Before You Say Goodbye

CHP 31: BEFORE SHE SAID GOODBYE

On the day of her funeral, all of Catherine's closest friends and family members and even Bernard was present. It was still impossible to believe that Catherine, their own Cat was gone...without even a hint, without even a moment's notice, she just left! Catherine's parents were sitting on the front seats, with her mom's hands in her dad's. When it was time for the eulogies, no one really dared to speak, but Catherine deserved a nice goodbye, although she had wronged them by leaving so soon. The first person to deliver the eulogy was Michel Oblack, who quietly just stood in a corner, eyes looking completely dead and he had lost his joyous spark. Guilt was evident in his expressions and body language, the guilt of not having the guts to confess his feelings to Catherine even though he had time. He could have told her what he felt, he could have given her one of the happiest moments of her life if only he hadn't chickened out that night and just said it! He was at a complete loss of words when he saw Catherine's body in the coffin, the words just wouldn't come out of his mouth but, he did give her a final kiss on the forehead.  Their first and last kiss, that kiss which Catherine could never feel.
When he came up near the mic, Cheryl accompanied him. He took a deep shaky breath and began "I'm Michel and I have known Catherine since the first day of high school. I remember meeting her that day and working with her at Bernard's cafe. I don't know when it all happened, but I gradually started liking her. Every little thing she did felt beautiful. I just wish I would've been able to confess my love to her. If only I had been a little braver, I could've - *voice cracks *. I...I thought I had enough time, I thought WE had more time. *pauses and wipes the tears so as to be able to read the eulogy *. Catherine surely recovered, she recovered from all the pain and suffering, she recovered in such a way that her soul was set free, any sort of pain is miles away from her now. Catherine was an amazing person and a lovely soul. I just hope and pray that wherever she is, let her be happy" as he completed this sentence, Michel broke into tears yet again. His love for Catherine was so pure that it reflected even in his tears which seemed like pearls pouring out from his eyes. Michel's biggest regret in life was that he had the time, he had the letter, he had the perfect opportunity, all he didn't have was the courage to express himself. If only he had said it that day...
It was now Cheryl's turn. She started with, "Catherine was my best friend...NO scratch that, Cat IS my best friend and will always be. She was always there for me. She always listened to my endless talks and had great pieces of advice and comebacks for everything. I don't know what I'm gonna do without her. I -" Cheryl suddenly felt that a colossal mountain had just fallen upon her. All these days, she was in shock and wasn't ready to accept that Catherine was really gone, but now, when her funeral was going on, it suddenly hit Cheryl and she came back to reality. Once she realized what had actually happened, Cheryl felt weak in the knees and her voice started to tremble. "I'm sorry everyone...I just want to say that I love Cat and she's the best!...umm.. sorry...Excuse me" and she just ran off the stage, hugged Kate, and found tears rolling down her cheeks. Mrs. Shawns also started slowly realizing that she had lost her ONLY daughter...FOREVER...
Felix, Jennifer, and Kate also delivered their eulogies, trying to keep it short, simple, and filled with happy memories. But, it was really difficult to accept the fact that they couldn't see Cat anymore, couldn't hear her play her musical instruments, couldn't hear her cheerful voice, and couldn't see her happy smile ever again.
Then, Oliver almost dragged himself up on the stage for his eulogy. He expressed his thoughts through a poem that he'd written.

" The curtains were drawn to welcome the night
   Her lips mumbled at our mere sight
      She tried her best to keep the fire ignite
         She left us all just as the tower bell chimed
          We were all living with her, unknown that these were the days of her twilight
   Everything was going well, hopes were high
      She was getting better it seemed, but then this, WHY!?
         She left just like that, what else shall we do if not cry?
           Even so, we did have good times, we laughed, cried, and even got into fights
           I just have one complaint with the Almighty,
           Couldn't she have just stayed a little longer, BEFORE SHE SAID GOODBYE?"
           As Oliver completed his poem, he found himself in tears. The poem was so heartfelt and the emotion with which he had read it, made tears roll down several people's faces. Catherine's mom hugged Catherine's dad and cried her heart out. This was the first time she had actually let out her emotions after Cat's death. This is when she finally came out of the trauma and just cried, grieved for the loss of her beloved daughter. With an unbearably heavy heart, they all bid farewell to Catherine.
           After the funeral, Cheryl walked up to Michel who was still quiet and wouldn't speak much with anyone. She put a hand on his back, gently rubbing it in circles, and said, "I'm sorry Mike.  I shouldn't have pushed you to confess," said Cheryl. "No, you did the right thing. It's my dumbass that couldn't even say an I LOVE  YOU..it's my fault. I feel so guilty Cher, how do I get rid of this guilt in me?" said Michel in a cold distant voice. "Don't do this to yourself, Michel. There's no point in blaming yourself now. She knew you loved her and I'm sure she loved you too. I'm a hundred percent sure that Cat wouldn't want you to think about her and feel sad. Knowing how Catherine was, I know she would want us to think of the best memories with her and be happy. I know it's extremely tough and trusts me, even I don't know what to do without her but...what has happened, can't be undone, no matter how much we wish for it to be that way," said Cheryl, trying to be brave, but failing terribly at controlling her tears.
           "I know Cheryl, she indirectly did indicate that she loved me. I even saw her phone's wallpaper and it was a picture with me!"
           "Yeah...You should have Mike..."
           "I know I should have, I knew everything, I knew she loved me but I just wasn't sure, I wasn't sure about anything. I was an idiot to not confess despite all the hints Cat had given me when we were together at school or at Bernard's," said Michel, taking a step back. Felix suddenly pulled Michel into a huge hug and Michel burst into tears.
           After all the funeral rituals, the entire group stood in a circle, just looking at each other. For everyone, everything had just shattered in one moment. Everything had suddenly taken a drastic turn.
           What awaited for our protagonists in their journey to finding their true love? Will they ever get someone who truly loves them, before they say goodbye?