Free Web NovelChapter 291: The White Casket
Zyair didn’t sleep a wink that night. He dejectedly sat on the patio swing slowly rocking it backwards and forwards. Bitu was perched in his lap, sleeping peacefully.
He had personally visited and spoken to everyone related to Doran, especially Amsilia and Caleb; Doran’s former best friend.
But they hadn’t seen him in a long time and had no clue about his whereabouts. Though they promised to keep an eye out and inform the police and him, if they encountered Doran or learnt anything related to him.
Boisterous summer winds were disrupting the peaceful night and mirrored the situation in Zyair’s mind and heart. Every second was painful to draw breath as if his lungs had been punctured from several places.
"Sky! Hang in there, I am trying," he painfully whispered to the wind as if hoping that somehow it would carry his words to his wife.
Tilting his head back he blankly stared at the heavens above, a tear brimming with his emotions escaped his pained eyes and slid sideways, disappearing into his hair. His hand slowly patted Bitu.
The shrill ringing of his phone brought him out of his distressing thoughts. Quickly fishing the phone out of his pocket he checked the ID with a heaving heart. Maybe there was news of his wife.
It was Rais. Receiving the call, Zyair placed the phone on his ear and said expectantly. freewebnσvel.cøm
"Hello!"
"Hey!" Rais’s pained voice came through, jabbing Zyair’s heart. He understood there was bad news at his end.
"What’s wrong?"
"Come to the hospital, bring your mom as well. Madame Maven is no more..." The gravity of his words shook Zyair.
Madame Maven was a dignified lady who had shaped Skyla’s life so much and helped her become the strong and caring woman she was today. Another tear slipped past his wet eyes. They had lost a gem today.
"I am on my way," he brokenly informed Rais before ending the call. Frustratedly he rubbed his face with both his hands, before gathering the courage to leave the swing and get his mother.
Zyair placed Bitu in his basket and went to knock on the door of his mother. She had only gone to sleep an hour ago.
She hastily opened while rubbing her eyes, deeply concerned lines had formed on her face. They deepened even further seeing him look so down and lost for words.
"What is it? Everything all right?"
"No, mom...Madame Maven is gone....We need to go to the hospital..." his voice kept breaking as his mother almost fell hearing the sad news. He was quick to gather her in his comforting arms and steadied her.
"Nooo... this can’t be happening. What—t did we ever do wrong?" She lamented between sobs.
Zyair gently rubbed her arm, he was lost for words, all that remained was pent-up anger and he didn’t want to explode just yet.
Soon both of them left for the hospital with Kail. Arriving in the hospital lobby they met Amsilia, Huria and Lawrence. Rais was taking care of the procedures to receive the body from the hospital. freeweɓnovel.cøm
"Meena!" Amsilia cried out, seeing her friend and they hugged each other, crying their eyes out and providing comfort to the other.
Huria and Lawrence were watching with grim faces, tears shone brightly in Huria’s eyes. She had known Madame Maven all her life and knew Skyla would be devastated by the news.
Zyair quietly approached them and Huria turned to face him, fighting back tears.
"The blood loss was too much, they couldn’t save her," she informed him with a sniffle as Lawrence handed her a tissue paper.
"I can’t believe this is happening. It’s like we are stuck in a nightmare. Does Madame have a family?" Zyair asked with a set jaw, trying to keep the anger from creeping up in his voice.
"No, she was an orphan. She had spent most of her life with Adam’s household. She had no one but them. Skyla would want a proper burial for her." Huria let out a deep sigh, the thought of her friend missing was taking a heavy toll on her and now this death.
The tears she was trying not to shed, came tumbling down making her body tremble. Lawrence wrapped his brotherly arm around her, providing comfort.
"We will arrange a proper burial and we will get Skyla back," Zyair dragged the words out with difficulty, he almost choked on them.
After that, he walked away trying to find Rais so they could get through with the process.
Zyair signed the hospital papers to receive her body as the legal guardian and then they took her home.
Wrapped in a white sheet she was nothing but a body now. The living breathing woman who was full of love and cooked delicious meals and desserts was gone now.
Amsilia was inconsolable and the fact that her son had been named as the prime suspect in this case had killed whatever heart she had been left with.
The following morning dawned with Madame Maven’s funeral and every newspaper/media outlet printing the news of Skyla’s kidnapping plus the massacre at their house.
The city went into a frenzy and was shocked at the news. By midday, many people had taken to the streets to show their solidarity with Zyair in this tough time. The police were called to push people back in many areas especially the graveyard so they could bury Madame Maven in peace.
The onyx dresses everyone adorned revealed the inner turmoils of their hearts. Amidst sniffles and tears, the white casket of the woman everyone adored and loved was lowered into the ground. Covered with flowers and soil, she was put eternally to rest.
Lawrence’s mother, Erdith and Mawar had also joined them for the funeral.
"I am really sorry for everything that has transpired. If there is anything you will need my help with, please don’t hesitate," Erdith solemnly said to both Zyair and Meena.
"All I need is my wife back and to bury the people six feet under who attacked my home and took Madame Maven from us," Zyair replied in a sinister voice, there was this coldness in his eyes which had not been seen before.
He was holding on for his wife but once he would burst, nothing would remain standing in his way.
