CHAPTER 41: Dead Hearts

KATE’s P.O.V.

I can’t understand the concept of suffering not until this moment... When we are going to buried Dad as he continue to sleep forever in his peace. I thought the world had already hurt me a lot, but I was wrong. The scars of the past is nothing compared to the pain of this one.

Mom and I decided not to cry... Not because we are not sad... But because we are trying to show to those people how strong and tough we are. I know it’s just fine to cry your heart out... But the both of us wanted to have peace, and chose to endure our suffering on our own.

Mr. Herrera, Claire, Darren, and their daughter Cloey, joined the last and final moments of my Dad. They are all watching as the priest state his verse, as my Dad’s coffin slowly getting deeper and deeper under the ground by each passing moment.

Elijah isn’t here. At first, I thought that maybe he’s still holding some grudges for my Dad but as the time passes by, I realized that he’s only doing this to give me and my Mom our own moments together as we bid our final goodbyes to Dad. I know he wanted to be here for me... But he’s trying his best not to meddle in our family’s business.

After the burial, people slowly vanished in our sight. Visitors started to leave as Mom is getting herself ready to prepare for our mini gathering after this burial.

“Lady!” I was dumbfounded as I looked down, seeing Cloey by my feet.

“Hey...” I smiled at her.

“Mommy told me that we are here for you...”

I blinked several times, as I smiled unforced, thinking that Claire still cares about me.

“Your Mom talks about me a lot, huh?” I asked, lifting her up from the ground.

She beamed before giving me a small but very gentle hug.

“Yeah. You really are pretty, Aunt Kate.”

“Thanks...” I chuckled. “Thank you for coming here for us...”

“Who’s kid is that?” Mom asked, preparing her umbrella for the clouds started to form above us.

“She’s Claire’s... Isn’t she lovely, Mom?” I asked.

Mom looked at me surprisedly, before flashing a smile of relief. Maybe because she realized that I wasn’t that mad to Claire and Darren anymore. Moving on is a choice... And maybe choosing that isn’t that bad after all.

“Indeed. Hi, little angel!” she greeted Cloey.

“Hello...”

“Where’s your Mom and Dad? It’s going to rain soon, darling...”

“Over there...” Cloey pointed to her parents.

Claire looked over our direction, before she sighed. Maybe she’s getting worried about Cloey now. She came over our direction, and Mom nodded as a sign of greeting.

“My deepest condolences again, ma’am... And Kate.”

I didn’t answer, instead, I put down Cloey and she ran over to Claire. She lifted her up, before smiling at me.

“Thanks, Kate. See you later at your house.”

I blankly nodded. She waved her goodbyes to Mom and Cloey did the same thing to me. They leave us alone standing in here, before Mom gave me her sweetest smile, patting my shoulder.

“Come here...” She gave me a hug. “I know you don’t want to leave your Dad too soon. I’ll see you later at our home. Stay here as much as you wanted... I’ll wait for you.”

I nodded, before thanking her. Everyone leaves, including Mom. I know she wanted to stay here as much as I do but she needs to take care of our visitors, so she got no choice but to come home. I remained sitting on the ground near by my Dad’s tomb, looking at him peacefully. Maybe he’s not a perfect Dad but he is the best one for me.

I don’t know how much time I spent in here... Until the rain started pouring heavily, and I forget to ask for Mom’s umbrella. My blouse started to get wet, but I still wanted to stay here so I didn’t even move a muscle.

“Hey!”

I looked up, seeing the owner of that voice. He is currently standing a few meters away from my location, holding an umbrella while looking down at me. I instantly smiled just by seeing his face.

“Elijah...”

“Your Mom told me to fetch you in here. She said that you still wanted to stay so I thought maybe you wanted a company or something...”

“I missed you,” I stated unconsciously, not knowing the reason why I said that.

He smiled, before walking towards my direction. He sat beside me, looking down at my Dad’s tomb. He put the umbrella high up above us, pulling me closer to his body.

“I missed you too. You know... When my Mom died, no one has been there for me... I know how hard that feeling is... The pain, the suffering. I don’t want you to feel that. I know I can’t keep you from the painful reality of the world but let me hold you instead... Let me be with you through all of this pain, Kate. I love you so much.”

My eyes started to get blurry because of tears before I leaned on his chest, feeling his warmth. He caressed my hair, and it felt nice for a moment, being in his rectifying graze again.

“You’re the only person who can revived my dead heart after all these years,” he stated.

“Thank you, Elijah. Thank you for staying... Thank you for waiting. Thank you for everything. I love you.”

I closed my eyes shut, feeling tired after a long day of silently suffering in pain.

“Tired?”

“Hmm...”

“Come. Let me take you home.”

I looked up to him, before nodding. I bid my final goodbyes to Dad before standing up with Elijah. We walked towards the outside part of the cemetery where his car was currently parked. The rain is still luring heavily above us, and suddenly, a series of good memories together with him flooded in my mind.

I clung my hands around his arms, making him looked at me. When he do, tears started to fall down from my eyes. It’s funny, realizing how much we wasted time waiting for each other... It’s been years... Decades. Eight years after our high school graduation and five years of finding myself. Thirteen years of patience tested by fate but here we are right now... Still together... Holding on to the promises of each other.

“Hey... W-Why? Are you okay?” he asked, facing me as he cupped my face using his hands.

I nodded, before smiling.

“I’m just so happy... I guess all those years of waiting is definitely worth it...”

He sighed out of relief, before brushing my tears away using his thumb. He caressed my face, and I closed my eyes shut, cherishing every moments with him.

“I love you, Ms. Frias... And I will never stop loving you until my last breath...”

I nodded, before his face slowly move closer and closer towards mine... I continue to closed my eyes shut before I felt his lips crashing onto mine, closing the gaps in between of our faces.

It was a very passionate but a gentle kiss, full of hope and love. I put my arms around his neck and tiptoed, pulling my body closer towards him. He dropped the umbrella on the ground, placing his hands around my waist. And there, we kissed under the heavy pouring rain with nothing but our hearts speaking with each other.