The Journey - A Short Story

by Harnam Shunkumar

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  The funeral ceremony was well attended. It was a rainy, windy day. Shami and his younger brother, Krish, were dressed in traditional white garb. The body was brought to the family home for the opening rites. It then went to the Clare Estate Hindu Crematorium, by hearse, where the final rites were to be conducted and the body cremated according to Hindu custom.

  The crematorium hall was filled to capacity. There was a long queue of mourners alongside the coffin to pay their last respects to the late Mahen Dayal and for a final glimpse of his face. Mahen’s body rested there in the box seemingly at peace. The characteristic expression of stress had all disappeared from his face. Each person placed a small portion of flower petals in the casket. A few close relatives allowed their emotions to run loose and were gently escorted away from the coffin by some other member of their family. A small number of sharp eyes noticed the sprinkling of activists present in the crowd; however this prompted raised eyebrows at worst.

  Layla’s husband read out a tribute on behalf of Priya. It expressed some of Priya’s innermost feelings and her final parting words to her departed husband. Prem had trouble conveying these emotionally charged words from Priya. The eulogy had the entire hall in tears.

  The final rites were conducted by both of Mahen’s sons in the private chambers near the furnace. They were accompanied by close male relatives. Females were not allowed into this room. The priest recited hymns from Hindu scriptures while Shami and Krish walked around the coffin with a flaming wooden torch. The coffin was now completely open. After each round, they touched the torch onto the body. With the rites reaching its conclusion, the crematorium’s helper opened up the furnace door. Everyone felt the heat from the furnace. As the coffin containing Mahen’s body was pushed into the furnace, Shami finally broke down in tears. Krish still seemed to be in a baffled frame of mind. Their uncles hugged and comforted them.

  The body took two hours, more or less, to cremate. Mahen’s ashes were finally dispersed into the Umgeni River.