Firewood

Chapter 10

Carrying the corpse of Elena, wrapped in a blanket, Armando, his son and some of their relatives went to the nearest hill from their house. The allotted time to bury his wife came. There was no time to make a coffin. The mayor ordered an immediate burial that afternoon.

Then they buried Elena. There were some who cried for the sad fate she had; but for Armando who now starting to understand what his wife did, all is well for her wherever she is.

Alfred lit the fire woods he carried to warm the visitors there.

The relatives gave a sad condolence to them and left. It was only Armando and his son left. The burning fire woods served as their light.

“Your mother is a great woman. She proved that to be true even until she died”, told Armando to his son. “Even though she suffered until she died, she was still hoping for that well promised to her”.

Behind them was Captain Lao, hiding at the back of the tree. He was waiting for them to go so that he could also visit the grave of that brave woman.

When Armando and his son left the grave, he showed up and slowly walked near it. He a name written on a wood, “Elena…, that’s her name!”. He silently cried and thanked Elena for her courage on saving him. He picked a flower near the tree where he was hiding and put it to Elena’s tomb.

Looking at the burning fire woods and the light it gave to its surrounding place, how he saw everything around him, he said, “Thank you for being a firewood, for sacrificing yourself. You died, only for me to continue see life”.