Funeral

After

numerous rides at the amusement park in this hot summer, Saffran is feeling

like he's dying. On the other hand Norman is having the fun of his life. Norman

didn't even shower, as he stinks of food. But he doesn't even care. Right now he's

talking with his father under the big umbrella and eating ice cream. They both

are wearing micky mouse head band which Saffran finds funny. Norman though

looks cute with it. The open roof restaurant is making him feel worse. He feels

like puking. It's almost 5 PM but the lingering heat of sun is still here.

"Can we

leave now?" Saffran says almost crying. His dad looks at him worriedly. "If

you're feeling that ill then we're leaving now." Saffran looks at Norman

silently praying for a yes. "Saff....the sun is setting. It's the perfect time

for riding Ferris wheel." He gives his best puppy eyes. Saffran groans. "I

can't ride anything anymore." "Norman. He's feeling unwell." Saffran's dad

tries to convince him. Norman looks at his ice cream sadly. Looking at Norman's

dejected look Saffran can't even deny him. So he agrees for the last time.

"This is the last one we're riding." Norman's face lightens up. "Okay."

After the

long line of waiting and sweating Saffran and Norman gets in the Ferris wheel.

Saffran's dad stayed back saying it's for the kids. He only rode the roller

coaster with them. Norman practically dragged Saffran to every ride.

Saffran was

constantly drinking lemonade as he was feeling like throwing up. When the Ferris

wheel starts to spin Norman squeals loudly. "You're this happy to ride a Ferris

wheel?" Saffran asks sipping his lemonade. "More than you can imagine! I never rode

one!" Norman says looking outside. He grabs his phone and clicks pictures.

"Oh my god

Saff! We're on the top!" Norman expectantly looks at him. "So?" Saffran can see

Norman's imaginary dog ears droop. "Umm...it's really romantic kissing at the

top of-" "Shut up. We're not doing that shit." Norman's lips tremble. He can

feel the hurt of his heart physically. He tries hard to push that sour feelings

away.

Norman

doesn't say anything for the whole ride. When they get down he directly goes to

the open roof restaurant and finds his dad. "Uncle let's leave now." He says

smiling a little. He doesn't want Saffran's dad to know anything. "You enjoyed

it?" Norman nods his head enthusiastically. "Good then." He gets up as Saffran

comes behind. "Let's go home son." He says smiling at him. Saffran stiffens,

anxiousness is visible on his face. He looks at Norman but Norman doesn't look

at him. "Okay." He doesn't wanna go home. And Saffran's dad knows it well.

Saffran

sleeps on Norman's shoulder for the whole ride to home. His face is visibly

green. Norman feels guilty as he was the one insisting Saffran to ride

everything. "He has motion sickness since his childhood." Saffran's dad says

smiling. Norman doesn't say anything. "Norman." Norman looks at the rear view

mirror as Saffran's dad calls him. "How's your mom doing?" Norman gets taken

aback. "She's fine. She's doing a nursing job a the local health centre." When Norman's

dad died, Saffran was the first person he told. "That's good."  When the car stops in front of Norman's house

Norman shakes Saffran lightly.

Saffran gets

up running his eyes. "I'm going. See you tomorrow." Saffran just nods.

"Bye uncle. I'm

so grateful for today. It was so much fun." Saffran's dad indicates him to come

near the window. When Norman does so he leans forward and kisses on his

forehead. Norman blushes with wide eyes holding the kissed place. "I'm glad.

Whenever you need me, I'm one call away."

Norman

enters the house with a bright smile on his face. But his smile falters when he

sees his mother is sitting on the sofa, phone in one hand and tears in her

eyes. "Mom! What happened?" Norman panics thinking his mom lost the job or

something. "Honey you remember that Mary grandma from Riverside?" Norman nods

his head. "She died from heart attack." Norman gasps. That old lady practically

raised his mom. She is his mom's aunt. "Mom. Don't cry." Norman hugs his

mother. "Baby. We need to leave tonight for Riverside. My cousins will hold the

funeral tomorrow." "But I have school." "I'll talk with your teacher. We have

to stay there for a week." Norman doesn't have any problem. He can take the

pending notes from Raven or his other classmates. Bit he's gonna miss a certain

pretty boy with evergreen eyes. 

After a nice

shower Norman messages everyone including Saffran of his today's departure. He

gets instants replies from Raven and Sara but Saffran isn't active on messenger.

Guess he is too much tired. Norman hopes he's okay.

Norman

starts to pack his bag after dressing up. He is so tired that he just wants to

sleep the night away but he has to travel now. Norman is not as sad as him mom

but he feels down a little. After packing he drags his suitcase outside of his

room. "You ready? I've found the cheapest tickets of local bus. We need to

leave now." Norman nods helping his mom with her suitcase.

.......