PARAPHERNALIA

Update 5: Conundrum

There was a sweet little boy who knew nothing of this big wide world. That boy was supposed to grow up to be a software engineer. Yes, that's me. Hi! I'm Rick.
And this is a story of my discovery.

One Sunday morning I heard my parents chatting away at the breakfast table. Their usual lovey dovey flirty talks which they subdue whenever we are around was different this time. Their faces seemed serious as they discussed something in whispers.
My older brother was still sleeping but I got hungry so I made my way to my parents!
"Good morning!", I announced my presence.
"Good morning, dear.", mother replied, happily, "did you sleep well?", she asked.
I nodded softly. The pancakes and scrambled eggs she cooks are the best. I grabbed a few, doused them in syrup, poured myself a cup of milk and made way for my room to give them space to continue their conversation.

I love my parents very much. They are the best. My mother is a homemaker who does various part-time jobs and manages a neighbourhood housewives' club in her free time. My father is a well-known businessman who made a name for himself in the field by his sheer will and hardwork. He made good money but still made sure to find time to spend with his family. My mother stood by him all throughout the years. Their bond's still going strong after twenty-five years of togetherness. They have been the talk of the town since we relocated here ten years ago.

My older brother is a genius. He has been to various national championships. His endless medals and trophies are the highlight of our living room. Compared to him, my achievements are below average but he is always good to me. Recently, he has been taking frequent trips to the hospital. I am worried that he is sick but our parents say it's nothing to worry about. He has been missing school too and doesn't come out to play either. I miss my brother.

One day, my mother took me to the hospital as well. I was happy to accompany my brother. She told me I was getting a checkup as well. I am scared of needles but I am a brave boy. I endured it well. The results were out and my mother seemed pleased. I think everything went well. That day, mother finally allowed me to have some friends over to play video games. She even made us snacks for the evening.
'Requesting for a sleepover would be too much now, isn't it?'
Nonetheless, I had fun.
I invited my brother as well but it seems he was not feeling well. He was never good at gaming consoles like me. It was the only thing I was better than him at. He taught me Rubik's cube and chess while I taught him to play Mario cart. We were best friends.

My father was back after a short business trip. We all welcomed him with big smiles. He bought us gifts too, can't deny that's not what we were waiting for. My brother and I ran back to our rooms to open them up giving our parents some privacy. Through the corner of my eye, I saw the jolly atmosphere shift to a serious one. They had some big adult talk in our absence.
Next morning, I got ready for school but my brother was skipping again. I don't know what's wrong with him. No one told me anything. Our parents acted like everything was fine which annoyed me.
'I'm a not a child! I swear I will understand if you tell me!'

I returned home early that afternoon. I had a slight tummy ache but I refused to inform home. I sneaked in when I saw my parents on a call with someone. I eavesdropped on their conversation and it shook me.
"Doctor, how are the results this time?"
"We got no time!", the man on the other side exclaimed, "it's getting worse every day."
My father patted my mother's back as she sobbed silently. "We will make the necessary arrangements."
"Your boy, does he know?", he asked.
They shook their heads in unison.
"Good. That increases the chances of success.", the strange man stated. "Tomorrow. Let's do it tomorrow." And the call continued for a while.
My world shattered around me. I was only seven with so much life, so much potential ahead of me but..
'This is not happening!'
I wanted to hide away but where?
I wanted to run away but how?
This was the only family I knew, the only one I had ever known. My loving parents fed me with so much love only to use me for the sake of their other child.
I was in a huge conundrum.

I could not sleep a wink. I was scared, thinking about what the next day holds in store for us. It was a weekday but the mother said we were all skipping school for the hospital.
.
'Hospital, again?!'
.
'Of course.'
.
My brother was out of his room. He was looking thin and frail but still smiled brightly when our eyes met. Our parents packed our bags and drove to the hospital. The eerie feeling I had came to comprehension when I overheard the nurses talking.
"Oh poor boy!", they whispered softly, looking at me with eyes full of sympathy.
.
'Do the adults think kids don't understand anything?'
.
'What makes me so pitiful?'
.
Soon I followed them quietly and got changed into the inpatient attire. Like the good boy I was, I did not ask any questions.
'I am doing this for my family.'

I was sitting on a hospital bed when the doctor came in with a few nurses to take me away. "It's time.", he said. My parents never left my side. I was taken to another room beside my brother. He was asleep. My mother hugged and consoled me, her eyes in tears. My eyes felt heavy. She whispered in my ears, "everything will be fine. Don't worry. We love you baby and we will be here when you wake up."
I never did.