“Let's go.” He took my hand in his and led me out of the parlour.
“Where are we going to?”
“It's a surprise.” He smirked, “don't worry, you are going to love it.”
“And that's?”
“It's a surprise.” He tugged me with him.
We walked through a dimly lit corridor until we got to the stairs.
“This looks more like a horror film scene.”
“I know. It's what my brother said when my father fixed the bulbs. I think it gives it a lively vibe.”
“I guess,” I glance around the place.
The low music coming from the speaker in the parlour, and the dimly lit corridor gave this place a horror vibe.
“Are you afraid?” He teased.
“Who said anything about that? I'm not afraid.”
But I am.
I hate horror movies more than anything else.
“Don't worry, I will keep you safe if you are Afraid. You can lean on me, I don't mind.”
“Brother is the only one I will lean on. He's capable of keeping me safe.”
I know I hate horror movies more than anything else, but I love to watch them.
It's not because I love horror, but it's only because I get to cuddle with my brother; however, I want.
Watching horror movies with my brother is my favourite pastime.
“Since he's not here, I will be the one keeping you safe.”
“No. You don't have to worry about that. Brother is capable of keeping me safe.”
“Oh.” Max looked like he wanted to say something more, but he decided to let it slide.
“Let's go, then.”
***
It turned out that the place he wanted to show me, was the roof of their house.
“Wow.”
I turn around, in awe.
“It's beautiful, right?”
“You can see the stars from here.” I raise my hand as if I were trying to catch the stars with my hand.
“Yeah.” He walked over to the bench close by and sat on it. “Whenever my mind is filled with things, I come out here, to reminisce.”
“That's good.” I sat next to him, and smiled, “is this a sort of secret place?”
He shrugged, “my family hardly comes to this place. So, in some ways, it's my secret place.”
“Hmm.” I put my hand on my thighs, and glanced up, “I love it here.
Not only is the place peacefully quiet, but it's also beautiful.”
I've always loved the heavenly bodies. The nearness makes it damn beautiful.”
“Yeah,” He sighed.
We stayed there in I'm comfortable silence as we gazed up at the sky.
“Tap?”
“Yes?” I turn to face him, “what's wrong?”
The tune he used when he called me, made me sit up.
“I— It's just that—” He nervously glanced around the place.
“You can tell me what you want to say. What's wrong?”
“I— ' m— You—”
“What's wrong?” His nervousness confused me.
“I lo—”
“Baby boy?” I heard my brother call out to me.
“Brother!” I rose from the chair and turned towards the door.
With the sound of my brother's voice, I forgot about what Max wanted to tell me.
“Baby boy?” Brother finally opened the door.
“Brother!” I ran towards him, like a little girl who saw her favourite boy band.
“Baby boy.” Brother enveloped me in a hug, "what are you doing up here?”
“I came with my classmate. You won't believe this brother, your friend happens to be my classmate's brother!”
“Oh.” Brother turned his attention to Max, “what are you doing here with him, alone?”
“He's showing the stars to me.” I point to you, with a goofy smile on my face.
“Oh.” Brother glared at Max, “if you don't mind, I will be taking him with me.”
“But, brother—”
“He loves it here,” Max said with a frown levelled solely at my brother.
“I'm taking him with me. Thank you for taking care of him for me,” brother said in a tight voice.
This was my first time hearing him with that tone of voice.
The brother I know always chooses his words. He doesn't say words in harsh tones.
“You don't—”
Brother took my hand in his and led me out of the place before he could complete his words.
“Brother, what's wrong?” I tried to make him stop, but he didn't stop.
“What were you thinking, following him alone to the roof?” Brother asked in anger, as he tugged me towards the stairs.
His anger confused me.
After all, he was the one who left me for his crush.
Can't I at least spend some time with my classmate?
“He wanted to show me the roof.”
“The roof?” Brother suddenly turned and faced me.
“Yeah.”
Luckily for me, I wasn't all that near him. Else, I would have bumped head with him.
“What if he tried something with you? Do you trust this easily?”
“Try something?” I frown at him, “what will he try? He's only showing me how near the sky is from the roof.”
“Ah,” brother sighed. “You are only a naive little boy.” He gently ruffled my hair.
“Are you still angry with me?” I don't know why, but I have a hunch that my brother is angry with me.
Just thinking of it, made me feel bad.
“How can I be angry with you? You are my baby boy. I can never be angry with you.”
“So.....”
“Let's go. It's late, you have classes tomorrow.” He took my hand on his once more and started leading me towards the stairs.
“What of Max? I think I will—”
“You don't owe him anything,” Brother said in a clipped tone.
He sounded pissed for reasons I'm not familiar with.
“It's just—”
“Let's go.” This time, he didn't stop until we reached the stairs.
He gently led me downstairs, and towards the others who were now sitting in a circle.
“Oh, you found your baby boy?” Max's brother arched a brow at him.
“I'm sorry, but we have to go. Something came up,” brother apologized to his friends.