BREATHLESS VI

     

The service was solemn and thronged with people.  Aria looked so peaceful in the casket. She was dressed in her favorite red dress which draped nicely inches from her knees. It showed off her beautiful legs and gracefully flaunted her slender physique. Her nails were painted indigo. A stunning blue Swarovski necklace accentuated her blueish green eyes. She looked gorgeous, even in death.

The decor was impeccable with lilacs strewn everywhere. Aria loved lilacs and always blabbed away about how her wedding was gonna be the talk of town with lilacs everywhere. The girls never succeeded in getting her to shut up about it. Though a sorrowful event, they knew Aria, wherever she was would be bursting with joy that her friends remembered to use her favorite flowers.

The Reverend Andy Campbell of the Mount Olivet Methodist church kept the sermon short, talking at great length the importance of giving one’s life to Christ. He said Aria would not be forgotten. She was a kindred soul; ever ready to serve the church. The choir sang a sensational arrangement of ‘amazing grace’ and ‘when peace like a river’.

The tribute from friends was read by Emily. She tried to compose herself but broke into tears in the middle of her tribute. They just couldn’t believe it. Marjorie picked up the mic after Emily and sang Wiz Khalifa’s ‘See you again’. Her silky voice filled the auditorium and tears spilled from all eyes there as memories of Aria flooded their thoughts.

Only family and close friends were allowed at the cemetery after the service. Lowering the casket into the ground was the crucial and most daunting part. The girls wept uncontrollably. It suddenly dawned on them they would never see their friend again. Things were not going to be the same with Aria gone.

Somewhere, hidden in the crowd of mourners, was Keith; his looks disguised with a fake mustache, tousled hair and a pair of dark Feri designer glasses. He came to pay his last respects to Aria but dared not get close to her family or friends. He didn't blame them for despising him. He also hated himself for her passing. Had he not done what he did, she still might be alive.

Little by little, the crowd of mourners filed out, giving words of encouragement to the family at the door. The day was finally getting over and they were extremely exhausted from its activities.

Adrian hung around to help them clean up. He later drove them to Rhea’s place where they planned to spend the night. 

Upon arriving home, they realized they couldn’t sleep so they freshened up and headed to ‘Frizlies’; a local pub. It was shots night for the girls. They took several shots of tequila in memory of their friend. They danced and laughed away their sorrows. It was a ‘fun’ night for them not to be lost in their memories.