The Heart's Melody (TwoSetViolin)

f o u r : family

a.n. // i'll be updating everytime i can <3 //

I've been noticing a few things about my mom. These past days, her headaches have been getting worse and worse. Her eyes used to be like an eagle's, but recently she had to go to the doctor, and she had glasses when she came home. It was quite suspicious, that in a week, that much damage was caused to her eyesight. Not that I found it weird, she was an ageing woman.

I was sitting on the couch watching Tom and Jerry when my mother enters the room. I took a sip of my coffee, and a bite out of a chocolate muffin that a friend of hers gave earlier that morning.

That's when I notice her face contort with obvious pain and discomfort as she held her head.

I immediately go to her side and held her back.

"Mom, are you okay? Do you need anything? Should I call a doctor?" I asked, panic lacing my voice.

"No, no." She refused and sat down. I was confused as to why she doesn't want me to call for help if shs's clearly in pain. I sat beside her, waiting for her to say something.

"I.. I have to tell you something," she says quietly. My mom's not usually like this. She's usually cheery and happy and merry. That's why I immediately felt uncomfortable and worried.

I didn't speak. I waited for her to continue. "Promise me, you won't get mad," she says, and looks me in the eye. I stared back. I didn't know what to say. What was I supposed to say?

"I-"

"Just promise me, Claudette."

She begs, I could see her tears forming on the corner of her eyes as she takes ahold of my arms. Her hands were shaking, she's a mess. Where was the mother I knew? The mother who was calm and composed all the time?

"Why? What's all-"

"I said, just promise me!"

To say I was surprised was an understatement.

Mom never shouted at me. She wouldn't, unless she caught me doing drugs or something. But nevertheless, I agreed.

"I promise, mom," I state calmly, even though I am close to crying myself. I don't know the reason why she's being like this, but I guess for her to be this shaken up, to be this distraught, it must be something serious. She wouldn't be like this if it wasn't.

"Okay, okay," she whispers, almost like she's saying it to herself, to calm her down. She wipes her tears. The redness in her eyes disturbed me, it's as if she's been crying for a period of time now. She started talking. Her voice was shaky, and she was not acting like her usual self.

"Do you notice the mails? The letters I don't let you touch? I don't let you see?"

I didn't say anything. She, once again, broke down crying. I feel myself choke, but I swallowed before I spoke. "Yes, I do," I say in a calm manner, but inside I was freaking out.

"They're from... someone you should've known years ago. Someone that you-"

I can't take this. What's happening?

"Can we please get to the point?" I say, my voice shaking.

For a few seconds, she was just crying. And I let her. My mother never used to cry. But I know every now and then, like every other person in the world, she has to let out all the burden she's been carrying by herself. So I let her. Let her cry everything until she can't. So she could release the world that she carries on her shoulders.

And she finally looks up.

"Claudette, you have an older brother."

What?