Face of Death

The Funeral

A day set aside to celebrate you. But this time, in grief and sorrow. Only that it is done all wrong if you ask me. This should be the day when everyone is happy for the late friend, at least he/she is finally free. Free from all the pain, agony and misery of life. I sound hopeless? Well, I'm dead. You're the one feeling hopeless because you're still reading. Tell you what, stop feeling hopeless and actually switch that to patience. Be patient, for your time is also coming. Time to also be free.

I hear a static sound coming from the tv screen which is not stable in nature. This catches my attention. I hear overlapping chatter from within the tv screen. I have to see what is happening. Sitting on the couch staring at the screen, I see a large congregation waiting outside an institution. This institution is creepy and not welcoming. I can't help but notice the somber atmosphere. The weather too? Come on, what day is it? All these faces look familiar. There are no posters or any writings to clearly elaborate what this place is.

Suddenly, I see my mother. My lovely mother, dressed in an all-black lace dress and in some fancy black high heels. I have never seen her in those, she must have been shopping. Oh! Right, it is my funeral. I wouldn't want to miss this so I sit tight and put extra effort in observing everything and everyone. This is not a hard task. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch their funeral in real time? I see a large motorcade aligning outside the institute. Okay, so this is actually a morgue. They have come to take the body for burial.

I see my pops. He is also in a black suit. He looks really good. His haircut is still as fresh as it was back at the hospital, only this time I can't tell him. He is looking confident and strong but somehow it all looks like an act. He is hiding some emotion. I think he is more broken than he looks. Yeah, why wouldn't he be broken? I was his first-born son, he had all faith in me. Sorry pops.

I see my siblings, all three of them. My brothers look amazing. I love the all-black fits, they look stunning for a funeral, I'll give them that. My sister is also dressed in an all-black dress with white laces, white stockings-yeah, I am sure those are stockings, I used to dress her- and a pair of black high heels. How does she even know how to walk in those? Well guess I've been away for quite a while. As for my bros, well there is not much to it but I acknowledge the black airforces. Just as I would have wanted them to avail in my funeral. I'm proud.

A small crowd walks towards a section that is quite confined. I see the coffin, this is scary and I don't know why. The crowd moves closer to the coffin. The upper lid that covers the head and chest area is wide open. I see a pointy nose stretching out begging to be included in the view diameter. The crowd quickly aligns itself in a queue. This is the body viewing segment, I guess. My mom goes first, she looks keenly at the body and she whispers something, I can't really tell what. She breaks down in tears. I can see pain in her eyes... so much pain. Women from the queue rush to her and hold her up trying to comfort her but she continues crying out louder," my son! My baby!"

This should be humiliating to watch but surprisingly, as sad and heartbreaking as it is, I cannot stop watching. My pops walks down the step and gets a clear view of the body. He also whispers something and I can't help but notice his lips shaking. I think someone should also go help my dad. Nope! That won't be necessary, he walks quietly away. They let my brother view the body too... he looks deeply and I peep a tear rush down his cheek. I have known him to be the stronger one despite the fact that I was the eldest. Seeing him like this, well...

I now see a clear image of the coffin, I see me. Just as before, my face is stiff. My lips are not dry this time, my hair is also looking incredible. Do this people at the morgue offer barber services, by any chance? It is an amazing look I'll give myself that. I'm dressed in a black suit, a white shirt- which is probably new because I don't recall having that white of a shirt, a black tie lying perfectly. I would have loved to see what kind of shoes they put me on. I don't understand why people cry and mourn when they view the body, they should be glad. At least I still look cute.