The mournful sound of funeral trumpets echoed through the heavy air, blending with the steady rhythm of raindrops hitting the roof, which was worn and rusted from years of weathering storms. The scene was somber, the rain adding an almost surreal quiet to the proceedings. In the center of the yard, a coffin painted with gold lay atop two wooden seats, its elegance standing in stark contrast to the sorrow that filled the air. Elena, the young daughter-in-law whose life had been tragically cut short by complications from an early birth, was being laid to rest. The mourners gathered closely, their heads bowed in grief, their faces marked by sorrow as they silently honored her memory.
Elena was only 25 years old when she passed, leaving behind a family that had adored her. From the moment she became a daughter-in-law, she had shown kindness, respect, and care, treating her in-laws with the same love she would her own family. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Helen, could never stop praising her, often saying, "Any family with a daughter-in-law like Lan is truly blessed." Yet, in the span of just over a year, a cruel twist of fate had ripped Elena away from them.
On the night of her passing, Elena had been wracked with excruciating abdominal pain. She clutched her stomach in agony, tears streaming down her face as she fought to hold on. By the time she was rushed to the hospital, exhaustion had already begun to take its toll. The birth was harrowing, and when the baby was finally delivered, Elena lost consciousness, never to wake again. Tragically, the newborn remained silent, offering no cry to mark their entrance into the world. The entire family was in shock, unable to comprehend the magnitude of their loss. Mrs. Helen, overcome by grief, fainted as the reality set in.
As Mr. Louis, Elena’s husband, stood by the coffin, staring blankly at her portrait on the lid, his face was a mask of despair. In the photograph, Elena’s radiant smile shone brightly, a stark contrast to the lifeless expression that now haunted her husband’s eyes. Her eyes, once filled with joy, now seemed frozen in time.
When it was time to move the coffin, eight young men stepped forward, their hands on the sides of the casket, ready to carry it to the hearse. However, no matter how much they strained, the coffin would not budge. It was as if it were tethered to the earth, stuck in place by some unseen force. The onlookers exchanged puzzled glances, their faces flushed with exertion, their veins standing out on their hands. An elderly resident, who had witnessed many funerals in his time, muttered, “She must still be upset… she can't leave yet.”
A shaman, standing nearby, observed the strange occurrence and spoke quietly, "She still has something to say... open the coffin."
The crowd watched in stunned silence as the lock was removed from the coffin. When the lid was slowly lifted, gasps filled the air. There, on Elena’s face, two lines of tears were still visible, as if time had paused in the midst of her sorrow. Her eyelids were barely closed, and the corners of her lashes were damp, as if she had just shed a tear. It was an eerie sight, one that left the family members speechless. Mrs. Helen, overcome by grief, collapsed beside the coffin, taking Elena’s cold hand in hers as her voice trembled with emotion.
“Elena… Please stop crying. Move on, my child... Please, if there is anything you have left unsaid, let us know,” Mrs. Helen begged through her sobs.
The air was thick with tension and silence, broken only by the sound of the rain. Suddenly, loud, heart-wrenching sobs erupted from Louis. He dropped to his knees, covering his face with his hands, his entire body wracked with grief. The sight was jarring, and everyone turned their attention to him in shock. Mrs. Helen, in a voice trembling with fear and disbelief, called out to him.
“Louis… What are you doing? Have you heard what Elena has to say?”
Through the haze of tears, Louis lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot, his voice thick with sorrow. "I am the one to blame," he choked out. "I forced her to leave us... to die in agony."
The yard fell into complete silence as his words hung in the air, and the only sound was the relentless pouring rain. Louis’s voice quivered as he continued, his words heavy with guilt.
“The night she found out about my affair… she didn’t say a word. She just cried quietly the whole night, her tears soaking the pillow. She was so heartbroken when I promised her I would end things, only to break my word. That night, she suffered so much pain… I rushed her to the hospital, but it was too late. I was wrong. I was selfish. Elena, I am so sorry…”
Mrs. Helen’s voice cracked as she screamed into the storm, her heart breaking for the daughter-in-law she had lost.
“Oh, my child… why do you have to go through this? Elena, I am so sorry… I couldn’t protect you…”
Louis collapsed against the coffin, his forehead resting on the cold wood as his hands clutched its edges. His voice was barely a whisper, trembling with regret.
“Elena… I am so sorry… I know I’ve failed you. You are free to hate me, to resent me, but please, forgive me… Let me accompany you to your resting place…”
At that moment, a faint tremor passed through the casket, as if the spirit of Elena was responding. The shaman, nodding subtly, whispered, “She has let go.”
With that, the eight young men lifted the coffin once more. This time, it moved without resistance, as if Elena had found peace. The haunting notes of the funeral trumpet filled the air, signaling the final farewell. The crowd stood motionless, their heads bowed in quiet reverence, making way for the woman who had been taken too soon.
Louis knelt in the rain, his tears mingling with the downpour. Each word of apology reverberated in his heart, but he knew deep down that no matter how many times he begged for forgiveness, he could never undo the damage he had caused. The picture of Elena’s face, frozen in sorrow, would forever haunt his restless nights. It was as if her tears were a reminder that some wounds, no matter how much time passed or how many apologies were given, could never be healed.