A Promise From My Heart

3.

Fighting became a daily occurrence with Noor after our mother's death. It arose from one stupid thing she does to one crazy thing she said. After so long of her being like that, I should have gotten used to her mean attitude but I can't just let go of many things she does. Eight months ago, things changed between us when that tragedy struck my family.

On that day mum was killed, Amatullah was the only person present at the scene. She was the only one who knows the killer and what had happened. She was also brutally beaten. I found her in the pool of her own blood with my mother lifeless beside her. Some valuables like the gold set of jewellery Amatullah wore for our wedding went missing. She miscarried and went into denial.

My family was affected by the incident o the point it wrecked each of us. Mum's murder became a mystery to us for the police were not helpful. Going to them became futile until they said they wanted to close the case two months after the incident. There was no lead and it was taking a whole lot of time was their excuse. Maybe when my wife, the only witness, recalls what happened, they will reopen it. Hopefully.

Noor changed and kept blaming Amatullah for everything. My father became quiet, going about his daily activities and running his business in a robotic manner. When last did he smile talk more of laugh? Where is that man who would dress up, stare at himself in the mirror and say to my mother "Aren't you happy you married a fine man?" in a jovial tone that everyone would burst out to. "Is your father not a handsome man?" He would say to us the children. That's one of the many moments we had together.

My grandmother's health grew worse and she almost slipped into depression and nearly had a stroke from her daughter's death, and the twins got different ways of reacting to it. Kenny avoided anything that had to do with talking about mum. TY had never expressed or spoken about it. Our only hope was on Amatullah but there had been no improvement in her health. She kept getting worse day by day. My heart clenched with pain at the thought of her.

The buzzing sound of my phone brought me out of my thoughts. I looked at the phone in my hand. My face fell faster than a penny in a pond at the name that reflected on the broken screen. I answered it.

"I need money." The voice at the other end of the phone said.

"Good day to you too, TY." I gave a tight lipped smile, drumming my finger against the table, a way to calm down the storm brewing inside me.

I wanted to shout at her. Tell her how bratty and annoying she was. I wanted to just scold her and let her realised that her act was not taking anyone anywhere. Why will she leave the house? Where is she staying? With that friend of hers? That girl, Enny, is a bad influence, one she needs to delete from her life.

"You heard me. I need money." She repeated in a careless tone.

"And I am not giving it to you. You can't just call me to ask me for money like I pluck money from a tree."

"I can. You are my elder brother and it is your responsibility to take care of me."

"But I can choose not to give you money. TY, you have not been home for over a week. I heard you left home the day I left for my journey." I swirled the swivelled chair to look out.

"At least I have called. You should put your mind to rest, big bro. I am alright. You have my account number. Send the money. It's ten thousand."

"You heard me. I am not sending any money to you until you come back home. Get your feet back home, we talk and you get the money."

"I am not coming home and there's nothing to talk about."

"You will, Taiye!" I slammed my palm against the table. "Or I will come and drag you from wherever you are."