I Guess It's Love

Part I

It felt like the end of my life. Being a topper I am living in such a nightmare. Ah! may be lack of resources. My parents love me a lot. But still they care for Jeff only. He is always given priority in everything. Oh! poor me.

"Jessica", my father called out suddenly, "what happened? why are you standing in front of the door?"

I was watching the people moving in lanes; fighting for no reason. A crowded place, very irritating. Some were in a hurry to go to office, some worried not to miss their train, others looking for jobs and tired of enough rejection.I was comparing my problems with theirs- mine was too small compared to those begging outside.

My father's voice made me shiver as i was thinking at that very moment, "how about escaping from my house for an ADVENTURE!!"

I was shivering literally when my father suddenly asked what was I doing in front of the door. I still controlled myself and answered, "Nothing Dad, I was looking for Jeff; he hadn't arrived yet."

Jeff, my younger brother, is leading a lucky life. Sent to a very popular school of our area, he's careless about his studies. He always plays outside, tries pranks on others but rarely scolded. He is the youngest and the most loved in my house, even more than me. I even am the topper of my class, still not given any chance to show my abilities. I study in a not-so-popular school nearby- A girl's school. I want to go to a noted school of my town- the over crowded town filled with weird people- but I am not sent to.

"Don't worry about him. He'll come home by 5 o'clock", my father said.

Sid is a very nice guy. He has a business of his own but gives not much income to give equal opportunities to both of us. He likes to be lonely, think about his business plans and stuff. I am like him in this case as I also love to be alone. Loneliness is the best way for me to come out of a miserable situation.

"Yep dad", I sighed 

"Jess", he said with a sudden concern in his voice, "You are bothering about something, aren't you?"

His filled-with-anxiety voice made me uncomfortable to answer and tell him how I was feeling then.

"It seems so?", I tried to hide my problem (No feedom and opportunity to me), "No dad, it isn't like that at all. I was just concerned about Jeff's mischievous behaviour. He is the most naughty boy in his class." 

"Ah! don't think about it at all. He's very young now to think about his future. He'll understand these things with time." 

"Hmm.", I could say only this at that time as I moved to another train of thoughts.

Young enough- even I am young enough to think of these things. Young enough to think about my brother's future, to watch people outside and judge them. 

All of a sudden Jeff arrived and made me shake with his 'bang' arrival. He was looking terrible then. His white shirt turned to black 'cause of mud. Seemed like he had another fight with Ben, his best friend. He and Ben are childhood friends. They've grown fighting in the streets like rowdy boys. Pooh! so noisy and irritating. They jeered at younger boys in school in their so-called ragging attitude. He's in VIIth standard. His constant fights with his classmates and juniors result in a parents' call almost every Saturday.

"What is this Jeff?", said Sid in a very angry voice.

I quaked at that very moment scared of the sudden rage he showed.

"Sss..Sorry dad. Actually at the recess I fell on the floor.", he said in a shaking voice. 

"Liar", I sighed knowing that he's hiding the truth. 

Sid was staring at him and was about to scold him badly that Jenny (my mother) came. 

"Oh dear! You daily come home as this. A dirty uniform- as usual you would have had a fight with Ben. Isn't it normal for us now to tolerate your naughty pranks and attend meetings every Saturday at your school?", Jenny said with both anger and concern in her voice.

Jeff was relieved after her arrival. He knew that Jenny won't shout at him and would control the situation. I was also sure about her motherly love she's always sn to him than me. Once, he was caught stealing cream from our neighbour's house, as if we never give him to eat. My mother asked that neighbour to forgive him. He didn't get punished and my mother didn't utter a word in front of my dad. 

Jenny has always been like this. She's not very social but kind by heart. She's homesick sometimes but has enough friends to be called a little more social than Sid. I am not like my parents in this case. I have many girl-friends but no boyfriend, I mean not even a male friend as it feels awkward talking to guys.

"I am sorry mom. It'll never happen again", Jeff said trying to escape from the situation. 

I headed towards my room knowing that he'd be forgiven again. 

"I am not going to forgive you again and again. You always make us feel ashamed by your deeds", Sid said suddenly. After a moment's silence he continued, "Jess, you will take care of Jeff from now. You'll take him to school and make sure he never makes such mistakes again." 

I was not prepared for it at all. 

"Dad, won't it affect my studies?", I tried to give it a worried tone. 

"Oh Jess! don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll manage. After all you are the topper of your class.", he said- perhaps praised me.

TOPPER-Of-MY-CLASS - wow! I can't recall when did my dad appreciate my work for the last time. 

I stammered and said, "Okay dad" 

He smiled. Jeff got angry and moved to his room- a room full of boyish thing. Playing stuff, basket ball, boxing gloves and etc. It feels very irriating to go to his room as it remains dirty always. He never cleans his room and always tries to experiment and find new ways of irritating people. 

TO BE CONTINUED!! 

FEEDBACKS AWAITED :)