𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫│𝐏𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐨 𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐢

𝟓. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞

The funeral

The day of Isabel's funeral was sunny, with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the trees. Pablo's last memory of Isabel was seeing her lifeless body in the hospital bed. He couldn't believe that just a few days ago, she was alive and well, and now, she was gone forever. The funeral was a blur, with Pablo feeling numb to everything around him. It was as if he was in a trance, watching the world go by without being a part of it. 

The church was filled to the brim with people who had come to pay their respects, many of whom were strangers to Toto, Pablo, and Isabel's family. It seemed that Isabel had touched the lives of many more people than they had ever imagined. Pablo saw people of all ages, from young children to elderly grandparents, paying their respects to Isabel. Some were crying, while others were holding hands and whispering comforting words to one another. They were all here for Isabel, to honour her life and her memory. As the ceremony ended, Pablo watched as people began to approach the casket, laying flowers and saying their final goodbyes.

Pablo couldn't bring himself to interact with anyone. He just sat there in the front pew, staring at the casket before him, with tears streaming down his face.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Toto, who sat beside him. 

"She loved you, you know," Toto said. 

"And everyone loved her." Pablo replied. 

 [...]

Pablo stood frozen at the graveside, watching the casket being lowered to the ground. He couldn't believe that this was really happening - that he would never see Isabel again, never hear her voice or feel her touch. He felt like a part of him had been ripped away, leaving a gaping hole that could never be filled.

As people came up to offer their condolences, Pablo felt himself withdrawing further into himself. He couldn't find the energy to respond, and a small smile was all he could muster. All he wanted was to be left alone with his grief.

He knew he had to leave soon but couldn't bring himself to walk away from Isabel's final resting place. Finally, with a heavy heart, he turned and started to walk back to his car. But as he neared the cemetery gates, something caught his eye. He turned to look, and there she was - Isabel, standing by a nearby tree.

For a moment, Pablo couldn't move. He stared at her, his heart pounding in his chest. Was this real? Was he really seeing Isabel?

"I wish you were here, Isa." Pablo said, turning around. He felt like he couldn't trust his own eyes.

"I am here, Gavi." she responded. His body completely froze, and he felt his stomach drop when he heard the familiar voice. It couldn't be. He heard a voice that he thought he would never hear again.

He whipped around, his tearful eyes going wide with shock. She stood there: healthy, whole, just as he had seen her last in the morning Facetime. But her face was missing her pretty smile, and her expression was sad.

"Isabel? What are you doing here?" he asked in bewilderment. The girl nodded slowly and watched him in a caring and worried manner. His expression faltered as a wave of varying emotions crashed onto him.

"Wait you can see me?"

"Am I dead too?" his stomach dropped.

"No and I don't know why I'm here. I think I might have some unfinished business here on earth." he stared at her and did not comprehend what she was saying.

"Pablo, she isn't here. This is just a stupid hallucination." he said, slapping his face lightly.

He was conflicted on whether he should feel happy to see his girlfriend or nervous that he was seeing her who had been killed not too long ago. He shook his head and decided to walk home without looking back.