PERFECT MATCH

19 - Goodbye

Third person POV
Music: See you again by Wiz Khalifa ft Charlie Puth

One week later

The sun had set and the cloud was starting to grow dim. Mabel had just alighted from Jason's Sequoia jeep and she gasped at the feeling the cool evening breeze hitting her skin, the air in the car was much colder and had a scent of apple mixed with lavender.

Mabel was dressed her usual self for the occasion, only she wasn't wearing makeup and the only jewelry she had on was her wedding ring. She wore a fitted knee-length dress with fitted laced sleeves. The veil of her black fascinator provided slight covering for face yet, she wore her sunglasses to cover the mark left from crying, to hide her hurt because she didn't want sympathy.

Mabel scanned the church compound which was filled with cars that were being parked as guests arrived in them. She watched people enter into the church through the large doors which were left open, they were all clad in black. By the church entrance, there was a portrait frame of her father decorated with white flowers and surrounded by scented votive candles. Mabel gasped at the reality
of her father's passing, her breath shuddering.

Jason who stood by her side was clad in black senators and black leather flip ons, his face looked tired. He was undergoing a lot of stress. When he noticed her anxiety he flashes her a reassuring smile that made a dry smile creep into her face. Jason held out his hand and Mabel didn't think twice to trust him after glancing at him, she place her hand in his. Jason gave her a slight squeeze before intertwining her fingers.

The family entered into the church
by a parade, her mom and her uncle first, then she and her husband, Ada and his two sisters followed.
They were ushered in by a solemn rendition of Ava Maria Gratia Plena by the choir. The church was well lit and Mabel thought it was too bright for the occasion, even decorated with white flowers and candles were lit too, it all made Mabel uncomfortable.

The church was a congregation of church members, distant relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues and business associates who cast the family pitiful glances as they made their way to the pew reserved for them.

Everyone was here to say goodbye but Mabel wasn't ready.

The service of songs was started off by the hymn 'only remembered', then another, 'Beulah land'.

Ada gave the eulogy, she was
the closest family member to the deceased that was processing her grief properly. She almost shone in her pixie haircut and the mild make up she wore clothed her face that was full of misery. The black fitted knee length dress that draped over had shoulders had puffy sleeves, it had its way of giving her comfort.

"Benjamin Chukwudi Ozor led a great life. So many have a lot to say about him, some call him an icon, others call him a Saint, others say he's an elder, some say he's just a businessman..." She wiped her tears.

Mabel couldn't fight her tears as Ada spoke, she took off her glasses to wipe them. Chinonye had no tears left to cry, her eyes were swollen and weak and her makeup couldn't do much in hiding it.

"To us, family. He was everything." Her sniffle could be heard through the microphone. "He gave everything. He was a father to me... I lost my father..." She sobbed. "He took me and he fathered me." She glanced at his picture by the side of the stage.

"I'll never forget." She whispered, wiping her tears off with her hands this time. Ada suddenly mustered up courage and she clutched the pulpit tightly after sighing deeply. She knew her grief would be over soon. "He may be gone, but he's not forgotten." She raised her voice. "He may be gone but he lives still..." She looked around. "He'll live on in our hearts and the moments we shared with him will become blissful memories. Rest on papa."