She could remember the last time she came down the stairs wearing black. It was her mother's funeral at that time. She had him. He was her rock even though she didn't want to be there. He supported her even though he treated her badly. He made a promise to her- to make things better. So why was she attending his funeral? Why was he gone? Why didn't he keep his promise? Tears slip down her face. Mina adjusted her sunglasses. Her hat position perfectly on her head. Her fingers trail on the handrail.
" You ready?" Naarah asked when her friend got closer to her.
Mina nodded, she turned her gaze to Ellie who was in the arms of her babysitter.
"Mommy would be back baby. She has to deal with something trivial " she murmured to her.
Mina raised her head at the babysitter.
" Protect her, Olivia. Guide her with your life. I won't be long."
Olivia nodded at her. Mina nodded at Naarah and both ladies got out of the house.
****
The priest said the prayers. Mina nibbled with her lips. She looked around and the church was filled with Aaron's men. She didn't want to make the public know he was dead, after all, they had to deal with the French mob. Naarah sobbed silently. Mina could see she wanted to let the tears out but she was keeping them in. She got startled when a warm feeling hovered around her hand. She looked to the side and smiled at Francis. She was grateful he was here with her. She needed all the support she could.
Everyone rose to their feet as the coffin was carried.
" Please let this be a dream," Mina whispered to herself.
She looked at the sky. Any sign that this was a dream and the man she had hated for so long and was starting to love wasn't dead. That her parents were telling him to come back to her because she came back to him.
A tear dropped from her eyes.
" In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
" Amen." the crowd said
The coffin was lowered to the ground. Thunder roared- the rain poured on them as everyone lifted their umbrellas to avoid the rain.
However, she couldn't do the same. She felt numb. He wasn't gone. That was what she told herself. He can't be gone. She needed him. She needed a second chance with him.
Mina looked up again, for a miracle to happen- anything. She was ready for anything except his death. Her hands slipped around her body. Rain poured on her but somehow, it stopped.
" Why did it stop?" she asked herself.
She needed the rain to hide the tears she was trying to hide. She needed the rain to fill the emptiness she was feeling inside.