“Do you still dream?” said the boy.
“Yes, I do. But they are nightmares.” replied the girl.
And they sat there away from all the darkness, in their own world of light.
”Hard times pass, though not quickly.” The boy broke the silence.
“I am afraid they won’t.”
“Some people are destined to be memories not a part of journey of life.”
“He wasn’t destined.”
“You are right. Sometimes destiny loses in front of reality.”
“It’s getting dark. I must leave.”
“Don’t worry. You lose some, you gain some. This is the reality of life.”
“Harsh reality.”
“See Ya.”
Gieselle left towards her home. It was dark but she was brave. Times were harsh but she was ready to fight it. Sometimes God gives you everything but you still don’t realize the importance and at times God snatches it and you start crying about it. But Gie was practical and she knew that crying won’t help. She had lost her brother, for whom she had actually lived this long.
She clearly remembers the day. It was like any other. After coming from college she and Jo, her friend was strolling at the seaside as this day. They were discussing about the project and this made her a bit late. It was half past seven when she entered her home, half an hour later than usual. She found her mother weeping and the same was with her dad. She immediately started searching for Francis, her brother who was no where to be found. “Francis has gone out to play hasn’t he?”
“No, Gieselle. Accept the truth that he has died and you killed him.”
“Mom I have not killed Francis. I loved Francis more than myself.”
“Who else Gie?”
“Mom if you can suspect a sister of killing her brother then you can kill your own son own day.”
“Gie, no one came and only you went out for a walk.” Her mom said.
“And after coming you said that Francis was lying dead.” Father added.
“It can be suicide dad.”
”My son was not so weak. He couldn’t have committed suicide.”
“He did dad. He couldn’t cope up with life, his studies and your ignorance. He often said to me that he wanted to die and thus he died.”
“Suicide is the mark of weak and my son can be anything but a weak boy. You were jealous of him so you decided to finish him off.”
“He is not dead right? Tell me it is right mom. He has just gone out to play.”
“No he is dead and you killed him.”
“I am sleepy and am going to sleep now. I would skip my dinner.”
Gieselle went to bed. It was maybe midnight when she woke up startled. “Sister it was me....”
“Francis”
“Sister it was not your fault.”
“Francis.”
“I committed suicide.”
“Brother I......”
“Gie, the fact remains that it was me at fault. I support you. You are right. Remain at your truth.”
“I don’t care what others say as long as you believe it wasn’t my fault. If I fell in your eyes today I may not be able to stand up ever.”
“Don’t worry sis. You will always remain my sister and my idol.”
Gieselle came out of her bed afraid as if she had taken a bath in sweat. “I just saw Francis or was it a dream. Francis is dead. I can’t see him.”
Next day she again met Jo at the beach.
“Do you still dream?” said the boy.
“Yes, I do. But they are nightmares.” replied the girl.
And they sat there away from all the darkness, in their own world of light.
