Harmonies Unveiled

Chapter 9: Judgement Day

Scott, Joel's dad, paced back and forth in the living room of his house, his anger and frustration is consuming him. 

He had been filled with worry and grief since Joel's accident, and now, face to face with Yuka, Woods, and Hank, his emotions threatened to overflow.

Yuka, their eyes still red from tears, sat nervously on the edge of their seat. They knew they had to face Scott's interrogation, to bear the weight of his questions and judgments. 

Regret washed over them all, and they couldn't help but wonder if they had made a terrible mistake by inviting Joel on their ill-fated birthday outing.

Hank, being assertive, leaned forward with his voice unwavering. "Sir, we understand your anger and pain. We never wanted this tragedy to happen, but it was an accident. None of us could have predicted what comes next."

Scott's frustration grew, and he struggled to contain his emotions. "An accident?... Accident? MY CHILD is GONE because of your actions. I entrusted you with their safety... and look where we are now..."

Yuka's heart sank at Scott's words, feeling the weight of guilt pressing upon them. They fought back tears, their voice trembling as they spoke. "Sir, we never imagined it would end like this. We only wanted to celebrate Joel's 20th birthday, to create happy memories together."

Woods, quiet but resolute, tried to ease the tension. "Sir, we are all shattered by Joel's loss. None of us could have known about this tragedy. We wish we could turn back time and change the course of events, but... we can't."

Tension filled the room as Hank's frustration boiled over. "And what about your own responsibility, Sir? You can't put all the blame on us. Joel was an adult who made their own choices. We were just trying to be good friends."

Scott's anger flared, his voice filled with fury. "How DARE you question my responsibility as a parent! You have no idea what it's like to lose a child. Don't you dare try to shift the blame onto Joel."

"I never said that it was Joel to blame?? I bet they don't even see it coming. What I am trying to say is that none of us are supposed to be responsible of your child's death."

Yuka and Woods exchanged worried glances, sensing the argument escalating to the roof. They tried to intervene, pleading for calm. "Okay, please, let's not argue. We're all grieving and blaming each other won't change what happened."

But the heated exchange continued, the emotions too raw to be easily contained. Scott and Hank locked eyes, their voices clashing in a battle of anger and pain. The room felt suffocating, as the weight of the tragedy and the tension between them hung in the air.

Yuka stepped forward, their voice trembling. "Please, Sir? Hank? Let's remember why we're here. We should be supporting each other, not tearing each other apart."

Woods, the voice of reason, spoke softly but firmly. "We can't change what happened, but we can choose how we move forward. Let's find a way to heal together instead of letting anger consume us."

Scott took a deep breath, "So? Is that all?" then he turned to be sarcastic, "Oh, we can't change what happen, it's already in the past. Yeah sure I can forget this moment easily! But you as their friends should also reflect on your lives that you're unable to look after each other."

Yuka and Woods exchanged pained glances, their hearts heavy with the weight of Scott's words. They understood his anguish and frustration, but they also knew that blaming themselves or each other wouldn't bring Joel back or ease their collective grief.

Yuka took a deep breath, their voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "Sir, we understand your pain, and we acknowledge our own responsibility as Joel's friends. We are grieving too, and we deeply regret not being able to protect Joel in that moment."

Scott's anger couldn't be calmed. His voice trembled with emotion as he struggled to regain control. "From now on, things will be different. I can't bear to see any of you again. You are no longer welcome in our lives, and you will never be allowed to influence anyone in our family. I can't trust you anymore."

Hank's frustration grew, his voice tinged with sadness and defiance. "What?? You can't shut us out like this. We've been Joel's friends for years. We're grieving too, and we need each other now more than ever."

Scott's face flushed with anger and sadness. He struggled to find the right words to express the depth of his pain. "You don't understand... I can't bear to see you, knowing that Joel is gone because of what happened."

Hank's voice softened, his eyes filled with tears. "We're hurting too. We loved Joel just as much as you did. Cutting us off won't bring Joel back, and it won't help any of us heal."

A heavy silence settled over the room as the weight of their grief and the impasse between Scott and Hank hung in the air. Yuka and Woods exchanged glances, their hearts breaking for their friends.

Finally, Scott's anger began to vanish, replaced by a weariness and sorrow. He looked at Hank, his voice filled with resignation. "I... I can't promise anything right now. I will consider what you've said."

The room fell into a heavy silence once again. In that moment, they all knew that healing would take a lot of time. 

Scott still hasn't forgave the tragic that happened to Joel even if it's not their friend's fault. He also hasn't forgave himself for letting their child to hang out with their friends on that one day without his guidance.