Capítulo 51: FUNERAL

It's a cliché scene when the funeral procession takes place. All were wearing black clothes, giving white flowers, singing sad worship songs, and sharing tears. No different from the consolation service atmosphere before they put Rafael's coffin into the grave. Several of Jasmine's relatives and colleagues were filling the church. University friends to family in the village. They provide mental support for the woman.

"Please have a drink," said Ameera. The teenage girl gave the guests mineral water and candy so they wouldn't feel bored waiting for a pause before the continuation of Rafael's burial.

There was only one person who mourned from Rafael's side. A woman, this man has no family, nor friends or colleagues. Women in all black clothes, wide hats of the same color, also black brocade gloves. She is gorgeous, standing tall with perfect posture.

One by one, the mourners gave a white rose to Rafael's coffin. Until the woman's turn, she put a flower stalk, not a rose, but a bunch of jasmine flowers.

Jasmine was standing with puffy eyes in front of Rafael's coffin, looked confused by the flowers she gave him.

"Jasmine, isn't his wife's name Jasmine? I gave Rafael's favorite flower, Jasmine," she said with a smile.

"Thank you for coming. What is your relationship with my husband, Miss? I don't think my husband has any friends or relatives at all." Jasmine turned her head, the two of them stared at each other. The woman's eyes were also puffy as if she had just finished crying too.

"My name is Regina. I'm just a veterinarian. I happen to know her. She is often at my vet." Regina nodded in greeting. Jasmine nodded back. Veterinary? As far as she remembered, Rafael had never kept an animal.

After that brief conversation, Regina left the church. The consolation mass led by Father Albert has ended. Jasmine carried a photo of Rafael in front of the coffin, led to the graveyard. Jasmine's tears fell again, her eyes red and puffy. Several times Jasmine had almost fainted, but the woman held it in her last respects to her late husband.

[You are my world, El. Every time I see you, my world will stop turning because my eyes and feet are only on you,] Jasmine thought as she walked out of the church. Behind her, Rafael stretched stiffly in the dark white wooden coffin decorated with the sign of the cross above the lid.

[Now that you're gone, we no longer walk in the same world. And I've lost my world, El. What should I do so I can find you again? Where are you going, El? Tell me! Where did you go so I could see my world again?] Jasmine sobbed, her tears falling profusely as the coffin descended the grave.

"Please, Miss Jasmine. You must pour the soil first." Father Albert put a shovel of dirt into Jasmine's hand.

Jasmine could not contain the pain in her heart as she sprinkled the dirt into the grave. Jasmine collapsed, Ameera immediately caught her sister. The girl was just as devastated. Just as she couldn't hold back the tears anymore, Ameera was crying too.

Jasmine roared in her sister's arms as they began to fill up the burrow containing Rafael's body with dirt. Jasmine couldn't help but feel suffocated when she had to imagine Rafael wailing alone under the cold and darkness of the graveyard.

"Why did you leave me, El?? There's still a lot of things I want to tell you. There's still a lot of things I want to do with you. There's still a lot I want to share with you. Huhuhu....!" The cry of loss echoed through the ceiling, to the dismay of anyone who heard it. Her mother and sister continued to hug Jasmine tightly, trying to give her strength.

It didn't take long, and they completely covered the ground until it forms a slightly wet mound of red earth. Some mourners began to sprinkle flowers before dispersing.

Only Jasmine remained. She was with her mother and sister. They sat beside the grave. Jasmine trembled when she touched the brown mound; her sobs began to dissipate, replaced with lip quivering and tightness. A sense of guilt and loss gripped Jasmine's heart. She felt she could not be a good woman, let alone a perfect wife for Rafael.

"Let's go home, Dear."

"What if it rains, Mom? Will Rafael shiver in the cold down there?" Jasmine shook her head.

"Rafael is at peace in heaven, Jas. He doesn't feel pain anymore, let alone the cold." Her mother smiled. She stroked Jasmine's arm so that her daughter would give up her loss.

"Sister Rafael wants you to live happily, Sis." Ameera helped to calm Jasmine. Finally, Jasmine nodded, she gave up. Not only her heart ached, but her body also felt very sore and painful. All night she sat beside Rafael's coffin. All night she accompanied him while reminiscing about the story of meeting and how Jasmine struggled in pursuing Rafael's love. Now her body feels crushed, sore. Her eyes are also painful and sore from crying too much.

"Farewells, my love." Jasmine kissed the new wooden headstone. The smell of the print that wrote Rafael's name was still evident. (Goodbye, My Love.)

Leonardo stood quite a distance away. He looked at Jasmine. His heart ached when he saw Jasmine cry. Is it true that the cold, cruel, and arrogant man began to feel the pain of loving someone?

"Let's go back to the office." Invite Leonardo, Kato, who was standing beside him, nodded.

-- MI VOLAS VIN --

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