A broken code of Promise

The Funeral

Jaxon’s POV

I closed my eyes, and the best memories I had with Linx played in my mind. I questioned why life had pushed us this far. Linx and I had been best friends in high school—our friendship beautiful, shining like a diamond, but it disappeared like lightning. We used to climb mountains, surf oceans, and fly through the skies. After high school, things changed. Even though I entrusted him with the letter, our bond wasn’t what it had been.

Nothing, however, would stop me from attending his burial. The night I heard the news, I grabbed my passport and some cash and left home. I didn’t wake Amanda. Instead, I left a note on her pillow. Within thirty minutes, I was on my way to the airport. Hours later, I was landing at JMN International Airport in Bulawayo. Sunrise painted the city in soft gold. I took a taxi straight to Gwanda town. The driver sensed my urgency and started the engine immediately—I didn’t want to be late. Bulawayo and Gwanda were close.

Along the way, I admired the savanna trees. Their calm beauty helped me relax my mind, but I kept asking myself: would I be able to face Cassie? My mother? Did Cassie even get the letter from Linx? All my questions remained unanswered until I reached Gwanda.

The journey took nearly two hours. From there, I walked a short distance to my home—and couldn’t believe what I saw. The place looked like a ruin, no longer vibrant. The hedge had fallen, the walls were cracked, the door handles rusted, and grass covered every inch of the yard. The house was padlocked.

I screamed for my mother, though I already knew she wasn’t there. Peeking through the windows, I saw curtains that seemed ancient. My mother was no longer living there. I wondered where she could have gone.

As I stood there, neighborhood children stared at me. Soon, a woman appeared—a new neighbor from Botswana. I introduced myself, but she had no knowledge of my family. After a brief chat, she went back inside, leaving me confused and anxious.

My watch buzzed—funeral time was already after nine. I couldn’t delay any longer. Despite exhaustion, I walked to the church. My thoughts ran wild… and then I didn’t notice the car coming.

Cassie hit me while the traffic lights were red. My mind was miles away as I crossed the road. In an instant, I was on the ground. Blood filled my mouth, and the shock was overwhelming. She ran to me, trembling. Our hands met, and it was like electricity. I was shocked to learn she had a daughter. Jealousy welled up—I saw that she had moved on, married, and had a beautiful child. The way she was dressed made it obvious she was going to the funeral. I asked for a lift.

In her car, she frowned—a clear sign she didn’t want to speak. I stayed silent until we reached the church. I watched as people rushed up the steps; we were late. Cassie even forgot her hat. I picked it up and inhaled its scent—the fragrance brought back memories of our last night together, when we had sneaked away to make a memory. I smiled, letting the memory run wild, before stepping out and following them inside.

At the entrance, fear gripped me. How would people judge me for running away from my wedding? I hesitated, still holding Cassie’s hat, and sat at the entrance.

Twenty minutes later, I heard the pastor asking the wife of the deceased to come forward. I stood to see Linx’s wife. My heart pounded. It was Cassie. My blood boiled with anger and disbelief. I stepped inside the church, still holding her hat, wanting to return it to her.

My shoes felt heavy, my joints stiff. My energy seemed to drain away. I spotted Mathew, his face veined, his breathing ragged. He advanced toward me, but Cassie stopped him. Mathew’s anger grew while everyone else in the church watched in shock.

I made Cassie wear her hat. Then, suddenly, she slapped me across the face. I closed my eyes, trying to control my rage. When I opened them, she was gone.

I staggered to the podium next to the priest. All eyes were on me. My chest pounded, my breathing became uncontrollable. Questions about Linx, Cassie, and the last ten years stormed my mind. The intensity overwhelmed me. My sight blurred. My consciousness slipped away—I didn’t know what happened next.