BACK TO LOVE.

07

For the whole week of her daughter's funeral, Ayanda locked herself in her bedroom and stayed under the blankets. She pushed away everyone and did not want to see or speak to anyone, not even her husband. Who slept uncomfortably in one of the unused guest bedrooms. The boys were staying with Emily for that week and after the funeral their grandparents would take turns looking after the children.

On the morning of the funeral which was on a Friday. Axel got dressed in all black with a heavy heart, he last saw and spoke to his wife the first day after he identified his daughters body. He got his sons dressed, who came with Emily that morning, while his sister attended to his youngest daughter. He did not know if Ayanda would be attending the funeral and since she waa not talking to anyone he could not ask any of their friends or family. They had had his daughter's memorial the night before and she did not attend but she had chosen the dresses she wore on the memorial and funeral.

'' The driver's are waiting for you and your family downstairs sir.''

His bodyguard and assistant informed him. Being a well known wealthy business man, they needed guards around them.

'' I'll be down in a minute. Tell the rest of the family and leave with the boys please.''

Axel followed immediately after and got into the back of the car and to his surprise found a red eyed Ayanda quietly sitting in the back with all three of her children. Ambrosia did not know her older sister but it was whispered into her ear what had happened as were her younger brother's which was an old African practice when a death occurred in a family.

'' Morning.''

He omitted the good because there was nothing good about this morning as he greeted her just for formality. He also wanted to say more but it was not the time or place. The boys sat quietly inbetween them on their laptops as the hearse left for the graveyard.

'' Morning.''

She whispered back. Ayanda too was dressed in all black and Axel had not seen her look this well dressed since the day they lost Amber. As they drove towards the family cemetery, he felt relief that his daughter was finally resting even though it was never the outcome he wanted. He felt that they too were done with the anxiety of waiting for a ransom letter or her to come home and not knowing or wondering what she was going through. They had some type of closure.

'' We're here sir.''

Ayanda took a deep breath to calm herself as the driver got out and opened the door for her and Axel got out of the opposite door. He waited for the boys to get out before closing and following behind his family to the gravesite. When tears ran down her cheeks uncontrollably he handed her his suit handkerchief as they sat side by side at the gravesite under a tent with the twins on each side of them and Ambrosia slept in her maternal grandmother's arms.

''The Bible teaches us for out of the ground you were taken; you are dust and to the dust you shall return.''

The couple could not control their emotions when the priest read Genesis 3:19 and they had to pour sand onto the casket. Axel wrapped his hand around her waist to sturdy her as they walked away from the burial. Unable to handle the rest of the ceremony she walked away and got into the car.