Chapter 234 - 234 The Cremation Rituals

234 The Cremation Rituals

As the sun slowly disappeared from the sky, bringing forth the night, varying shapes and patterns of lanterns were lit and handed to everyone surrounding the two magnificent altars.

Certain rituals and chanting of native songs were performed by the island’s oldest chief priest and this was followed by a mysterious dance performance around both altars by gray-haired folks.

At the peak of the dance ritual, the Chief priest requested that all the family members related to the deceased should step out from the crowd.

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Ever since Leon and his family arrive at the beach after the mini procession with the bodies of Rex and Nana Esther, his mind remained unsettled as he was yet to see his wife.

Leon’s mind kept drifting to the state had left Ella in, when he left the house. On so many occasions, he was tempted to go back home and get her. However, something kept telling him that Ella was nearby.

Just when he thought he perceive her unique floral fragrance, his eyes caught sight of her standing in the far east of his current location and totally oblivious to his presence.

He couldn’t peel his eyes off her as he drank in every inch of her beauty.

.....

From her head to her toe, she was adorned as though she was an ocean goddess.

Her free-flowing hair was styled sideways with a fascinating flowery hairpin making a bold statement. Her neck was adorned with precious pearls that he had never seen before.

The dress he got her accentuated every bit of her alluring curves and the hypnotic view of her enticing cleavage made his eyes almost bulge out from its socket.

Even though Leon continued to gawk in Ella’s direction, hoping she would look his way, he was angry at the fact that she didn’t blink in his direction for half a second. She seemed totally engulfed in the ongoing rituals.

Another thing that got Leon upset was the number of people clustered around where Ella was standing.

Although Ella was in the protective midst of the Richmond family, Leon could see some young Island men hovering around the family and probably looking for a chance to speak with her.

So far, Leon had counted more than ten pairs of eyes that were focused on his wife and this got him really infuriated.

He was thinking of breaking free from his mum when the priest called for the family of the deceased to step forward.

Leon and his family members stepped forward as directed.

Ella also stepped forward ignoring the piercing eyes of Marissa and Yvonne, or even the lustful eyes of her husband.

Marissa tightened her hold on Leon and Ivory on either side of her arm as if to remind them of their promises that they would stay by her side all through the ceremony.

However, Maxwell, who was standing beside Leon walked over to where Ella was standing solitary and brought her closer to the family.

Maxwell had been disappointed with everyone when they all arrived without Ella. He made his irritation known and told Leon that he would have insisted that his wife should join the second limousine if Marissa didn’t want her in the first.

“Thank you, uncle Max!” Ella whispered as her eyes were already misty but she batted her long and curly lashes severally to push back her tears.

“You’re family, Ella, never you forget that! This is just a phase in your life and everything will soon be alright. Forgive your foolish husband and your mother-in-law.” Maxwell stroked Ella’s hand that was in his arms tenderly and focused on the ongoing ceremony.

Leon on the other hand felt like a man trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. He could tell that Ella was avoiding his gaze due to the way she was acting as though he was nonexistent. His head kept turning in her direction but she didn’t mind his presence.

The priest instructed the family to go around the altar of the dead three times in an anti-clockwise direction while holding up their lanterns.

Hence, Maxwell, who was standing at the end of the line but in the anticlockwise direction was made to begin the procession with Ella solidly in his arms. While Yvonne who was at the beginning in the clockwise direction was made to match behind the procession.

“The evil witch has struck again!” Yvonne hissed silently.

Ivory who was close to Yvonne chuckled inwardly.

Ella felt like a queen leading the Treshvire family with Maxwell holding her firmly in his arms.

“Take that Marissa for being a joy killer!” Ella wanted to turn around and say. But, she decided to let sleeping dogs lie, and enjoy the moment.

“The little witch has stolen my spot again!” Marissa mused incoherently.

She almost pass out from jealousy as it felt as though Ella had just stolen her position. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do but accept her fate at the moment and deal with the brat later.

After the family had gone around the altar three times, the priest of the ceremony ordered everyone to move further away from the altar. Then he did some final rituals before setting both altars ablaze.

There was absolute stillness as the blazing fire licked up the woods, straws, flowers, and bodies.

The consuming flickering fire, illuminated the night sky with colors while sending a mixture of warmness and sadness amongst all those gathered around.

As the shimmering fire rose higher and glowed brighter, the priest broke into another spiritual tribal song. While a large percentage of the old folks gathered around hummed to the tune of the song.

There were muffled weeping and silent cries as the gentle breeze carried the acrid smell of smoke and its eye-watering fume into the far distant ocean.

Ella, who had been holding back her tears finally released them, sobbing and sniffing in Maxwell’s arms.

Although Maxwell was doing a great job at consoling Ella, Leon still felt the need to be by his wife. He wanted to be the only one consoling her in her weakest moment. He wanted to be the only shoulder she could cry on. He was just desperate to have her in his arms.

However, he had his mum in his arms, soaking up his shirt with her tears and feeling weakened by the second as her husband’s body turned to ashes.

“Hmm...” Leon sighed in frustration as the emotional atmosphere around him was beginning to choke the life out of him.

After a few minutes which felt like an eternity to Leon, the priest asked everyone to go cast their lantern on the water and say their final goodbye to the departed souls.

Without waiting for Ella to outshine her again in Maxwell’s arms, Marissa quickly left Leon and walked up to Maxwell.

“Maxwell, can you please accompany me to the waters?” Marissa scowled at Ella like an enraged cat about to claw her way to freedom.