RISTA'S DEATH

Kefirah's decision was only to please Rista. If there was a miracle, Kefirah wanted her sister to get well so she would not have to do her sister's silly request.

"What are you talking about?" Levi protested. "You are still breathing. Don't talk carelessly!" Levi said. He did not like his wife's request. No matter how hard he tried to accept reality, he still could not accept if death came to Rista, the only woman he loved, mother of his two children. Levi would not be able to move to another heart.

Rista smiled at Levi. "Promise me that you will take care of my sister and our children," she pleaded. The woman's heart was truly sincere if the angel sent by God picked her up. "I just want you all to be happy. Let me go in peace."

Rista pulled Levi and Kefirah's hands. "I sincerely hope that both of you are starting a household. Indeed, there is no love yet, but I am sure that love will grow in the hearts of both of you. I left Havilah and Joel. Please take care of them. Let them still feel complete parental love even though I am not around." That was Rista's last message.

***

Evening arrived. Taylor had gone home but Kefirah and Levi were still at the hospital. Rista deliberately asked them to be on guard. Not only that. Rista also asked the driver to take Joel and Havilah to the hospital. For some reason, she wanted to enjoy the night with them.

Rista was so happy to see how her sister could read stories to her two children. Rista's heart warmed when Joel and Havilah scrambled just to ask about the story that was shared by Kefirah. Levi, the man sat next to Rista with his wife's head on his chest. Levi did not want to let go of his woman even for a moment. Tonight the man was very afraid, but he did not know what made his heart restless

The night was getting late. Rista slept in her husband's arms. Havilah and Joel fell asleep on the mattress that was prepared not far from the bed. While Kefirah slept on the sofa.

Kefirah opened her eyes because her bladder was full of urine that urgently needed to be expelled. The woman also intended to go to the toilet. After urinating, Kefirah wanted to continue sleeping again but her eyes saw how Levi hugged her sister's body. It was very clear how the man really loved Rista.

"How can I marry him? Is it possible that he will love me like he loves Rista? How about Manuel? What should I tell him?" Kefirah's mind was messy. She laid back down on the sofa but her eyes could not sleep anymore. Kefirah's mind wondered what might happen after she married Levi.

"What if I cancel my decision earlier? Rista is still alive. Not necessarily the doctor's diagnosis will occur. Age no one knows. I can't hurt Manuel either." Kefirah was having a war in her mind. All the questions and answers made her even more frustrated. Kefirah kept thinking and it made her stay up all night.

"Yeah, that's the right decision. Tomorrow I have to cancel everything. I will apologize for taking the decision without thinking." That's Kefirah's choice. She would refuse to marry Levi. Kefirah knew that her sister would be disappointed but she could not continue this madness.

***

The morning sun rises, dispels the darkness of the night. "Honey!" Levi called.

Levi saw his wife's body convulsing. Doctors and nurses came after the man pressed the emergency button beside the bed. Kefirah, who had just fallen asleep at six in the morning, had to open her eyes.

"What happened?" Kefirah asked. She got up from her position when she saw the doctor using a pacemaker to help Rista's weakening pulse of life. Kefirah also saw Levi crying and calling her sister's name.

"All her family please get out! We have to check the patient's condition," the doctor said.

"How can I get out when my wife is having a seizure like this? I can't leave her!" Levi raised his voice. He hoped the doctor would grant him what he asked for.

No choice. Kefirah pulled her brother-in-law's hand. The man would add to the mess if left to linger inside.

"Let me in!" Levi snapped and threw Kefirah's hand that was holding his wrist. "You should have let me there! Rista must really need me!" Levi rubbed his face roughly. His mind was really confused.

"Daddy!" Joel and Havilah shouted. Before Rista was unconscious, Levi asked the nannies to take his two children to enjoy breakfast in the hospital canteen.

Levi immediately hugged Joel and Havilah. These two children had always been an encouragement to him. "Is mommy okay?" Joel asked. Whenever he saw Levi frantic, the boy guessed that the cause was his mother's illness.

"Let's pray for mommy. Mommy will be fine." Levi was confused about how to explain to Joel and Havilah. The two children were still too young to accept the fact that their mother was not doing well.

Doctors and nurses were struggling. Everything they did was the best. The result was nil because God willed otherwise. Rista had been called home by the Great Creator.

"Impossible!" Kefirah shouted hysterically. "My sister must still be alive. She is not weak! She can overcome her illness," Kefirah screamed. No one comforted her because Levi was also busy comforting Joel and Havilah.

Two days at the funeral home and the last day they were in the cemetery area. Rista's body would be lowered into the grave.

"As God promises in His word. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Mrs Levi Benjamin has finished the match well. May the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit be with all the family members left behind." The pastor said the last sentence to end the funeral.

Kefirah saw Joel and Havilah still crying in Levi's arms. Then, both of her eyes turned to Taylor. Her father did not cry but Kefirah was sure if his heart was torn apart. So far, Taylor was very proud of Rista. Unexpectedly God called her sister first.