Seven Minutes

Part 3

I try to calm myself down and scan Keif's room. He's not a neat freak like me but I can say that he tries his best to keep his place clean by his standards. Judging by the organization of his room, it looks like he's trying to impress Emma by the pile of clothes on his bed and by the scent of perfume that lingers in the room.

The realization evokes a confounding sadness - here I am anxiously waiting for him when he's probably out there having a good time with Emma. Why am I always a few steps behind him? I always got his back but can he, for once, turn to me and look at me the same way I look at him? Why do they always get the best of him when they can't take the worst of him? And here I am, picking up what's left of him, putting back the pieces they shattered, and treasuring him like precious gold. There's this sense of loneliness and relief at the same time because him being with Emma means that he's safe and out of harm.

These thoughts and emotions trigger me to organize and clean his room but I know that Keif doesn't want his things to be touched or his room to be organized so I control myself, turn the lights off and sit at the corner of the room, waiting for him to come home.

The door slowly opens and a familiar shadow enters the room. I lift my head up and Keifer screams at my motion.

"#@*%&! Ace! You scared me! What are you doing here? I thought you're in Achi's place?"

"Where were you?"

"I was...wait, why is it so dark? Lemme turn on the lights first."

"Why weren't you answering my calls?"

"You called?"

"Sorry I was..I was at Emma's..." I flip out hearing him say her name. No matter how hard I try to keep it chill, these emotions eat me up and having no sleep doesn't help with the situation.

"You should have told me! I looked stupid!"

"Hey Ace, calm down. Sorry, okay? I just forgot to.."

"Why do you always take me for granted?! I...You..." The words just slip out my mouth. It's the heart talking when the mind is too tired to function, and I just can't find the right words to say. And so I escape. It's the only thing I can do at the moment to save my sanity.

I walk away from Keif, not hearing his explanation. Lying in bed, my thoughts continue to consume me.

     Did I act childish? Was I being unreasonable? It's wrong that he didn't update me. What if something happens to him? But he's an adult now, he's not some kid that needs supervision. Am I being overprotective?

     What does he think of me now?

     Are we gonna be like this forever?

     Should I be satisfied with just being a friend or a brother to him?

     Can I want more?

     What if that seven minutes didn't happen, what would we be now?