Lovers of my Heart | #Wattys2016 |

The Funeral

The next day, my aunt, Paul and I went to the hospital. I wasn't strong enough to look at my parents laying dead. My aunt did all the identification and organize everything else.

" The funeral will be on this Tuesday..." My aunt informed.

They were organizing to bury everyone who lost their life due to the earthquake on the same day and at the same place. It would be like a memorial.

My parents were not famous. They were an ordinary father and mother but now everyone from different families and nationalities would be there to attend their funeral. One thing I knew for sure was that they are in a better place.

Day of Funeral

It was a beautiful bright day. The sun came shining again as though nothing happened.

My aunt drove us to the funeral. Every family members who was there for their loved ones was given the privilege to sit at the first ten rows.

My aunt was holding my hand. I knew she had mixed emotions. Paul was calm whereas I was nervous.

As time passed, every seat was filled. An old man in his 60's went on the stage and began his speech. He spoke firmly.

I took a glance at where they placed all the coffins. It was arranged in a proper manner.

After the man finished his speech, all of us were asked to go to our related family members coffin. They surrounding went gloomy. Some families sobbed while other just stared at the coffins in front of them.

I saw my parent's coffin, one on the right and the other on the left. Their names were written on it. I grabbed onto Paul's arm.

I didn't cry on that day because I knew nothing will change even if I do and this was the moment where I have to be both mentally and emotionally strong.

The ceremony ended after about half and hour. We went home right away. I didn't want to spent more time in that gloomy, sobbing surrounding.

My aunt began to do her cooking. I was just sitting outside on a rattan made chair with a cup of coffee. Paul joined me after.

I was looking at the skies and at those birds which flew below the bright blue sky.

" Hey..." Paul whispered.

I smiled back at him.

" Paul... Have you ever wondered why we humans think that birds are free...??" I asked.

" What do you mean..?" He questioned back.

" You know when we usually say be free like a bird ...." I said.

" Well, I guess because they don't carry any burden and they can fly any where they want..." He answered while scratching his temple.

" Do you really think so...?" I asked.

" Yeah... What do you think...?" He questioned.

" I think every living things has to go through difficulties in life. You know, we wish to be free like birds but when we were given a chance to be a bird, it would mean something else...."

" They have to go through hard times every day... Flying away from hunters, finding food, protecting their young from danger, having a secure shelter and they have to fly miles to continue their generations...."

" We humans always think and wish to be like others when we haven't finish discovering ourselves...."

" Wow lilo....."

" You truly think differently...."

" I'm truly proud of you....." He said as he smiled.

He sipped his coffee and continued,

" I'm happy you could handle your emotions and whatever you've went through...."

" I thank God for that Paul.... He was the one who gave me strength..."

" I'm going to miss my parents... So much...."

" But still as you said, I have to move on..." I replied.

He just nodded.

Our attention were diverted when my aunt called from inside,

" Cutie pies...."

" Lunch's ready...."

Paul and I went in and we had lunch together. My aunt took care of us like her own kids. I felt my parent's love with her.