The atmosphere is heavy with grief as family and friends gather to bid farewell to Gertrude, a beloved member of the community.
The room is filled with floral arrangements, casting a bittersweet fragrance throughout the space.
At the front of the church, a large portrait of Gertrude rests on an easel, capturing her radiant smile.
The pews are filled with tearful faces, each person holding their own memories and emotions.
The sound of footsteps echoes through the silence as the pallbearers, dressed in black, solemnly carry Gertrude's casket down the aisle.
The sight of the closed casket amplifies the weight of the loss, leaving a void that cannot be filled.
The priest, standing at the pulpit, offers words of comfort and solace to those in attendance. His voice is gentle yet firm, guiding the mourners through the difficult process of saying goodbye.
"Gertrude was a light in our lives, a beacon of kindness and compassion. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her memory will forever live on in our hearts."
Bernardo and Cherylene at the back held back their tears.
The priest pauses, allowing a moment of silence for reflection and personal prayers. The sounds of quiet sobbing fill the air.
Mia whispers, "She was always there for us, offering a listening ear and wise advice. We will miss her dearly."
As the funeral service progresses, friends and family members take turns sharing heartfelt eulogies, sharing stories of Gertrude's warmth, generosity, and unwavering love for those around her. Tears flow freely, mingling with the memories shared.
A choir, positioned at the side of the church, begins to sing a hymn. Their voices intertwine, filling the space with a hauntingly beautiful melody that offers a glimmer of hope amidst the sorrow.
The service concludes with a final prayer, and the pallbearers solemnly carry Gertrude's casket back up the aisle. Mourners rise from their seats, their faces etched with a mixture of sadness and acceptance.
Under a gray sky, the mourners gather around a freshly dug grave. The priest stands beside the open grave, offering final words of farewell. The casket is gently lowered into the ground, a heart-wrenching moment that marks the end of Gertrude's earthly journey.
As the earth is placed upon the casket, the sound of dirt hitting wood reverberates through the air, echoing the finality of the moment. Tears flow freely, mingling with raindrops that begin to fall from the sky.
One by one, mourners step forward to pay their respects, placing flowers or touching the casket as a final goodbye.
Meanwhile, Cheska is stuck in Paris.
Cheska with tear-streaked cheeks, paces anxiously in a hotel room. Her suitcase is open on the bed, half-packed with clothes. She clutches her phone tightly, her heart pounding with desperation.
"Please, Mr. Johnson, you have to understand. It's my grandmother's funeral. I need to be there with my family."
On the other end of the line, Cheska's boss, Mr. Johnson, responds with an air of indifference.
"Cheska, I sympathize with your situation, but we're in the middle of a crucial project. Your presence here is necessary. We can't afford to lose any time."
Cheska's eyes well up with fresh tears, her voice quivering with desperation.
"But she was like a second mother to me. I haven't attended my mom's funeral, please, I can't bear the thought of not being there to say goodbye to my grandmother too. Please, just this once, let me go back to Cassiopeia."
"Cheska, your personal matters should not interfere with your professional obligations. We've invested a lot in this project, and your absence would be detrimental."
Cheska's voice cracks as she fights back sobs.
"I'll work extra hours, I'll make up for the lost time, I promise. Please, show some compassion. It's my grandmother's funeral, I can't let her down."
There's a pause on the line, and Cheska's hopes rise momentarily. But her manager, Mrs. Monet, takes over the call, her tone stern and unsympathetic.
"Cheska, we've already made arrangements to cover your workload. Your presence is crucial here, and we can't accommodate your request. I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay."
Cheska's voice trembles with a mix of sadness and frustration.
"But family should come first. This is important to me. I thought you understood that."
"Cheska, I understand your emotions, but business is business. We can't make exceptions for personal matters."
Cheska's shoulders slump, defeated. She hangs up the phone, her tears flowing freely. She collapses onto the bed, overwhelmed with grief and the weight of her decision.
"I'm so sorry, Grandma. I wish I could be there. I love you."
Cheska sits on the edge of her bed, her body trembling with grief. She clutches a framed photograph of her grandmother, tears streaming down her face.
"Oh, Grandma, I'm so sorry. I should have been there. I should have said goodbye."
Her sobs echo throughout the room, filled with regret and longing. Memories of her beloved grandmother flood her mind, intensifying her pain.
Cheska's shoulders hunch over as she cradles the photograph close to her chest. She closes her eyes, trying to imagine the warmth of her grandmother's embrace, but all she feels is an empty void.
"I wanted to be there to honor you, to pay my respects. You were always there for me, and I let you down."
The weight of guilt settles upon Cheska's chest, making it difficult to breathe. Her body shakes with each sob, her grief pouring out in waves.
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupts her anguish. Cheska wipes her tears hastily and composes herself as best she can.
YOU ARE READING
Unspoken Desires
Fiksi UmumCheska, a girl whose heart bore the weight of abandonment, had carried the scars of her past with her throughout her life. The wounds ran deep, originating from the neglect she had endured at the hands of her parents. Their absence had left her with...
