DECEPTION AND DESIRES

Justin Jacob Funeral

“Hello everyone,” the preacher started, in a serious and polite tone."We've all gathered here to offer our final condolences to Mr. Justin Jacobs, a successful businessman and a great man who left us too early. This should be a lesson for all of us that we are nothing but dust and God is the almighty. Let us all pray and make sure that our souls are clean and we are in the good books of the Lord before it is too late. ”

The people nodded in approval and the audience watched the casket with the remains of Mr. Jacobs. This was a reminder from the preacher that life is very short.

The pastor continued, “Mr. Jacobs was a kind and generous man who was a businessman and philanthropist. He will be missed but his memory will live on through his family and the many people he helped. ”

Mrs. Jacobs, who was in tears, moved closer to bid her last farewell to her husband. “My husband was a man full of life. . . before he left for that business trip, I never knew it would be the last time I would see him alive. ” She broke down into tears.

“He was a man of goodwill, a man of the people, a meek man who put the needs of others above his own. ” She could not go on as she began to weep. Anastacia, her daughter, quickly moved to her took her by the hand, and led her away from the microphone.

Don Joseph, Mr. Jacobs' friend and business associate, was called upon to give his final tribute. He stepped up to the stage, his face full of sorrow. "It pains me to say goodbye to a friend like a brother. We started our journey together as young men, hoping to achieve great things. You did your best Justin, and I will not ask God why you had to leave us so soon. He knows best, goodbye, my friend, goodbye, Justin Jacobs, goodbye, man of the people. "

The grief atmosphere engulfed the audience and some were seen wiping their tears. The preacher proceeded to offer the final prayers as the people bowed their heads in reverence The sound of crying and sneezing was loud, this was an indication of how much Mr. Jacobs had touched the lives of the people.

“It is now time for us to bid the last farewell,” the pastor said sorrowfully, “Let us go round the casket and take a last look at the lifeless body of Mr. Justin Jacobs. ”

People moved in circular lines and each person was given a chance to look at the casket; some were dropping the flowers as others cried, Anastacia’s eyes were red from weeping, and she hugged her mother tightly as they moved closer to the casket.

When they got to the front, Anastacia’s mother fell on her daughter and cried bitterly. Anastacia also cried.

The pastor raised his hands and the audience became silent “Lord, we ask in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to receive the soul and spirit of Mr. Justin Jacobs into your paradise. ” "

A thud of dirt soil was thrown onto the casket as people started to walk away from the grave, towards the Jacobs family reception canopy, until the casket was all covered in a 6 ft grave.

Anastacia was standing in a corner, hugging her friends who were trying to console her. That is when she spotted him – a tall, blond man with black, intense-looking eyes, a man who looked like he was a man of power and money.

“Hi dear,” he said in a deep tone that could easily command the attention of the entire classroom, “My name is Raymond Joseph. ” "

Anastacia dried her tears, and her gaze turned sharp. ”Okay, Raymond… Thanks for coming to my father’s funeral. ”

Raymond's expression remained stoic. “My father invited me though”, “Don’t cry like a toddler, you are a big lady. ”

Anastacia’s eyes looked furious. “I LOST MY FATHER!” she said, her tone full of anger. “And you are here telling me to stop crying like a baby? Are you this pathetic? Do you know how it feels?”

Raymond just shrugged his shoulders and did not seem to be affected at all. "Whatever. "

He straightened his tie and then got up from the chair. Anastacia looked at him, her emotions rising with anger

‘How dare you!’ she said with anger and raised her voice so that those around her heard her. ‘You come to my father’s funeral and have the audacity to tell me that I cry like a baby? You are cruel!’

Raymond didn’t move, his back to her. “Well, I am only being practical Anastacia, death is inevitable, you should be reminded of that. ”

With that, he left and Anastacia was left fuming with anger and sadness.

Don Joseph and Raymond moved through the people, their attention solely on Mrs. Jacobs. She was standing and with people that had come to console her, her body was shaking, her eyes swollen and red.

Don Joseph said, "Greetings, Mrs. Jacobs," in a low manner that suggested he understood her grief.

Mrs. Jacobs looked round, and new tears were rising in her eyes. ”Hello Josephs… I am so thankful for all that you are doing to ensure that my husband is buried… I am so thankful. ”

Don Joseph's expression was somber. ‘Don’t say that, your husband was my very good friend and business associate’, I am only doing what I have to do, and I think he would do more if it was me.

Mrs. Jacobs just nodded her head and her lips trembled. “You are very welcome sir… Yes, you are right, Justin would have done the same for you. ”

Raymond just stood still, his eyes gazing at Anastacia who was observing the scene between them with a combination of wrath and melancholy.

He gently placed his hand on Mrs. Jacobs’ shoulder Don Joseph did. "My dear, remember that everything will soon come to an end. Don't be hard on yourself."

Mrs. Jacobs nodded again, crying her heart out. Don Joseph looked into Anastacia’s eyes and they both felt something unspoken.

“Thank you, sir,” Mrs. Jacobs whispered in a low voice that could hardly be heard.

Don Joseph nodded and put his arms around her lovingly, “You are like family to me, Mrs. Jacobs; we shall pull through it together.”

While hugging Raymond stared at Anastacia’s face without any emotion showing on his face. Although she kept quiet throughout as she flashed an angry look, her sorrow was momentarily forgotten as she got incensed by Raymond’s actions.