Chapter 11 Funeral

I look down and watch my footsteps. In my hands I hold a white tulip. I could only afford one flower.

People are staring at me. Is it because I'm wearing my school uniform? I don't have any other dress more suitable for funerals.

"Why does he look beaten up?"

I gasp.

Mr Mins comes and pats my shoulder. I can see the terror in his eyes.

"What… happened to you.. Sain?"

"Uuuhh." I raise my taped palm and scratch the back of my neck. "I guess I tumbled and fell from the stairs."

"You.. your mother didn't come?"

"Eeer. As you know she's sickly."

He says nothing and steps back.

I kneel and put the flower on her corpse.

With a sorrowful expression, I say. "You were a good woman, Mrs Eilin. I wished you could be a good friend for mom. How unfortunate."

I stand up and walk all the way to the back. I guess I'll stay until all the guests leave? But I also have midterms coming up. I sigh.

Before I came to the funeral I recall returning to my home.

"Mom!"

She held a glass of water in her hand. She stalled upon hearing me.

"Mom! Did you know! The auntie next door died this morning!"

She dropped the glass from her hand and glared at me. I walked closer to her and she walked backwards.

"What's wrong mom?"

"Ugh! Ngh!" She shook her head left and right.

"Its alright. You don't have to be scared. I'm not going to leave you. No one is coming to take you away."

She groaned and shrieked with her piercing voice. I clasped my right palm against her mouth.

"Shh. Shh! Mom! Don't scream!"

She bit my flesh and I grunted in agony.

"Ugh!"

She flailed her hands and struggled. I tried to stop her but she shoved me away. I collapsed on the floor and she kicked on my guts. After a while she also collapsed on her knees and started to punch me. Her nails were long and they scratched my skin. She hit me until her eyes flushed out tears. Soon enough she calmed down and I sit up.

The inside of my cheek is cut. I can get the alkaline taste. I wiped the blood off my lips. She crawled back and started to slap herself.

Anxiously I embraced her.

"Its alright mom. You don't have to be scared. Nothing is your fault. You don't have to regret it."

"Sain."

I tilt my head. "Oh. Landlord." I stand straight. "I'm sorry we are causing so much trouble. But we can't afford to rent another house right away. I would appreciate it if you gave us a few months' time."

"Oh no. Its okay, you can stay."

My face brightens up.

"You can stay. The person who complained isn't here anymore and I particularly don't have any problem as long as you pay my rent. Just make sure that your mother doesn't scream so often."

Bashfully I reply. "Yes. We won't cause you any trouble. I'm very thankful."

"You're too polite." He leaves.

As most of the guests leave, I sit next to a boy. We don't talk to each other for a while until he says. "You seem close to my parents."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"I warned mom to not let any strangers inside her home. But will she ever listen?!"

"Excuse me?"

He looks at me. "I didn't mean it for you." He wheezes. "In any case, thank you for treating my parents well." He leaves.

I think I should leave too. Tomorrow I have my last class before the exam.