"Sissy. . . Where are you going?" my younger brother cried in my arms. I attempted to soothe him by rubbing his back in a circular motion, but he remained unsettled and weeping in my arms helplessly. "I-I'll go with you. . . P-please d-don't leave me here. . ." he begged me in a saddened voice, looking at me with eyes full of plea and tears.
Hic hic. He wept uncontrollably. His tears were soaking my clothing in the process.
My brows creased in sadness. "Ssh. . . I'll be back, Lorenzo. Don't cry, please. It's going to be alright." I assured him in a gentle tone.
I truly intend to come back, although, the time of my return back home remains uncertain. I can't really lie to him that I'll be back early. Knowing I won't be back for a very long time.
His expression turned sour as he whined even more at my words. "No no! Y-you're staying!" His hold on my white dress tightened once more. Wrinkling it even more in the process. "Y-you're not going anywhere! I won't let you!" Another hiccup escaped his quivering lips. Hic hic.
I heaved a sigh as I looked over at his small form, tired. My right hand gently moved across his back, stroking it up and down to comfort him or at least, have him calm down. "Just like mama and papa said, I have to study far away from home but I promise you, I'll be back soon Lorenzo." I smiled at him warmly, making sure that I sound convincing enough for him to believe me. Despite his young age, I know quite well just how perceptive he is. He always notice. For some reason. He's bright and intelligent.
For that reason, as his older sister, I must go. My heart aches for him. As much as this saddens him. This hurts me as well. I don't want to go but I know I must. Not only for my well-being but for his as well.
My presence here is a torn to his side. Though, he doesn't know that. I know that he'll get upset once I leave. Much even more so when he learns the reason behind my sudden departure.
That's why I must go. I can't back down now. I already accepted my parents' terms about this.
I'm still at lost why but I'm already processing most parts of the reason. Maybe when I'm already a grown up I'll understand their perspective about all this matter soon enough. And the reason why I'm always hiding in the shadows.
Hic hic.
Another sigh left my lips. All I can do is stare down at Lorenzo's small figure. Silently praying for him to budge already.
He sniffed and looked at me sadly with those brown orbs of his. Tears were falling down his adorable face as he slowly calmed down. His tensed shoulders are now relaxed.
On the bright side, he also had slowly let go of my clothes now.
"P-promise?" With a shaky voice, he asked. He slowly held his pinky finger up. Anticipating for me to link mine with his.
'Oh my poor naive baby brother. . . I hope you'll grow up well.' I thought as I chuckled softly at the childish gesture, "Promise." Our pinkies linked as I plastered a sad smile on my face. Eventually letting go of his small hand.
Cough cough.
"Young miss, Lucrezia. The car is ready." The family butler told me as he stood behind me. "It's time for you to depart for Singapore."
I gave him a quick nod before I turned my attention back to Lorenzo. I hugged him one last time before I untangled myself from him.
As I turned to leave, I looked back at the people of the manor before I got in the car with a small smile on my face.
They were waving their hands goodbye. Which warmed my heart greatly. Even if some looked fake, some farewells were genuine. That's all that matters to me.
My departure was sad but I think it won't be that bad and unbearable knowing I have a family to return to once everything is settled back home.
I will come back.
. . . . . . . . . .
The promise of my return was the last vow my 14-year-old self made to my 11-year-old younger brother, Lorenzo Viviana.