Chapter 45 - The Wake

"Nancy it's time for us to go downstairs for your dad's wake, everyone is here" my mum whispered as she pushes the door open. She was in mourning clothes, she looks much calmer now and relaxed, or maybe she took some sedatives. I was trying to find any sign of emotion on her face but there was none.

"Yes, mum, I'll be down in a minute," I said as pull myself out of my bed and saunter behind her. I still couldn't bear to say goodbye to my dad.

The house was filled with everyone from the town.

My mum and I walks to dad's coffin which was mounted outside the house and people sitting under canopies. I couldn't see him one last time because he was completely burned so the casket was closed.

My mum insisted he was buried right away, we had to cut the wake short. I hope she's not planning to do what I'm thinking she would do that is to seek revenge for dad's death.

After the burial service, everyone came to give us their condolence. First, it was my dad's few friends he work with, "Thank you so much for arranging for the burial Dr. Michael, I don't know what we would have done without your help" my mum mutter as she thanks my dad's friend.

"That's fine Cindy, just get some rest and the two of us will talk later on" he replied as he taps my shoulders.

Then my mum's colleagues from the town hospital, both nurses and doctors, even the cleaners from the hospital came.

Betty and her dad were next to give their sympathy. "Our deepest sympathy Mrs. Neo and you too Nancy" Officer Geoffrey muttered as Betty pulls me for a quick warm hug.

"Thank you, Officer, we appreciate your presence" my mum whispered as I give Betty a weak smile.

Roland and her dad were present as well as the entire Collins family members. Some few mates from school including Baby and his brothers, Alina and her brother, Roses and her friends, Ashley and her cousins: Emily and Anastasia then her brothers Bob, Dan and Leo.

"I know how important your dad was in your life, but you need to be strong" Leo whimpered as he hugs him. I let out a whim and hug him tightly as Dan and Bob pull him away.

I don't know if they meant it or if it was just a formality for people in the town, I was amazed how everyone turn up at my dad's wake and burial service even people who wish to kill me. They have a lot of respect for the dead.

"You will pull through this Nancy" Norinika soothes as she pulls me for a hug. I spotted both of them from the window when I went to grab some water from the kitchen, they couldn't show themselves at the wake because everyone in town know each other, they will start asking questions if they got spotted.

"I don't know how Nika" I cried.

"Sorry for your loss, we all will die someday. It just happen it is his time to go, you know" Deminika pouts. It is her mode of saying her commiseration which I understand perfectly well.

"Thank you Deminika" I muttered. "I have to go back, thanks for coming" I muttered as I left back to the burial ground.

Everyone had left already, even my mum had gone up to her room to rest it was a long day. Now I can be alone with my dad.

"You?" I shrug as I spotted someone in front of dad's grave. Dad was buried behind the house.

"What are you still doing here, everyone had already left" I whimpered.

"To spend some time alone with him, what else?" she responded without looking up to my face.

"What was your relationship with him?" I hiss squatting beside her.

"He was my father too" she muttered.

"What do you mean your father?" I shrug.