I froze in shock at how terrible what I saw made me feel. I thought things are bad but this was beyond my imagination or at least my estimate of how bad things were. I did not expect things to be at such a bad state that a person like Chukwuemelie would be so rude to our father. I remember that he really looked up to dad. When we were younger, he would always stay up to wait for dad to help him with his assignments and projects, I could do most of them but he always insisted and I always ended up doing them anyway. Dad just wasn't there, but is that really enough reason for him to be so full of anger, anger directed towards the one person he considered a role model?
It was pretty obvious that everyone entirely lost their appetite judging from how uncomfortable they all seemed. This is very overwhelming and honestly I really don't think I can take it any more. I stood up and excused myself saying that I am tried. I need to escape this suffocating atmosphere and have a talk with my brother to find out what that was about. I walked up the stairs, stopping in front of the room next to mine, Emelie's room. Looking at the door, I began to have doubts in myself concerning what I was about to do. Is this the best option? Do I still know him well enough to have a conversation with him? Well, too late to think of that because the door just opened and there he stood looking down at me with dark eyes that softened the moment he digested the fact that it was me.
"Chizara..." I guess he wasn't expecting me because that sounded more like a question or maybe he did not want me or anyone else to talk to him. I am a little hurt.
"You aren't planning to stand here all day, or all night, right sis?" His words reached my ears with the carefree tone I was familiar with and with I looked at him and smiled as I saw his cheeky grin. This boy.
His room has an amazing olive green hue on its walls and everything was well arranged, neatly placed in order. For a guy's room, especially my very own messy brother, this place is close to being too clean. This boy in front of me definitely isn't the same brother I was familiar with. He is the direct opposite of what he was.
"Well....if you don't mind, I'll like to talk to you" His expression change for the second I said this to something I could not decipher but he quickly cover it up with his previous smile. All definitely isn't fine. I am curious and I'll like to help. He opened the door fully and sat down on his bed seemingly waiting for me. His smile was now replaced by a gloom expression and his grey eyes looked saddened.
"Let me guess-" I occupied my mind thinking of the best way to approach him without him looking as cold as he did a few minutes ago and he started before I could make out any word.
"You are not happy about what happened between dad and I during dinner. " He took a deep breath and stared at the floor like it was the most attractive piece in his room.
"I am so sorry you had to see that. " His hands began to rub his temples. He apparently was in in deep thought. Then he looked at me in the eyes for a second before looking away again.
"This is your first time here with us after so long and I just made a mess. Sis, I really didn't want things turning out the way they did. I could have done better-"
"Emelie stop-" I couldn't sit and watch him blame himself for everything. Everyone else gave off cold vibes at that dinning table. The real thing here is, why?
"I can tell that there is something none of you are telling me. What happened to this family? While taking care of me at the hospital you were all together and happy. What happened? What changed?" His face went dry as surprise took over his gloom expression. He blinked and looked away as if to hide his eyes. What is wrong with him?
"Sis, listen- " He said as he tried to calm himself down. Taking in a lot of air and then calmly releasing it from his lungs. He came closer to me and held my shoulders. He looked at me and held my gaze-
"Everything is fine. Just- Just don't think about anything, okay? Besides I do not want you to worry about anything at all, okay?-okay? Sis? " He's shaking a bit and is it me or are his eyes reddening?
"But Chiemelie -" He cut me off with a sudden tight hug. He had me buried in his chest as he began to cradle me, I could only roll my eyes in slight annoyance. Did he really forget that I am four years older than he is? This is embarrassing.
"Zara, we missed you so much. You don't know how horrible it felt to see you lying unconscious on that hospital bed. Everyday, every single day I prayed that you'd wake up. I missed you so much and now you're back- I-I want you to be happy and live a worry free life." His voice was beginning to crack. I can tell, he is about to crack with emotions. This is serious, the Emelie I know never breaks down.
"Sis please don't worry about what happened today. Believe me, nothing serious happened. I- I was just stupid enough to make dad angry. It was all my fault. I was just being a rebellious child. I promise you that I will apologize to dad and this will never happen again. So don't worry." I looked up at him to see his face and truly he was sad but still, something in me was doubting the sincerity of his words. I pushed that doubt to the back of my mind and decided to believe my brother. The door began to creek and and my sister's head came to view. She rushed towards us and joined in our hug
"Yeah me too. I missed you so much sis. We are so glad that you are back. We will make you beyond comfortable with us-" She stated with a cheeky smile. She maybe older, but she hasn't lost her heart melting cute smile. And her light brown eyes are still full of all the light and warmth that I remember. She is amazing, both of them are amazing. They are the best siblings anyone could ask for.
I slept soundly that night and I decided that today's dinner incident was nothing to worry about and maybe the past isn't that important. I just want to enjoy my family's love and presence. I should take my brother's word for it and stop thinking that my family is breaking. I am just being paranoid and should stop doing that because, though we don't seem close, we love each other and they probably are still affected by the thought of losing me. It's all good now that I am fine and here with them. Everything is going to be just fine.