He Was Loved

I walk with Elly down the chilly, moist, shallow graveyard. Elly stops with a heavy sigh. We’ve arrived. I
look at Elly as she places Dwaine’s favourite flower; Red rose on his grave. The wind was hitting our
faces. Winter was coming. I was freezing cold and I knew Elly was too. But she remained calm. I watch
her in silence as she sits beside Dwaine’s grave. I could see tears in Elly’s eyes. I grow goose bumps all
over every time I watch her cry like that. Dwaine was someone very special to Elly, he was more than a
best friend. He died due to lung cancer and today is Elly’s sixth time visiting his grave. Twice a year; on
Dwaine’s birthday and on Christmas.

Elly is a bright woman. She has pretty brownish almond shaped eyes, well-combed hair, soft, creamy
skin and dimples when she smiles. I’ve known her since high school. Everything about her, was flawless.
Just one; Elly’s relationship with Dwaine.

I could still remember, Elly going back and forth from work to see Dwaine. Elly started this routine after
she was told by the doctor of Dwaine’s condition. She was worried about him. Elly paid attention more
on Dwaine ever since. When he calls her, Elly comes straight away. ‘I’m craving for chicken tonight,’ he
says. ‘Okay,’ she’ll reply. They sit on the dining table, facing each other. ‘I don’t like peas,’ grunts
Dwaine. ‘You love peas,’ Elly said.

‘Well not now,’ Dwaine pushes the peas off his plate. ‘And you hate waste.’ ‘Why do you talk too
much?’ He suddenly got angry. Before Elly could say anything, Dwaine stood up and disappears upstairs.
Just because of the peas, he sulked and rather starves. Dwaine would not talk to Elly for two days. He’d
ignore her and make her feel invisible.

Dwaine was a good man. But now as he ages, he became more choleric and easily irritated. This act
actually started after Elly’s mom died due to car accident when she was sending Elly to school. Now,
Dwaine’s much worse.

Elly realized the change in him. She tries to understand him. She would climb on the bed and hug
Dwaine even though she gets pushed back down. Elly was afraid to tell him that she loves him. And so
she didn’t.

That was not a first for Elly. She had faced Dwaine’s ‘nit-picking’ side a lot. In everything she does, he’d
always be trying to pick holes in something. Even if it was his fault, Dwaine makes it seem as it was Elly’s
fault. Elly felt unfair. She was always the one to be sorry first. He’d not talk to her until she apologizes.
Its ridiculous. It was going overboard when Dwaine blames the cause of her mom’s death was because
of her. They had arguments either about something big or small.

I’d hear shouts from her house and when Elly comes to my door step, I knew it was something big. ‘I
can’t take it anymore,’ cries Ellly. I hug her, trying to calm her down. She tells me every single thing until
her voice gets croaky. I knew it wasn’t right. But I had no power to butt in her life. ‘Elly he’s just lonely.
Dwaine needs you. Just be persevere with his temperament,’ I’d say to console her. And Elly obeyed.
She was truly like a book. Even if her pages were ripped, still her contents weren’t missing. But one thing
she lacked; Elly needed love. She demand Dwaine’s love and care. Elly often feels like between her and
Dwaine, she’s the only one giving. It wasn’t fair at all.

Last days with Dwaine was sad. Elly was discussing with the doctor about Dwaine’s condition. She was
given two choices; get him in surgery or let him be. Elly chose surgery and it was objected roughly by
Dwaine. Elly tried to explain the good of surgery for him, but he was firm with his decision. She still tried
to convince him, saying that he’d have hope to live. It was what Elly wanted. She wanted him to live,
stay longer with her. After her mom’s death, he was all she got. But then, Dwaine threw his pillow away
yelling, ‘I’d die anyway!’.

I who was standing there, witnessing everything was shocked. Elly ran out of the room followed then
by the doctor. She was embarrassed and taken aback by Dwaine’s actions, it was written all over her
face. ‘I don’t understand you. Elly loves you and cares for you. She’s doing everything for you and this is
how you repay her?’, I exploded. ‘I did not ask her. She never loved me, anyways. She never said to me
that she loves me,’ Dwaine answered quickly. I shook my head, unbelieving him. ‘Elly loves you very
much. You should know that even if she never said that to you, but do you?’ I ask him. His eyebrows
then furrows. It seemed as if my question knocked him over. ‘Dwaine, do you love your daughter?’ I
repeated my question. Dwaine’s face then turned pale. I immediately shout out for Elly and the doctors.
‘I do.’

That was the last thing I heard from him. I watch Elly playing her fingers on Dwaine’s carved name on
the tomb stone. ‘I love you too dad...and i miss you,’ Elly wipes her tears. I couldn’t help but to feel sorry
for Dwaine. He didn’t had the chance to acknowledge his daughter’s love. He was loved. He was really
loved. It was a pity he couldn’t tell his own daughter that he loves her too. So blind to see her affection
towards him. And all the old man ever wanted was for his daughter to say she loves him. But silly him,
he never noticed.