Chapter 6: Three Years Ago (Winter's Funeral)

It's been three days since Winter died. They hosted a funeral for her and a lot of their friends and relatives came to share their condolences.

Catherine handled the funeral to the best of her abilities. She chose the funeral home, the casket, flower arrangements, memorial cards, funeral songs, and even Winter's dress. Her father entrusted her to do this. Her mother is still in the hospital because her blood pressure keeps on rising and she still can't handle these things. Her father is with her to take care of her.

(Catherine's POV)

Looking around the place, a sad smile crept onto my face. I can't believe I arranged everything for this funeral. I had never once thrown an event nor hosted one. This will be the very first one, and it's my sister's funeral.

One of the maids came and told me about the number of guests attending today. So, I left her some instructions that I needed to prepare. "Can you please check if there are enough beverages for tonight? I think there will be more guests that will attend later".

"Yes Ms. Catherine"

"And oh, about the food as well. Please tell the kitchen to prepare more just in case."

"Yes, Ms. Catherine. I'll tell the kitchen about it"

When I finished the instructions, she nodded and went to the kitchen. My phone suddenly rang. I picked it up from my pants pocket and saw that it was a text message from my dad. It says that my mom's condition is getting better and in a few days, she can be discharged.

A big sigh of relief came out of me. Thank goodness she's getting better. It's been days since I last saw her. Ever since the incident happened in the hospital, I haven't gone to see her. I was afraid that she might get agitated when she saw me, so I stayed away from her. It's my dad who's updating me about her condition every time.

Someone gently held my shoulders. I flinched slightly and when I looked back, it was my nanny who made the gesture. I smiled and held her hand. "Aunt Mary, do you need anything?"

She slightly shakes her head. Her hand that was placed on my shoulders went up to my hair and gently caressed it. "Catherine, why don't you rest for a while? Let us handle the rest. You haven't had any proper sleep for the last three days. Take a rest and let us handle everything."

"It's okay, Aunt Mary. I can handle it."

Worry resurfaced in her eyes. "Catherine, dear, I know you're grieving. I am too. You and Winter are like my daughters. But Catherine, don't do this to yourself."

"What do you mean, Aunt Mary?"

A sad smile formed on her lips. "I know how much you love your sister and how much pain you are suffering. But by doing this, by not taking care of yourself, you'll collapse. Winter wouldn't like that"

Aunt Mary guided me to sit in front. I looked at the white casket placed on the podium where Winter is peacefully lying down. "Aunt Mary, it hurts. I'm in so much pain!" A tight hug came after. With my head pressed on her shoulder, I cried and cried.

"Before I became a doctor, I told her that I would save her. I even promised her that, but look where we are now? She's there, gone from our life. I can't believe she has already left us. Aunt Mary, what should I do? I don't know what to do anymore. I can't save her. I failed to save her!"

One hand caresses my hair and the other gently pats my back, comforting me warmly. "I know dear. I know! Winter is a very bright child. It's a pity that she's not here with us anymore. Although she isn't physically here, she's there in your heart. As long as you don't forget her, Winter will be happy. So be strong Catherine."

"I don't know Aunt Mary. It feels like there's a very big hole in my heart that makes it hard for me to breathe. Whenever I think that she's gone, I don't know what to do with my life anymore. Everything feels empty"

"Time will pass, Catherine. This is just a trial for you and I know you will get through this." Her warm embrace gave me a bit of courage to continue. I'm thankful that she's here by my side during this time. Her presence alone gave me the comfort I needed. She gave me company and made me feel that I'm not alone.

When I finally calm down, I gently remove myself from her embrace and face her. I held her hands tightly and smiled. "Aunt Mary, thank you for your comfort. I'm grateful that you are here with me. I'll get back to work now, since there are a lot of things needed for the funeral. I know you care about me but this is the only way that I could think of that can distract me from the pain as of now. "

**********

Today is the last day of the funeral. The doctor who attended to my mother finally approved of her being discharged so she can see her daughter for the last time.

The funeral was held in Berlington Place. In front of the hall lies the casket where Winter is placed. Lavender filled up the entire place. I made sure that the entire place would look like a garden, since Winter liked watching the blooming flowers through her bedroom.

I was busy attending to the guests who came when a car stopped at the entrance. It was my father exiting first and assisted my mother in going out of the car. I walked towards them slowly. When I saw my mother, I noticed her puffy red eyes.

I was about to reach her hand but, I stopped. However, my mom took action first. She held my hands tightly, which made me look at her eyes in confusion. My mother smiled at me, which made me tighten my grip. "Let's go, mom. Winter has been waiting for you for a while now."

As we reached in front, my mother's cries turned louder. I couldn't help myself but hugged her tightly and cried together with her. I looked up at my father, I saw tears fall from his eyes as well. It took us a while to finally stop crying.

My father gestured us to sit down first, since my mother was not yet fully recovered. "Let's go and sit down first. You just got discharged from the hospital."

When we settled down, Aunt Mary brought us water. I thanked her and she smiled, then walked away. I opened the bottled water and gave it to my mother. "Here mom, drink it first. You've been crying for too long. You might be thirsty."

Mom took the bottle and handed it to my father. She held my hands again and made me look at her. "How are you doing dear? I'm sorry for what mom did at the hospital. It's not your fault. It will never be your fault. Mom was just hurt at that time. That's why I said it, but Catherine, those were just empty words. Mom never blames you, okay?"

Tears are starting to form in my eyes again as I listen to her. I can't believe what I'm hearing. For days, I've been so ashamed to face her. I was afraid that she would resent me. "Mom, I'm sorry!"

Mom pulled me into her embrace. "Shhhh, it's not your fault sweetheart. Don't blame yourself. Stop blaming yourself."

I cried hard in my mother's embrace. My father patted my back to comfort me and, for a moment, it was only my crying voice that surrounded the whole room.

**********

I'm currently standing on a podium in front of everyone holding a microphone in my hand. "Greetings to all who came, friends and relatives, our family truly appreciates your presence. I appreciate everyone showing up today to memorialize my younger sister, Winter. My name is Catherine."

With a deep sigh, I continued, "Today is Winter's burial and we are all gathered here to witness her for the last time. I hope that I will be able to finish this without crying. Winter would have loved to see a lot of her loved ones celebrating her life. Winter has been a cheerful child ever since despite her having an illness."

I slowly wiped the tears that fell from my eyes. I looked at my parents sitting and saw my mother silently crying as well. I cleared my throat and continued.

"For Winter, she was the happiest person whenever her family was happy. She was a very bright child. She's like the little sunshine in our house. She used to smile even if she was in pain just for us not to worry. Throughout her years, her illness didn't stop her from having a positive outlook on life. She even once told me that life is too short, we should enjoy the things that we have and be content with them."

I glanced at Winter's coffin then smiled sadly. " She would like us to be happy and I know she's hoping that we should only remember the happy memories we shared with her. Winter's death ended her years of suffering and torment from her illness. She's now free from the pain. So, as I end this eulogy, I hope that we remember Winter in our hearts always and keep our memories with her forever. Thank you."

Tears continued to flow as I walked down the podium. I went to my parents and mom immediately stood up and hugged me tightly. My dad followed and, together, we cried and looked at Winter for the last time.