You have read "Death" in the title of this article, right?

Well, there was a death that happened indeed. I am not making a fictional short story here today because there was death indeed. My Gramp's younger brother just died this morning. He was rushed to the hospital due to breathing complications but he didn't make it. His body was still there for the Covid-19 test and we are still waiting for the results. If the results will come out positive, then his body would immediately be cremated. But if the results will come out negative, we can claim his body at the hospital's Morgue and set for the wake, then the proper burial ceremonies.

Just when I had finished reading @meitanteikudo's short story, "Murder At The Record Store", and was about to leave a comment, that was when my Aunt sent me a text message telling me about the news. What a perfect timing, right? Just when I have read a story about death, that was when I receive news where there was also death. It was so sudden that I can't bring myself to react accordingly to the situation. It was as if my mind and heart still can't believe what I have known.

But then, later on, there was a sudden chill that pierced through my heart and it was gradually spreading until it reached my soul. Though we were not that close, nor did we have happy memories to reminisce about him, I guess it was kinship and the rush of having related blood that drives me to feel blue. My chest is heavy and is about to break down. I badly wanted to let the rainfall from these gray skies above my head. It is just that, I can't cry but I feel like I'm about to.

"The Death Of A Bachelor," my title said.

He was, indeed.

I don't know the love stories he had at the prime of his youth but all I know was the stories that were told to me by my Gramp. My Gramp said that when he was younger, he had a lot of mischievous adventures which lead him to the brink of death all was because of a woman. According to my grandfather, he was a proud man and a self-proclaimed womanizer. So he happened to find a beautiful woman when he was in Mindanao and asked her out. The woman refused because she had a boyfriend, or was even married, not sure about the details. He was so fascinated by the woman and continued to pursue her. Just until the boyfriend got irritated by him and shot him in the head.

He was rushed to a private hospital and has been taken care of by the best doctors, so luckily he survived. My Gramp was the one who took him back home here in Negros from his miseries there at Mindanao. Since then, half of his body got paralyzed. We can even see the hole where the bullet did enter and closed by a scar. It was near his forehead beside his right eye. Other people find it creepy, so they avoid him. Also because of his attitude because sometimes he was acting like a mad person.

What a pitiful and lonely death it is, right? He never got a chance to redeem himself as a gentleman. He never got the chance to married and have his own family. He never felt the warmth and support from a family that he established. Well, I think it is indeed his time to go and to be with his parents and other siblings at the promised paradise by the God above. For all those years that he was suffering from having a disabled body, then enduring solitude, he had now rested in peace.

How Are You, People?

I was so disappointed with myself. I have finished writing this already earlier but when I'm selecting all the words in my Notepad to transfer it here, I have clicked "paste" instead of "copy" first, so yeah, it was all gone. I have to write this again. I feel like punching the wall for my stupidity.

Anyway, I derived the title from Panic! At the Disco's song, Death Of A Batchelor. It's one of my favorite songs of them. The song comes into my mind later after hearing the news.

Today wasn't really my day, I guess. I'll just pray for my Gramp's younger brother that he will be happy and resting in peace wherever he is now. I'll pray for your safety, too guys. Take care of yourselves, always. Life is short. Don't waste it on mischiefs. Then, I'll be signing off now.

Your broke Farm Girl,

@Ayane-chan