I woke up early Monday morning with a dull headache. The entire week flashed in my mind’s eye like a blur. My body aches, my eyes are dry, I have fever and everything seemed unreal.

Things were surreal. My mind is on overdrive working hard to adjust to reality.

I am back in my room here in the city where I worked. Three hours from hereon, I will be at my desk, busy working. But I will not be so busy as to forget that my co-workers are of the same age as my aunt, give or take a few years. They are as alive, as vibrant, and as full of joy as she was. The only difference is she was so suddenly taken away from us, no warning was given, it was just like a thief in the night had come and took her away.

It’s not fair. She was so young. She was so healthy. She had everything. She had endless possibilities within her reach.

She went in a coma, never waking up to say goodbye. Didn’t she know she have her entire family needing her? I spent four whole years with her and her family and I need to tell her thank you for those four years. I need to tell her again because those four years were the anchor of my life. And I am grateful I spent them with her.

I need to see her, talk to her, tell her I love her. Again and again. I need her.

She had tricked everyone. She went and died just when she was needed most. She went ahead her seven elder sisters, her only elder brother, her 87 year old mother, her in-laws, her numerous nephews and nieces, her loving husband, four promising young children and one adorable grandson. How dare she?

The words exploded inside my head like corn against the sides of the popper. As tears began to well up my puffy eyes, once again I feel the numbing pain flooding my entire being.

Surreal. So real. Death was so final.

Life, I realized, was as delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, the wind will blow it and carry it away. To be gone forever, never to come back.

Sunlight was streaming through my bedroom window. I turned to find my angel sprawled beside me. Sleeping peacefully with no cares in the world. I envy her. I love her to pieces. I gave her a morning hug and finally went about my morning ritual.

It is Monday morning after all.