Mark and Justin are finally safe in the house and George listens to their predicament.

“Wow. I can’t believe Junrey could be so unhinged. You stay here for the night, Justin. It’s dangerous in the streets when it’s dark out there,” says George.

So Mark and Justin stay in the house for the night. Mark chats with Cesar on Messenger, asking if he’s safe.

“I’m fine, Mark,” says Cesar. “Just as he chases me, a police patrol sees us and Junrey runs away. He’s still out there, Mark, wandering and waiting for his chance to ambush us. We better be careful. May God protect us.”

The next day, which is Sunday, they’re now at the cemetery with Gemma at their front and in the casket. Pastor John is at the front speaking to them about the afterlife.

“Brothers and sisters. A sister of ours has departed from us, and we are grieved for this. She has been a faithful Christian woman, following the Word and living a righteous life even to the end of her days. But the scripture says that those who are faithful to the end will see Jesus and receive an everlasting reward, eternal life. Our sister here is being counted worthy by the grace of God and by the life and death of our Lord Jesus. She is counted worthy to receive a crown that will never rust or crumble. The hope of glory has been bestowed upon her as her inheritance, and we thank God for that. Thank you, Jesus.”

After Pastor John is done speaking, George takes the turn.

“My wife and I have been through thick and thin, and this certainly is the hardest trial I’ve ever faced. We’ve been through the difficulties of life together, but it’s now the time that I shall face it on my own,” George says when tears start to stream down his face. “Knowing her sickness beforehand couldn’t prepare me enough when the time would come when she would come home with the Lord. I don’t know why she has to suffer and why God allows all these things to happen. But maybe it’s for the good.” He wipes his tears with his handkerchief and blows his nose with it.

When George finishes speaking, it’s now Mark’s turn.

“My mom…” Mark turns into sobs and struggles to speak coherently. “She makes sure that I’m well fed and well taken care of. She wants the best of me, and now… she’s gone. She is the best mother I’ve ever had, I wish I could spend more time with her before her departure. I miss her. I miss her so much.” He looks at her at an opened upper part of the casket. “Mom. Wherever you are, I know it’s the best place you’ve ever been. Wait for us there, ma. I promise to fight the good fight of faith.”

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When he is done speaking, they close the upper part of the casket and now start to lower the casket down into the dug-out ground.

As they are lowering the casket, George and Mark sob uncontrollably. George falls to the ground and continues to sob with Mark comforting him.

“WHY, LOVE!!?? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE US!!??” George says.

“I’m sure he’s in a good place, dad,” says Mark and sobs intermittently. “I’m sure she’s in the bosom of the Father. She’s now in peace with the love of her soul.”

“WHY, LOVE?!! WHYYYY??!!!!!”

When the dug-out ground has been filled with soil, Mark and George sit down on the chairs and stare at the ground where a wife and a mother lies. All this while, Pastor John consoles and encourages them.

“This is not the final day of Gemma but a new day where there is no more sorrow and pain. She’s now where our hope of salvation is, in Heaven. As much as possible, we should rejoice because this is not the end for her but the beginning of eternity.”

George thanks him and begins to tell him about the dream he had before she died.

“It may be where she is now, George. I’m sure she’s perfectly healed now and without any illness. And I’m sure she’s now happy and joyful.”

“It’s hard to believe it, Pastor. I mean why wouldn’t God heal her here in this world? Why must she go instead of staying here?”

“Those are the questions that I can’t answer, George. But all I can say is that everything is now alright because Jesus paid the price on the cross for our sins and that even though we die, we shall live forever.”

George sighs and says, “Thank you, Pastor.”

“Your welcome, George.” Pastor John says. “I’m just gonna leave you two here. I’m gonna let you two grieve.”

“Thank you again, Pastor, for encouraging us.” George says.

“Thank you, Pastor. You’re a great help in strengthening our faith,” says Mark.

“You're welcome. Remember to keep up the good fight of faith. God bless you.”

And Pastor John leaves while the father and son stay behind.

For a long while, nobody said a word but George finally broke the silence.

“I still don’t get why God didn’t heal her, kiddo. I mean, why?”

“Just like what Pastor John said earlier, dad. Maybe God wants her to be healed in Heaven.”

“I don’t agree with that. He should’ve healed her when she was suffering so that we could spend a long time with her. I’m questioning God, kiddo. I just… can’t get over it.”

Mark is silent at what his dad has just said.

‘Why is dad thinking like this?’

“Ah, never mind my ramblings. Let’s go home,” says George.

They eventually ride home and they don’t talk much on the way back. At home, Mark goes to the living watching Christian deliverance and healing videos while his dad goes to the master bedroom. After a while of watching videos, Mark puts his phone down and lies upwards, staring at the ceiling.

‘Does God lie? Does he fulfill his promises? Why didn’t he fulfill his promise to heal ma right then and there?’

He finally says, “God. Do you lie? Do you hold your promises in vain? Where are you, God? Why won’t you fulfill your word? Is the arm of the Lord too weak to enforce his word? Why God?”