Chapter Four.

Lina managed to avoid her father for the rest of the week, until the day of the funeral. 

She made sure she never came in contact with him personally, and was grateful that her grandmother's busy house didn't force them to.

On the day of the funeral, Lina stood at arm's length from the rest of her family, except Christopher. 

He stood beside her at the other side of the their nana's dug grave.

As the funeral service held, her mind wandered over how she could get back to Turkey as soon as possible. 

She kept thinking, just as her eyes travelled from one person to another.

She glanced at her mother, who was holding Catherine's arm so firmly, while her father's hand patted on Catherine's back, while she sobbed quietly. 

Despite the thick black shades her father wore, she could feel his gaze piercing right into her skin, and it made her feel uneasy.

Christopher wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and gave the arm his palm rested on a comforting squeeze. 

'How did he even know how she was feeling?' She wondered and lifted her gaze up to his.

She gave him a gentle smile in response to his gesture and Christopher smile back in return also.

Lina brought her mind back to the priest's sermon and a few words of his at that moment, caught her attention. 

'You are not suffering as a result of your misfortune,' The priest said.

'you are suffering because you refuse to set yourself free.' Those words echoed over and over in her head until the sermon was over. 

Well, the only way she believed could set herself free was to stay away from the memories that hurted her. 

That she believed, was the only way to get through it all.

'Would you like to say a few words about your memories of grandma, before she's lowered in her grave.' Christopher whispered to Lina, bringing her back to reality.

But Lina simply shook her head. 

'It's your responsibility as the oldest grandchild.' Christopher added.

'I really have nothing to say, Chris.' Lina spoke finally.

'I would love if you could give the tribute instead.' She added before her brother could speak.

'Please.' She concluded and Christopher gave in.

'Okay.' He said.

Shared his tribute shortly after, and their grandmother was lower into the grave.

After almost everyone had left, Natalie and Catherine approached Lina.

'We're heading back to your nana's place for the wake, if you would want to ride with us.' Natalie said. 

'No, ma. I'm not coming.' Lina muttered, realizing that would mean being in the same car as her father.

'I'd just return to my hotel room.' She added.

'I knew it.' Catherine blurted and stormed off.

'Okay.' Lina heard her mother's heartbroken voice muttered, as she also walked away.

'You know you should come to the wake, right?' Christopher said.

'I'm tired, Chrisy. I need to get some rest.' Lina said, but the truth was that she was trying to avoid anyone who knew her personally, asides the fact that she didn't want to be around her father for too long.

The small town held a lot of memories that she wouldn't want to relive, ever again.

'Okay, then.' Christopher muttered too, rather disappointed.

'Come on, Chrisy. I'm sure you understand.' Lina said.

'I can't do this right now by nana's tomb, Lina. So, just suit yourself.' Christopher said and headed back to Vivienne and his son.

Vivienne handed Sammie to him and they also proceeded to leave. 

'See you at the wake, Lina.' Vivienne said as they walked past her.

'She's not coming.' She heard Christopher mumble to his wife. 

'Chrisy.' Lina turned and called out to Christopher. 

He turned to reply and Lina said.

'I'd ride with you to the wake. Just give me a few minutes to say my final goodbye.' 

'Take as much time as you need, but don't take up to an hour.' Christopher said and Vivienne smiled at Lina. 

Lina smiled back in return to Vivienne and she could see the young lady lit up in excitement. 

After everyone had left the graveyard, Lina knelt by her grandmother's grave and cried her heart out.

'Nana, I'm so sorry.' She said.

'I'm sorry for staying away from you all these years.' She added as she sobbed. 

'I should have called you every single day.'

'I didn't even realise it would take me losing you to know I shouldn't have shut you out, but I am just a coward.' Lina uttered. 

'I'm not strong like you always told me, nana. I am weak.' As she cried, she let out a pitiful whimper, and suddenly a very familiar voice interrupted the moment. 

'You're not a coward, my jewel.' The voice was as beautiful as it was calm, and she could have sworn the speaker sounded exactly like her grandmother.

'Nana?' Lina muttered in awe.

'Yes!' The voice replied and Lina was shocked to lift her gaze to an ethereal image of her grandmother standing a few metres away from her.

She jolted off her knees and took a few steps back at first.

'Nana...!!' Then she whispered. 

'Is that really you?' She added.

'Yes, jewel.' The voice replied and Lina snickered, as she thought she was losing her mind.

'If you are truly my grandmother, can you tell me why you left so soon?' Lina sobbed again. 

'It was time to go, Lina.' The voice replied. 

'But, I will miss you so much.' Lina cried.

'I know.' The voice replied. 

'But, I am going to always be here. I'd watch over you from this moment on and I hope you start to live the life that you deserve.' The voice added.

'I want you finally set yourself free.' It went on and her grandmother's image moved closer.

This time she didn't flinch. 

'Nana!!' Lina muttered, when her grandmother lifted her hand to her face and fondled her cheek calmly. 

Lina felt so at peace that she shut her eyes. 

'Your life is about to take a different turn, jewel.' I hope you give yourself a chance.' That was what she heard last and the voice faded away.