~
[The sky is overcast, the gray clouds hanging low as a light drizzle falls over the cemetery. The air is heavy with the scent of wet earth, and the sound of soft rain hitting the ground fills the silence. A small gathering of family and close friends are huddled together near Jude’s graveside. The funeral is simple, yet deeply emotional.]
Rento
[Rento, dressed in a small black suit, standing beside Ainsley, who holds his hand tightly. His eyes are wide, taking in everything around him, though he doesn’t fully understand what’s happening. His little fingers clutch the edge of Ainsley’s coat, seeking comfort.]
Rento
"Auntie… where’s Daddy going?"
Ainsley Alfonso
[Ainsley’s voice cracks, and she quickly wipes away a tear before it falls. She looks down at Rento, her heartbreaking at the sight of his confused face. She kneels down beside him, trying to hold herself together for his sake.]
Ainsley Alfonso
(whispering):
"Daddy loved you so much, Rento. He’s with Mommy now. They’re together."
Rento
[Rento’s brow furrows as he processes the words. His young mind can’t fully grasp the finality of it all, but he senses the surrounding sadness. His eyes dart toward the casket, which rests above the open grave.]
Miles Alfonso
[Miles standing at the front of the group, his hand resting on the polished wooden casket. His face is etched with grief, his eyes red and swollen from crying. He’s lost his brother, his best friend, and the weight of it all is suffocating. The words he had prepared for this moment seem meaningless now, trapped in his throat.]
Miles Alfonso
[ Unable to speak, he keeps his head hung low with tears flowing]....
Ainsley Alfonso
[Tears begin to roll down his cheeks, and he steps back, unable to continue. Ainsley takes a deep breath and approaches, placing her hand on Miles' shoulder, her own face pale and tear-streaked.]
[The priest steps forward to say the final prayers. The crowd listens in silence, the sound of the rain intensifying as the casket is slowly lowered into the ground. Rento, still clutching Ainsley’s coat, watches with wide eyes as the box disappears into the earth. His small voice breaks the silence.]
Rento
(whispering, almost to himself):
"Daddy’s going to sleep… but he’ll come back, right?"
Ainsley Alfonso
[Ainsley squeezes his hand, her heart aching as she tries to find the right words.]
Ainsley Alfonso
(whispering, voice trembling):
"No, Rento… Daddy’s not coming back."
Rento
No!..I wan- wanna be with him.... Leave my hands I am going to go with him. (With tears in his eyes)
Why does everyone leave me, am I so bad. I didn't even have my mother with me till now...and my father also left me.
Rento
[Rento’s lip quivers, his young mind trying to piece together the meaning of death. He doesn’t cry—not yet. But the weight of the day sits heavy on his small shoulders.]
[The funeral ends, and the crowd begins to disperse. People offer quiet condolences, patting Miles on the back or embracing Ainsley, but the words feel hollow. They stand at the graveside, watching as the first shovel of dirt is thrown over the casket. The soft thud of earth against wood reverberates through the silence.]
[Rento standing a few feet away from the grave, holding his stuffed animal tightly. He’s too young to understand the permanence of death, but he feels the surrounding sadness. He glances up at Ainsley, then over at Miles, who is staring blankly into the grave, lost in his grief.]
Rento
(softly):
"I miss Daddy."
Ainsley Alfonso
(Tears in her eyes)
Ainsley Alfonso
[She pulls him into a tight embrace, her tears wetting his hair as she struggles to hold herself together. Rento, still confused, rests his head against her shoulder, his small hands clutching her tightly.]
Miles Alfonso
[Miles standing by the grave long after everyone has left. The rain has slowed to a drizzle, and the cemetery is quiet. He stares down at the fresh mound of dirt, his heart heavy with the finality of it all. He pulls out a photograph of him and Jude, taken years ago when they were younger, smiling and carefree.]
Miles Alfonso
(softly, voice thick with emotion):
"I’m going to take care of him, Jude. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆"
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