It felt odd, standing there…Both Jolly and Pinky were six feet under. Most adults who had come for the funeral had fled. Fled as fast as they could after necessary painful “paying the respects” was done. My parents had left too. But we hung around…A small group of kids bewildered…and scared…Not just by how close death came to us…But…Also about how the word murderer suddenly became more than something in a novel or the headline in a newspaper. Guess that’s how things work. Nothing’s real unless it happens to you.552Please respect copyright.PENANAOMVoXJjqFH
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I stood in the living room of Jolly’s house, my eyes fixed on Jolly’s mother. Guilt was eating my heart even though I kept telling myself I had no reason to be. I wasn’t some superhero on television. My power was close to useless.552Please respect copyright.PENANAAIrwRI64fo
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A small figure, huddled in a corner groaned. I couldn’t look at her, at Jolly’s mother, without wanting to scream. Aunt Daisy whom I had known since I was a little girl, the kindest, sweetest woman I had ever seen. She didn’t deserve to have her heart broken like this. I couldn’t even imagine what it would feel to lose two daughters…That too…552Please respect copyright.PENANAfsYPnja5F7
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“Daisy…”552Please respect copyright.PENANAMvJLXLqrb2
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Jolly’s father, Uncle Elias, had once been an energetic charismatic man. He looked old now. Too old. Innumerable lines were etched on his face, as if an inexperienced carpenter went haywire with the chisel. His legs swayed now and then as he moved towards his wife.552Please respect copyright.PENANAQQJhpNXf48
I turned away, anticipating more tears and words that would cut into my already aching heart. But…552Please respect copyright.PENANANEgAhToGFn
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I didn’t expect her to get up. I didn’t expect her to face him with blazing eyes and spit out the words,552Please respect copyright.PENANAtIX92Z71F8
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“You killed them. You…”552Please respect copyright.PENANAoq0RQPchyA
To be continued...
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