Episode 19

I sat contemplatively gazing at the lifeless body that lay stiff not far from me. I grappled with the denial of the truth that Mother was truly gone, but the sight of her draped figure surrounded by mourners offering condolences confirmed the grim reality.

*Why? Mother was just fine this morning*\, my inner voice cried.

The atmosphere at home grew increasingly busy as Mother's burial had to take place today, despite the fact that it could only happen later in the evening due to the time. Understandably, this caused everyone to hurry.

My mind swirled with questions about Mother's departure, from the reason behind the argument between Father and Mother, the cause of her death, and her recent behavior. I suspected there was something I had yet to discover.

"Yura," Aunt Ayu called out, tapping my shoulder and breaking my reverie. Aunt Ayu, the wife of Uncle Edwin (from the novel "The Charm of the Master's Love"), was Mother's younger sister. I wiped away tears and looked at Aunt Ayu, who was sitting beside me.

"You should change your clothes, soon they will bathe your mother and offer prayers for her. Don't you wish to go to the graveyard to see her one last time?"

"I do, Aunt," I replied.

"Then go to your room, clean yourself up and change your clothes. Grieving is acceptable, but don't wallow in it, lest your mother becomes sad too," Aunt Ayu advised, to which I nodded.

Accompanied by Nurse Ela, I headed to my room. I cleansed myself and then changed into a plain black tunic that reached my knees, and black leggings. I sat in front of the mirror while Nurse Ela closed the balcony door.

Before the door shut, I caught a fleeting glimpse of something, but for some reason, I felt no fear. Perhaps it was because my heart was engulfed in sorrow.

"Young Mistress Yura, eat something first," Nurse Ela suggested.

"I'm not hungry, Nurse."

"But…"

There was a knock at my bedroom door. Nurse Ela walked over, opened it, and spoke to whoever was there.

"Young Mistress Yura, your father is waiting for you downstairs," Nurse Ela said.

I stood and left without a word, Nurse Ela still accompanying me to the side yard. I witnessed how my mother was bathed for the last time. My face was dry of tears, but that did not stop them from flowing. My face was truly wet, and occasionally Nurse Ela dabbed at my face with a tissue.

Unexpectedly, I felt gentle pats on my cheek and heard Nurse Ela constantly murmuring istighfar.

"Yura, have some water, dear." Aunt Ayu's voice presented a bottle to my lips.

I sipped from the bottle that touched my mouth.

"Mother…"

"Be patient, Yura, let her go in peace," Aunt Ayu said once more.

I saw Uncle Edwin standing, looking at me with a sorrowful face. Uncle Edwin and Mother were close siblings. I felt the loss deeply, and so did he. For some reason, the thoughts of my father's feelings had not crossed my mind.

"Young Mistress Yura, your friend is here," Nurse Ela informed me.

I assumed it was either Nana or Mail, but it was neither. I hadn't yet told anyone about the grief I was currently facing.

"Aldo," I said when a man approached. Aunt Ayu gestured for Aldo to sit beside me and then stepped away, Uncle Edwin did the same.

"Yura," Aldo said.

I remained silent, Aldo gently stroking my back. Somehow, his touch made me feel cared for, and it rendered me frail. I burst into tears again and instinctively buried my face in Aldo's broad chest.

He did not resist, kept murmuring words for me to be patient and comforting me. The caresses on my back did not cease. Suddenly I remembered that Aldo had once mentioned problems at my home.

Could it be that what Aldo referred to is related to my mother's death?

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