A REAL FAMILY [II]

Evie smiled as she saw a picture of she and Edwin while they were children. Edwin had carried her on his shoulders while forcing a smile while she had looked up at the camera with tears in her eyes. They had looked very cute in the picture.

Edwin noticed her smile and explained the situation in the picture hoping to bring back memories. She had been three years old while he had been eight when that picture was taken. He had gone to school without knowing that Evie had scribbled on his notebook. His teacher had scolded him while classmates had mocked him.

On coming back from school, he had gone to confront Evie but she had laughed at him. He got angry and hit her head - lightly. But she cried. Their mom had come and after hearing what happened asked them to apologise to each other. After they did, she asked them to hug each other. Evie had insisted that he carried her on his shoulders and when he did, she took the picture.

Evie laughed at the back story. She couldn't remember but it sounded like something she could do. It had already been made fair as Caleb had done the same thing to her. Caleb. How happy he would've been to have an older brother like Edwin? No nefarious father with an evil mistress. No paranoid mother. No secrets. Just a loving, caring and happy family.

"Thinking about him again?" Edwin asked as he picked up a face towel on his bed and tossed it to Evie who was sitting on the edge of his bed. He didn't expect that the pictures would bring up memories, not of when she had been with him, but of her younger brother, Caleb.

"How could I not?" Evie replied sadly as she dabbed the towel gently on her face. She hadn't realised that she was crying before Edwin gave her the towel. "There's always something to remind me of him."

"I'm sorry." Edwin replied softly. Caleb was a sensitive topic for Evie and he didn't want to add to her problems.

"Uhm Evie. I have something to tell you." Edwin added after he saw that Evie - for the first time - didn't cry over Caleb. "Promise me you won't get mad."

"I promise." Evie forced a wide grin on her face as she looked at him.

"Last night, I discussed with Dad and Cat. We decided that it would be best for you if you travel overseas to study."

"What?" Evie was displeased but she held back. She had promised not to get mad.

"I know this is sudden and all but it is for your benefit." Edwin noticed the change in her countenance and tried to explain. "You could recuperate better at a place where no one knows you. And that could take your mind off Caleb for the time being."

"You want me to forget about him." Evie stated with a pained look on her face. She looked into Edwin's eyes as she tried to read his facial expression. He still cared.

"No. Not at all. I don't want you to forget him. I can't even suggest that. But you can't stop living because of him. He wouldn't want that. And I don't want that. I'm sorry but I'm just doing what I think..." Edwin stopped abruptly as Evie hugged him tight. He remained silent as he nervously wrapped his arms around her.

"You don't need to be. I know you have my best interests at heart therefore I am willing to go." Evie spoke into his chest. His racing heart was already calming down.

"Thanks, Evie."

"But I have a request." Evie added softly. She hated the fact that he was walking on edges around her.

"What is it?" He pulled out of the hug and looked at her in the eyes calmly.

"Promise me that you will never make any decision for me without consulting me first." She added, happy that he didn't get tensed up again because of her.

"I promise." Edwin said as he placed a hand on his chest and the other in front of him in a pledge like manner. The siblings both laughed at this and Edwin decided to take a picture. He wanted to make as many memories with Evie as he could.

***** ***** *****

Evie gasped for breath as her chest became tighter with each second that passed. She curled her fingers tightly as she tried to observe her surroundings. A baby was fussing three rows in front of her while the person behind her was listening to music on his headphones that was so loud that she could hear it pounding against her head.

The flight attendant looked very calm as she took orders from passengers. She looked out the window by her side hoping to feel better but she saw the top of the clouds looking back at her, she felt more anxious over how high up they were in the sky. Her chest tightened as she looked away frightened.

She felt a hand grip hers tightly and she was about to jerk it away when she heard a soft voice in her ear. She turned to look and at meeting Edwin's hazel eyes, her fears disappeared. She was very sure he would protect her no matter what.

Resting assured, she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She was glad that he had come along with her on the flight. And that he was being a great big brother. Her lips curved up into a smile as she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.