The Funeral - Part 3

"Leo, we have to go back to the orphanage.", Darion reminded him.

It's not as if Darion was trying to leave the old lady behind. He just wanted to tell Leo not to take too much time. Also, he had business to attend to as well – nature's call. He barely had time for himself so it was understandable. But Leo ended up misunderstanding it.

"It's okay, uncle. You can go back first."

Darion looked at him and unwillingly let go of the old lady. He had been watching the old lady and Leo's interaction for some time, and he decided that Leo would be safe with the old lady.

Yes, he wasn't worried about Leo's safety. It was as if the old lady could protect him if something were to go wrong.

Regardless, he had to go and attend nature's call.

"Alright. But make sure you go back soon.", Darion reminded Leo as he walked away from the graveyard himself. Of course, he wasn't exactly going to let Leo be alone even if the old lady was present.

He would quickly go and return after finishing his business. He thought about keeping a watch on him from afar instead of making it obvious that he was observing him.

Leo held onto the old lady's left arm and walked back toward Leko's grave.

When they reached there, the old lady immediately fell to her knees and sobbed.

"No- this can't be. Leko, how could you leave me?", the old lady wailed as she looked at the name inscribed on the gravestone.

Leo merely stood by her, sharing her sadness. There was nothing he could do to cheer her up.

"Boy, did you know, Leko and I shared plenty of fond memories together? He was always talking to me about the orphans and the orphanage he was running, keeping me entertained. Now that he's dead, who's going to entertain an old lady like me?"

"Never did he leave me. And every time he visited me, he would be ready with a new tale."

"He was someone who only cared about others…"

"His talks…"

Leo bit his lower lip. He knew that the old lady missed Leko and will continue to miss him further in the future.

"It's okay, grandma. I can come over to your house anytime to keep you company.", he said as he smiled to lighten her mood.

He had already said to do so earlier, so he was just repeating himself.

"I cannot be Sir Leko's…"

"Ahem, I can't be father's replacement, but I can at least keep you company.", he said.

The old lady's shoulders quivered.

"Thank you, boy. But just like you said, your company wouldn't be like that of Leko's…"

Leo kept quiet. It was not as if he could deny his words that were repeated by the old lady.

"I lost a friend and you lost your father. Don't you feel even the slightest bit of anger? Don't you want to punish those who pushed Leko to death doors?", she asked as her hands shivered and her eyes turned red, probably because of anger and crying.

Leo paused at her statement. He did feel a bit angry, in fact, he could feel the rage growing every second. And at the back of his mind, he did want to punish those people who pushed Leko right to his death.

Nonetheless, he was not expecting the old lady to say that. She seemed like a harmless and docile old lady, why did she suddenly suggest Leo do such a thing?

The old lady shook her head and said, "Then again, Leko will be sad to see you killing others. Forget I ever said that."

The old lady continued sobbing in front of Leko's grave. Leo looked at her with pity.

The old lady must have been best of friends with Leko because as time passed by, her sobs got louder and louder.

Leo couldn't do anything but watch her from the side, supporting her so that she does not fall to the ground.

After some time, Leo felt the night turning colder and colder by the minute. He shivered a bit and realized the old lady didn't have a coat on or was there anything that she covered herself with. Leo became increasingly worried for the old lady.

"Grandma, we should go home now. Too much exposure to the cold is not good for you, and you're not wearing anything thick either…", Leo gently persuaded the old lady.

The old lady continued crying.

"Say, boy. Do you think Leko is happy up there?"

"…"

"Yes, I believe Father is really happy. When he was alive, he did plenty of good deeds for everyone."

A sad smile etched on the old lady's face as she said, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Yes, grandma."

"We really should go now. Father won't rest in peace if he knew you had gotten yourself sick because of crying in front of his resting place.", Leo replied as he slowly pulled the old lady up.

The old lady obediently stood up. She was still feeling very downcast, but Leo was right. She couldn't disappoint her dead friend.

Together, the both of them walked towards the old lady's house. It took a while, considering the condition of the old lady's legs. However, Leo patiently accompanied her, all the way to her house.

"Boy, you can leave now. I can take care of myself.", the old lady said as they reached her house after walking a little.

"Are you sure, grandma? Do you have enough wood to keep your fireplace burning the entire night? Or should I get some for you?", Leo worried.

It was a sign of good manners to ask the elders this. Leo knew that and asked. Also, he was genuinely concerned about her. She was old, and if she thought something more about Leko and his death, that pained her a lot more, then she might end up being prone to heart attack or cardiac arrest.