PLEASE READ: Pre-note to readers: I realize I made a mistake. Madhu should've been cremated after her death but I waited a couple weeks. I actually haven't been to a funeral since I was 5. It was of my grandpa's...and I don't remember much. I probably didn't even get the process right in this update...Anyways, what I'm trying to say is sorry for that mistake. The funeral is in this update, and it won't effect the storyline in anyway with it being so late.
Chapter Eight – The Funeral
They say 'Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, which is why it's called the present.' But that day was no gift for me at all…
Silence.
That's all I remember around me the day of her cremation.
Silent sobs of her family and mine, who I had called back.
Silent tears flowing from all the eyes.
I stood still staring at the oil in my hands.
No tears fell from my eyes, I was dry.
As I took my first step and spilled the oil over my shoulder, I felt my heart shattering. With every step I took around her, I could feel my heart breaking apart, piece-by-piece.
This was it, I remember thinking to myself.
She was really gone. She was no more.
With my last step, I remembered back to when she had spoken her last words to me "I love you…RK". I dropped the rest of the oil behind my shoulder.
As the priest read the mantras, I was handed a torch…the torch that would make this nightmare a reality.
The torch that would steal my beautiful wife away from me.
As my torch was lit, I stared into the fire.
I wanted to scream, I wanted to break down, but I held it within me…screaming internally as I stared into the fire and cursed it for having to take my Madhu away from me.
I turned towards her, I took a final look at her flawless, beautiful…perfect…unforgettable face.
"I love you Madhu….But it's time for me to say bye…biw.."
I couldn't finish speaking.
I remembered the night of the party…when she had gripped at my hand and said, "Don't leave me…"
And with that, the torch lit her on fire.
I stared shocked at the fire, my sasuma had to pull me away before I hurt myself by the bursting flames.
I was dead. Dead on the inside.
As she pulled me away, I felt as though I had no control of my body.
"I'm sorry…" I spoke to the flames in front of me.
Then finally, the tears I thought I had run out of, flowed out of my eyes as if I had never cried before.
I fell to my knees and looked up to the sky.
I screamed out her name as everyone surrounded me.
She was gone.
She had left me.
I told everyone to leave me alone as I watched the flames engulf my wife's body.
I sat there for hours alone.
Eventually the priest came to me with ashes.
It was her.
My Madhu in my hands.
"Son, please let these flow away in the river in front of you."
The priest gave me a remorseful smile and then turned to leave.
Leaving me alone with the ashes of my wife in my hands.
Anupamaa
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