They were going to suffer the same fate, but much worse, I said to myself.
---------------------------------------------
Mom wanted us to bury Dad's body behind the house.
His body was dark.
I hated seeing him that way. I still do every time I remember.
Debbie was ok and was asleep now. The shock of everything that had happened took a mighty toll on her.
Behind the house, Mom had managed to dig a grave all by herself. How strong was she anyways?
She was always amazing whenever we trained with Dad, but I never really thought much about it until now.
Come to think of it. Was our family really just ordinary, or did Mom and Dad make it seem so?
Mom covered his body with a white cloth.
Mom: Help me carry him.
I nodded.
After covering up the grave, we stood there watching.
I looked at Mom and noticed she was deep in thoughts with a frown on her face.
What was she thinking?
I looked away and stared at the grave.
I began to have flashbacks of our happy days. Dad's joy and eagerness to hug us whenever he came back from work.
He gave Mom a sweet kiss each time he came. I always enjoyed seeing how happy they were. The love in his eyes for all of us was so evident in everything he did. I always had a feeling Dad loved Mom more than she did.
I'm not saying she didn't, but Dad just had a unique way in his approach to things, which I found to be extraordinary. I wanted to be like him when I grew up. I was fourteen then. Debbie was just eight.
He was a strong man, no doubt, with some quite handsome features. He was tall, a bit muscular with six-pack abs, and beautifully toned skin. Oh, I loved my dad. His voice was deep but sultry. What I loved most about him was how he handled situations. He knew when to be hard and when to be soft. He defended us when we got into trouble but also knew how to rebuke us when we were wrong.
A dream man, one will say. He was the standard for me.
We loved him dearly. The outings we went on. The vacations we spent together, the games played. All the laughter we shared. Everything was gone now.
The family wouldn't be the same without him. The thought hurt me to my core. Why us? We did nothing to deserve this. My heart was shattered. Nothing could explain how I felt.
Me: We are alone now, aren't we?
I asked no one in particular
Me: Rest well, Dad. I'm going to miss you.
Mom: Let's go back inside.
Without waiting for my response, she turned to leave.
That tone....
I slapped the door behind me. Now I needed some answers.
Me: Now I need some answers. Who were those men, Mom?
She stopped in her tracks but was silent.
Me: I said, who were those men?
I asked again, this time at the top of my voice.
She turned to face me, and I saw the surprised look on her face. This was the first time I had spoken to her at the top of my voice and with so much sternness.
I was angry.
Then I saw it again, that lack of emotion.
I didn't believe my eyes the first time, but I guess I wasn't wrong after all.
There was something amiss. This side of my mom wasn't known to me. It was cold. A big contrast to the warmth that exuded from her.
Yet I wasn't going to back down. I needed answers, and Mom's demeanor right now wasn't helping.
Me: Answer me. Who were those men, and why did they want Dad dead?
Mom: That's not for you to know. Go to your room.
That was it. I was furious.
Me: You have got to be kidding me. Some unknown men come into our home with the sole purpose of killing Dad, and all you can say is, Go to your room? I am going nowhere till you answer me.
Tell me what the hell is going on, or are you just going to pretend like nothing is going on huh, Mom?"
Mom: ....
Haaa..... How did it get to this?
I guess you are right. I am sorry, Juno.
I know we shouldn't have kept it from you, but you and Debbie are still kids. This was something your dad and I wanted to take care of without involving you kids.
We did think of opening up, especially to you, Juno, since you were the oldest. But it just wasn't the right time.
Your father and I love you girls so much, and you know that. We decided to wait a while longer. At least till we know you are safe.
Me: Are you still going to wait, now that he is dead?
Mom: ...
Me: I demand to know the truth, Mom. Who would want to kill Dad, and for what reason? What wrong did he commit?
At this moment, I was fuming. I never knew I had this much anger within me. It was scary even to me, but I was way too triggered to even care. I needed answers.
Me: I'm not a baby anymore, Mom. For God's sake, just tell me already. What is the essence of keeping it from me anymore? Dad is dead already. Are you going to wait till I die too, huh?
Is that what you want? Tell me, is that what you want?
Mom stared at me. I didn't know what she was thinking, but it looked as if she was contemplating.
Mom: Alright.
Me: .....
I was stunned. I didn't think she'd give in that easily. I was ready for the exchange. Now I had no idea what to do with the anger boiling within me. I wanted to vent and punch something hard.
I think Mom noticed.
Mom: Come with me.
Me: .....
I followed her to the backyard, which was partly destroyed by the blast.
But where was she taking me? I wondered.
We then appear before a single door that was attached to the house. Why didn't I notice this before?
In any case, it did look strange. It was imbedded perfectly with the building, like it was a part of the wall. I guess the reason I didn't notice it was because, from far off, you wouldn't think of it as a door to begin with.
The only thing that stood out was the Matryoshka doll designed at where the handle should be.
Mom turned to look at me. The seriousness on her face made me swallow. My anger turned to nervousness.
Mom: Juno, I ....