Before they could even turn towards the entrance of the house, they heard the sound of a horse's hooves. When they looked towards the source of the sound, they felt surprised and puzzled at the same time.
It was Bob!! Walking in a dejected way. His shoulders were slumped, head bowed and looked like he was actually guided into the estate by his horse!
"Bob...!!!" Chris, called out in surprise. Bob started from his stopper and looked around. He was surprised to see himself in front ot these people.
"Hello everybody. When did I get here?" He asked surprised and a bit confused.
"What's the matter Bob," Chris went to him and put this hands on his shoulders.
"I don't know where to begin Chris." Bob sighed, took a deep breath, looked around and said, "Both my parents passed away."
It was a double blow for Bob and a second tragic news within an hour for everyone else. Everyone stood still like statues for sometime. Bob cleared his throat. Wiped away his tears and recounted his parents hearbreaking final moment's....
"I saw my mother smiling happily after a long time caressing my cheek. Saw her satisfaction, when I told that things will get better soon. She might have felt that, she can stop being a burden to my father. When she was gone, the smile was still their on her face."
"And my father...." Bob sighed. "I had never seen someone love and care for his wife so much. He took care of her for so long. His world was formed around her. When she was gone, I could feel that his own soul had left his body. He was living like a soulless person for 4 days. And the day we decided to leave the town, we went to see my mother's grave. He was telling that, this will be the last time he is going to see her grave." Ben was recounting the story his head bowed till that moment.
Then he looked up tears in his eyes " And .... and that was exactly what happened. My father passed away laying on top of my mothers grave. I had to burry him next to my mother."
"Once again they stayed together even in their death." Bob silently shed his tears. Everyone who were listening this tragic news started tearing up again.
His horse like Ben's, rubbed its face and neck on Bob's shoulder. Who scratched its neck reflexively and continued speaking....
" I am atleast happy to have been with my parents when they passed away." Imagin, what if this had happened when we are at the academy or somewhere else where the news doesn't reach us ontime?" He said seeking comfort within.
But the ladies started crying hard at this and even the men, the boys, the maids and the guards shed their tear.
"Bob looked around and felt confused. Why is everyone standing outside at this time?" He asked in puzzlement, not particularly to anyone.
"Bob, Ben came back a few minutes ago. And.... and his father had also passed away." Chris gave him a the tragic news.
"When....!!?" Bob was also surprised and even shocked to know that his friend also shared his own fate!.
"It had happened more than six months ago Bob. He was not even able to see his father in his last moment. His father itseemed had forbade anyone to let Ben know about it." Then,Chris recounted Ben's story.
Bob, who told his tragic tale without even a hitch in his voice felt his eyes sting. Tears rolled down uncontrollably. "He passed away 6 months ago and Ben was not even informed of it? What a cruel joke." Saying that, Bob wiped his eyes vigorously."
He bowed to the adults, " Please excuse me, I would like to see Ben." Bob dashed inside after requesting. Other 3 boys looked at each other and followed him inside.
How cruel..... Truely unbelievable.... What tragedies..... why should such things happend to these sweet boys..... one after others started exhaling sadly and went inside the mansion.