-The next Day.
January 10th, 2024
I stood at a distance, shrouded in the shadows of a centuries-old tree. Its gnarled branches stretched towards, as if echoing the somber mood that settled over the graveyard.
There it was..
A tale of misfortune.
Ifan's grave, and right next to it mine. Who would've thought I'd get to attend my own funeral and.. Ifan's.
The funeral procession wound its way through the weathered headstones, the mourners' footsteps are quiet on the dew-kissed grass.
A sea of our town people gathered in a black-clad, surrounding the polished wooden casket, their faces etched with grief.
I wonder why though.
They never saved us.
I never had the guts to visit my parents grave, but now that I'm dead too for everyone. I can look at them now, knowing they're finally at peace.
The wind carried the murmurs of everyone's
hushed conversations, the words indistinguishable but the sorrow palpable.
Aunt came, but I'm more surprised Zaid and Ali are attending, and obviously Faiza. Aunt's all alone now, and I feel bad she doesn't have anyone to rely on, I intend to tell her the truth after a year or so.
Then it'd be safe, now it's not.
Faiza's standing with her father, and I can't help but to get reminded of how Ifan wanted to meet her family, I guess he will eventually. When we'll meet up there. As I've said when I was ten, we only realise someone's worth when they're no longer here with us. Humans are like that, too eagerly stubborn.
I guess that's us, too.
I guess that's how everyone is in secrecy. Been there, done that.
As the funeral service drew to a close, I remained still,
The mourners began to disperse, their footsteps fading into the distance. My eyes never left the casket, until the graveyard was empty and the only sound left was the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. I uncuffed my sleeves of my black suit, to fold it half way.
After everything that has happend, I might start my three year law course, if I can't be a criminal, might just defend criminals, I'm kidding. Don't worry, I'll do it for good. Ayat's business grew and Faiza won a prize medal.
Faisal is gone for good.
Victor.. I hope he's at peace, wherever he is.
As for Ifan.. I'd rather not go there.
I couldn't save many people but I did manage to protect Kerim and Nimra. Turned out, Kerim always wanted money for himself, as he was sick. He's getting better. Both of them are far out of our reach now, in another state maybe. Good for them, I hope.
I beep my car keys, it is parked right at the ending corner of the graveyard. As I walked to it, birds are singing and the sun is going down.
Trees are moving, flowing with the wind, making leafs fall and fly on the ground, All I see is new pink and white flowers growing new age on trees.
This is nice. I reach my car,
Ayat is sitting in the back seat, too busy reading a file, I knock on the window to get her attention, she flinched. "Oh hey!" Her voice is muffled. I point my finger down at the window. "Fold it halfway" I mouth my words. "What's sup" I said, when she folds the window mid way.
"Nothing, what about you? Are you ready to head out now, and grab something to eat?" She asks in a concerning tone.
"I'd like that, yeah" I nod. I unlock the front door of my car, taking my seat as I sighed, adjusting my seat.
"What about me, is no one going to ask what I want to eat?" Ifan throws tantrums. "Please no, you always pick something bad" Ayat leaned forward, rolling her eyes. I laugh at them.
Oh I'm sorry I forgot to tell ya'll, we faked Ifan's death. Long story short, we had to fake both our death inorder to escape the town, city and this country, there was no way we'd live as criminals forever.
"Shut up, we don't let dead people decide what we want to eat" I say.
"You're dead too you know." Ayat defends Ifan.
Ifan was admitted in the same hospital Ayat, and dectective Ali were.
Ifan defeated death, for us he did.
"You're only saying that because he's your brother" I squint my eyes in sarcasm.
"I did not" she gasps.
"You did sweetheart, right buddy?" I ask Ifan but he's looking down, smiling at his phone, reading a text.
"Who is it" I ask.
"It's Faiza" He replies. I knew it.
"What's she saying?"
"She sent me a text that says 'all done' with a smiley emoji and a thumps up."
"Looks like she's got it all undercontrol"
She procured a fake passport for us, along with all the necessary documents to create a new identity. It was a risky move, but one we knew was necessary. For once, I had done something truly right, something that would give us a chance to redeem ourselves and start a new life.
"So, are you guys still a thing?" Ayat comes in between us. "We'll make long distance work, she'll visit us on Easter." Ifan says, as he blushed.
"you mean in two months?" I ask.
"Yeah that's right"
"You better prepare a gift worth big for her" I say.
"And you better prepare a gift for my sister worth your life"
"Of course I will" I say with my squeaky voice because I'm confused, what?
"You guys are still together right?" He raised his eyebrow in skepticism.
"We are" Ayat smiles, looking at me.
"Everything's good now" I smile back at her. "Except we're not letting you pick what to eat" I tease Ifan, and he rolled his eyes, I laugh again.
Ever since my dad died I had a feeling. That I was obligeded to finish his unfinished business. Turned out I was not. Yes I did, and I lost too much in the end.
But that's the thing about endings, every end always leaves a bit behind for another start to begin.
To unfold.
What happend had to happen. What's ahead will come, one way or another. So, this might just be another beginning. Another chapter.
Besides a person can never have too many seasons right? And what's too many anyway. We live in circles, stories till the day we die. Every year is a new beginning and every Christmas is the happy ending of it.
This was ours.
The Deception I was in took the best of me, and left behind the pieces that are meant to be mend. The deceved parts of who I was went where they were supposed to go, which is why I think I'll do just about fine in the up coming days, because the parts that needs healing, heals eventually. Those parts are more likely to create magic in life,
So now it's either that or all gone nowhere.
"That is so not fair" Ayat made a pouty face, and I couldn't help but laugh as I leaned a bit back to kiss her.
"Agh please never smooch when I'm here" Ifan gags, I puckered my lips to annoy Ifan more than he already was. Ayat snorts, laughing, and we drove away.
With that yes,
I'm obviously picking the journey to find myself some Magic.
And I can't do that without Ayat and Ifan. My kith and kin from the very beginning. They might actually be the only ones who can turn deceptivity into authenticity..
And I'll feel released, once and for all.
Released from Deception.