BLAMELESS SORROWS

71. Funeral.

Axel's Point of View.

As I sit leaning against the wall in the corner of my room, I could hear the loud singing of the people in the hall.

Grandpa service is going on at the moment but I can't even went out and join them.

The service which is keeping the body for one night is something we Iklu do is our funeral service.

And here all the people from the kingdom will come and sit through the service while singing the hymn of such occasion.

The hymn signifies that we are with them till their soul reach heaven and is keeping them company with the song. While it also signifies the happiness that we felt as a soul is going back to the beautiful place called heaven or home. And more so, we are showing our gratitude with the song for whatever he or she have done for us in his or her lifetime.

And of course it is a time meant for the family, relative and love one to say our goodbye to the departed soul.

This funeral service in Iklu is somewhat like a celebration in certain ways in the midst of mourning.

But there is hidden yet shown feature in Iklu's funeral. That is the number of attentend in someone's funeral. Or the loudness of the song sang at the funeral.

When the people are more and the song are sang louder it shows how much the person was loved and how well he or she have lived. While the lesser the attentend, it was a show of the character of the person.

It is not necessary that this is true but that is just how it is taken.

And to no surprise of anyone, almost all the citizen of Iklu came to attend grandpa's funeral. Maybe some stayed for a short period while others for long but everyone attentend. And even when it is nearly dawn by now, many people are still there singing vigorously through the night till dawn.

But me, the one who is supposed to be at the upfront. Grandpa's only grandson who should be leading at his funeral service, who should be accompanying him in his final moment is here hidden in his room, afraid of everything.

Even up to here I could hear Tilbe's cry as she seat by the coffin, her cries filled the whole hall. She has been crying for almost the whole day now, and I could not even lend her my arm to mourn at such a painful period. Why is it like this?

Why am I so useless?

Why do I feel so helpless?

I want to comfort her, I want to mourn in open as well. I want to be there where grandpa will be carried out from our home. I want to be there as well when we have to say the final goodbye to grandpa. I want to be able to mourn freely as well.

I desperate want to go out and be with everyone not minding their presence and not hurting them.

I can't continue to hear Tilbe crying like such and do nothing about it. It hurt too much and I can't stay still like this.

While I was thinking as such, I saw a shadow lurking by my walls while something pass by my doors.

And then appears a person right beside me making me jump up in surprise, but nonetheless quickly turn away from whoever it is.

The person: Well you are not blindfolded today. And why is it so dark in here?

And whoever it is click on the light making me squint my eyes shut.

Axel: I thinks you get the wrong room and the wrong person, so if you will please, please leave.

I said it quite coldly and harshly hoping for whoever it is to get away as quick as they can.

The person: Why is it that everytime we meet, you get a little bit colder each time?

What? She have meet me before? it is a female voice, but the only person I have come close to meeting is only Heri and I can say confidently that, this is most definitely not her voice.

But then again she might have just saw me from afar during the rare times that I ever go out, considering she know about my blindfold as well.

Axel: I don't know what you are talking about and I also don't want to know, but please leave.

She chuckled as I said that and walk closer towards me while I shut my eyes as tight as I can.

The person: I can help you though?

Axel: What?

What is she talking about, what help?

The person: Tilbe did a lot for me and I will be forever grateful for that, and if I have the chance then Iam all ready to be of help to her. And I think I have a chance now.

Who is this, I mean Little gift have help more than a lot of people, so many of them are there who wants to pay her back. So that information isn't really specific.

But even if I ask who is she to her, I don't really think it's usefull. First off, I won't know her even if she told me who she is and it is also better that I don't know anything about her.

And secondly, Iam not even in a situation where I can get help even if she can.

And thirdly, Iam not really in a state where I can accompany someone, I just want to be left alone. Dark, alone and mournful as I was before.

Axel: Just go away! Now!

I said it as harsh and cold as I can, but it doesn't seems to affect whoever it is.

The person: I know you are avoiding me or to be more precise, evryone because of your Tama but..

How come she knows about my Tama, how come she know I have it?

Axel: What are you talking about?

I feign as much innocence as I can, but even to me my anxious and startled voice dont sound convincing.

The person: I thought you will have ask by now, but since you haven't I will say it myself. Iam Karina, Karina Green.

Oh! She is the one who came with the pair that got married and also is the one who barge in our house.

And since it's her, I guess it's no surprise that she know about my Tama.

Axel: So you can feel my Tama too, I guess.

Well she said her ability is knowing what someoneles ability is and taking it away, so I guess it's only a given.

Karina: Well, my ability doesn't really shy away just because it is a Tama.

I sigh as she said that.

Axel: Well since you know that it is a Tama, and seems to know what that is; you will have known that I can hurt you with it and preety badly at that. So I will ask again, please go away.

She come closer again,but this time did not stop there rather she quickly jump infront of me while I quickly turn away surprised at her sudden action.

Karina: Its okay, you don't have to turn away. Your Tama can't hurt me anyway. And besides if it want to hurt someone, even if you don't know their face it will hurt them.

I do know that as well, but not seeing their faces lessen the chances of me hurting someone by a great decree.

And I will be able to hurt them only if my emotion is extreme either be it in love or hate.

But what does she mean that my Tama won't work on her?

Axel: Why won't it hurt you, and why do you seems so familiar with it?

Karina: We for starter, Tama is not really a rare thing outside of Iklu. There are many people with it so I know quite a bit. And also about the other question, most ability will not work on me.

Axel: Why?

And yes I still haven't look at her, and decide to keep my eyes tightly shut as we speak.

Karina: You know that I can take away other people's ability right?

I nod at that.

Karina: Well if your Tama attack me, I will absorb it as your ability and it won't hurt me, rather I can just store it or use it if I can that is.

Yes she did mention that she does not have the ability to use taken ability yet.

Axel: Okay, taht is cool. But why are you here?

Karina: You said that, but yet you don't turn back.

And she sigh while I continue keeping my eye astray, not willing to look at her pe have any contact. I know what she said but I just couldn't do it.

It's more like a habit by now and for some reason, I just couldn't believe her. As if she have any reason to lie about it, she really have none and I know that but still I just could not belive her words.

Karina: But anyway, I am here to help Tilbe, and it's not like you not seeing me will come in its way but you seeing me will also make the transaction easier.

She said that while I choose to ignore half of her words.

Axel: What are you trying to help Tilbe with? And even if that's your goal, what does helping her have anything to do with me?

I ask genuinely confused.

Karina: Tilbe's cries can be heard even up till here. Everyone have been trying to comfort her but nothing works. Vann have been by her side all this time but she dont even seems to know he is there. Uncle Jo, Heri and even Galen; all of them are trying to comfort her but she pay no heed to everyone.

I clench my fist at the hopelessness I feel at the moment. I know Tilbe will be lost, sad and pained all over. I know she will need all the support she can get. I know that, but I just don't know how to help.

Karina: And by now she is loosing her grasp of reality. Her body is getting weaker and her complexion paler; her eyes duller while his composure almost no more. At this rate, she will lose her conciousness in no time.

I grit my teeth as hard as I can as I head her. I know best how Little Gift health is, I really know best. And I also know best, how much grandpa means to little gift and how sad she is over his departure.

So I also know best, how hurt and alone she must be feeling at this moment.

Karina: She really need you now, and I can help you go and comfort and be with her. But only if you will look and trust me. Cause only then, can I take your Tama away from you.