A Vihokratana's tragedy

24. The old Power ranger episodes

“Perth… he’s your brother?” Frank’s voice was barely a whisper. He looked at Drake, eyes wide with shock. For a moment, he couldn’t find the words. “I thought… I thought you only had your aunt.”

Drake nodded slowly, his gaze flying over the garden for a moment before meeting Frank’s again. "All my life I was taught to be hidden, to be silent and to not let anyone know about my existence. And I know it was for my safety. So, I never questioned anything. But my family's drama is something I can't let anyone know." 'Or you might get in trouble, Frank', these words were not able to find their way out of Drake's larynx. There was a brief pause. Drake tried his best to keep things simple and easy for Frank to take in, but he saw how Frank's eyes were in pain when he said those words. It must be too much for him. But he had to continue "Perth doesn't know about anything, me to be precise, and I hope it stays that way."

Drake looked helpless. Frank can never imagine a life where he can't even hug or talk to his brothers let alone acting as strangers to them. The thought alone sent shivers down his spine. Drake has so much inside him and no one knows that.

"To be honest, Perth wasn't of any concern to me. It was as if he didn't even exist to me. But I started noticing how my aunt would always talk about him giving him all attention even in his absence. I started hating that about him. I started hating him. I guess… jealousy can twist things." He shook his head slightly. "He had everything I yearned for since I was a child. We are brothers yet why did I have to be the unfortunate one? Such negative thoughts always hung in my mind. But something changed. I don’t know when exactly, but I got curious. I wanted to see him for myself, to know the brother I’d never met. I enrolled in our uni in a different stream so my aunt won't be worried about anything."

Frank’s eyes softened, but he still looked confused and worried.

Drake’s gaze grew distant, as if recalling the first moments he saw Perth. "And when I saw him… when I really observed him, I realized I never hated him. I was just… envious. Envious of the life he had, of the things I thought I’d lost. But then I saw it—he’s just as broken as I am."

Frank saw the pain in Drake’s eyes—the care and hope he’d kept inside for so long.

"He is my brother but I can't talk to him, can't tease him, can't even hug him. Unlike you. You are lucky, Frank. Both your brothers love you to death while mine doesn't even know about my existence. I am... envious of that too." An ironic smile lingered on his face.

Frank slowly raised his arms, hesitant. But he did it . He embraced Drake in a warm hug. This sudden warmth was unexpected for Drake but it was much needed. It was rare for Frank to initiate any form of affection after the pain he’d endured. For Drake, it meant everything. He clung to Frank as silent tears slipped down his lashes.

....

Ohm, Nanon, Chimon, and Perth were lounging in the hall, watching old Power Rangers episodes—Chimon’s idea. Nanon was totally hyped, eyes glued to the screen like it was the best thing ever. Ohm wasn’t really into it, but he wasn’t about to mess with Nanon’s excitement—Nanon’s temper was no joke. Perth felt the same way—better to endure this then provoke Nanon's dramatic scorn. So there they were, prisoners to the nostalgia and a big bowl of buttered popcorn.

However, just a few minutes before they would even decide on what to do Drake had already dragged Frank on a walk in the garden but everyone knew it was more about relieving the steam between the two. Ohm felt the injustice. They were out there talking but he has to tolerate this absolute torture. As the Power Rangers theme song blared for like the hundredth time, he finally had enough.

With a dramatic sigh, he stood up. "Hey, Non, Chimon—how about we do something a bit more exciting than watching this? We can watch TV anytime at home. But we’re on vacation, guys—come on!"