This is Bewitched

We are here in this world where we think that the virus is the enemy, yes, partially, but me? I believe it’s us, humans: them, you, and I. There is no exception so…   welcome to the club.   ꟷ ꟷ ꟷ               Stories heal, stories hurt. If we repeat them off enough it become real, it makes us who we are, they have such power to—     “WAKE UP DIPSHIT!!!”                 It was probably my older brother, mom might have told him to wake me up though I was awake fifteen minutes before that douche came. A loud knock was once again heard on the door, it seems like it will be completely be broken if that douche won’t hold his tantrums. Woah, how come he’s already here that early? He must have had well-guarded body and thanks to his white blood cells.   “HEY YOU!!! GET DOWN!!! NOW!!!”               Sliding off my bare foot into my old, dirty, and gray slippers, I immediately went to the door. I am expecting for the empty hallway to greet me but to my surprise, I saw Kanrie, my other brother (who’s older than the other one I was referring to the second paragraph) casually leaning on the wall with a bothered look.               “Oh, I thought you were Krie,” I remarked as I shut the door. Right there, he stared at me, his eyes were like swelling and red as if he has just come from crying. I ignored him, he wouldn’t give me direct replies anyway.     One step. Two steps. Three steps. Four steps downstairs.     I'm almost there.                 “Wait!” Kanrie yelled. I halted while not looking back. Brother did not speak yet, the way he breath… it sounded like heavy and in pain? He must be hiding something big and is having troubles on how to express it.               “Hmm?” I heard him sighed and sighs again for countless times. What on earth is he planning to tell me?               He cleared his throat, “I-I don’t know how t-to say this in a nice way b-but y-you see…” I knew it. Brother is holding back his tears, I knew it. It must be a big problem he has endured all the time. “Please b-be strong okay? We have to,” he adds, more like a plead. Me as the curious one unaware of what on Pete’s sake is happening shifted my head towards my brother’s direction and guess what? He is unable to look at me in my eyes, brother bites his lips.     Something is definitely off in here.                 Last week our grandfather died because of pneumonia and cough but the doctor keeps on retaliating that the findings was he died because of this random and unknown virus. I always knew that it is not and will be not. My grandfather is a healthy old man that’s why he has reached the age of 95. We don’t give a damn thing about that virus and if ever that IS real then I suppose that the vaccines were ready.     It has to be.                 I smiled at Kanrie, an assurance that ‘it’s okay’. Whatever it is, I just know that I can handle it. I am ready, I’ve been through a lot— no, let me rephrase that. Our family has been through a lot of rough times together and if we are together no challenges and problems can destroy us.               “H-he did not… make it Kreafiq,” and for the very first time of his adulthood, I heard his voice broke. I watched him slowly sitting his a*s on the stair, how he covered his face through his hands, and ruffling his dyed blonde hair frustratingly. This is worse than his first love’s break up and worse than our old man’s death. Hearing the bad news made my knee felt weak… In fact, I can't f*****g think straight!               How long has it been? Twenty-one years ago since I’ve heard him cried? Was that because I accidentally deleted his thesis or was it because of his favorite robot being dumped unto the garbage truck because of me? Or maybe it was because of the ‘short story’ cold war that happened between him and Krie when he was still nine. I am uncertain but one thing I am sure of… I was mistaken. The thought that I am ready, the phrase that ‘I’m okay’, and that mindset that we can pass this tragic crap all together? How? How will it be able to work if— if we are scattered into tiny pieces all over the globe?!       H-he did not… make it Kreafiq.                 Mom’s on the other side of this planet. Dad’s having his so-called great expedition in the Bermuda Triangle. While my freaky sister’s busy with her honeymoon trip on finding the lost Atlantis. It is just me and my closest cousin now. Honestly, I don't think that I’ll be able to live after this.   “I’m so s-sorry… I wasn’t able to revive him, I d-did my very best—”               I went to him and gave him a tight hug. It is not Kanrie’s fault that Krie died yet he felt sorry for himself. He’s done nothing but to check us out every day, help us when we are in need, and always acts out as our parents. I love him for that and no one can change that even when I got to choose between him and my biological parents, I’d choose him.   “I’m such a fool. I’ve s-saved many s-s-strangers’ lives b-but my own c-cousin…” he really is in total destruction.               I shushed him, “Thank you for everything Rie-rie, I appreciate your big help so much and I mean it. Brother’s finally taking his peaceful rest,” I can’t help but to weep with him. Rei-rei was the childhood nickname I gave him, he was so mad about it that I had to restrain myself for calling him ‘that’ again and now… he didn’t care. We all don't care. Damn it.     We’ve lost another beloved one.                   Stories heal, stories hurt. If we repeat them off enough it become real, it makes us who we are, they have such power to… change us, the world. Stories can teach us to care, it makes us brave enough to admit that we need each other.     Gives us a home to go back to.