" Can I come in?"
Pauline look at her visitors face. To say that she was surprised is the understatement of the year! There standing in front of her is her younger brother.
" sure..come in." She walk ahead of Min. She asked her househelp Mira to serve apple juice and the cake she bake last night.
" how..how are you?" Min ask her and she look at him with wonder.
" im ok. How are you Min? I heard, you left the house.." She cant help but ask him back after answering his question.
" Im old enough to live by myself."
A heavy silence followed as they sat opposite each other. She silently look at her brother while he takes in his sorroundings.
" this is a good house." He observed and she smiled.
" Min..."
His gaze linger on her face and she took a deep breath. " Im sorry."
" what are you sorry for?" He ask her.
" Im sorry for judging you. I should have known better. But please believe me when I say that its not my intention to tell dad." She explained.
" hmm. " he said and look at his hands. " why did you...leave?"
She bit her lip and he look at her with hurt in his eyes. " you...shouldnt have. I didnt think you would though."
" Min..." Pauline was surprised when she heard her brother.
" I didnt think you would go and leave. Thats why I asked you because I know you wouldnt do it."
He took a deep breath. " but you left. Everyone missed you. Everybody looked for you. Even my friends are so concerned." He laugh mirthlessly.
" thats really what you want..for me to look like a fool. So I can see that everyone loves you. Thats the reason why you left isnt it?"
" No! Thats not true! I..."
" you dont have to say anything. Its done. Yong doesnt want to talk to me. Dad gave me the position you vacated and for what? " his voice is void of any emotion. " you just made me feel like Im the most despicable person who lived."
" for what happened Im sorry Pau.
I didnt think that it would break you and him. I just think that you will feel bad enough and it will be ok with me. Ive been waiting for your return. But you didnt. I bet, if you werent hospitalized, you would still be out there.." He sighed and Pauline stand up and hug her brother.
" dont be like this Min. Im sorry for the years that you have been hurting. I really am. I left because I want to show you that I love you more. I left because its the wisest thing to do at that time. If I love myself, I wouldnt have left. But I love you more." Tears fell on her cheeks as Min step away from her.
" I just comeby to say sorry. God I felt so awful when I saw you at the hospital." He tried to smile but failed. " Im going..."
" Can we..go back to be...friends?" She asked in a low voice.
" No..I ...I cant.. I havent forgotten what happened." He said and he walk towards the door and left her.
Min felt like a fool after closing the door. He wanted to hug her and tell her to forget everything, but his pride wont let him. Even what he said came out wrong. He tried to blame her for what happened eventhough its his fault.
Why cant you just say sorry and mean it! He chastised himself.
Min walk to his car thats park outside the gate.
He drive away from the house but after a few blocks he stop. He cried on the steering wheel. His heart is heavy with guilt. He wanted to ask for forgiveness but he just blame her again.
After a few minutes, he decided to go back and talk to Pauline again. Thia time he will say the right thing.
He will ask for forgiveness.
