LOVE ACROSS TIME

CHAPTER 10: TRAGEDY

KIRSTEN TURNER POV'S

YEAR 2022

Life's twists and turns often leave us questioning the reasons behind our experiences. The unexpected boredom may have brought unforeseen challenges. The pain from the incident is real, and mistakes, whether in choices or actions, can carry heavy consequences. Reflecting on these moments is crucial for personal growth, and finding lessons in the pain can help navigate future decisions more wisely.

In the intricate of life, the mantra "everything happens for a reason" is a soothing balm for the soul, providing solace in moments of perplexity. Yet, there are instances where this philosophy seems to falter, and one is left grappling with an unexpected emotion – boredom. Boredom, a seemingly mundane state, can unravel the fabric of our daily existence, challenging the very foundations of our understanding.

It was in the midst of this ennui that a profound incident occurred, shattering the veneer of complacency. The details remain elusive, cloaked in ambiguity, but the emotional aftermath is vividly etched in the consciousness. The result of this incident, whatever it may be, left a poignant mark, an indelible scar that refuses to fade. The pain, raw and unyielding, serves as a testament to the profound impact of life's capricious nature.

As humans, we often grapple with the dichotomy of choice – the delicate dance between free will and destiny. Mistakes, a byproduct of our fallibility, are inevitable. The decision to indulge in intoxicating substances stands as a testament to the frailty of human judgment. Yet, nestled within this acknowledgment lies a more significant revelation – the gravity of waking up next to someone, a stark reminder of the repercussions that extend beyond the transient allure of the moment.

To err is human, but to find oneself entwined with another, only to awaken to the harsh reality of that choice, magnifies the complexity of human relationships. It is in these junctures that the repercussions of our actions manifest with unforgiving clarity. The morning after, laden with remorse and introspection, becomes a crucible wherein one must confront the consequences of their choices.

In navigating the labyrinth of life, introspection becomes an indispensable compass. The pain, though excruciating, becomes a catalyst for self-discovery. It prompts us to delve into the recesses of our psyche, unraveling layers of emotion and understanding. While the adage "everything happens for a reason" may appear trite in moments of despair, it is in these very moments that its resonance becomes profound.

The mistakes we make, whether in the pursuit of pleasure or in the throes of monotony, carve the contours of our character. They serve as cautionary tales, urging us to navigate the intricate web of existence with a discerning eye. The intersection of choice and consequence is where the fabric of our narrative is woven, and each misstep contributes to the richness of the tapestry.

The tumultuous journey from boredom to pain, from mistakes to self-realization, is an inherent part of the human experience. The intricacies of life, though elusive and unpredictable, hold within them the potential for growth and enlightenment. The narrative, though at times marked by sorrow, is ultimately a canvas upon which we paint the hues of our resilience and redemption. Life, in its enigmatic entirety, invites us to embrace the chaos, finding meaning in the intricate dance of joy and sorrow, mistakes and redemption.

I understand that I've faltered, I've made a mistake, but why must the punishment for it be so severe, so excruciating? It's not just enough; it feels like it's more than enough, more than I can bear!

When I received the news about the tragedy that had befallen my family, my heart sank. It felt like a giant hand had clenched around my heart, squeezing the life out of it. I was in a state of disbelief, hoping against hope that the news wasn't true. I quickly hailed a taxi, my mind racing as I tried to process the information. I was on my way to see them, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing. They fell like a relentless rain, blurring my vision and soaking my cheeks. All the while, I was praying, pleading to anyone who would listen, that the words of the police officer I had spoken to over the phone were nothing more than a cruel joke.

My siblings, my grandmother, and Alfred... They were all in a van that had met with a terrible accident. The words echoed in my mind, a chilling mantra that I couldn't escape from. They were gone. Just like that, they were gone. Why them? Why did this have to happen to them? It felt like a nightmare, one that I desperately wanted to wake up from.

As I sat in the back of the taxi, I clutched my bag tightly, as if it were a lifeline. My tears fell freely, a river of sorrow flowing unchecked. I didn't care about the curious glances from passersby, or the sympathetic looks from the taxi driver. All I wanted to do was to cry, to let out the pain that was threatening to consume me. I prayed fervently, my words a mix of pleas and cries, hoping that somehow, they would reach the heavens and bring my loved ones back.

"What are you looking at there?! Do you know how I feel? Huh?!" I said annoyed to the passengers who were looking at me. The other passengers who were sleeping suddenly woke up and looked at me in disgust because I disturbed their sleep.

What do I care? They should just wake up right?!

"Hey you, driver! Speed up your drive. There are a lot of people riding here!... Just crash and we'll all die!" I said annoyed and came next to the driver.

"Just bump into me so you know how I feel! I haven't seen my family yet but I feel like I'm weak!" I told him and cried more.

"What is she doing?"

"Is that crazy?"

"Why did you send it here?"

The passengers said one after the other and when I looked at them, they were holding cellphones that I can be sure were recording videos.

I was about to approach them when a nice car honked in front of us one after the other. It's red and black with an opening roof.

"Stop it! Stop it, please!" I heard his shout and even though the bus driver was surprised, he stopped him.

"Rhino! Get down there?! Let's talk!" The man outside kept shouting and even got on the bus.

"Rhino! Where are you---" he stopped talking when she saw me.

"What are you doing?! Let's talk first." He grabbed my hand so I stood up.

"What else should we talk about? What happened last night? That's fine with me, I'm drunk." I said before laughing.

Because of what happened I was not even able to update or call my family or even Alfred to say hello to them! Did they enjoy it?!... That's a bad wine! It's really crazy!

This Angry birds guy must have noticed that the passengers were looking at him so he bent down to hide his face.

"Let's talk!" He said angrily to me before pulling me off the bus.

He held my arm very tightly! It's like he made a rope that he doesn't want to let go of.

"Ouch!" I moaned to him but he didn't seem to hear because he forced me to get into his car. "What? Let me go!" I said to him annoyed and he let go of my hand.

I was about to get out of the car when he quickly got into the driver's seat and pressed something to lock the door.

I looked at him annoyed. I was about to go upstairs when he pressed something again to close the door and quickly started the car!

"Where are your family?" He asked me while he was busy driving.

"It's in heaven" I answered with difficulty before crying.

He looked at me before taking a deep breath. "I know? But where is there body?" He asked trying to hold back his annoyance.

I told him which place so he drove fast.

I looked at him while still crying.

Is he helping me now because something happened between us or does he just really want to help?

I just cried when I remembered the smile of my siblings, grandmother, and Alfred before i left with them.

"Why did they have to disappear? Why were they taken from me? Why did they leave me?!" I asked one question after another and hit his car.

He just looked at me before showing me his back. "The car is too expensive, you can just hit it. You can make me a punching things now." He said which surprised me a little. He nodded as if telling me to do it.

Initially, my fists were light against his back, each punch landing softly, barely making an impact. Yet, with every memory of my siblings that flashed through my mind, my punches grew stronger. Each strike was an echo of my despair, my confusion, my anger. "What has become of me? What am I supposed to do now? Am I destined to live in solitude? Why was I spared when they were not? The unfairness of it all is unbearable!"

As the minutes turned into hours, my tears never ceased. They flowed freely, unending, like a river that had broken its banks. My fists continued their rhythm against his back, each punch a testament to my grief, my anger, my confusion. This continued unabated until we arrived at the scene of the accident.

The wailing sirens of the ambulance were a grim reminder of the reality I was about to face. Just the sound was enough to make my knees buckle, the strength draining out of them. Yet, I had to see them. I needed to see them. Despite the overwhelming dread that threatened to consume me, I yearned to see my family. I had to confirm for myself the cruel twist of fate that had taken them from me.

"Ride at my back." He said as he got out of the car and opened the door, opposite me.

"H-huh?" I said confused.

Why does he seem strange now? When we first talked, he was not this kind of person to me.

"Just ride!" He ordered angrily so I just obeyed.

After arriving in front of the ambulance, he sat down to take me down. "Do what you want to do. This will be the last time we met." He said before walking back to his car and quickly leaving.

What did he mean by what he said?

"Are you Ms. Kirsten Turner?" Questioning by a police. I nodded to him in response. "I was the one who called you earlier. I'm sorry for what happened to your family." He said sadly.

"Where are my siblings? My grandma and Alfred? Where are they?" I asked him the next question.

"There." He answered and pointed to the side of the road.

I ran there fast and I almost fell asleep because of what I saw.

One by one their bodies are wrapped in a white blanket!

"F*ck!" I cursed before bursting into tears.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I'm really sorry." A man in handcuffs approached me, there were two policemen supporting him.

"Who is he?" I will ask the police.

"He is the one who crashed into your family." Answered the policeman on the right side.

I immediately got hot and looked at the man.

"Sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean it." The man said, but it seemed to me that I didn't hear it.

"The unfortunate incident unfolded as a result of the man operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, precipitating the accident. Eyewitnesses attested that your family's car skillfully evaded the impending collision, but the man's truck succumbed to loss of control, ultimately resulting in the rear-end impact on your family's vehicle, a narrative that the police on the left side painstakingly conveyed, causing a poignant sense of sorrow."

My emotions surged uncontrollably as I confronted the man, unleashing a barrage of heated accusations: "You're nothing more than an animal! Your actions are reprehensible! Forgiveness is beyond reach for what you've perpetrated!!!" My anger reached a boiling point, teetering on the brink of physical confrontation until a vigilant policeman intervened, preventing me from resorting to violence.

•••

Several hours later, I found myself standing in the cold, sterile environment of the police station. I was there to file a case against the man responsible for the accident. The act felt mechanical, as though I was a puppet going through the motions, detached from the reality of what I was doing.

The police officer, a man with kind eyes and a comforting demeanor, offered to escort me home. "I'll take you home, ma'am," he said, his voice filled with genuine concern. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to help, to do something, anything, to alleviate the pain I was feeling.

I shook my head, declining his offer. "No, it's okay. I'm just going to walk." My voice sounded hollow, even to my own ears. It was as if the grief had robbed me of the ability to feel anything else, leaving behind only a shell of the person I used to be.

The officer looked at me, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. "Are you sure, ma'am?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. I nodded, my response immediate. "I'll go first. Make sure that man goes to jail for life!" I instructed, my voice steady, my gaze unwavering as I pointed to the man in the holding cell.

The officer nodded in understanding, but I could see the concern etched on his face. I offered him a small smile, a sad attempt at reassurance, before turning to leave.

As I walked away, my mind began to wander, sifting through the events of my life. Each memory, each moment, seemed to be viewed through a lens of sorrow, tainted by the tragedy that had befallen me. It was a long, lonely walk, a reflection of the journey I was about to embark on.

The essence of existence unfolds in its simplicity, and the joy derived from living alongside the entire family is truly unparalleled. Despite the absence of parents, I take pride in asserting that I have conscientiously fulfilled the role of a caretaker for my siblings, a responsibility that has been admirably shared with the invaluable assistance of our beloved grandmother. Age, in her case, has proven to be no impediment in providing us with nurturing guidance and instilling in us the values essential for a wholesome upbringing.

Although there are instances when we find ourselves on the receiving end of admonishments from her, she consistently demonstrates unwavering care and solace, solidifying her status as the epitome of the world's best grandmother. It is with sincere acknowledgment that I recognize her instrumental role in shaping my journey, for without her influence, I may not have attained the position and accomplishments I enjoy today.

Alfred has been an unwavering pillar of support, offering substantial assistance in various facets of my life. Despite the stoic exterior he maintains when faced with my repeated refusals, the genuine satisfaction derived from aiding me daily is unmistakable. His willingness to invest time in chauffeuring me to and from work, a task he undertakes with a less-than-appealing motorcycle, is a testament to his selflessness.

At times, a sense of embarrassment washes over me, recognizing the extent to which he goes out of his way to assist me. Even when he is constrained by prior commitments, he goes the extra mile, dropping me off at a convenient corner and patiently awaiting an alternative ride. Beyond the physical acts of kindness, Alfred consistently keeps me in the loop, extending warm greetings, sending uplifting messages in moments of sadness, and generously providing me with comfort food during times of weariness.

His altruistic nature knows no bounds, as he demonstrates a genuine readiness to undertake any task to win my affections. Despite the depth of his emotions, I can only regard him as a cherished friend, as my feelings extend no further than that. Alfred's unwavering commitment to our friendship remains a cornerstone of my life, even as I navigate the delicate balance of appreciating his kindness while maintaining the boundaries of our relationship.

Jade, Catherine, Adrian, AJ, Gjann, Mitchie, and GJ – these seven cherished individuals make up the fabric of my existence. They serve as the driving force behind my every breath, an unwavering source of inspiration that permeates every facet of my life. Despite their occasional scolding and moments of jest, they stand as my dearest siblings, simultaneously my pillars of strength and my vulnerable points of weakness.

Our household resonates with the echoes of familial disputes, often centered around chores, the dynamics of sibling roles, and the shared love for food. Yet, amidst these disagreements, my love for them remains steadfast. The moments when we come together—laughing, talking, sharing meals, engaging in play, joyfully participating in household tasks, and falling asleep side by side—are the threads that weave the tapestry of my life.

Contemplating a reality without them evokes a profound sense of loss. How could I find joy in my meals without their lively presence? How would I navigate the pursuits I hold dear without their companionship? The prospect of waking up to a world void of their laughter and camaraderie seems unfathomable. They are not merely my inspiration; they are the very continuation of my existence.

The thought of a life without them brings a profound sense of despair. The prospect of facing each day without their warmth and shared experiences leaves me questioning the very essence of my being. They are my lifeline, and the notion of living without their presence feels insurmountable. In their collective existence, I find the meaning and purpose that propels me forward.

"MISS!!!" The policeman I was talking to earlier at the police station shouted but it was too late because in the next few seconds a fast car hit me until I was thrown somewhere.

Shit!

Written on: July 31, Aug 1, 2023