THE VASE

CHAPTER ONE

SHAY'S POV

I tried to collect myself and placed the picture back to the mantle. I made my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. I wrapped myself with my robe and paced back to take my body lotion kept near the picture frame. Little did I know of was to happen next.

Suddenly,a sharp crack shattered the stillness, splitting the air like a gunshot, the frame trembled violently as if recoiling from an unseen force,before crashing to the ground in a cascade of shattered glass. The sound echoed ominously, sending chills down my spine.

In that moment, a palpable sense of dread hung heavy in the room, the broken frame serving as an eerie harbinger of impending doom. It was as though the very walls whispered of misfortune yet to come, leaving me paralyzed with fear as I knelt to collect the shattered pieces.

I later replaced the picture frame and dressed ready to visit the cemetery.As I gently turned the doorknob, a wave of warmth enveloped me as I stepped out.My eyes widen in delight as I beheld a beautiful array of gifts adorning the foyer, each one a token of love and remembrance from friends and family. Among them stood a delicate vase overflowing with vibrant flowers, their petals dancing in the sunlight that filtered through the window.

Mesmerized by the vase's beauty, Icarefully cradled it in my hands, feeling the smooth ceramic beneath my fingertips. There's something enchanting about the way the flowers seem to breathe life into the room, their fragrance filling the air with a sweet, comforting aroma.

With a soft smile, I decided to leave the other gifts for later, choosing instead to cherish the vase's beauty in the present moment. As I place it in a prominent spot, I silently vow to honor its presence and the love it represents.

With the vase safely nestled in its new home, I set out on my way to the cemetery, with two of the flowers from the vase.

As I entered the cemetery, a profound sense of reverence washed over me, the weight of my grief palpable in the stillness of the air. My heart pounded with each step, anticipation mingling with sorrow as I approached my parents' resting place.

ESTONIAH EMILIO. PABLO EMILIO

SUNRISE:21/04/1952. SUNRISE:20/03/1948

SUNSET :27/10/2005. SUNSET:27/10/2005

With trembling hands, I knelt before their gravestones, my breath catching in my throat as I traced the letters of their names carved into the cold stone. Tears blurred my vision as memories flooded my mind, each letter a testament to the love and loss I carried within.

In this sacred space, time seemed to stand still as I spoke to them, my voice a fragile whisper against the silence of the cemetery. I shared my hopes and dreams, my fears and regrets, knowing they can no longer answer but finding solace in the act of simply being near them.

As i sat in quiet contemplation, the world faded away, leaving only the echo of my heartache and the memories etched into the landscape around me. In this moment of raw vulnerability, I found a measure of peace, knowing that though they may be gone, but my parents' love will forever live on in my heart.

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I remember everything as if it were yesterday, i remember her,my mom, a vision of grace and warmth, exudes an aura of gentle strength and boundless love. Her eyes, the color of rich mahogany, sparkle with wisdom and kindness, reflecting the depth of her soul. Framed by wisps of chestnut hair, her face bears the delicate lines of a life well-lived, each crease a testament to the laughter shared and the trials overcome.

Her smile, radiant and infectious, lights up the room like a beacon of hope, casting away shadows and filling the air with joy. In her embrace, Shay finds solace, her mother's arms a sanctuary against the storms of life.

With every word spoken, her voice resonates with warmth and tenderness, carrying the melody of lullabies sung in the quiet of the night and words of wisdom whispered in moments of doubt. I remember her preparing dinner that night. She had baked my happy birthday cake and we were waiting for my dad's arrival.

As we were playing with my elder brother dad came in, a pillar of kindness and wisdom, possesses a quiet strength that speaks volumes without uttering a word. His eyes, the color of a tranquil lake at dawn, hold the depths of his compassion and the spark of his unwavering love for his family. Behind wire-rimmed glasses, they twinkle with a hint of mischief, revealing the playful spirit that dances within him.

With a rugged charm, his face bears the weathered lines of a life well-lived, each furrow telling a story of resilience and perseverance. His smile, warm and comforting, lights up the room with a flicker of paternal pride, a silent promise to always stand by his loved ones through thick and thin.

In his embrace, I found strength and security, his arms a refuge from the uncertainties of the world. His voice, deep and reassuring, carries the melody of bedtime stories spun with love and the sage advice imparted with care.

W...e all gathered in the dining room, enveloped in lively chatter. The air buzzed with excitement as we awaited the highlight of the evening – my birthday cake.

As the candles flickered atop the cake, casting a warm glow across the room, I stood up, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. It was my turn to cut the cake, a tradition in our family that I always cherished.

With a deep breath, I approached the table, greeted by the familiar tune of "Happy Birthday" sung by my loved ones. The melody filled the room, echoing the joy and love we shared.

Just as I was about to make the first cut, a sudden, deafening bang reverberated through the air, startling us all. The room fell silent, every eye wide with shock and concern........

As I returned to the harsh embrace of reality, a single tear slipped down my cheek, a silent testament to the pain I carried within. "Mama, papa," my voice quivered, barely audible above the weight of my sorrow, "it's becoming hard to cope with the trauma."

My words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laden with the agony that threatened to consume me whole. "I can't control myself, papa," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper, as if speaking the truth aloud made it all too real. The ache in my chest was palpable, a tangible reminder of the heartache that weighed me down.

In the silence that followed, I found solace in the gentle rhythm of my own breath, the soft cadence a balm to my wounded soul. And then, almost instinctively, I began to sing – a melody born of sorrow and longing, each note a fragile thread connecting me to the world.

Song by Benson Boone

Sunday mornings were your favorite

I used to meet you down on Woods Creek Road

You did your hair up like you were famous

Even though it's only church where we were goin'

Now, Sunday mornings, I just sleep in

It's like I buried my faith with you

I'm screamin' at a God I don't know if I believe in

'Cause I don't know what else I can do

I'm still holdin' on to everything that's dead and gone

I don't wanna say goodbye, 'cause this one means forever

And now you're in the stars and six-feet's never felt so far

Here I am alone between the heavens and the embers

Oh, it hurts so hard

For a million different reasons

You took the best of my heart

And left the rest in pieces

Diggin' through your old birthday letters

A crumpled 20 still in the box

I don't think that I could ever find a way to spend it

Even if it's the last 20 that I've got, oh

I'm still holdin' on to everything that's dead and gone

I don't wanna say goodbye, 'cause this one means forever

And now you're in the stars and six-feet's never felt so far

Here I am alone between the heavens and the embers

Oh, it hurts so hard

For a million different reasons

You took the best of my heart

And left the rest in pieces

I'm still holdin' (on), holdin' (on), holdin' on (on)

I'm still holdin' (on), holdin' (on), holdin' on (on)

I'm still holdin' (on), holdin' (on), I'm still holdin' on (on)

I'm still, ooh, still holdin' on

I'm still holdin' on to everything that's dead and gone (ooh)

I don't wanna say goodbye, 'cause this one means forever (ooh)

Now you're in the stars and six-feet's never felt so far

Here I am alone between the heavens and the embers

Oh, it hurts so hard

For a million different reasons

You took the best of my heart and left the rest in pieces.

I could feel the relief as every word if the lyrics related to my current situation. "I can only hug your gravestones."suddenly , a breeze that carried a sense of calmamplifying the serenity of the moment. Lost in the emotions stirred by the song I had sung, I closed my eyes, allowing the tranquility to envelop me. But the tranquility was shattered by a sudden tap on my shoulder, accompanied by a urgent whisper: "Run... run Shay, save yourself!"

My heart pounded with adrenaline as I opened my eyes, scanning the cemetery for any sign of the mysterious voice. But there was no one to be seen. Confusion and fear gripped me as I searched for answers, my mind racing with questions.

Then, as if in response to my silent plea, a glimmer caught my eye. A letter had appeared on my mother's grave stone, its envelope pristine against the weathered stone. With trembling hands, I reached for it, my heart pounding in my chest.