Considering it was a new year and everyone was on a public holiday, Ivy invited Ann and her son for a meal. She brought Jonathan along to play with Astophose.

  “Have you been well? It’s so hard to see you these days… Back then I could still walk past your office and take a glimpse…” Ann said as Ivy smiled.

  “I am… I was just getting bored with my studies but thankfully the welfare work helped to regain my sanity. How’s work for you? You seem very well acquainted with Marcel…” Ivy decided to try prying.

  “Oh, it’s just work… I am well. Astophose is in a good school and the teachers are looking after him very well. It’s all thanks to your effort.” Ann praised as Ivy chuckled.

  “Marcel is a good mentor. You would learn a lot from him and go far…” Ivy hinted as she noticed Ann’s delicate look on her face. She decided to not tease her any further and let nature take its course.

  “How’s parenting for you?” Ann decided to change the topic.

  “Superb! I am getting used to it bit by bit. I am glad my brother’s fiancee has legally adopted him and his brother for now. My brother is still too young…” Ivy laughed with Ann as they chatted a little more during their afternoon tea and she was reminded of her birthday by Ann who gave her an early present.

  She usually avoided her birthdays but this year she decided to gather the family for a simple meal in the Ophal’s house. On her birthday night, after dinner, she headed to Rahi’s home with Jonathan and that was where she learned from Daisy that Jeremy’s birthday was in two weeks.

  Instead of staying overnight in Landsfield, she headed to Manes as she had made plans with Nick to visit Jason and Nancy since their death anniversary was just the next after her birthday. Ivy spent the night in Jason’s house discreetly tagging along with Jonathan while Daisy and John had always helped to keep her covered this way from Peter.

  Ivy sat by the balcony which she used to drown herself in her petty fears in her first year of college as she wondered how Jason managed to stand her back then. That was when she decided to write another letter to Jeremy.

  26 days of 2nd year

  It’s funny how I only realised your birthday is two weeks away from me and I needed Mum to remind me! By the time you receive this letter, it should be your birthday already. Well, Happy Birthday! And my birthday wish this year is to see you soon, Jere…

  I had never liked celebrating my birthdays before this cause it was too close to my grandma’s death anniversary. Now, it’s the closest to Jason’s and Nancy’s death anniversary. Sigh, what rotten luck is this right?

  But this year it’s different. You’re the hope I have to ensure I make my birthday wish this year.

  I will be waiting… Till then, love you!

  Little hands were felt wrapping around her neck as a groggy Jonathan was awake. She carried him to her lap and kissed his forehead before cuddling him.

  “Had a nightmare?” She checked as he shook his head.

  “I couldn’t find you… I miss you…” He mumbled while rubbing his eyes.

  “Hmm… good boy. I’m here…” She comforted him while holding him in her arms for a cuddle.

  “Vivi Yiyi, what are you doing?” He asked noticing her letter was not folded.

  “Writing letters to your daddy. It’s his birthday in two weeks. Would you like to make him a card?” Ivy suggested as he instantly sat up and meddled with the papers on the table. Ivy smiled as she sipped her tea.

  “You know long ago… Alright, not too long ago, I used to sit here with your uncle.” She said as he looked up at her.

  “Uncle Jason?” He asked as she nodded. “How was he like?” Jonathan asked innocently while he drew on a folded paper.

  “He was a very smart uncle. Better than your daddy. And he was a very very secure person. You don’t have to worry about anything when you’re with him. I learned a lot from him when I was sitting here most of the nights and he even taught me school lessons.” Ivy praised as she blinked away her unexpected welling tears, missing Jason.

  “Where is he now Yiyi?” Jonathan asked curiously as she sighed and held his hand.

  “He is in heaven Jon Jon…” She sat closer to him as he continued to gaze at her for an explanation.

  “Why don’t you join me to visit him with Uncle Nick tomorrow?” Ivy suggested as Jonathan nodded.

  “Then, I will make another card for Uncle Jason too!” Jonathan went on with his crafts as Ivy held onto him and sobbed silently knowing Jonathan could not understand the concept of death all that well yet.

  The next morning, Ivy was woken up by the chime of the doorbell as she groggily went down with Jonathan who was half rubbing his eyes only to find Nick and Ray at her front door.

  “Morning princess! Morning, baby! Did you sleep well?” Ray asked as he instantly carried Jonathan who nodded to wash up.

  “Princess, hurry! It will get too warm by noon to visit the graves…” Ray urged as Ivy hummed and dragged herself upstairs to change after inviting Nick in.

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  She was wondering along the way how was she so sleepy only to realise she was accompanying Jonathan a good one hour at three in the morning as he colored the card for Jeremy and Jason. She quickly slipped his card for Jeremy into her envelope knowing Ray would always help to send it out to Jeremy. She left the one for Jason on the table, half hoping that Jonathan to not remember but he did right before they left the house.

  “Why did you even drive so far overnight? I thought you would stay over with the Rahi?” Ray nagged as Ivy hugged him and closed her eyes.

  “What if Dad finds out? You’re going to be on house arrest then what?” Ray went on nagging but Ivy ignored him. Nick smiled looking at the sight as Jonathan was trying to cover Ray’s mouth.

  “And you… Always protect your Yiyi. You have been naughty always staying so far away…” Ray nagged but Ivy stopped him by covering his mouth.

  “You cannot scold him…” She defended as Ray sighed in defeat while Ivy and Jonathan shared a mischievous smile.

  “Who is this for?” Ray asked as he picked up the yellow card from Jonathan’s hand.

  “Uncle Jason…” He smiled sweetly while Ivy met with Ray’s gaze with accusation.

  “What? I said heaven… I tried…” Ivy shrugged.

  “What do you expect I do with this later?” Ray asked her in return.

  “Read it aloud to him…” Ivy challenged.

  “We will…” She included Jonathan who innocently nodded as Nick ended up laughing.

  “Then?” Ray tried hard not to laugh.

  “Then, we… burn it for him!” Ivy concluded comically.

  “No! Why? Can’t Uncle Jason keep it?” Jonathan protested when the adults burst into laughter.

  “Son… Do you know where heaven is?” He asked as Jonathan frowned a little.

  “It’s where mummy and all the other aunties are… Far far away…” Jonathan said as Ray nodded.

  “Which is the same meaning as dead. They are no longer living in this world. Graves are where their body was last laid so that we can all visit them on occasion.” Ray explained as Jonathan scratched his head.

  “But they are still living in this world. I get to see shining stars and they are mummy and all the aunties looking down on me.” Jonathan explained.

  “Yes, that would be their soul. You can’t see them but they possibly could see you…” Ray explained.

  “Means they can read the letter I drew and they can keep them…” Jonathan clapped as Nick and Ivy ended up laughing. Ray eventually laughed along, giving up trying to make him understand.

  “When we burn things for the dead, they can receive it like in the old folklore of the Inklong tribe story,” Ivy said as Jonathan’s curiosity rose.

  “Tell me tell me Vivi Yiyi on the story…” He urged as Ivy smiled.

  “Alright, later. Let’s visit Uncle Jason first alright?” Ivy urged as they alighted and saw Daisy and John waiting for them.

  “Ivy!” Daisy greeted as Ivy ran to hug her. “Mummy, did you sleep well?” Ivy asked as Daisy nodded.

  “Grandma…” Jonathan called as Daisy squatted to kiss his cheeks.

  “Grandpa…” John acknowledged him by gently patting his head before lifting him in his arms to help him up the tiring stairs to Jason’s grave.

  While everyone was clearing weeds and dried leaves by his grave, Jonathan began to pluck the bulbs of flowers from Ivy’s Forget Me Not and Ray’s chrysanthemum bouquets to decorate around his grave.

  Ivy smiled looking at his deed as she helped him out and soon Daisy did the same before they all gathered in front of his grave and bowed to him.

  “Can I read my letter now?” Jonathan asked Ivy softly as she giggled and nodded.

  “Dear Uncle Jason, I am your nephew, Jonathan Rahi. My father is Jeremy. My mother is Mable. I have a baby brother, Joseph. His mother is Lenny…” Jonathan was diligently reading the letter when the adults could not help but suppress their laughter as it sounded like he was presenting in front of his classroom.

  “Alright, enough enough… Next… Just say what you want to Uncle Jason.” Ray urged.

  “I love you, Uncle Jason. I hope you’re happy like my mummy in heaven. I will come and visit again. Keep this letter with you and read it when you miss me.” Jonathan left the card on the grave. His last line made Daisy's eyes redden as she reached out to Jonathan for a hug.

  “Good little boy… Uncle Jason would definitely keep the letter alright? Now, who’s hungry? Let’s head for a meal all together?” Daisy suggested as Jonathan nodded while Ivy quickly hid the letter inside the bouquet to avoid it from flying away.

  “Yiyi, don’t burn it!” Jonathan warned her as she cleared her throat, suppressing her laughter, and nodded. He satisfyingly walked off with his grandparents but then he stalled when he noticed Nick and Ivy visited the grave beside Jason.

  He ran back to them when they were paying their respect.

  “Who is this Yiyi?” He asked scratching his head while holding to her hand.

  “Meet Uncle Jason’s good friend, Auntie Nancy, and her grandma…” She gently said as Jonathan bowed to them both respectfully thereafter.

  “Nice to meet you Auntie Nancy and Auntie’s Grandma…” He greeted before running back to his grandmother only to be lifted up by his grandfather.

  Ivy shared a smile with Nick who walked with her. Ray left with the Rahi’s couples to the breakfast venue leaving Nick and Ivy some time to catch up.

  “Let’s go. I will drive.” Nick urged as she nodded with a question she was toying in mind.

  “Did you…” Nick looked at her as she paused briefly.

  “What?” He asked halting his steps.

  “Forgiven Nancy? Or will you not… Ever…” She asked skeptically as Nick smiled while messing with her hair.

  “Silly… I did. I finally stood long and hard and stared at her picture hoping I could stare right through her dashing eyes and tell her that she was forgiven. At the very least, I felt at peace doing that and I know she deserved this second chance to perhaps reincarnate and be a better person…” Nick explained as Ivy’s eyes reddened.

  “If we chose the other choice to be together, I doubt we would be able to find forgiveness for her this fast…” Ivy said as they continued to walk to his car.

  “Some things just weren’t meant to be… Anyway, how’s the welfare home and orphanage doing? It seems you’re dedicating a lot of time to them while your bar business is doing very well in the old town. You’re still the luckiest among all…” He teased as she tried to chuckle thinking she was feeling all good but her heart dampened recalling the deaths she had encountered. She tried to cheer herself up recalling a few happy news of births among the community.

  “It’s well on the surface but when you dwell with life and death for a long while, it teaches you that each of us is the same in the face of death. I may look like I am lucky but I do lack many things which others have abundantly while they lack what I own abundantly. The world would have been a better place if we shared more often, was kind, and kept all these lackings and abundance at balance…” Ivy said with glistening eyes as she forced her tears away.

  “You have grown so much, Ivy… I’m very proud of you…” Nick praised as he started driving.

  “Tell me your progress with Phyllis…” She cleared her throat trying to change the topic and ended up teasing him along the way.

  It was the first time after so long she watched Nick talk about her and their dates blissfully. She smiled envying them and hoping the best for them while she could only wonder how long she got to see Jeremy again and hold him in her arms.