Past Tragedy

A soft, gentle breeze full of calm delight trickled past a forest of trees, swishing and swaying in rhythm. Fields of flowers bloomed into beauty; a symbol of Spring. I looked above and was presented with a dazzling sky, rich with blue in color. Sometimes, just sometimes, I would sit and stare and wonder; “What living was beyond death?”

A lifetime ago, my life was not unlike most ordinary children. Mum, dad, my little brother, a loving family and infinite stacks of homework. Though my life wasn’t luxurious or as exciting as you please, we were happy, and that was all that mattered, although if I were to tell the complete truth, I found my brother to be a menace, but that is all in the past now.

Back in my childhood, I never would have thought I would live as live my life today, I always thought to have a successful life with my family, including my parents and brother. If only I knew the new me! How much shock I would feel, how much surprise I would experience! If only I knew what was in store for me...

There were only 2 weeks of the school term remaining, the 2 weeks of student torture and slavery in my life. The teachers insisted we finish covering all the topics before the holidays as 2 weeks of school was not a long time to come, or as they put it,

“Time flies when you are having fun!”

Only we were not. Every day, we came home with schoolbags packed with homework, only to return to school the next day, having them refilled. We worked day and night, until at last, it was all over. I planned to never relive that moment again.

The Summer holidays! Those magic words! Even at the slightest mention of them would send me drooling. This time had finally come. So many plans, not enough time. I quickly got ready to proceed to my first destination. Today was such a beautiful day for the beach. Perfect weather conditions, relaxation, nothing in the world could ruin my mood except…No. Not him.

My little brother.

No. NO. The very last thing a twelve- year- old boy needs is for his ANNOYING brother to be tagging along behind him. But alas, no choice, no choice. With a heavy heart and deep sigh, I signaled for him to put on his sandals. Now, looking back into the distance past, I wish my parents could have come as well, but no human can change the past, a past that created such a terrible future.

That same day, my parents had been on the way to grocery shopping, but they never fully completed the trip and never will. Because as they were nearing their destination, tragedy struck. With so many cars, we never knew which one, or even who did it. It could have been an accident or on purpose. It could have been any of them, but my parents were killed. Gone. Forever.

My brother and I were absolutely devastated when we heard the news. I could sense that he tried his best to stay strong, but his attempt was weak and he immediately burst into tears. He cried so hard in my arms for so long, for we both knew none of us could ever cry in our own parents’ arms ever again. The sudden shock had overwhelmed me just as it had overwhelmed my brother. And, as I realized he was the only family I had left, I vowed to try to spend as much of my life as possible with him.

It took a couple of days to adjust to the fact my mum and dad had left the world, left our home, left me. I tried to shame myself for weeping so much in my room, so I could get up on my two feet once more, and accept that they were gone, but it was hard. It really was, and that only made me tear up even more.

Their funeral was a very emotional event; there wasn’t a single dry eye in the house. It was a private and quiet one, with only friends and family. Everyone shed endless tears streaming down cheeks, showing sadness and respect towards our parents. There would never be anybody just like them. The vicar said a few words, but those words were nothing compared to how they were in real life, how loving they really were.

Considering the fact that we were underage, both of us were put up for adoption in around 2 weeks time proceeding the incident. Our time together had become even more limited; I knew that sooner or later one of us would be adopted. And my prediction did become reality. Soon enough, my brother was united with a new family, with new parents, and new siblings. With a sad wave, he said his last goodbye to me. I kept my eyes on him until he was out of sight, on gone from my view.

Months later, I am taken in by a new family with different rules, regulations, lifestyle, and habits. They cared for me quite well, and I showed them great respect, though I always knew my heart never truly belonged there. Some days, I would beg for a miracle to happen; one last moment to be with my brother again. But that moment never came, and even after all these years, I am still waiting.

Decades disappeared, time ticked, and I grew into a young man. Every now and then, I would stare up to the sky and think about mum, dad, and little Johnny. I would think about life with them as one, big, happy family again. I would imagine Johnny as an adult, imagine his current lifestyle. I would imagine seeing him again, both of us reunited. My new family think this will never be achieved, but I think they are wrong.

Because never, is a very long time.