A knock on my door got me to a sitting position which I have dreaded doing after my bath. I nearly shrink to death in the tub, my bottom hurts like hell and I was only able to manage a minor bath. I know I need a proper bath, I will see to it by tomorrow, when it won't hurt so bad.
With Granny's meal, I got most of my sanity back. She made pasta and half-heated vegetable salad for me and that took the day's ordeal away. Not all true. I doubt if I could ever forget it and as I do not want to think about it anymore, I lay quietly on my bed praying to be taken by sleep. The knock on my door interrupted the plan and I turned to gape at it in wonder. No one has ever entered my room, except James who would never knock. This visitor is formal, it must be Granny.Neither Mum nor Dad had bothered to take an interest in accessing my room. They quite understood my want for absolutely no intrusion, and hearing a knock, I knew it can only be Granny and I can't keep her out tonight. In as much as the door is unlocked, I still walked to the door to create an open welcome to her. I was about to grip the doorknob when James pushed in."James?" I stood before him in surprise. "You never knocked".....I recurred and made my way back to the bed in the usual slow steps."You never lied""What?".....James shut the door and turned the key. This was a first. He never locked my door after him. His statement and action put me on the alert for interrogations."Not sure if you are in for a talk"....James said and I stared at him in suspense. "Since when do you start considering my mood?""Today""Strange."" I find it more strange that you lied to all of us down there."Did I mention the kind of relationship James and I share? It always marvels our parents how we both relate closely despite our differences. I knew James sensed I was lying the whole time, but I thought he will play dumb and let me come to him when I am ready like I always did. We tell each other everything, I don't know when and how we knotted such a tie.Honestly, I didn't plan to tell him this particular one. He was right, just within 24 hours, I began to act strange. I want to keep this story to myself but I know too, this will build a bridge between my brother and I. I won't take such a risk."I know you were lying Greg. I figured you might not want to tell Mum and Dad, so I believed you down there like everyone else. Here, you gonna tell me what happened....and the truth"James may sound arrogant but I know it is his way of caring about me. I guess I don't have to keep this to myself as I planned. We have shared a lot of things in the past, this one will only add to our bond."I was kidnapped""You looked so. From the bus stop?"....Sitting beside me, he continued..."yes""Ok.."I looked at him. I am not sure if the 'ok' is a full stop or a comma."I need the details in full""I....." I stammered. I've to find the exact words for my story."Greg, you know I wouldn't hide anything from you but if you don't want to tell me, I will give you time, only time, I won't leave it alone. You must tell me why you look this pale soon"I know. James has never hidden anything from me. I once asked him in the past why he tells me everything about himself. He'd said he is too lazy to write in a diary that it is easy having me as his diary and I should ensure to keep his words private as he would keep mine when I am ready to make him my diary as well.I didn't see how James would keep things to himself judging his nature. But James in the years has shown that a deep part of him can bottle up anything for me and I too have opened up to him. I love we are this way."What are you now?"... I decided to tease him to lighten up the atmosphere and also dissolve the lumps in my throat.He chuckled as expected but didn't stop staring at me indicating he is not leaving my room anytime soon. His face became cold with no trace of an after-laugh remark.I stared back at him for a long time before I gave in."I got raped""Greg!, Jesus!""Yes, I.....""We need to tell Dad""No...""The cops must be alerted....they have to be arrested""James, I ....""The cops will find them, Dad will make sure of that. We....."James wouldn't let me talk. This is him. I need to get him to understand what I am saying before talking about cops."I liked it!"..... I confessed and there, he stopped talking."Excuse me?" James' eyelashes fluttered in shock."I liked it, James. It hurts but it's supposed to hurt you know, it was my first time"James was speechless and kept moping at me as I continued....."I wasn't gang raped. He only did it. He was gentle. I know I am not making sense but please stop looking at me like I am senseless""You are senseless"Hope I didn't forget to say that James is as blunt as death."I know, I am sorry""What are you saying?.... ok, what do you want me to say? I don't know what to say""Say you won't tell Dad or Mum first, the cops can't be involved""I can't believe you. A victim theory?""I don't feel like a victim""What? James coughed. I know he finds me ridiculous at this moment. "You are protecting a rapist, Greg""I am protecting my shame, James""What shame!?""Being with a guy." I shrugged."Is that all that matters to you, Greg? oh goodness! You are not just senseless, you are big fat senseless!""I enjoyed it, doesn't that matter?""I can't believe this. I am going crazy"James stood and paced around my room. He is angry with me, he is trying to hold in and I am sorry....."I am sorry" I let my thought out. He looked at me for a while and return to have his seat beside me."What are you now? gay?""I am not".....answered immediately"Not like you being gay is a problem, Greg. It is not to me...He shuffled his blond hair back. James is yet to settle with all of this... "C'mon bro, we are talking about rape""It doesn't feel so to me James, I promise""I don't understand you, jeezz!""I don't understand myself either. I don't know.....I don't know. I moaned out of pleasure, James. It felt good at some point and painful too, yes. But the pains are understandable""You were forced to have sex out of your Will, you weren't ready for it. Whether you enjoyed it or not Greg, it is rape""I wouldn't see it that way""Gosh! You are a baby"baby? I am not surprised. My stature always defines me as such. Even James who is only sixteen months older than me treats me like a toddler."That you're older doesn't make me a baby.""Damn it!""James I....""Be quiet Greg!, Just say nothing."He stood up and paced back and forth in my room again and I did nothing but watch and welcome the silence that clouded us for minutes."Are you hurt?"....James asked more calmly and I hugged myself for his quick adjustment."My ass is on fire""Says the boy who enjoyed gay rape"And James' humourous self began to surface and I feel a little relaxed. "You are something, Greg. I don't know how I am taking this. But then, do you need to see a doctor?I froze."Hahaha, I don't mean mum"James assured me when he saw the life out of me at the mention of a doctor. How foolish I am, thinking every doctor is my mother."We can go to a different hospital, downtown clinic perhaps""I think I need to then""I will search for a good one before morning""Thank you, James""Hey, I am sorry for the painful part"He said that with a smirk on his face and I couldn't help but look away."I will head to my room. Can you sleep well?""I guess I can""Ok, See you in the morning""Good night James""Yep," He rose."James?".....he halted and turned at the door as I called him. "Thank you""You're not welcomed"He winked and closed the door behind him.I am glad I told him.On my mask, I joined James on the long road trip which he can't deny planning before now for I do not understand where he has been driving us for the past three hours. "Keep on with that look, and I will drive further," James shouted while laughing out loud. He is enjoying himself. He raked his fingers through his wind-tossed hair daring me to react."Didn't you say you are taking me to the hospital?" I shouted so he could hear me too amidst the loud music leaping from his cassette."Clinic!""They are the same!""Snap it off Greg and enjoy this...feel the fresh air of the universe...woooooh!"He looks happy and gosh! My brother is handsome. With his hair flying beautifully in the air, I see why every lady is dying to have him. That sunshade is doing wonders on his face for right now, he looks so graceful. I refused to wear it when he offered for my eyes needed a handful of freedom after yesterday's blindfold."We are almost there ok""I am tired of hearing that.""Hahaha...hey bro, y
Reluctantly, I moved out of bed at exact 5:05 AM. I can't stop my eyes from opening at this hour. I only can stop my legs from stepping out of the house earlier. I have promised on James' fingers not to leave the house so early anymore. Not like he will be awake to see me keep to it but I know it is to my advantage.I took a slow shower and head out to prepare for school. It was a tough weekend. My behind testified to it. James didn't abandon me, he dutifully ensured I applied the cream from the doctor to my butt all weekend and sees I take my drugs. I feel like myself and ready for Monday.Wasn't in a rush. I spent quality time getting ready. At 6:30 Am, I decided I have delayed enough and went downstairs to meet Granny who must be thinking at this moment that I have sneaked out."Oh! Child, I am beginning to think I miss you again" she cried happily at my appearance. In her hands were my breakfast and lunch."You wouldn't let me even if I want." Smiling at her, I stretched my hands
I didn't wait a second at the bus stop before my school bus arrived and I hopped in. The driver had a big grin on his face that was forced to stare intently at him. "Hello," he greeted cheerfully. The attitude is all new and I wonder why he is acting informal. The mood was suspicious and it immediately occurred to me that is my birthday. School drivers behave more dearly to students on their special day and I found it pretentious and repulsive. Oh, God! I hope Mum hasn't done anything; hope she hasn't let everyone know of the birthday. She has kept my stories a secret from the school since I started with them. She should not disappoint me today, I pray. Mum may have hidden my identity from the students, but she was unable to do so before the principal, Mrs. Crown. Mrs. Crown knows everything about me. I still find it remarkable how she has turned a blind eye on me; no special treatment or any sort of seeking privileges. She has also been doing a great job at keeping my identity of
Mrs. Grater travels to her hometown every year for her late husband's memorial. Her only child lives in Japan with her Japanese husband. She'd return yearly for her father's memorial but not this year. Granny looked sad when she told me during our little chat in the kitchen about her daughter's inability to attend the memorial. She began her preparation at the surface of July. She would be leaving by month end or at the rise of August, her choice. She doesn't need permission like other employees to leave duty. Everyone in the family has given the month of August to her privacy and today, the 25th of July, she set to leave.As always, she would cook a whole food of August and preserve it in the refrigerator for us. Mum has told her how unnecessary it is to go through all that trouble. We have other housekeepers to do that when she is away. She threw Mum's words in the bin again and made food for the family herself. She'd say other housekeepers can cook for themselves and other employe
The drive was smooth and quiet. This is one thing about road trips James won't understand. The driver had the music soft-tuned and the air, conditioned to the right body need. James will never do that. He will ensure the music is tuned to max, with his windows all scrolled down. Well, James would have provided us with snacks and more, but Granny is too decent to eat in Mr. Waldeen's dear car.The road is familiar. It looks like the route James has taken during our visit to that clinic months ago. It is. I am sure. Though at a point, the driver went off the tarred road unto a lonely path. He drove carefully into the noiseless town for a long time."It is unlike the city my dear. It is oddly calm here"Granny must have seen my curious look out of the window. If I wasn't seated beside Granny, I would fear for my safety."I noticed"I responded to Granny's explanation with my eyes fixed on the road. The city isn't noisy though, it just doesn't have trees and shrubs settling on both sides
I could ignore any call at this moment, but not when it is my brother. I placed a pillow behind me, above my waist, to give me a comfortable posture to engage with James, I know it will be a long one."So, how is your little vacation going?"James sounded cheerful as always. He looks like he just left the bathroom. His hair drips of water and the last thing James would do is to mop the droppings off his floor."Noiseless.""Tell me about it. It feels the same here.""I miss you too."I am not the noisy one. James saying home is noiseless, I understand. And now that I said the words, I think I miss him. It must have been a surprise for him when I spoke of this 'little vacation' earlier today. He didn't even get to know ahead of others. Although he handled it better than Rose, his facial expressions nearly exposed him."James, I am not far away. You could drive down here if you want," I continued when he didn't say anything."Naaaaah, I will pass."He stopped damping his curly hair with
NICHOLAS:I spent hours with Elena, moping at her pale face. I no longer wonder when she'd wake up, predicting isn't making any good. I only live every day in appreciation she hasn't given up yet.Elena survived the accident that took out parents in an instant. It is still unexplainable how Elena is alive, partially breathing I could say. The samaritans that brought into the clinic that night had confirmed her dead too. Thanks to Dr. Ray who announced he felt a pulse after minutes of pronouncing her dead, he kept Elena from ending up in the morgue with my parents.I can sit hours beside her. Dr. Ray had once asked me to read her a book, this will stimulate her unconsciousness. I do not see how that is true. I dearly love Elena and can do anything to bring her out of the coma, but reading her a book is off my strategy; I rather stay speechlessly beside her. filled with overbearing emotions when seated in her ward. I'd believe she hears my wordless readings.I knew I won't be back to s
"Nicholas!"I turned towards the voice. Mrs. Grater calling my name in her style and her arms spreading towards me. I don't know why she would call my name from afar and yet, walk up to me. She could've walked up and tap me into her presence and save her faint voice for emergency. It is equally laughable to think she expects I run like wildfire into her embrace. It is nice to see, but no, she isn't my mother and I am not her toddler to welcome her the way she envisaged.I stood without moving and she lowered her arms in return. I decided to move my cheeks up a little when she alternatively give her full smile to me. Getting tired of standing, I leaned on my bike and wait for the end of her slow walk to me. I didn't fail to notice the parcel in her hand. Cookies. This is the best part of having her home."Nicholas!"She called on a close reach. Oh! Mrs. Greater has tenderly aged. Her steps have gotten slower and her voice, fainter."Hi, Mrs. Grater.""It's been ages. Look at you, all g