The HOSPITAL

chapter 17. November one

At the end of October 31, the afternoon before All Saints' Day, children in various costumes visited house to house while carrying small baskets around the housing complex. asking for treats with the phrase "Trick or treat."   

Amelia's children also take part to celebrate with their friends.  

Evan, a little boy, has seen in a pirate's costume with covered one eye patches. While Louisa, his sister, dressed as a lady pirate. She wore leather, wool, linen trousers with a velvet vest, a leather belt tied around the waist or diagonally around the torso. Complete with boots and swords like the costumes that Evan wears. They look compact and harmonious. Amelia followed them while pushing a baby stroller; Baby Angeline did not want to be left behind; even though she slept soundly in her baby trolley, she was complete with her baby shark costume. Looks so adorable. The children look happy, and their baskets are also filling up with various candies and chocolates. 

Robert was not at home, he had been in another city for two days where to assigned, and the company sent him to handle everything related to his assignment. 

 It looks like aunty Nida is busy preparing food for the children at home, complete with cakes with a Halloween theme; it seems scary and distasteful, but Nida and Amelia obeyed their wishes because of the children's requests; they also will eat later. 

After being tired of going from house to house, and their baskets were full and overflowing, the children decided to return home to rest after saying thank you to the neighbors. You can see the happiness radiating from the children's faces in the housing estate who are celebrating Halloween. 

Amelia's cell phone rings and appears on the screen; Bertha is calling; Amelia handed the baby over to Aunty Nida, then excused herself to answering Bertha's call.  

Bertha's voice on the other end asked Amelia about their preparations for tomorrow. 

Bertha's voice confirmed tomorrow's plans, and the two of them were busy exchanging conversations: 

"Don't forget to wake the kids up in the morning, so we can leave early," said Bertha 

"Don't worry, I have arranged everything, my baby Angeline will stay at home with Aunt Nida." 

"Good, do we all and the kids fit in your car?" 

"Oh, of course, this car is for seven passengers." 

"Okay sis, don't forget here three of us, me and my two children," added Bertha back from the other side. 

"I already know Sis, there's no need to explain right," said Amelia, laughing amusedly. 

"Okay dear, see you tomorrow morning." 

"Good night," then Amelia ended the call. 

Amelia approached Nida, their house cleaner. And asked: 

"It's okay, aunty, we leave you at home with baby Angeline?" which then answered with a smile by Nida: 

" Amelia, my dear don't worry, I and baby Angeline, we'll be fine." 

"I will take care of the baby at home and since the children are with you, I  have nothing  to do neither any work to take care of except than taking care of the house and baby," added Nida. 

Aunty Nida has been working with them for a long time since they got married; Amelia did not know where Robert found her; the fifth-six-year-old woman came with Robert to the house and introduced Amelia as their caretaker. 

Nida is not just a caretaker, but more than that, as she was loyal and lovely to Robert and his family. She even cares for their children with great love, taking care of Amelia when Robert is not at home; she is like their parent. Nida does not have a family; she is a bit secretive when Amelia asks her and never reveals herself in detail. Amelia was reluctant to ask, afraid that Aunt Nida would feel uncomfortable. 

On November 1, every Catholic and other Christians celebrate a holy day to honor the spirits and souls who have to go to heaven in the afterlife. Every year on November 1, many Roman Catholics and other Christians worldwide celebrate the Holy Day of Saints, honoring all the church's saints that are believe to have reached heaven. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, All Saints' Day is the first Sunday after Pentecost. 

As well as people in the Philippines have a tradition on this holy day, they go to visit the graves where lie the bodies of their families and loved ones who have preceded them. Usually, this tradition executes by most Catholics. Before November 1, they had cleaned the burial area, painted the graves, and weeded weeds around the graves. Then, they put up tents and seats around the family graves because many visitors or guests will make pilgrimages to the graves. 

This tradition is unique to those who are unrelated. The ceremony's purpose is to show respect and affection to relatives who have preceded into the afterlife. Families of the deceased do not forget to bring food supplies because they will stay for hours or even twenty-four hours or spend the night in the cemetery; yes, they look like camping and parties in the cemetery area. They show their affection for their late family; they will never forget them as part of the family because this is not a festival in the true sense of the word. But they are honoring the souls who have gone to heaven.

Regarding the celebration of November one at the cemetery, visitors, the graves' families are not allowed to bring sharp objects, liquor, playing music, and anything against the norm. However, they must follow the applicable regulations, and the government has rules in this regard. At the entrance to the cemetery area, there is an administrative officer who checks the luggage of the visitors. There is a police officer on duty. Visitors must walk to the cemetery area because vehicles are only allowed outside the cemetery area and some distance from the entrance.

After traveling with long drives, They finally arrived at the place where the late father of Bertha lays to rest in peace in his long sleep. Traveled to the city where the graveyard takes close to two hours. 

The situation in the cemetery was very crowded, as in crowded, people dressed in their style, not only in two colors, black and white, as in general, attending funerals, this is not a funeral but a visit to the silent inhabitants in their coffins underground. 

Bertha's children sowed flowers on their grandfather's grave, and there was a bouquet there. It seems some other family of bertha had come to visit. 

Bertha lit a candle and started to pray for her late beloved father, looking solemn and quiet, followed by Bertha's children, Amelia and Louisa. While Evan visited the graves of other graves in his vicinity, he sprinkled flowers on the graves that seemed lonely without their relatives attending. 

Amelia looked around her, she whispered to herself: 

" I am just wondering where my parents are?" 

"Are they still alive or are there any of them?" while looking at the vast graveyard filled with visitors. 

 Bertha poked Amelia and asked: 

"Sister, what are you thinking?" 

"Your eyes are far away, like you're thinking about something," Bertha asked again. 

"I'm just wondering if my parents are still around or among of them?" 

Amelia answered while gesturing by tilting her mouth towards the grave in front of her. 

Bertha laughed and spoke. 

"Hush it's not nice to say that, of course they're still alive I guess." 

Evan was starting to look bored and whined, asking his mother to go: 

"Mom, are we still long here?" 

" I am hungry, but I don't want to eat among dead people." while pointing his hand towards the people who were eating beside the grave. 

Amelia was startled by Evan's words.  

" shh..!Evan, quiet, people will hear to you," said Amelia whispered  

Evan started whining and wanted to go. 

Bertha understands and asks the children to prepare all things and to leave soon. 

Evan looked relieved and ate his food voraciously; finally, they found a restaurant outside the cemetery area.