THE FUNERAL OF MEMORIES

Eztli

Returning home after visiting that ghost town, I had isolated myself in the room from the trauma I suffered. The shit i watched from my own eyes, watching my best friend committing suicide, it was a horrible experience and i never wished it for. That place was one of a hell and Layla was the only one who retaliated by going there. However, we persuaded her and brought her along with us. It was our responsibility to take care of her but we had lost her.

Her family was traumatized after hearing about her sudden death, if it could be an accident, they would have understood but she took her own life. Why did she do that? She was the most lively person among us. She had dreams she wanted to secure and work on them. She never thought of doing such a thing before. What made her do that?

I don't remember how many days were past but I was inside my house and didn't bother to peek through the windows. Everything reminded me how i failed as a best friend.

There was a knock on the door which I tried to ignore but I couldn't. Someone was there, my caretaker, so i stayed silent and ignored their pleas. 

"Baby Ezi, please open the door. How long are you going to isolate yourself." It was mom and i rushed to open the door for her 

"Mom!!!"

"Ezi… look at yourself, what have you done?" She asked me after cupping my face.

"Mom, I have no courage to face this world." I responded.

"When you will stop making yourself guilty for her death? It wasn't expected and neither of you and Andre were aware of her mindset. Her family isn't angry with you either. Stop cursing yourself. Come out and face the world." She patted my shoulders.

"Tomorrow, you have to attend her funeral… please, understand that she was your best friend… if someone else were in your place, they wouldn't be able to help her either." My mom tried to comfort me with words but I knew the truth.

I could have saved her if I tried, but I was sceptical and let it go with the flow. It was too late for us to realise what happened within a fraction of minutes.

"Alright, I will go with you." I agreed to visit my best friend for the last time.

The next day, it was raining outside and this rain made me feel more or more guilty for leaving her alone. 

We stood in the cemetery where her body was in a coffin. I saw her dark face, resting in peace, forever. I wished i had a chance to reverse things, i would have stopped us going to that place.

I spotted her family who were devastated from the grief and loss of their beloved daughter.

"I am sorry, Mr and Mrs Weller… we were careless…" I apologized to them.

"It has no meaning, Eztli. She is gone. But we have forgiven and forgotten everything because that was God's will. Not in the place, it would be something else which must have led her to take such a step. Heaven gained an angel today." Mrs Weller was depressed and I felt more bad for them.

Layla was buried under six feet and the funeral took place. I had nothing to say even when i had so much to spill. Except for the tears, nothing came out from my body for her. Soon after, people scattered once the funeral ended, everyone left except the family members. It broke my heart to see how easily a dead person was forgettable. 

Layla, you will always be in my memories, even after your funeral.

I was about to leave when Andre approached me. "Ezi, are you okay?" He asked me.

"Can you answer that on your behalf?" I asked him.

He shook his head as a response.

"So am i!" 

"It was so sudden, I had no pulse to react. I know it was a traumatic experience which I never even thought about in my dreams. Layla was innocent and had nothing to do with it. Sometimes, God is being harsh on us." He was depressed about her loss too.

"I am not going to forget that place… I know it wasn't your intention but maybe we should start moving on. Life doesn't end here." I was too impulsive.

"You are right, I need to inhale and my parents have decided that I should leave the city and focus on my career. I will leave for Italy tomorrow. There is a postgraduate diploma course on hotel management from a renowned University in Italy. Considering this as an opportunity to forget what happened, I have to take a chance." Andre informed me with a heavy heart.

"I understand… I will think about my future too…" I smiled at him before leaving the place with my parents.

How awkward it was for me that today was the last day I saw both of my friends for the last time. There was still a chance I would see Andre again, but Layla, she will always be in my memories.

Returning home, as soon as I entered the lobby, my Dad called me and stopped me on my way to my room.

"Eztli, please attend dinner with us. There is something important we need to discuss." 

"Is it about Layla and that vacation?" I was afraid of what he would ask.

"No.. it's about you." 

"Alright…" I nodded and went to my room.

My palms were shaking and I felt that something in my life was about to change. But everytime i think about changes, my fear crawls back to that place. That ghost town…

After resting for a while, it was dinner time. Mom called me down and even if i had no appetite, i had to go because Dad wanted to talk to me, about me.

"Eztli, why aren't you eating?" Mom asked after noticing that my plate was still full.

"I am not hungry…" i uttered.

"That's not a reason. You have lost weight since you came back from your vacation. Dear, we understand that you have been through a lot and it wasn't your fault but you have to move on. Your friend Andre is going to Italy pursuing a career. I am sure you also have something in your mind about your future." Mom said while making me eat the food.

"Yeah, I have a few options to lead a better life but I need your opinions too." I replied politely.

"We have decided that you should leave this city too." Dad uttered while munching on his bites.

My jaw hung because it was truly unexpected to hear such a thing from them. They never let me go alone anywhere outside the house and now they said that I need to shift to another city.

"Are you sure?" I still had doubts.

"Yes, we are. We know that you think we are overprotective for you but we don't want to be an obstacle in your way. And you need to breathe fresh. It will divert your mind." Dad started with a smile on his lips.

"Thank you, dad. It will definitely help. But I will miss her." 

"I know… it will be hard for you.." Mom held my hand and patted the back of the hand.

We ate in silence and went back to our room.

I had to prepare myself for this new change.