THOSE BROWN EYE

“You...!”

And I step back from the window. I saw him putting something in the mailbox. He again looked at me pointing toward the mailbox with his cold face. And then with a blink of eye he disappeared. I rushed toward the window to see where he’s gone...but of no use. There was nothing. I shuffled back from window toward my bed. I sat on the bed with head in my hands. I was still puzzled what was going on.

Ping!

Getting out of my worries I grabbed my phone. It was Zoe.

Zoe: so. How was school without me...?

Me: boring. I missed you a lot.

Zoe: I know. How about test...?

Me: its tomorrow.

Zoe: okay. Get ready then. See you tomorrow at school. And a smiley.

Me: okay. Take care.

And I fall back in my bed. I was about to fall asleep when I heard a knock on the door. I stood up and opened the door.

“Here. This is for you.” He said handing me a paper bag.

“What...?”I said with a surprise reaction on my face.

He looked into my eyes and our gaze met. His face was cold as usual but I can tell he was admiring me. His eyes were smiling. Those black, round eyes were filled with love and care for me.

“Take it. I have brought this for you.” he said again pushing that bag toward me. I took the bag in my hands and he turned back to went downstairs. I was till surprised about what just happened. He again turned toward me and came close to me.

“I don’t know much about this stuff but I hope you like it.” He said without looking at me. “And don’t tell mom that I have brought this to you. If she questions you then say that some of your friend has brought this for you. Ok.” And I nodded in a yes.

My eyes were getting wet with warm tears. I was trying to hold them back but they were out of my control. Before this I have never experienced so much happiness in my life. My body was filled with joy. And tears roll down my cheeks. I wipe them immediately.

He again turned his back and moved downstairs. I was standing at the door of my room. I don’t know how many minutes I have spend there, living that feeling of joy and happiness. I hold that bag close to my chest as if my life depends on that paper bag.

“I’m home.” He yelled from downstairs and I got startled with that coming back to my senses. Furiously I closed the door of my room and open the bag. It was a black hoodie with a pinky promise picture on the chest with “FOREVER TOGETHER” printed below that. It was really a surprise for me. Hurriedly I grab that hoodie and stand in front of my dressing table to try it. I pull out my jumper and then...

“Ahhh...you smell so sweaty.” I said to myself. I put the hoodie back in the paper bag and rushed to bathroom. I took a quick shower and came out with towel covering myself. I put on my pyjamas and grabbed that hoodie again to try. I wore it. Perfect. It was a perfect size. How does he know...? I thought to myself.

“Licia...? Licia...? You arrogant brat...! Where are you...?” it was mother.

Oh. I almost forget about everything. I put off the gift and hide it in my cupboard and put on my top. Opening the door, I rushed downstairs. She was standing, with an angry expression on her face.

“What were you doing...?”

“I was arranging my bo...” before I could complete she cut me off.

“What about work huh...? I don’t know what you are thinking but if it’s not done then you have to pay for that. Do you get that...?”

“Yes mother.” I replied as she moved toward her room pushing me behind her. I made my way toward the lobby...there was a pile of dirty clothes. With a long sigh...I started with my work. I wash all the clothes and put them on frame to let dry. Then I clean the attic which was closed by past two years. I checked the time...it was 5 o’clock.

Sky was getting red. I made my way toward the garden, my favourite part of house. Flowers were blooming in my pots. I watered them and came back inside. Dad was back from office. I offer him a glass of water and greeting him. He took the glass and moved to his room without saying anything. I was standing there looking at him from behind.

I came back to kitchen and started to prepare dinner. It was about seven as I walked back to my room with a coffee. I sat on my bed. I finish my coffee and start with my homework and test.

“It was a long day.” I said to myself. “But it was a good day.” I smiled to myself and fell on my bed.

“Dinner...!” someone yelled from downstairs.

I got up and move downstairs. I put settle on the dining table as everyone came to their seats. I served everyone and we all had a silent dinner.

“Where were you so early in the morning...?” she asked him with a heavy tone.

“I had to meet a friend. It was something important. I have told Licia about it.” He said finishing his dinner.

“Is it not important for you tell your mother where you are going or is she more important to you than me...?” she said with a shrill.

“Calm down mom. It’s nothing important. You are overreacting.”

“I’m overreacting...? If I’m caring about you then I’m overreacting. What kind of education is given at your school there days? Huh. I’m your mother and I care for you.” she pushed her plate away.

And looked at him waiting for him to reply.

“I know how you care about me. okay.” He screamed.

“Huh. So that’s how you behave with your parents.” She said. Her face was red with anger.

“Behave yourself boy.” Dad said to him turning toward him.

“I’m sorry dad.” And he walked to his room. I was still there, sitting and having my dinner as everybody left. I grab all the dishes and cleaned the dining table. I was washing the dishes when...

“Can I help with something...?” he said with his raspy voice.

“w-what...?” I was surprised. My eyes got bigger as I look toward him.

“Let me do the dishes.” He said moving toward sink.

“n-no.” I’m fine. Do you need anything...?” I ask him.

“No. I just wanted to help you.”

“But mother will get angry if she got to know.”

“I don’t care.” He said in an angry tone.

“Okay. You can wipe those dishes and set them in there.” I said pointing toward the cupboard.

“Okay.” He took the tissue and started doing as instructed. I was really puzzled. He never helped me before in kitchen or anything else. It was just like a dream for me.

“Did you like that...?” he asked me.

“Y-yes. Thanks.” I smiled at him. He nodded but he didn’t look at me.

“How did you know my size...?” I asked him.

His cheeks turn red. He stuttered and said “I checked your other hoodie that was hanging on the stand outside.” And we both finish our work.

He was about to leave when...

“Thank you NOVA...!” it’s been a long time since I called him by his name. He stopped there and turned toward me. He looked at me into my eyes. He nodded and said “no need to say thanks. I’m your brother after all.” Then he moved away to his room.

I finish my kitchen cleaning and headed toward my room. I laid in my bed thinking about the day. Suddenly that piece of pare came to my notice. I totally forgot about him. He put something in the mailbox. I have to take that before anyone else. I jumped out of my bed and made my way downstairs. It was about nine. All were locked in their room. I opened the main door and went outside near the mailbox. I opened the mailbox without making any sound and put my hand inside it.

It was a letter. I took the letter out, put it in the pocket of my pyjamas. I rushed back inside the house. Slowly climbing the stairs I made my way to my room. I opened the door of my room and get inside making sure that nobody could notice me. I closed the door behind me jumped into my bed. After making myself comfortable in the bed I took out the letter.

“V. LICIA CHOHEN.”

“Huh. How does he know my full name? I don’t use this name anywhere outside except legal documents.” I said to myself staring at the letter.

I let out a big sigh and opened the letter.

“NO NEED TO GET SCARED OF ME.

WE BOTH KNOW EACH OTHER FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOON.

WAIT FOR ME.”

That’s it, nothing more. Not even his name.

I read the letter again and again trying to figure out what does he mean by that. We know each other, how...? I have never seen him before. And what is the meaning of this wait for me...? i was getting irritated with same questions again and again. I slid the letter back into that envelope and put it into my special diary. I took some sips of water from the bottle and get ready to fell asleep.

But I was not able to get sleep. His face was coming to my mind again and again. Thinking about him I noticed something.

His eyes. I have seen pairs of black eyes but there was something about his. They were black and glittery just like a night sky full of stars, like magic. They were speaking to my soul in those moments. They were deep...full of mysteries. They were full of secrets and dimensions that no mankind will ever be able to attain. There was something about them that no one will ever be able to know what lies in those empty eyes.

“Her eyes. They are brown.” I said to myself.