Palm trees swayed to the aggressive breeze that swept across the gloomy horizon. Heavy rain watered the grass and umbrellas were raised to shield from the rain.
It was a sad and cold evening. The smiths alongside the press, Branden’s relatives, friends, co partners, shareholders, Clifield university’s staffs, Evelyn, Jane, men of high caliber, and Diana were all present at the funeral.
Soul drained and eyes swollen, Diana was depressed and broken. Nothing could fill the void in her heart, not money, not posession, not parties or friends could spark up a little glimpse of happiness in her.
Her heart repeatedly pierced by the emotions she couldn’t bear nor control, it all seemed like a dream, the nightmare she was dying to crawl out from.
Her one true love was gone, the man she had lived years with, gave her all to. Diana couldn’t help but soliloquize. “Do I deserve to live? He is in the grave because of me, what’s the use of living without him?”
As if loosing her parents wasn’t enough, she lost Branden.
Why is the universe taking everything from her? Memories came rushing back.
Memories of her visiting Italy and attending his award night, going to meet his parents, going to the beach with him, coming for her graduation, the nights they spent together cuddling and dancing to the rhythm of their music.
How could she let this happen to Branden, her heart was filled with regrets and wishes to bring Branden back but none of that mattered. If she could turn back the hands of time she would somehow avoid this tragedy.
Her swollen eyes were dried but somehow they still produced more tears, tears that felt like acid, pouring down her wrinkled cheeks.
“Today, we are all here to give tribute to a brilliant, wealthy, humble and kind young entrepreneur, he was a father to many, a business partner, a colleague, a mentor, an icon, a friend, a brother, a best friend, a lover and a son to us.
In our hearts, your memory lingers. We are grateful for everything you did for us. Some day we hope to see you again. You are not far from us Branden, you live in our hearts and nothing can take that away. It broke our hearts to loose you but we know you are not alone, God took you home and we know you’re in a better place. Rest on Branden, we love you” The priest and co host of the burial said.
Branden’s mother broke down in tears, she couldn’t stop herself from lamenting and crying over her first child. Branden’s death was truly horrific.
The atmosphere was melancholic, hovering around was grief and sorrow. Smiles vanished from faces and happiness was far from sight.
Branden’s casket sat close to Branden’s grave, waiting patiently to be buried in dust. In it was Branden dressed in white, his nostrils were blocked with white cottons.
The press stood behind the congregation, they took pictures and videos. They weren’t exempted from mourning. Sadness and grief also saturated all over them.
Even Catherine was present; Diana’s worst enemy. Her heart was filled with evil and deceit but nevertheless she had history with Branden. He was once a friend before pleasures and lust drove her into plotting evil to have him.
She never wished evil for him, wanting him drove her to do unthinkable things and for that, Branden hated her but Catherine was still deep in love.
Seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours, Branden’s mother, father and brother had alot of things to say about Branden. After their speeches, Diana; who was introduced to the whole world as Branden’s lover, was called to give her speech.
She wiped her tears and stood from the seat that seemed like it was going to swallow her entire being.
She walked to the pulpit, dressed in a black gown and black pearls around her neck. She oozed of sorrow and depression, it was written all over her face. A week after his passing she had already drowned herself in tears.
She held the mic and sighed into it, her heart was too heavy to let her lips speak but she didn’t let that stop her.
“Good evening everyone, I’m glad to see you all present. Branden was everything to me, he risked everything for me. I loved him so much and I still do” she greeted the congregation formally.
In her hand was a leaflet, she placed it on the pulpit and read it out loud whilst using a microphone.
“I wish I could see you Branden Smith, walking through the door one last time but I know it’s impossible, I’ll hear your voice no more.
I know you can feel my tears and you don’t want me to cry yet my heart is broken because I fail to phantom why someone so precious had to die. We said forever and now you’re gone.
How am i supposed to live without you, how can I stay in this wicked world knowing fully well that you are no longer here to comfort and guide me. No one can fill the void in my heart, your passing has broken my soul but I hope you’re in a better place.
For the sacrifices you made for me, I’ll forever be grateful, I’m sorry for all I’ve caused you. I love you, Rest on my love, your memories will forever remain in my heart till I join you in the grave” her eyes watered on stage. The whole world was watching, Branden’s burial ceremony was aired live on every channel.
Diana’s feeble feet threatened to fall apart but she stood strong and walked back to her sit.
Jane sat by her side, comforting her throughout the burial ceremony, without Jane, Diana would be left with nothing to live for.
On the other hand, Steven watched the event from a mile away, watching tears erupt broke his heart, it broke down the walls of hatred he built for Branden. Yes he hated Branden but seeing him die was never the plan, he didn’t deserve to die for such a petty offence.
This was a huge loss for the business community at large, Branden contributed greatly to the economy of the country. Senates and governors were present.
The burial ended and everyone went home afterwards but Diana stayed at the graveyard, mourning her lost love.
She wished and prayed that one day they’ll be united, someday Branden would hold her in a warm embrace, pat her on the head and tell her ‘all will be well’
She dropped the roses on his grave and drove home, his memories would never leave her.
Not even in a million years. Right there and then, she realized that she had lost her love forever.