Keleto Qereqeretabua yesterday could not contain his emotions

Hugging the youngest of his six children, he wept openly over his second youngest who was crushed to death by a bus on Monday at the Lautoka Bus Stand. He had just arrived from Sheraton Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island, where he works as a building labourer, soon after he received that dreaded call from his sister.

Mr Qereqeretabua cried, cried and cried, as his wife recounted the events leading up to the tragedy.

He did not say a word and he had never cried like that before. But his body language showed three-year-old Asenaca Nakase Vesinawailagi,  was their angel, the jewel in the crown of the family.

The family is currently living at an aunty’s place in Buabua in Lautoka.

Heartbroken mother, Joana Nateikuru, said the accident happened right in front of her.

“I could not believe it. But it is true,” she said.

“Sa Mosi Dina (It is really painful) I feel like one part of my body has been cut off or taken away from me,” she said.

She was the most outspoken one of the children, so sweet and full of joy,” Ms Nateikuru said.

Mrs Nateikuru said the family had gone through a rough time recently after their house was completely blown off by Cyclone Winston and they had to stay in a make-shift tent.

“But my kids especially Ase has always brought me out  from feeling pity and to get on with life and do what I can do best for my kids.

“It is killing me knowing she won’t be here with us anymore, “she said.