The Forgotten Legend

Della just stood in front of the wooden coffin where her aunt's body was laid. She tried hard to prevent the floodgates opening and tears gushing down her cheeks. She was in mourning the loss of her only family but Della was determined not to show her weakness in front of others. Although there were just a handful of people that turned up for the funeral. The guests were mostly Della's team members who had travelled the world carving ancient fossils and reminiscent of the period gone by. Doctor Rudolph and his wife had been a consistent support for Della as she juggled with her work and hospital simultaneously. The last few months were excruciating for both Della and her aunt. Her aunt, Sophia Mendes had been suffering from a weak heart for years now. However, in the last two years, her conditions deteriorated so much that the pace maker couldn't keep her heart from continuing. She was just 45 years old, single, hard working woman who has raised Della as her own daughter since Della was 6 years of age. Aunt Sophia was a god-fearing woman who spent her days helping elderly people at the local hospital and praying hard in the church. She was devoted to Della and treated her well. Sophia Mendes was a handsome woman who had an undeniable aura about her. She had always attracted more than a passive interest of passers by wherever she went. Yet, she kept to herself and spoke only when spoken to. At the hospital, she was a completely different woman. She would laugh and talk with the elderly patients who were abandoned by their respective families. With Della, Sophia was a stern guardian but not a tyrant. She was liberal, patient and understanding. Even though Della loved her fiercely, she always thought that her aunt cared for her not out of love. She was fulfilling a promise made to Della's mother years back. Aunt Sophia avoided any talk concerning Della's parents or the distant land from where they had escaped. Della had a faint memory of her parents and the place she was born into. She wanted to know more about her origin but Aunty Sophia had always made some ridiculous excuse to bypass the subject. Della was a tall, lean woman, with shiny light brown hair and aquamarine eyes. She was quite a beauty, like her aunt but she had a more imposing personality than Sophia. Della had noticed a couple of times how her aunt dropped her eyes every time they had an argument. They mostly fought over Della's incessant inquiry about her past. Every time she questioned her aunt, she got a vague response. This enraged her but the moment she raised her voice, her aunt would silently withdraw without uttering another word. Even at her work, Della maintained a domineering endeavour that nobody could possibly challenge or withstand. Doctor Rudolph and his wife were her only family next to her Aunt Sophia. Doctor Rudolph was the professor at the University where Della earned her degree in archaeology. He was her mentor, guide, and a friend. Della stood by the coffin, staring down at her aunt and softly sniffing. Doctor Rudolph walked up to her and placed his palm on her head, calming her down like a father. Della overcame with emotions and burst into tears much to the surprise of her colleagues. They had never seen Della helpless like this before. Mrs. Rudolph requested Della to return to their place and stay there for a couple of days. Della expressed her gratitude in a shaking voice but firmly declined. She wanted to grief in solitude. Doctor Rudolph and his wife nodded in agreement and just stood by her side until the clergyman came to announce that the service was about to begin. It was a brief service. Attendees gathered in the garden for tea and cakes. Della had already been exhausted. She had enough of the funeral and wanted to simply slam the door against the world. Mrs. Rudolph felt her pain and told her to return to her house and rest while she would handle the guests on her behalf. A grateful Della couldn't thank her enough. She leaned forward to plant a small peck on Mrs. Rudolph's left cheek, whispered thank you, turned and slowly left the garden.