Chapter 35: The Aftermat

They were sitting quietly in the park. Rakiza's eyes were puffy from crying, and Theo had a solemn expression on his face. Rakiza was distraught over the death of her best friend, while Theo only knew what was on his mind.
"Why is death so painful?" mumbled Rakiza.
"Because you'll miss seeing or touching their physical body," Theo replied solemnly.
"Maybe I'm a curse for them."
"Don't say that; depending on how you look at it, everyone can be special to someone," Theo explained.
Raiza exclaimed, "I didn't believe it; I saw more deaths, and each one inflicted so much pain that I couldn't bear it: first my grandfather, then my Aunt Lora, who also looked after me when my mother was away, and all of their deaths inflicted so much pain."
"Everyone is going to die; it's unstoppable, so expect it and prepare for it."
Rakiza observed, "You sounded like a religious person."
"It's just an analysis to make painful things, like death, acceptable," Theo explained.
"However, it may be painful if you aren't expecting it, "Rakiza insisted.
"I agree," Theo said, after a sigh. You should probably go home right now. "
"No, I'd like to offer Muriel's parents my assistance."
Theo's voice became firmer as he said, "No."
Rakiza asked, "Why?" as he turned to see his entire face. Why can't I do anything to lighten up their hearts? "
"All you have to do is listen to what I'm saying. Keep your distance from Muriel's body. It's bad for you. Looking at her only adds to your anguish. "
Rakiza became enraged and said, "Would you please allow me to mourn for her?" What's more, Alex's parents wouldn't let me see him, even in his coffin, because they blamed me for his death. And now you've warned me not to get too close to her dead body. And why is that? Are you blaming me for her death as well, Theo? Just like Alex's parents to me? "
Theo didn't want to argue with Rakiza. He was silent for a moment before saying, "I'll walk you home."
Rakiza insisted, "No, as I've said, I'm going to stay and help Muriel's parents."
Rakiza dashed back into Muriel's empty room, Muriel's body had already been transferred to the morgue. She waited for Muriel's parents to return. Her tears began to fall again as she stared at Muriel's bed. She couldn't believe how important Muriel was to her. She was strict, but she was genuinely honest and generous to her. And she wanted Rakiza to succeed in every skill she possessed. Muriel kept reminding her that the only way to succeed was to work harder.
Muriel's mother entered, wiping her tears as she saw Rakiza.
Rakiza went back into Muriel's empty room; Muriel's body had already been transferred to the morgue. She waited for Muriel's parents to return. Her tears began to fall again as she stared at Muriel's bed. She couldn't believe how important Muriel was to her. She was strict, but she was genuinely honest and generous with her. And she wanted Rakiza to succeed in every skill she possessed. Muriel kept reminding her that the only way to succeed was to work harder.
Muriel's mother entered, wiping her tears as she saw Rakiza.
Mrs. de Leon stepped back from Rakiza's embrace and said, as she folded Muriel's belongings, "And there's one thing Muriel said before she left me." She paused and looked at Rakiza.
Rakiza sat there, eager to hear it. She was certain it had something to do with her. Muriel was obviously concerned about her.
Mrs. de Leon stated emphatically that "she wants you to stay by her side until the fifth night of her wake," as if she was afraid of making a mistake.
Rakiza was perplexed by Mrs. de Leon's statement. It was stated unequivocally that she would remain in Muriel's wake until the fifth night.
"Can you make that promise to me?" Mrs. de Leon inquired, staring at Rakiza for a response.
"Yes, I'll be right there by her coffin until the fifth night," Rakiza said.
"Thank you; you really love my daughter, Rakiza," Mrs. de Leon said as she hugged her one more time and said, "That is clear to me now." She stood up, adding, "In any case, I have some paperwork to finish. You are welcome to return later for the wake at our home, as she has requested. Here's the address, "Mrs. de Leon said, handing Rakiza a calling card, which she eagerly accepted.
She and Chin returned to the dormitory a few minutes later.
Rakiza stood like a statue next to Muriel's bed, staring at her neatly arranged bed. Muriel was a meticulous and tidy woman among her friends and herself. Muriel chastised her for not keeping her bed tidy before leaving the house in the morning.
"Are you sure you're going to stay at the wake?" Chin said as the door opened and Susan was on her back.
Susan mumbled, "I can't do it in five days." "I have some work to do."
"That's what a lazy woman could get," Chin remarked.
Susan retorted, "Shut up, righteous girl. You also have a project to finish. "
Rakiza screamed, "Keep quiet, both of you!" and then sobbed, "Muriel disliked it when you argued, and I can't do it, acting like Muriel for the two of you. And remind you to be a lady, "Rakiza dove onto Muriel's bed, trapping her sobbing on Muriel's pillow.
Chin and Susan sounded like two children being chastised. They, too, wept alongside Rakiza.
After a few minutes of nonstop crying and sobbing, the three girls slowly got back to their composure.
Rakiza explained to the others, "We have a lot of things to do for Muriel before her wake. First and foremost, Susan, you must look for a container for Muriel's belongings at her school locker. And request permission from the dean to transport all of her school belongings here for her parents to pick up. And Chin and I will do the segregation of her belongings in our room. "
Susan nodded and stepped outside the door to complete her task, while Rakiza and Chin began to collect all of Muriel's belongings in the room. It took them the entire afternoon to pack it all up and get it ready for pick-up.
Rakiza drew her laptop bag and gathered all of her belongings for the wake. She had called the dean and asked permission to assist Muriel's parents at the wake, and she had been granted it.
Muriel's boxes were arranged in the center of the room, closer to Muriel's bed. Rakiza was staring at it.
You don't need any men in your life, Raki; Nikolas is the one; seize the moment and don't waste it with this unknown, self-assured, gorgeous man. Rakiza was startled, as if she could hear Muriel's voice in her ears.
Muriel's last aggressive reaction to Rakiza had been this. She obviously didn't care for Theo. She stated unequivocally and boldly that she voted for Nikolas for Rakiza. Rakiza was perplexed as to how this could have happened. What compelled Muriel to act as Nikolas's spokesperson?
Rakiza sighed and stretched her arms, about to close the window when it was suddenly opened by a hand pushing it inside. Rakiza was frozen as he watched Theo climb into the room.
"What are you doing here, Theo?"
As soon as his feet touched the floor, Theo dashed into the door and locked it. "Be quiet. We have to talk. "
"I'm not in the mood to talk to you, Theo. I'm in the middle of an errand. "
"I can't wait to get you in a good mood, but I should warn you again: don't go to Muriel's wake."
"And why can't I go to her wake, Theo?" What's in your head commanding me not to be with Muriel in her final days on Earth? Huh? " Rakiza was furious at him. I couldn't figure out why you were being so contradictory to me right now! I'm sick and tired of your reactions, opposition, and so-called concerns. "
Rakiza's rebellious reaction to Theo shocked Theo. He was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "She's not dead."
Rakiza's eyes widened, "What? Are you crazy? "
"I'm telling you the truth. Muriel isn't as dead as you think. But she's no longer Muriel." Theo's statements made Rakiza laugh.
"Don't laugh, just listen to me," Theo said grimly. "Muriel is going to turn into a monster within five days, which is why she wanted you closer to her." Theo gripped Rakiza's hands. "You have to be aware of something unnatural happening now, Rakiza. From the night you and I saw something in the woods. I can't tell you everything; it's forbidden, but please, don't trust anyone, even me. "
"How can I believe in you if I don't trust you, Theo? I'm perplexed by you. Are you taking something that makes you nervous and delusional?" Rakiza took a step back.
"In this modern world, I might sound delusional, but you have to find the truth in what I was saying, because I can't give it to you right now. Maintain your vigilance and keep an eye out for both reality and illusion.Be rational but open to the unusual. What I'm trying to say is that you should never ignore strange occurrences. Pay attention to the unusual rather than the ordinary. Last but not least, this is strictly between you and me. "
Rakiza was taken aback by what Theo had just said. He was overly concerned while also being overly demanding. His sea green eyes had darkened from before. She couldn't figure out what he was truly terrified of for her.
Rakiza began to speak tentatively, "Just tell me why you said Muriel is not dead."
"She was marked by a vampire," Theo casually stated.
"Oh no," Rakiza sighed, feeling sorry for Theo. "Theo, you need to see a doctor."
Theo cut her off, "All I need is for you to listen to me and for me to protect you from them; I don't need a doctor."
"Stop it, Theo. You're causing me anxiety. Vampires don't exist in the modern world, "Rakiza frowned.
"And why did you write The Bloodstone of Sheba?"
Rakiza became enraged and exclaimed, "Did you touch my laptop?"
"I told you to always lock that window, but you left it open for an intruder."
"How dare you, Theo. That's not the way a man enters a woman's life."
"I'll do anything to protect you, but because you're an obstinate type of woman, you should listen to everything I say. If you want proof, I'll show you one way. Take a look at Muriel's eyelids or fingers tonight, make a mental note of their position, and watch for changes. And if you see her eyelids and fingers twitch on the fifth night, please promise me that you will flee from her. Alternatively, you can go with me. "
Rakiza was still baffled by what Theo was attempting to do to her. She was convinced that he was just trying to get her attention to focus on him, but the fact that he intruded on her work was inexcusable. Another impossible thing to connect to him was the idea of him believing vampires existed. He was a strong and healthy man, so how did he get a vampirism mental illness?
Theo gripped her shoulders and shook her. "Please promise me that you will either flee Muriel or accompany me."
"I'm going to run away from her! I promise!" Rakiza yelled.
At that moment, Theo let go of her and said, "Thank you. I'll expect you to mean what you said," before returning to the window and jumping outside.
Rakiza was still astounded by what Theo had said, and she felt a sudden pang of sympathy for him. She didn't expect Theo to be mentally ill, given his physical appearance and demeanor.
Chin returned, reporting on her completed task. She had called Muriel's mother and informed her that Muriel's belongings were ready for pick up. "The wake will be held at De Leon's residence, Rakiza. Are you sure you're going up there tonight? "It's a long way up there, and it's cold at night," Chin asked Rakiza with bewildered eyes.
"I have to be there and keep my promise to Muriel’s mother and grant Muriel’s wish for me to do so." Rakiza looked out of the window, her eyes searching for Theo.
She was hoping that Theo was not insane.