Chapter 10 First Death

["Ahh. Reverie? Its unusual seeing you here on the juniors floor."

She halts and glances inside a classroom. "I was brought here. I heard a junior in our school was a drug addict so they brought me to take a glimpse of him."

"Did you see him?"

"Yes. I did. And I'm sure he isn't an addict."

"How can you tell?"

"I just can."]

It was tiring today. I didn't expect Ms Yana would suspect me to have drugs. Now its all-over at school. Even Eclise got involved.

I pull out the keys and find many people gathered outside Mrs Eilin's house.

I wonder what's wrong.

I peek inside her home and hear a trail of sobbing noises. The neighbouring aunties have all gathered in mourn.

I ask a boy who silently stands near the entrance. "What happened? Why is everyone crying?"

"Eilin Mins passed away this morning."

"What?!" I cover my lips and widen my eyes. Mrs Eilin died?! "How did this happen?"

He walks away. I guess he doesn't want to talk to me. I took a glimpse of her dead body while others murmured around me.

"They are holding her funeral tonight."

"Her sons came back?"

"It all happened in one day, which is almost unbelievable."

"Are you sure it isn't the lady next door? You know.. she came before with a knife once."

"She's highly suspicious but I doubt so. Mrs Eilin doesn't have any wound marks."

"She died a natural death." It is Mrs Eilin's husband. He stands up and tells other women. "Will you ladies please leave for a while. We need some time to prepare for her funeral."

I see the ladies chattering as they leave.

Her husband, the other two boys and I remained.

I guess those two boys are her sons. "Mr Mins. I'm very sorry for your loss." I hang my head lower.

"You must be.."

"Sain."

"You're Sain?" He remembers. "Ohh. I've heard a lot about you from Eilin. She really used to cherish you, you know."

"Yes. I know."

He grabs my shoulders and starts to weep.

"I don't know how I'll manage without her!"

I look at his sons standing at the back with astonishment on their faces.

"Please uncle. You must pull yourself together. This must be a hard time for you and you still have your sons."

"Yes. You're right." He sniffles. "I still have my sons. I need to get back on my feet."

I gently touch his arms that leave my shoulders.

"I need to.." he looks around. "Arrange for her funeral. There's a lot to.." he tumbles. His younger son and I grasp him so that he doesn't fall and help him sit on a chair.

I'm not sure if I should say this in the presence of his children but it is stuck at the tip of my tongue and I don't feel good about it.

"U.. uncle." I make sure so that I don't meet their eyes. "If you want I can help you arrange her funeral."

He looks up at me. "No. I heard your mother is sickly. You should go back to her. Come back once her funeral has started."

I said what I had to. The rest depends on them. And I'd hate to interfere more.

I step in my house and lock the door behind me.