Brother Of Mine (Prologue)
I am going to start posting this story here because Winglin is officially mad and I like the fact you can add to the text in LJ.
One thing I never mentioned is the fact that Brother of Mine is a special work for me mostly because my own brother is suffering from brain tumour. The doctors found the tumour in him about the size of a golf ball last 2006 and he had surgery to get it removed. Since then he has been afflicted with seizures and has been unable to continue his studies or get a long term job.
Earlier this year they found another tumour in his brain, bigger than the last.
His next surgery is in November. Currently he has trouble with his speech and motion control for the right side of his body. He is only 29 and he has always been a cheerful and outgoing guy. I love him much and this story in most part is dedicated to him. Since I do not live in the same country and I barely have the chance to meet him, all I can do is pray.
But he is a fighter and that's why Junichi's character in 'Brother of Mine' holds such a special place in my heart.
That said, here's the prologue.
::The New Year Presents::
[Born: November 1984
Youngest brother: ...Ryo...]
“Oh thank you, this is beautiful!”
My ears feel hot and I know if anyone was looking right now it would be bright red. It had taken me weeks to work up the courage to give the gift to her… just like it had taken me months to work up the courage just to talk to her.
Words are not my strongest forte. Not like my elder brother. He is a lawyer after all. He makes his living by being good with words. I’m not good with people either… not like my eldest brother �“ he’s a very successful photographer and people gravitate to him like bees to honey. The two of them are such opposites of me, their lives such success stories as opposed to mine.
Me?
I graduated from a two bit collage and ended up working in my friend’s bar instead. I don’t think I’m going to go far in life. There’s not much that makes me happy these days. Only my poetry … and her…
“Oh… and there’s someone I want you to meet,” she smiled at me, motioning to a man who had just entered the bar.
He walked up to her and I watched as she kissed him on the cheek before turning to me, “I want you to meet my boyfriend.”
Shit…
Happy New Year Ryo…
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[Born: June 1983
Middle brother: ...Kazunari...]
“Are you saying you want a divorce?” I asked her.
She sighed, bowing her head, “I didn’t say anything about a divorce okay… I just… I just think we need to spend some time apart from one another.”
“That’s just another means of saying you’re going to want a divorce sooner or later right?”
“Look, this is exactly our problem!” she was raising her voice as well now, “You don’t listen to me anymore!”
“Maybe I would if you don’t spend your time being so double layered about everything!” I responded just as hotly.
“Well maybe it would be better if you would just have some TIME for me, for US! You’re so consumed in work that nothing else matters to you. So I’m leaving…”
Her lower lips trembled as she glared defiantly at me, her eyes glassy with tears threatening to spill. My heart hurts. Why did it come to this? We started this relationship three years ago with so much happiness, so much hope for the future… our future…
Now all that’s there between us is this ugly bitterness.
I watched as my wife stalked out of our apartment, slamming the door behind her. Shouting in anger I hurled the mug I was holding in my hand to the wall before me.
Happy New Year Kazunari…
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[Born: November 1980
Eldest brother: ...Junichi...]
“Are you sure doctor?”
The man nodded, his grave expression not changing. The look of regret on his face at having to be the bearer of bad news made my heart heavy. It must be terrible to live with that kind of responsibility all your life.
How funny is that? The doctor had just told me that I would not live out the year and the only thing I can think about right now is how hard it must be for the doctor having to be the bearer of bad news. I think shock makes people react in funny ways.
As I walked out of the hospital, my knees felt weak and my chest felt queasy. I think I’m going to be sick… no, that’s an ironic statement. I AM sick.
It was finally sinking in.
I’m going to die…
Looking up I found myself laughing bitterly as the clear azure sky gazed back down. You never feel so small, so insignificant as the time when you realize your death would no more disturb the universe than a raindrop falling upon the surface of a vast ocean would disturb it.
Death…
What a funny thought indeed.
Happy New Year Junichi…
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So giving all the love you have
Never be afraid to show your heart
So giving all the love you have
There is a special reason
A special reason...
In the big dream
We are heroes
We are dreamers
Of the big dream
Someone told me
There are brothers
Live forever
In the big sky
Just hear your voice
Sing all the songs of the earth
Nothing can come between us
You're a brother of mine
(Brother of Mine by YES)