In Aroha's Eyes

Chapter 19 - Forever In My Heart

AROHA'S POV *few days later*
Today is the day, the day we have to say bye to her. I didn't want to face today, but then again, so did the rest of us. We haven't slept all night, just making sure everything is ready & that everything is just how we planned. The haka, the karanga, everything.

I have been under a lot of stress lately. Uncle Teariki & Dad were arguing because Uncle wanted to take mum back home, to the Marae. Of course, Aunty Kaia stepped in and said 

"I think it's best she stay here, the kids really miss her" which stopped the argument.

We were allowed to take her body back on Sunday. Ever since then, we haven't left her side. Just spending what seamed like hours beside her crying and talking.

Instead of powhiri-ing mum at the Marae, we decided for it to take place at church. We improvised to make everything like a Maori Tangihanga. It's a few hours until we are expected at the church and we are just getting ready. Laquasia, Aunty Kaia, Keisha (Kaia's Daughter) & Enna help us girls get ready. While Uncle Teariki & Apirana help the boys.

The girls are to wear our Piupiu's that where designed by nan and a black Panikoti with maori patterns. Underneath is our black dresses that reached mid-thigh. The patterns where designed by mum, which made us wear it. We let our hair out and put on a maori designed headband. Our Tamoko's were perfect. We all had one under our bottom lip and another one around our arm.

Uncle said I should be the Kaitataki Wahine (leader) which meant I had to get a Tamoko's on my ankles and forehead also. And man was it perfect. We wrapped our poi's to the front and our mere's (greenstone) to the back. My mere was way more sacred, with ancient carvings that was passed down from Nan to mum and now to me.

The boys are wearing black Maro's with Ta moko's all over their bodies. On their face, thighs, chest and arm. They really looked like toa's (warriors) and very intimidating ones I may add. Tafae is their Kaitataki Tane. They all had a Kotiate (weapon) that was hidden underneath their waistband.

Each Kotiate unique and each a sign of mana. We all have a Korowai we are to where when Aunty Kaia does her Karanga.

Throughout the last few days, planes of relatives from New Zealand came. They also wanted mum back home but eventually agreed with Aunty Kaia. I can see these past days have put heaps of pressure and stress on all of us.

On our march to the cemetery, The brass band from Tafae & Riki's school will be playing. We walk back to the living room where Mum's coffin is being placed. Instantly, my sisters and my Auntys walk over to her body. I sit by her face.

"Hoki Mai mum! Hoki Mai" I cry into her shoulder. 

"Mum.... I need you back mum.... C'mon.... Mum I need you" I rub her ice-cold cheeks. Aunty & Enna begin crying and speaking in Te Reo to her. I couldn't bare at the site of this, seeing my sisters & aunties like this.

Standing up, I wipe my tears away before walking outside. Their is a large tent outside filled with family and friends singing funeral songs. I acknowledge them by nodding before walking all the way to the front. Our entire street is filled with cars from what I observe.

Silently crying, I look up to the light blue/gray sky above.

 "Hey girl" Kalisi & Elenoa appear beside me, both teary-eyed. 

"Hey... What are you's doing here" I rub my left eye. 

"We heard what happened and we thought you could use a friend." Ele rubs my shoulder.

"And because your mum has been heaps nice to us, it would be disrespectful not to come" Kali faintly smiles. I wrap my arm around both of them, fighting the urge to cry. "Thanks, I don't know what I'd do with out you's" I smile back as a tear falls.