THE PAIN WITHIN

“Where are you going bro, at this time of night?” inquired Natasha. “It’s past midnight and I am sure mom and dad aren’t aware either” sissy continued..

‘Shut up!’ screamed Aron and he reversed back to his room.

Natasha being just a year younger to Aron who turned 26 few days ago, was taken aback and suspected something dubious in her brother’s behaviour recently, so she had to keep an eye on him. She was extremely hurt that her older sibling asked her to shut up, yet she felt sorry for him.

Aron was a famous athlete at school and this brought so much pride and glory to his family and friends. He was also known as a ‘multi-tasker’ which was an added advantage for his popularity. Natasha on the other hand, was a down-to-earth, young lady who looked up to people despite their status. She adored her brother a lot, hence she could taste the difference in his attitude. Something was troubling him that troubled her but she had no idea what the cause could be and this incident made her even more suspicious as to why he was trying to slink out of the house during the pitch black hours. In two minds, as to whether to inform her parents or not, Natasha decided to spy on him.

Creeping back to her room which was opposite to Aron’s, Natasha left her door slightly open so she could see if her brother was trying to escape again. With her heavy eyelids closing up and sleep overtaking her consciousness, she sneaked out one last time and found her brother writing something on a piece of crushed grey paper. Fearing she might be seen or heard, she quickly seeped through to her room and unwittingly fell asleep.

Waking up to the sound of rapid footsteps, Natasha felt a sense of fear running down her spine. ‘Something doesn’t seem right’ she told herself while swiftly getting down from the bed and rushing towards the disturbing noise that was getting louder. On her way to the living room, she spotted the grandfather clock. ‘Oh my God! It’s only 4:45 a.m. and there is so much chaos in the house already.’ She was hoping that it was nothing to do with Aron but as she got to the spot of the unexpected scenario, she stood dumbstruck.

A few feet away stood five policemen and several strangers and two backs faced towards her. Her parents were in deep conversation with the unanticipated guests. ‘What’s going on?’ She insisted in dismay. As they turned around to the sound of her voice, she could see tears streaming down their cheeks. ‘Our son!’ they cried. “Wh-what about him?” Natasha stammered while guilt and pain were gushing through her veins. ‘I knew it, I knew he was upto something but how could I be such a dope to have not taken an immediate action then?’

“We need to hurry! Aron is in a critical condition” Mrs. Watson exclaimed while putting her slippers on. She didn’t care if her nightgown would bring any attention. All she wanted was to save her son.

‘What happened mom?’ Natasha urged for an answer. “There is no time to discuss now, every second matters. Come on, let’s go!”

The moment everyone was out of the house and were about to leave, Natasha recalled the night’s incident where her brother had been penning down something which she assumed it could relate to this.

“Give me a minute!” She reiterated and without waiting for a response, she ran back into the house, straight to her brother’s room and headed towards his study table. Rummaging through his stuff, she finally found the exact paper he was writing on and before she could unfold it, she heard her father scream: “NATASHA! What’s wrong with you? Don’t you care about your brother? We are leaving.”

Natasha ignored, with her hands trembling and overwhelmed with fright read the letter aloud:

“Dear Mommy, Daddy and little sissy,
You three have been such wonderful people in my lives. However, depression has overpowered me due to pressure at uni and other arenas. I tried my best to overcome it but I couldn’t especially after my girlfriend cheated on me. I know you must be flabbergasted but the only solution I came up with was to take my own life.
I’m sorry but I love y’all.”
Aron♡

Natasha felt a shiver run down her spine and burst into tears while she clasped her palms to her mouth.. ‘

“ARON!!! Noooo!!” “Please God keep him alive!!” Natasha kept muttering under her breath and memories kept flashing before her mind.. She didn’t really understand what made him to go ahead with such decision.

Scampering down the hallway, Natasha grabbed her jacket and rushed outside. It was a chilly, glum dawn and all Natasha could feel was fear and pain. She looked at both ends of the street and it was empty- no people, no vehicles and not even her neighbour’s cat could be seen who usually roams around in the early hours of the day. With goosebumps all over her body, she dialled her dad to know where they were..

“Why isn’t he picking up?” Natasha asked herself with ire. After several attempts, she tried her mom and she answered in the first ring.. ‘Phew! Mom! What’s happening!? Please tell me where I should come to?’

“Mediwall Hospital” she responded swiftly and the line was cut.

Natasha searched for a taxi through her app and she was lucky enough to book one at this time. The cab arrived in three minutes and she got in fast and directed the driver to the hospital. “Why in a hurry dear?” he asked. Natasha wasn’t in the mood to explain nor was she even bothered to answer him. He understood by the look on her face but continued: “I hope it’s nothing to do with the boy who jumped off the bridge.” At these words, Natasha who had been looking out of the car’s window and praying under her breadth, straightaway looked up through the rear glass and right into the driver’s eye.. “I was just leaving the hospital after dropping off the injured boy when I was alerted by your booking..”

‘Wh- What? I think you are talking about my brother.. Is he ok? Anything serious?’ Natasha urged for answers.. Her eyes lit up but before he could reply, they found themselves parked in front of the hospital entrance.

‘At the emergency ward’ he uttered as soon as she paid him and got out.

Watching her one and only beloved brother suffer through the ventilator with his eyes closed was the last thing she could ever dream of. Standing in front of him monitoring every beat of his heart with her parents by her side gave her the shivers of immense pain and hurt- pain of fear of losing him and hurt by his unacceptable decision.

 

About the author – Sabrina Azhar from Colombo, Srilanka, aspires to inspire the modern generation with her words as she believes words have the power to soothe one’s feelings and change one’s mind. Her passion is writing and reading poetry plus she enjoys playing scrabble. She is also a traveler and part-time teacher. Being a busy mum of 3 kids, she blogs whenever she is free.