Rhythm Of Rivals

20.

Author's POV

Gemini and Fourth entered the cafe, approaching the table by the window where Phuwin and Pond sat.

Phuwin's eyes swollen locked onto Gemini's, filled with longing and regret. Gemini avoided his gaze, discomfort etched on his face.

Fourth and Pond exchanged supportive glances, sitting beside their loved ones. They knew their role: emotional anchors.

The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken words.

Finally, Phuwin spoke, his voice cracking.

"Gem..."

Pond and Fourth exchanged knowing glances. It was time to leave.

"We'll give you two some space" Pond said softly.

Fourth squeezed Gemini's hand reassuringly.

"We'll be outside," Fourth whispered.

With one last concerned look, they left, leaving Gemini and Phuwin alone.

The door creaked shut, enveloping Gemini and Phuwin in an uncomfortable silence.

Phuwin's eyes pleaded for forgiveness.

"Gem, I-"

Gemini's voice cut in, laced with pain.

"Why did you leave?" Gemini's words cut through the air, laced with pain...

Phuwin's eyes dropped, his shoulders sagging.

"I couldn't take it anymore... Gem," Phuwin said, his voice trembling. That one line made gemini go silent as he knew what he meant or maybe phuwin knew something more..

Gemini sat quietly, unsure of what to say. He already knew why Phuwin left; he wasn't angry. Instead, he wondered what his mistake was. He loved Phuwin more than anything; he was never attached to his parents. It was always Phuwin to whom he was close.

Phuwin's sudden disappearance devastated Gemini to his core. He felt lost, transforming from a cheerful, sunny person into a loner and outcast, moving away didn't help either. Gemini totally withdrew from human contact, burying himself in books and study, abandoning all other activities.

As Gemini grew older, he realized Phuwin's sacrifices. Phuwin had taken the blame for Gemini's smallest mistakes, standing up to their father whenever he targeted Gemini. Phuwin shielded him from harm numerous times, shouldering the burden of their father's abuse... Somewhere phuwin knew that his father won't hit gemini at any cost so he dared to leave gemini behind...

Till the presentation day gemini had this lingering anger simmered within directed at Phuwin's silence over the years. Why hadn't his brother reached out?

But on that day Gemini realised For the first time, he experienced the brutality of their father's abuse. The slap, the yelling, being wept, the piercing words, it happened just ones with him and he couldn't take it so how did his brother tolerate it for years?- it all left Gemini feeling paralyzed and shattered.

In that moment, Gemini understood why Phuwin chose to leave. The weight of his brother's sacrifices crushed him. Phuwin had endured this hell for years, protecting Gemini from the truth..