7 7 THE FINAL GOODBYES

The next day Damien came to help with the discharge procedures as he was asked by Suraj. Whilst Lily helped Carmila get her things and helped her on the wheelchair, they headed straight for the elevator and went to the ground floor. At the reception they saw Suraj and Damien waiting for Carmila.

30 minutes after all the formalities and discharge procedures were done they stepped out of the hospital where a Bentley was parked out front waiting for them, upon seeing them the chauffeur quickly got out and hurried to open the doors for them.

Both Damien and Suraj helped Carmila into the car, Suraj took the wheelchair and folded it and placed it in the trunk of the car, Lily came to say her farewells "Mila I'll definitely miss you, please do take care of yourself. If ever I'm on holiday break I'll come visit you. Remember that you're strong, alright?" She held her hand and gently caressed it. During the short time that Carmila was at the hospital Lily and her became close friends. Carmila smiles "Thank you for being by my side these past few days, you'll most certainly be welcome to visit my home. I'll keep you on your words. Keep my contacts safe." And that's how the two parted ways.

When the two said their farewells Damien took the front passenger seat and Suraj accompanied Carmila in the back seats. They made their way straight for the airport.

When they arrived at the airport Suraj got out to get the wheelchair for Carmila, Damien went straight for the check-in counter, the driver got the luggage and followed behind Suraj who was pushing Carmila.

They reached the counter a few minutes later and Damien assisted them with everything necessary, at this time Carmila was still confused by Damien's presence and assistance, she kept on wondering why a complete stranger would help her. At this same time Damien was calling out to her but she was still lost in thought, only when she was nudged by Suraj on the shoulder.

She regained her thoughts and hummed a simple "Huh!" Damien went on to say "Are you feeling any sort of discomfort or any pain so that we can get you into the first class cabin?" She simply shook her head. Suraj later said out of concern "I think it's just best that we should get first class just in case, and also a first aid kit handy with medication" he suggested.

Damien finished with the remaining procedures and then went to the waiting lounge. Whilst they sat there Carmila subconsciously stared at Damien who was going over some details with Suraj. She looked at him and started to notice some similarities in him that Jessie had but still wondered why he'd been so kind towards her, Damien noticed her staring at him and asked "Carmila is everything alright? You seem rather distracted" Carmila looked straight into his dark green eyes that resembled a rainforest and mumbled a plain "I'm fine, I was just carried away" Damien didn't take it to heart and continued talking to Suraj, whilst they were talking an announcement was made that passengers for flight B460 were to go through Gate A45 for boarding on the plane to Vianden, Luxembourg.

Damien helped to pick up Carmila's hand luggage and Suraj's briefcase, he accompanied them to the gate "Well Mr Suraj I guess I'll be seeing you soon when I get back to Vianden after the sermons here. Please send my regards to both families" he said to Suraj and turned to Carmila and squatted "Carmila do take care of yourself, when I get back to Vianden in two weeks time I'll come by and check on you to see your improvements. You need to be strong and live a happy life, I'm sure that's what Jessie would've wanted. I may not have gotten the opportunity to meet him but I'm sure that he was a fantastic person and that's probably what he'd want for you. Promise me that you won't spend days brooding but rather healing and taking another step in your life."

A strand of her hair was just in front of her face and he gently pushed it back behind her ear and then held her hand and went on to say "Do you promise me that?" She was firstly startled then regained her senses and nodded indifferently "I'll do my best, do come by when you're free" she gave him a gentle smile that sent his heart into a frenzy.

That was the second time he'd felt this way but why? He barely knew her but she caused his emotions to stir uncontrollably for some unknown reason. He then stood up and shaked hands with Suraj and watched as they went forward to the immigration checkpoint. As though on impulse he looked at Carmila, she happened to be staring back at him, their eyes locked for about 15 seconds before she turned away and looked ahead.

He stood their for another 5 mins and turned to leave. When they boarded the plane, Suraj helped Carmila into a comfortable position on her seat and took his place too.

The flight was exhausting and almost restless for Carmila, after 14 long hours the plane landed.

Carmila was assisted by one of the friendly flight attendants whilst Suraj stepped off the plane to get her wheelchair ready. Suraj pushed her towards the lounge where they collected their luggage and it was pushed by an assistant that came to help them noticing their situation, when they went towards the waiting area they spotted Carmila's father John and her younger brother Micaelo standing to welcome them.

With tears brimming in all their eyes, John and Micaelo walked towards and hugged Carmila simultaneously making her short of breath after 5 minutes and then one after the other hugged Suraj as he was like a brother to John and an uncle to his kids. It was The longest 10 minutes of their lives it was a really grave feeling for all of them.

John explained that he would be going to the cargo floor to retrieve the coffin as Jessie's father had already headed there, he left his daughter and friend in the care of his son.

On their way to the carports the mood was quiet, no one spoke as everyone's silence was already a conversation. How were they to console and comfort a newlywed turned widow in a short span of time whilst they awaited for their father, the two siblings looked at each other with concern, to others you'd think they were just staring at each other but they were actually having a silent conversation, the younger brother comforting his older sister reassuring her that he was standing by her in this difficult moment.

15 minutes later John appeared with Alex beside him, John had an arm on Alex's shoulder comforting him. When they came closer to the car Alex greeted Carmila and hugged her tightly only letting go after some time, he put a hand beside her head and asked "How've you been doing?" Carmila who's eyes were swollen and red looked up at him and mustered a heartbroken "I don't know what to feel, I lost my best friend, my love and everything." She hugged her father in law and cried even more letting her heart out.

Six days later

The funeral took place on a Friday morning as friends, family and colleagues came to pay their last respects. Others approached the grave with funeral wreaths and flowers placing them in front of Jessie's tombstone. The priest asked if anyone one would like to say a few words before they parted and said the family would like them to pass by the house for some tea and biscuits after the service.

Just as Carmila's father in law was about to step forward Carmila spoke up, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support throughout our time of mourning, you all made us feel loved. Today I come and say goodbye to the only love I ever knew. He was my world and my everything we'd been through a lot even unto his last days of life who would've know that we'd never get the opportunity to be together for long after our wedding ceremony. I recall everything that happened, despite that it happened so fast. Today I ask God to give peace unto his soul, I know that he is watching as we honour his memory today, I still feel that I can't let go of the tragedy that took him away from us, sometimes I wonder if we hadn't left in a rush for our honeymoon if he'd still be alive but we can't foresee what will happen to us. Jessie was a great man, full of life and very cheerful, he was gentle and caring despite his look of indifference he carried on his face at times, he was out going and always caring about others those that knew him could testify of this. All those things will only be a memory after today. I loved him, I love him and I'll always love him, he will be my guardian angel even from beyond. As today we say our final goodbyes, I want him to know that I'll be strong for him no matter what, I won't let his hard work disappear without a trace, I will take all the unfinished projects at hand and in memory dedicate my life to him." After saying these words she rushed to her father and hugged him tightly until everyone left the cemetery.