Written In The Stars ☑️

CHAPTER 4

FLASHBACKS
(kuya - older brother)

"Kuya! Kuya, it's so hot!" cried little Ben, clutching onto his brother's arm. "It hurts! It's hurting me, Kuya! I'm scared!"

"Don't worry, Benny. We will get out of here safely, okay? Kuya will not leave you. Just hold on tight, okay? Don't be scared."

But Ben kept crying and shouting as the flames started spreading. They can also hear loud screams from the other children outside. Their orphanage was on fire. They were stuck inside their bedroom on the second floor, struggling to open the door.

"Kuya... are we going to die?"

"No!"

Ben looked exhausted from all the shouting and crying.

"No, Benny! Stay with me! Don't you dare close your eyes! Benny!" his Kuya repeatedly shouted on his ear. He was crying, too. He was in panic. He was scared but his little brother's safety was his priority. He couldn't give up. He couldn't.

A few seconds of pulling the knob and it worked. It opened. "Benny, look! Let's go!" he dragged his exhausted little brother out of the bedroom. They were both coughing badly because of all the smoke. The hallway wasn't any different. Everything was blazing. He saw an open window. He carried Benny and ran towards it. There were a few children below. He was sure they used the same window to get out of the house.

"Hey! Help us! Help my brother! Please!" he pleaded in his loudest voice.

"Both of you! Jump out now! Faster! Faster!" they shouted back.

With all his might, he carried Benny and secured his tiny legs on his waist. Benny was unconscious but was still breathing.

"We will make it, Benny. Just trust me, okay?" he whispered, hot tears fell down his flushed cheeks. He was shaking. He was frightened. But there was no time for nerves. He will never let his brother die in there. With one deep breathe, he held Benny tight and bravely jumped out of the window.

****

Ben woke up in his brother's arms. He sat up and looked around. They were in a dark alley. He can hear loud horns. They were probably in the bus terminal. It was still nighttime. How long was he unconscious? How did they escape the fire?

He shook his brother's arm to wake him up. "Kuya..." he called. He was aching all over but he didn't care. Both of them looked dirty but his Kuya had wounds and blood spots all over his body. He moved in front of him and shook his body again. "Kuya!"

But his Kuya was not waking up.

Tears started falling on Benny's dirty little cheeks. "Kuya! Kuya! Wake up, please! Kuya!" Ben was yelling in fear. He cried so loud, a cry that a six year-old boy like him can only do in that situation.

That awakened his brother up. He opened his eyes instantly sat up straight. He looked around, looking disoriented and bewildered for a moment. When he saw Ben, he hugged his brother and cried with him.

"Benny, I'm sorry. Did I scare you? I'm sorry. Kuya is sorry..."

Ben can only really cry at that moment. He was relieved that his brother was alive and that they were still together amidst the tragedy.

They hugged and cried for a little while until it got really cold and Benny's stomach was growling. "Kuya..."

"Hungry?"

Ben nodded.

His brother stood up with all his might. It was evident that his body was in a tremendous amount of pain from the way he was wincing and groaning. But for his little brother, he will do anything. Anything. "Stay here, okay? I'll see what I can do to get food."

"I'll come with you! Don't leave me! Please!" Ben started to cry.

"Don't worry. I'll be back. I promise. Don't move, okay? Stay right here and wait for me."

Just a few minutes after his brother went looking for food, Ben heard a loud explosion, so loud and so near that it caused him to lose his hearing instantly. He covered his ears. The pain was excruciating. He shouted and shrieked in panic. "Kuyaaaaaa!"

But his brother never came back.

:((