It has been two days since the minor problem I had with my brother, and he has refused to speak to me. It was as if he wanted nothing to do with me. And that made me feel like shit.
Whoever told me to kiss my brother when I perfectly know him so well?
God.
I'm just a fool.
“You need to brace up, Tap. This isn't the end of the world.
Besides, I don't think your brother hates you. Who knows, he might even like you.” Jane placed her hand on my shoulders, “cheer up, young man. You don't have to act so downcast. Look at things from the bright side.”
“Which is? I don't think there is a bright side to things.
No matter how I read at things, there is never a bright side to things.” I felt like plucking my hair from my skull just to feel the pain of my stupidity.
“Your brother might like you, Tap. If memory serves me right, you mentioned he kissed you back before he pushed you away, right?”
“Yes, that's undoubtedly what I reported. Yet, I don't think he likes me. He must have reacted to my kiss because he was frightened by my actions.”
“Are you a fool?” She hit my head, “how can you think like that? Your brother isn't one to act that way because he was overwhelmed.”
“But it's not possible! There is no way my brother can ever love me. He doesn't care for me at all! He's only acting like the brother he is.”
“Well, there's only one way to know if that's the case,” Jane smirked, with a sly glint in her eyes.
“What's it?” I frown at her. “I don't trust you whenever you have that expression on your face.”
“Why?”
“You always cook mischievous things up. Nah, I don't trust you at all.” I shook my head.
My actions caused her to smirk. “Whether you trust me or not, you have to do this.
It's the only way to know whether your brother loves you or not.”
“And what do you propose I do? I'm listening.”
“Come closer.” She motioned towards me.
“What's it? What do you want to tell me?”
“Just come closer.”
I gestured around at the students who were eating in the cafeteria to make certain there was no one observing us.
“It better be something good,” I warned before I leaned closer to listen to her idea.
Jane smirked before she whispered her ideas to me.
“No!” I hit my hand on the table. “That's insane!”
“Lower your voice. Others are watching!” Jane frowned at me.
Her words caused me to glance around. And sure enough, half of the students in the cafeteria were looking at us.
“Sorry.” I lowered my head in embarrassment.
“So, are you going to do what I proposed?”
“No. There's no way I'm going to do that. Do you want my brother to punch me in the face?
No, thank you very much.?
“You will do this, Tap. That's the only way for you to know his feelings. Do this, Tap. It's the only way. There's no other way out of this.”
“But—”
“There are no buts, Tap. It's either this or nothing else. Come on, stop acting like a baby. It's time for you to take matters into your hands.
It's the only way for you to know.”
“I don't—”
“No, you do. Besides, you still have two weeks to think about this. Don't conclude yet until you have fully thought about this.”
“Okay, I will think of it.”
*********
I nervously glanced at myself in the mirror as I tugged on the short shorts Jane got for me.
“If this doesn't work, I swear to whatever supreme being is up there, I will deal with her.”
I tugged on the shorts that were more like a half cut than a top.
My stomach was on full display, and my legs were exposed. The shorts I was putting on were only long enough to cover my arse, and nothing more.
Should I bend, I'm sure everyone will see my bare arse.
And this was another order from Jane.
I'm not to wear any underwear under the short clothes she got for me.
Gosh.
That female will be the death of me.
I took my handbag from the table close to the door. And with a last glance at the clothes I was putting on, I hastened out of the room.
Gods.
Let this work.
I climbed down the stairs as slowly as I can, to buy more time.
“Baby boy, is that you?”
Brother has gone back to calling me by the endearing words; however, things have been strained between us.
“Yes. I'm the one.” I climbed down the stairs and headed into the parlour.
Brother has his back to me as he placed candles on the cake.
“I wanted this to be a surprise, but you are down already. You—”
“I'm not celebrating my birthday here. I'm going to a party with my classmates. It's my 18th birthday. I'm not a kid any more. I want to celebrate my day with my buddies.”
“Baby boy?” Brother turned to face me, “You—”
His eyes widened when he saw the clothes I was putting on.
“What are you putting on, Tap?” He furrowed his brows at me.
“Clothes. What else will I be putting on if not for clothes?” I frown at him.
“You are not going out, and certainly not in those clothes.”
“What do you mean by not in Those clothes?” I fold my arms. “I'm an adult, I'm free to put on any types of clothes I prefer.”
“Free to put on any clothes you want? And you are wearing clothes that partially covered your body? Is that what you mean by being free?”
“What's wrong with these clothes? It's not as if I'm nude. I'm fully clothed!”
“Fully clothed? You are naked, Tap, and you call these clothes?”
“Yes, they are. It's not as if you care!”