid. Only now did he feel that being a Cupid was a serious matter. Or at least, following the rules.

"Actually, this rule is the most misunderstood that is why it is the most violated rule. For example, you can tell a person that, 'Maybe, he's not the one for you' and it won't be considered as a violation. Get it? It's quite a complicated rule, that is why as much as possible, you should not say anything about a person's destiny."

That's when the sandwich and tea Joshua ordered arrived. After the waitress left, Ria continued explaining.

"Next rule: A cupid should not do anything bad or harmful to anyone in doing his/her mission. For example, you want the girl to fall so the boy could catch her. You cannot trip her, and you also cannot push her especially from a high place."

"That is such a lame strategy," Joshua commented. That is a very stereotypical romcom.

"Lame, but it usually works. Why do you think it is continuously used in romantic movies?"

"Exactly. Do you want your love story to be the stereotypical romcom? Or at least, the story you are making for your prospects?"

"Wow! So you have a lot of ideas, huh?"

Joshua scowled. "Actually, I don't. I feel like I won't be able to do anything but rely on the romantic scenes I did as an actor."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Ria answered. "You still can do those things, but you will not be the one who will do it. Which brings us to the next rule: A Cupid can ask help from a Guardian. That is the reason why you can call them through your phone. Usually, it's the Guardian of one of your prospects. There are a lot of things you can ask them to do for you. You can also ask them to make it rain, or show a rainbow, or even stop the traffic… Anything that you think you can't do, they can do it for you."

"How come they can do such things to humans? Aren't they bound not to hurt us humans?"

"That is not totally hurtful to us. Besides, they are bound to fulfill our destinies, so if they did that, it's just like fulfilling some human's destiny."

To Joshua, it still sounds unfair. But what he can do but just follow?

"Oh, by the way. If ever you did something bad, whatever it is, it will go back to you. Meaning, if you tripped someone, you would trip as well. Also, it doesn't only apply physically. You also cannot do other bad things to a person. Like, lying. You have to think of a way to do your mission without lying to anyone."

He should only do good things. Joshua wondered how hard that would be.

"Rule number 5: A Cupid can see spirits. Meaning, you can see spirits of dead people, or those who are about to die, or even those who temporarily left their bodies. In short, your third eye will be open."

Joshua suddenly stopped chewing his sandwich.

"Why is there a need for that to happen?" he said even though his mouth is full.

"Because you can ask help from the spirits. For example, you can ask them to come to someone's dream and talk to that living human. That is the reason why you have contact with the Reapers. Sometimes you need their help to talk to someone's soul."

"Can I just not do that?" He is really terrified.

"Of course. But, just in case you need to, at least you know it already. Also, I hope you won't think about it because you can only see spirits the way you can see red threads – when you think about seeing them."

Joshua felt more terrified. Don't think about it! Don't think about it! He finished his chamomile tea hoping that might calm him down.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it," Ria said.

He will never get used to seeing ghosts.

"Okay then, let's move on to the next rule. There are no time limits for a mission, although a love story has a definite schedule that it follows. Suppose a person is destined to meet his red thread at this age, and in that same year specific things must happen in his life. There is no definite date and time, but there is a time frame. You need to finish the mission without messing up with the overall destiny of that person, or the whole world. It might be that two people are fated to get married and have children at a certain time, but because they did not fall in love in the time that they should, their children will not be born at the right year. That would mess up the order of the universe, right?"

"What if you were not able to do what you should?" asked Joshua. "I mean, what if you failed?"

"Then, your mission is given to another cupid," Ria answered. "It's actually on the next rule. No punishment will be given to a Cupid if he or she fails to do the mission. All of us here are aware about free will, right? A Cupid should not force a person to fall in love just because it should happen. We should only inspire them, influence them. Love should come as natural as possible. Even if you have the bow and arrow to help you, there is still no guarantee that love will stay on the hearts of two people. It's still their will over the power of love."

"Will you teach me how to shoot the arrow?"

"You don't have to be Katniss Everdeen to do that. A person's heart is like a magnet to the arrows. They will surely hit your prospects' hearts directly, but you have to make sure that no one suddenly blocks the arrow because if it hits the wrong person, that would be a bigger problem."

Joshua smiled. That might be the funniest – and worst – thing that could ever happen to a Cupid.

"Cupids can decline a mission, but if there's no one to accept it, it will bounce back to them," Ria continued. "I'm pretty sure Destiny told you already that the missions are not compulsory. Well, they're not. You can decline, but only three times per mission. If you still did not accept it after three offers, you will have to face the consequence."

"What is it this time?"

"One declined mission means one year less on your life here on Earth. Meaning, if you are destined to live until a hundred years, then you will die on your 99th year."

Joshua grimaced. That is not a very nice punishment.

"Are you beginning to get turned off by being a Cupid because of the rules?"

Joshua nodded. That made Ria giggle.

"Well, the last two are what will offset those eight rules. Number nine: A cupid will be rewarded for every 5 successful missions."

Now, that is something that brought back Joshua's excitement. "What will be the reward?"

"It depends. Sometimes, it's as simple as free food, free tickets to the cinema, free coffee from The Coffee Club. Sometimes, it's as big as a new car, new house and lot, great fortune. Why do you think my novels are always on the bestseller list?"

Joshua smirked at his classmate's cockiness. He finally understood why life has been great to her.

"And the last rule: Cupids should be ambassadors of love in any way they could. Like me, I became a romance novelist. It can also be done by being a good example to others – being a good husband, a good wife, a good parent… those stuff."

Now, that is something that Joshua can do. He is actually looking forward to that.

"Now, let me tell you about missions. A cupid can be given any three of the following types of missions. First, the Grand missions. You need to take care of the love story of two people from the beginning to their happy ever after. You will also be the Guardian of their love. Meaning, you should guide them and make sure they will love each other forever."

"The next type is the One-shots. They are just random acts of love-related incidents that you have to do for any red thread couple. If you happen to do another One-shot to the same couple, that is called a Recurring mission. But it still will not be considered Grand because you're not the one who started it. Well, you can also be the one who started it, but you will not be the one who will end it. But most of all, you will not be the guardian of the couple."

"You make it sound like I will be their godfather."

"That is exactly it," Ria said. She then giggled.

Joshua smiled. "I'm too young to be a godfather."

"Better start early, they say," said Ria. "Anyway, that is essentially the rules that you have to abide with as a Cupid. But aside from the rules, there are also some immunities given to Cupids. Number one, as a Cupid, you will be immune to any accident. That means that you will never get hurt in any accident, except if it was self-induced."

"Why would you like to have an accident?"

"Well maybe, to perform your job as a Cupid. For example, your prospect is a female doctor. So what you will do is you will have yourself get hit by the male red thread and when he takes you to the hospital, he will meet the female doctor."

"That is the most stupid thing," Joshua said.

Ria giggled. "Some Cupids do that."

"Did you also do that?"

"Nope. Not yet. I don't think I need to do that. I have other ways to do things, you know."

And Joshua will never do that as well. He thinks that would be too much even though Destiny herself did it for her to convince him to be a Cupid.

"Oh, and if it's a sacrifice, then the accident will happen. The good thing about that is you will heal faster compared to an ordinary human and the damage will not be as sever. But Joshua, please don't make yourself a superhero and save people by using that immunity. God might think that you want to sacrifice your life for the humanity. Remember, you're not Jesus Christ."

Again, what's wrong in using something you have to help others? But as they always say, too much of something is always bad. Abusing anything will never be right.

"If you ever face a calamity, such as a typhoon or an earthquake, you will definitely be saved, and for sure you will not die there. But that does not include epidemics and pandemics. We are not immune to diseases. You will still get sick, but you will definitely get healed and the damage to your body will not be the same as if you're not a Cupid."

"But, how can that be? If you'll think about it, a Cupid is essentially immortal. You can get sick, but you will surely get healed. If you have an accident, you will always be saved. I mean, you will never get into an accident."

"You will know when your time has come to leave this world. Remember, you can see Reapers?"

Joshua froze.

"Also, if you did a great sacrifice, like saving a person who is destined to die, then you will be the one to die instead of that person."

That is one reason why he should choose very carefully the sacrifices he should make. And also, even if he has immunity, he still needs to be careful all the time. Everything is still not easy.

"The last immunity that you will have as a cupid is about love… Once a human becomes a Cupid, he or she will never fall in love with someone who is not his or her red thread. That means that whatever happens, you will never fall in love with a person who is not destined for you."

Joshua thought about what Ria said. That means, a Cupid is spared from a hurtful break up and the pain of unrequited love. That is a very good immunity.

"As a setback, a Cupid will never know who his or her red thread is. You won't even see your own red thread."

Joshua was stunned. Is it true? He can't see his red thread? He tried to concentrate, and instantly he saw Ria's red thread. He looked down at his chest but saw no red string attached to it.

"You tried, right?"

Joshua looked at Ria, then nodded.

"I can clearly see yours right now, but I can't see mine."

"Why is it like that?"

"Another rule you have to abide with. Maybe because it removes the excitement in life. And also, because sometimes – no, most of the times – we question life's choices for us. What if you found out who you're meant to be, but you didn't like what you knew? Some even do everything they can to change their destinies. That would be chaotic."

Joshua kind of understood that. But then, there is something that Destiny told him.

"But isn't it that we can ask God to change our destiny based on what we want?"

Ria shrugged. "Sometimes… But, don't you think it all goes back to the way He planned it from the beginning?"

Maybe. Sometimes we think God gave us what we want because He knows we really wanted it. But the truth is, that is really what is destined for us.

"By the way, tomorrow I need to do some missions. You want to come with me so that you can observe how we do things as Cupids?"

"Sure," Joshua immediately answered. He doesn't know but he suddenly felt excited.

"Great! Now, I have to go. I told my Mom that I will go back at ten PM." Ria took out a one-thousand-peso bill from her wallet.

"You're too old to have curfews." He smirked.

"Not really. I just can't tell her what I need to do, and she also doesn't know that I have immunity, right?"

But of course. "I guess we should also be able to tell our parents about us being Cupids."

"Could be, but I won't tell her anyway."

"Why?"

"Well… it's complicated," Ria answered. "This dinner is my treat. Next time, you have to pay for my dinner, okay?"

Ria stood up. Joshua was also forced to stand.

"See you tomorrow?"

Joshua nodded. "Ahm… do you have a ride?"

"My driver is actually waiting for me outside."

"You don't drive?"

"Nope. Too lazy to drive."

Ria went out of the coffee shop and proceeded to her car. After watching her ride into the backseat of her ara blue Audi RS3, Joshua went to his own car and drove home.

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