Chapter 6

Maria Linda seeing you like this is really heartbreaking for her.

More or less, she has been playing with Sweet Pea for fifteen years, since she was in elementary school.

Mr. and Mrs. Gunn considered her as a descendant in the family, more or less also on the emotional side.

Humans are not plants, but they are unconscious and have no feelings.

Those present at the funeral heard Sweet Pea's heartbreaking cry but also felt bitter and sorry for her.

A girl, life is too young.

Having not experienced many ups and downs in life, I lost both of my dearest people at once.

It's really pitiful.

Sweet Pea is like a lost soul sitting next to two coffins.

Despite the advice of Sweet Pea and her family, she refused to stand up.

Rice did not eat, water did not drink a drop.

She didn't even have time to eat the breakfast she moved to America, but she wasn't hungry, just helpless.

I have cried so many tears that I can't even cry anymore.

Her voice was hoarse, too, and her face was listless and tired.

Outsiders look at it, it hurts, she doesn't even feel it, how does she feel now.

The color of the late autumn sky is gloomy, the trees are losing their leaves.

Somewhere, the dry branches were bare, shivering under the cold of late autumn and early winter.

You are nothing but dry branches now.

Bare, no place to cling.

Her only support had left her and gone.

Both the people and the scene blend into that bleak sad picture.

Human life is difficult to predict, the world is impermanent.

Does anyone know for sure tomorrow?

Something that once existed, thought to be forever.

But in just a moment of looking back, there are only two words left: "Once."

Can't hold back anymore!

The next morning, the weather was warm, a little drizzle signaled a cold wind was about to come over.

The weather is also colder because of that, but not as cold as people's hearts.

Today is the day of mourning for Mr and Mrs. Gunn.

In just a few minutes, the cold grave will bury a whole person.

End of a vicious cycle of human life.

The two graves had just been buried, the surface still covered with wet soil.

Those attending the funeral came forward one by one, placing a white rose in front of each gravestone, in lieu of saying goodbye to loved ones to the eternal world.

But it was all just a ritual, no one felt pain or pity.

There was only one girl, in that moment when her remains were buried deep in that black earth, she really brought her heart down there.

The ceremony ended, everyone left one by one, Sweet Pea still stood dumbfounded in place.

Maria Linda was still standing behind her umbrella even in the drizzly rain.

She whispered advice.

- Sweet Pea, no matter how much you grieve, you two can't come back to life.

You should think to yourself, it's getting cold, let's go home.

Sweet Pea still didn't respond.

Her entire mind and eye focus were focused on the other two tombstones.

Still know the pain is never eternal.

But in the face of pain, people still can't stand it, but trample on themselves.

Maria Linda spoke again.

- Sweet Pea, don't be stubborn.

If you are like that, the two men in heaven will be very sad to see you, you know? Isn't the only wish of the two of you is to have a good life?

Sweet Pea's tears that seemed to have dried up fell because of Maria Linda's words.

She smiled to herself and then said to Diep Minh Nhi.

- Do you think my parents see me? If they saw it, I would be very sad.

They have only one child.

But in the end, I didn't have time to see them one last time.

Me... ! Me...!

- Sweet Pea!

Maria Linda almost screamed.

Why does she keep holding all the blame for herself?

- Sweet Pea, listen to me, no one blames you, it was an accident.

Boy...!

The unfinished words had to be swallowed back.

Maria Linda cried out in panic.

- Sweet Pea, how are you? Wake up, don't scare me.

Not knowing because of cold, hunger, or pain, Sweet Pea suddenly fainted, causing Maria Linda to panic.

She frantically dialed the phone to call an ambulance.

Waiting until Sweet Pea woke up was already the next afternoon.

She daydreamed, trying to open her heavy eyelids.

The white ceiling is full, the smell of antiseptic spray straight into the nose is the most accurate answer to tell her where she is.

Maria Linda pushed open the door of the hospital room and entered, still carrying a box of hot porridge in her hand.

Seeing that she was awake, her eyes were fixed on the ceiling, she was overjoyed.

- Thank goodness, Sweet Pea, you're awake.

You scared me to death.

- Why am I in the hospital?

That was the first question she opened her mouth to ask Maria Linda.

She spoke to her in a voice of resentment and reproach, though her hand was still on the pillow and raised the bed so that she could sit comfortably.

- You dare to ask me.

The doctor said that he did not eat or drink, leading to weakness.

Plus the overwhelming grief led to mental illness, so I fainted.

- Um.

She only replied with a short, curt sentence as if she had understood.

Does that make Maria Linda crazy?

This girl is really speechless.

Maria Linda's hand was still quickly pouring porridge into her bowl.

Waiting for the porridge to cool somewhat, she carefully scooped a spoonful of porridge and brought it to her mouth.

- Eat some food, if you don't eat, you will die of hunger and weakness.

"Die" the word echoed in her head like a haunting memory.

She smiled sadly.

- Yeah, maybe after I die I'll see them again in the afterlife.