When I awoke that fateful morning, the first thought that crossed my mind was my father. An anxious urgency propelled me out of bed, my heart racing like a wild stallion as I quickly dashed through the dimly lit halls of our home, scanning every room for any sign of him. His absence hung in the air like a fog, thickening my worry as I stepped outside, hoping to find him in the garden or perhaps seated at the old wooden bench we treasured for family discussions. However, as I crossed the threshold, the scene that greeted me was far from what I had anticipated. A massive crowd had gathered in front of our humble abode, a sea of familiar faces, their expressions a poignant mixture of solemnity and respect. It felt as though time had paused, each villager silently offering their unspoken cond