ODD NUT

With a swift bow, Elvis greeted Iris who in turn responded with a broad soft smile. In her heart, she felt relieved knowing their presence might help curtail her daughter's nausea.

" Didn't know you guys will be here as well." She said with a smile.

Kareen and Elvis weren't so sure of what to say~ they just giggled along. Pearl who caught a glimpse of their nervousness quickly interrupted with an awkward chuckle. She had to get them going to prevent any more queries. They already got a lot on their hand.

" Shouldn't we be looking for our seats, mum?" She intuitively drew her attention. " It's started already."

With that, Iris quickly, yet majestically led the way. The three took a swift glance at each  other with Pearl tapping on her watch. " We got to hurry up...we're running late." She loud whispered and the latter two nodded in affirmation as they paced after Iris.

The small chapel was already filling up, despite the early hour. Groups of people huddled in hushed conversations, their breath fogging in the chill air. In the front row, a couple sat alone, the woman's shoulders shaking with silent sobs while the man who was stoic in his grief tried to console her. They were Scarlet's parents.

Seeing them instantly wrecked Pearl's heart~ losing a loved one was the hardest encounter one could ever endure. Elvis, who was swift to notice, gently nudged her on the shoulder which made her glance up at him. With a gentle squeeze, he inaudibly consoled her. Kareen laid a soft tap on her lap as they settled in.

A few rows back, two men sat with their heads bowed, their expressions grim. As more people filed in, the chapel began to feel claustrophobic. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and grief. Just when the doors at the chapel opened, a hush fell over the crowd–their mournful, yet apologetic gazes accompanied the pale, disheartened young man who was driven in, in his wheelchair. Even though Pearl wasn't so sure of his identity, his appearance brought tears to her eyes.

" That's him... Caleb Parker. Their wedding was the day after the accident. Can't imagine what he's going through now." She heard a woman explain to a friend, a few seats away from them. The tears she held back silently tripped down her eyes. Pearl could understand clearly how unbearable it is.

Caleb seated over Scarlet's casket~ he felt his heart wrecking in pieces with every minute as the minister carried on with the funeral. His mind was lost in memories; his face was hidden behind a veil of tears. He thought back to the first time he had ever seen Scarlet. Celia and Celine who flanked over their brother were no different but stoic.

As the eulogy progressed to the end, Pearl had forgotten about the competition. It was almost time to take the casket to the cemetery and time for her to be at the venue of the competition. Just when the thought hit her, her phone rang~ It was Miss Valery.

Pearl panicked, her gaze instinctively traveling to Kareen and Elvis who immediately understood.

" My head..." She moans with a groan as she clutched her head. " I feel dizzy.." Her forehead gradually broke out in cold sweat. Pearl had in mind not to cause a scene to catch the attention of their fellow mourners. But her mother's frantic worry brought quite several stares. Elvis and Kareen quickly took hold of the situation and opted to help take her out.

Caleb who took notice from the distance wasn't so pleased and Pearl caught up on it. Their eyes met and he instinctively knew she was just feigning pretense.

" I'm so sorry.." He read the words from her lips. This made him upset~ he felt she was just mocking his agony. He hurtfully watched their backs disappear out of the chapel.

" We'll be moving to the cemetery for the final part..." Pearl, Kareen, and Elvis heard the minister announce behind.

******************

" I'll be right there, Ma'am.." Pearl said over the phone as she grabbed a bag from the back seat of Kareen's car. " I'll be right back, guys...got to change up first." She shouted as she sped off to the restroom, shoving the phone over to Elvis.

Pearl was returning from the restroom when she involuntary ran into Caleb in the hallway. He was all alone this time. Guilt instinctively rushed over her face and she felt sorry for her actions earlier on.

" Um..." She stammered as she involuntarily sucked her teeth. " Well, I didn't mean to cause such a scene but I had my reasons...hope you understand ." She tried to patch things but Caleb was so cold. He just rolled past her with a blank gaze.

" Hey..! You can't just roll off like that~" She called, staring at his back. " I understand your sorrow but at least say something..." She tried to reason but Caleb angrily roared at her.

" Am I a fool to you?~ Oh, or my situation looks funny enough for you to just make fun of me." He guffed which left Pearl frozen and speechless for a moment. " All humans are the same. Hypocritically mourning with you, but laughing behind your back."

With a swift cynical chuckle, she asked. " What do you mean by that?~ I didn't mean to be rude if that's what you termed my action but you're going way beyond my politeness, young man. I hope we never cross paths ever again. Have a nice day."

Without further words from each other, Pearl huddled off. She felt hurt and insulted by his words. He's one hot-headed and odd-nut dude she had ever come across.

" What kept you in there?" Elvis queried just when she settled in the back seat.

" Nothing so important~ let's just go." She said with quite an upset tone. " Such a jerk.." She guffed.

Kareen and Elvis who noticed how edged she was, decided to let sleeping dogs lie. They knew there was something more to it than what she said but heightening further might make issues worse. She's already having a tough day with all that's going on ~ stressing her out similarly wouldn't help either.

" Let's get going, Elvis... Just a few minutes more left." With that said, their car soon hit the main road at quite a speed.

GRAVEYARD

As the coffin was slowly lowered into the ground, Caleb's eyes remained glued without even batting an eye. Fighting the urge to break down completely, he watched the first shovel full of dirt hit the wood, then the second, and it continued.

" Farewell, my love," he mumbled with a shaking voice as he threw down a flower into her grave. His sisters couldn't hold back their tears either~ with a tear-stained faces, they turned away from the grave along with Caleb.

As they walked back to the car, Caleb could hear the sound of the shovels ringing in the silence. It was a sound that would stay with him for a long time.