S'il Vous Plait Rappelez Moi ( Please, Remember Me )

XV. Father and Man

The image of Petra's lifeless body still lingered on Levi's mind. He sincerely wished he could get drunk after a few bottles of liquor so he could forget the ache in his heart, even for just a short moment.

He never gets drunk.

He took out the small black pouch that Rico gave him that day at the hospital. It was very light. He opened it and finally found out what was inside. It was Petra's long locks. Apparently, Rico found it at the dressing room and took it for an unknown reason. He couldn't resist the urge to sniff the locks. And when he did, his nostrils were greeted by that same fragrance of her favorite shampoo. It's as if she was right there beside him.

It's as if she never died.

He imagined a scenario wherein they were cuddling in his room. In that scenario, Nifa never came to his house. She knocked on the door and he fairly imagined he was a bit irritated because his cleaning ritual was disrupted. But then, his irritation would vanish at the sight of his little girl just outside the door, waiting for him. She smiled at him as she gave him her surprise - a box of his favorite tea leaves. He took her arm and grabbed her almost painfully inside. He imagined she would scold him for the rough treatment, but he would make it up to her by hugging her tightly and saying how wonderful she looked. She would blush and show him her beautiful smile. Then, he would kiss her on her soft lips. She would try to protest but it would be pointless, for he started to carry her upstairs to his room. He would lock the door and carry her to his bed. Then he would kiss her even more passionately while removing both their clothing. He promised he would be very gentle to the lady. She would nod her pretty head in consent, then he would start loving her in all possible things he could think of. He would tease her a lot, and she would moan his name many times with pleasure. Then, he would prepare himself for being one with her. She would gasp in pain, her fingers painfully digging onto his bare back. They would rock back and forth in a rhythm only they could understand. Then, they would both reach Heaven. He would feel such happiness, one which he never experienced before. He was positive he would cry. He doesn't really care even if his beloved sees his weakness. He doesn't care. For they are now truly one with each other. He would caress her face, then she would kiss his hand. He would kiss her once more, only that she was not responding. She was not breathing. He tried shaking her body, but her warmth left her. She was getting so cold. He called her name. She never opened her eyes. Blood started streaming down her nose and mouth. She started crying, but what came out aren't tears, but thick crimson - colored liquid. He cupped her face, the scent of jasmine wafting in the air,...

...then he was suddenly transported back to a very recent memory wherein everybody was quietly sitting on their chairs. They wore grim expressions and they're all wearing black.

Levi opened his eyes, the thoughts of Petra's funeral came flooding back to his mind.

Kuchel was still crying. It seemed that her tears never ceased falling since the memorial. All of her friends were there. Even his colleagues were there. Olou was nowhere to be found. Hange and Erwin were sitting beside him, quietly consoling him for his loss. Marsha, Jean and Connie were all sitting just behind him. Mike was playing a sorrowful tune on the Church organ. Kenny was standing just outside the Church's doorway.

Farlan went up the altar and started reading some verses from the bible. Isabel looked really gloomy beside Kuchel, her eyes red after the tears she herself shed. After reading, Farlan allowed her closest friends and her few relatives to give their speech. Most of them sounded just the same, that she was a good friend who was always there for them, that she was a very talented person who inspired many to reach their goals, that they regret losing her at such an early time. But, what shook his heart the most was the last three who spoke.