Painful News Breaking

The small, whispering crowds confirmed it all. Her worst fears are confirmed in an awkward manner. As aunt Lucy's car reared into the compound in a snail-like manner, everyone turned gazing their red-eyes on the car's occupants. 

Diana has been picked from school by aunt Lucy. They didn't talk much. Aunt was adamant to disclose her mission. Though aunt was behaving strangely, Diana failed to read her thoughts. Throughout their 2-hour drive, aunt has been on phone. Answering one call after another. She has been conversing in her native language. And Diana being a born-town was not able to capture a single word.

Diana tried to read aunt's facial expressions. But aunt kept her eyes purposely glued on the road.

This is not the first time aunt Lucy is picking Diana from school half way the school term. And she behaved the same. Eyes glued to the glissy road, ears sticking on the earphones while conversing in the native language. 

The last time she picked her, they were celebrating grandma's 90th surprise birthday. And the surprise was worth aunt's silence.

Today the silence is annoying, twitching her stomach. Just because Diana is sensing something amiss. Or is it because of the yesternight's horrible dream.

The hoarse voices, the red eyes and the gazes of the crowds is making her mind to run heltar- skelter. The hand-shakes are loose, the greetings are so cold and the mood is numb. No one is even forcing a smile. As they enter the main house, grand ma is sobbing bitterly, calling out the names of her children who had died, long ago even before the birth of Diana. Amidst her wailing she calls out Diana's mum, 'Dose, why did you have to die!'

And that's how Diana knew her beloved mum is no more. She hugs her grand ma who had not sensed Diana's presence. Out of pain, bitterness and confusion, grand ma wails more louder. Grief hits Diana unprepared. Pain aching her every nerve. Her mind goes blank. Her motionless body slumbers on the couch, wondering how the gap left by her mum would be filled.