Raja Case

Raja one day went out as usual and did not come back. Near dusk, they brought his body home slung between two men, one at the head and one at the feet.

It was like any other day, the sun was out and beaming. The field looked beautiful, and I was happy. Until I heard someone scream out a cry from the tent. I ran as fast as I could and I saw Irawaddy in tears. She was hovering over something, but I couldn't see what or who it was. After a few seconds I saw it was my son. My son, Raja laid dead before me! I couldn't believe it, I felt like my heart was in my stomach. I didn't let the tears shed though, I had to be the man for my family. There was a trickle of blood running from his mouth. It was bright red and fresh, and more blood from a cut in his head. I knew that Rukmani was broken inside. Her son, which she had given birth to was now dead. She looked dazed and confused. His eyes had to be closed, the jaws had to be tied, for it was sagging, and the body had to be washed. My wife and Ira took Raja and prepared him. I prepared the bier, and I lifted my son on to it. After I did that, I started walking towards town. At dawn, the funeral drums began, and our friends and neighbors appeared. There were many people; Granny, who couldn't walk; Kanaan with his wife; Kali brought a muslin cloth to cover the bier; then Durgan. Everyone payed their respects in silence, and when the sun arose, the mean took the bier and departed. I watched as the took away my son, and I was heartbroken. My beloved son had not been dead three full days when two officials from