The rain tapped steadily against the tin roof, echoing like a quiet drumbeat of grief. In the center of the courtyard sat a pale yellow coffin, balanced gently atop two wooden stools. Around it, mourners stood in silence, heads bowed, tears falling freely for the young woman who had died far too soon during a difficult, premature delivery.
She was just 25 years old.
Since the day she joined the family, she’d been respectful, gentle, and full of warmth—treating her husband’s parents with the same love she gave her own. Her mother-in-law often said proudly, “She’s not just my daughter-in-law—she’s like my own child.”
Then, tragedy came swiftly.
Late one evening, she collapsed, crying out in pain. By the time they reached the hospital, it was too late.
The baby was stillborn.
And she… never woke up again.
The family was shattered. Her mother-in-law fainted repeatedly from the grief. Her father-in-law sat in stunned silence, staring at the smiling portrait resting against the coffin.
When it came time to move her, eight men stepped forward. Strong, capable men. But as they braced themselves to lift the casket… it wouldn’t move.
They strained. Faces red. Arms shaking.
Still, it didn’t budge.
Someone whispered, “She’s not ready to go. Something is holding her here.”
A monk, standing nearby, stepped forward. “Open the coffin,” he said quietly. “Her spirit may still have something left to say.”
With hesitant hands, the lid was slowly lifted.
A wave of gasps followed.
Her face looked peaceful… but streaked with two faint trails of dried tears. Her eyes were closed, but her lashes still damp.
Madam Hong, the mother-in-law, collapsed beside her, grabbing her hand, trembling. “My child… please don’t cry anymore. If there’s something you need to say, say it now. We’re listening.”
No one moved.
Then a sudden, heart-wrenching sob broke the silence.
It was her husband.
He fell to his knees, burying his face in his hands, weeping uncontrollably.
All eyes turned to him in confusion. Madam Hong’s voice broke as she asked, “Son… what is it? Did she say something to you?”
His voice was hoarse as he finally looked up.
“She wanted to go… and I wouldn’t let her.”
