THE BURIAL
1082 Words
The funeral was held four days later.
Because there was no body, the family had arranged a symbolic burial.
The Vale family had kept the ceremony private, but that had done little to keep the news from spreading.
Victoria was the daughter of a prominent family.
The Only Niece of a woman connected to the Vale dynasty.
By the morning of the funeral, reporters had already gathered outside the church.
Security stood around the entrance, keeping the press at a distance.
Black luxury cars arrived one after another.
Business associates, family friends, politicians and prominent members of society came to pay their respects.
Amara arrived with her parents.
She stepped out of the car wearing a simple but impeccably tailored black dress.
The dress reached below her knees and fitted her figure elegantly without being revealing. A pair of black heels completed the outfit. Her hair was pulled into a sleek low bun, and a small diamond pendant rested against her collarbone.
Her face was composed.
But her eyes gave away the exhaustion.
She had barely slept since hearing the news.
Richard placed a hand lightly against her back as they walked inside.
Amara kept her head high.
She greeted people who approached her.
“I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“She was such a lovely girl.”
“Thank you.”
The words repeated until they began to lose meaning.
Inside the church, a large photograph of Victoria stood beside the altar.
She was smiling.
Amara stopped when she saw it.
Her throat tightened.
Victoria looked so alive.
She was wearing a white dress in the photograph, her hair falling over one shoulder.
Amara remembered when the picture had been taken.
It had been at a family event.
Victoria had complained about having to take photographs.
Amara had teased her about it.
Now that memory felt painfully distant.
She walked to her seat.
Elena sat beside her.
Richard sat on her other side.
Amara kept her hands folded in her lap throughout the service.
She didn't cry loudly.
She didn't collapse.
She simply sat there, staring at the photograph.
Every now and then, her fingers tightened around each other.
When the priest spoke about Victoria's life, Amara's eyes became glassy.
When he mentioned that there had been no opportunity for the family to say goodbye, a tear finally escaped.
She wiped it away immediately.
Then another.
Elena reached for her hand.
Amara held it.
“I still don't believe it,” she whispered.
Elena squeezed her fingers.
“Neither do I.”
-
Carol sat several rows ahead.
She looked completely different from the woman Amara remembered.
She wore a long black dress and a veil that partially covered her face.
Her posture was rigid.
Her hands were clasped tightly together.
She hadn't spoken much since arriving.
People continuously approached her.
Some hugged her.
Others held her hands.
“Carol, we're so sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“Be strong.”
She nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Victoria was a wonderful girl.”
Carol's lips trembled.
“She was.”
That was all she could say.
Amara watched her aunt from across the church.
She had never seen Carol look so broken.
The woman who normally spoke confidently and carried herself with composure now looked completely numb.
When another relative embraced her, Carol finally broke down.
She covered her face with both hands.
A sob escaped her.
“My daughter…”
The words were barely audible.
Elena immediately stood and walked toward her.
She wrapped her arms around her sister.
Carol clung to her.
“She was supposed to come home.”
Elena closed her eyes.
“I know.”
“She was supposed to come home.”
“I know.”
Carol cried against her shoulder.
Amara watched them.
Her own eyes filled again.
She looked down.
She couldn't watch her aunt suffer.
She couldn't accept that Victoria was gone.
After the service, everyone moved to the cemetery.
The grave had been prepared beneath a large tree.
There was no body.
No final viewing.
No last chance to see Victoria.
Only an empty coffin covered with flowers.
Amara stood beside her parents.
The wind moved gently through the trees.
She stared at the coffin.
Her face remained still, but her eyes were red.
“This doesn't feel real,” she said.
Richard looked at her.
“I know.”
“She isn't in there.”
“No.”
Amara swallowed.
“So why does it feel like we're burying her?”
Richard had no answer.
The coffin was lowered.
Amara looked away.
She couldn't watch.
Elena placed an arm around her.
Amara leaned slightly against her mother.
A few feet away, Carol stood completely still.
She wasn't crying anymore.
She simply stared at the grave.
People stood around her, offering silent support.
When the burial ended, everyone slowly began to leave.
Amara remained.
She stood beside the grave long after most of the guests had gone.
Richard eventually approached her.
“Amara.”
She didn't turn.
“I told her I'd see her when I came back.”
Richard's expression softened.
“I know.”
“I should have stayed in contact.”
“You couldn't have known.”
Amara wiped her cheek.
“I keep thinking she'll call.”
Richard didn't answer.
Amara looked down at the flowers.
For the first time since hearing the news, she allowed herself to say the words.
“Goodbye, Victoria.”
Her voice trembled.
She took a deep breath and stepped away from the grave.
She had no idea how she was supposed to return to her normal life after this.
Everyone had left the funeral. no one had noticed when Carol slipped out to be alone
after everyone had left she sat at the front seat staring at a portrait of Victoria.
guilt surged her heart. she had never let Victoria live for her self.
she felt sudden anger for those who had compared victoria to Amara.
she cursed them for Victoria's death.
After a while of starting into space.her cell phone vibrated. . the caller ID was Shocking. it was Victoria!.
she cursed again, louder than last time . thinking someone was trying to prank call her.
It rang again, this time longer than before. she guessed again it was probably the rescue team. They had probably found the body.
she quickly took the call.
“Mom ?" it was Victoria's voice. crystal clear.
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