Former Times

[2]: He Is Back

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Liv is 17 years old and in the third year of high-school.

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The next day, my 19-year old brother, Daniel, came back from Europe from a trip. I was so happy and excited to see him and to know what he brought for me. But my expectations were spoiled when he went outside with his friends. I was furious at him when I heard of his outing.

He came back at the middle of the night, and I heard his car door closing. So I opened the door even before he opened the door himself and I jumped to launch an attack on him which he easily dodged and I landed on the ground.

Daniel said,"You hungry Liv? But I am not a thing to be eaten by a human being nor you are a cannibal. Go ask dad for food or check in the kitchen." I stood up and was thinking what to reply, then after a pause he continued,"Or... you are angry at me that I didn't ate dinner with you?"

"YEAH RIGHT! Why would I be angry at my older brother? For the fact that he came back after a month and did NOT meet his sister until he was sneaking back into the house in the middle of the night or the fact that he promised to go out and have dinner with her once he returned? Except for this, why would I be angry?"

He looked and seemed like he forgot about that promise he made a month ago when he was leaving with his best friend.

He replied, being emotional,"Oh...now I know what I was forgetting after I came back, you thought I did not get time for buying things for you? Well... you are wrong, I bought somethings for you which are waiting upstairs in my bedroom, so come and get them before I lock my door."

With this, he ran and I hurriedly ran upstairs to catch him. Luckily I got just in time, before he closed the door.

To my surprise, he actually brought gifts for me. One was headphones because he knew I desperately needed that, and the other one was a card in which it was written:

"I know you are expecting another thing but that is not inside the house it is waiting in my car. Don't get hopes up, because its not a car neither it will ever be, as I am not that rich or extravagant and nor am I gonna spend so much money for you, but I can make sure that it is something you will probably like.

So...what are you waiting for, run and get it already. And, One more thing which I am proud to give you is that, and I am sure you will love it:

I am back, what more do you need.

HAHAHAHAH

Hoping you will like these presents,
Your loving and humble bro,
Daniel"

"So...are you gonna run or what?" I don't know what I was thinking for a moment and suddenly I started running towards the porch and I was literally shocked to see a car standing which I didn't know about. Thoughts were going through my mind that if Daniel really bought me a car, my first car.

Daniel spoke,"Liv, are you still thinking I brought you a car? You need to look closely." I stared at him then at that car, then I remembered that Dad ordered a car as the last one had a functional failure due to which he sold it.

Then, I went close to his car and found out that a box was kept inside wrapped in a gifting paper in the back. I rapidly took it out, unfolded it and the thing I got was a laptop. Not any special laptop which can be folded or anything but a simple slim laptop, which to me was awesome.

On the top a note was attached, in which it said:

"I hope you use it well and be careful to use this. I saved up a lot of money to buy this and consider this your this and next year's birthday present. If you break it within 2 years, I'll take double amount of the original price."

I was overjoyed and hugged my brother so tightly. I was glad that he was back. I told him one thing which I thought I would never say but I told it anyways, " I missed you so much, and I am so delighted at your return, really."

Daniel looked down at me like he couldn't believe what I just said to him. What more did he needed to hear from me, or should I insult him to make it even.

Afterwards, I checked out both my gifts and placed them safely. I was quite happy with headphones especially they were waterproof and in blue and black colour, which are basically my favourite colours.

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In the morning, dad came downstairs and drank coffee. After our mom died, he never slept easily which was basically on the day I was born. I still remember that horrifying day, on my birthday, we had went out on my wish and then nothing remained the same.

I remember once dad telling both of us, Daniel and I, about our mom. The way he talked about her and described her, looked like he could never get tired of praising her or talking about her. I wish she was still alive so dad wouldn't have lost his loved one.

Daniel and I had both each other which never made us feel lonely, but this was not the case in dad's situation. He felt lonely, we both could feel it, so we always tried to cheer him up and make him happy. We even told him even to re-marry but he replied,"Living alone is better than to replace her."

When I was 5 years old my mom died, dad was left alone to raise us both. Daniel was 7 years old, which made him no help to dad. I salute at his patience and bravery which was probably needed to raise us.

When we were younger, our mom had a craze about photography. She had a camera which she would take wherever we go. Whenever someone asked why she took so many photos, she said, "Every memory made is unique and should not be forgotten. I want to show my children how beautiful there childhood was like." Her camera is still placed in our parents' room which I often take and see to look at her.

The most saddest thing is she even had the camera on the moment when she died.

Our dad is much cool, he used to play with us, such as soccer and badminton. He gave us a lot of love that we never felt much without mom. Even when we were younger he had allowed us to do anything, but we had to inform him first.

When I had done my breakfast, I was about to go upstairs to get ready, I told Daniel,"Well, I'm going to go and get ready for school. Have you gonna applied to any University yet?"

"Are you fine?" Daniel gave me an 'are you kidding me' look while saying,"Today is Saturday! Which means its a holiday, you dumbo." After a slight laugh he continued,"Yeah...I'm thinking about applying to some Universities."

The next thing I know is that he threw a cloth toward me which I dodged thankfully to my physical skills.

"So I am going to get some more sleep in my comfy bed. Goodnight." With that I started walking upstairs to my bedroom and while going I said, "Great apply to some good ones and don't get your hopes up too high, because you never know when life takes a twist."

"Yeah right." Daniel ran towards me and got a hold of me with my arm and said,"I guess yesterday you wanted to have fun with your brother and now we have time. So, what do you say? Wanna go somewhere?" After a pause he continued, "My offer's not gonna last long. Say yes while I'm in the mood."

I replied, "Okay lets go! But when and where?" I thought why waste an offer that was so good. I knew we would not leave immediately and will spend about an hour here and there roaming in the house.