Brothers, Broken and Mending
264 Words
James hadn’t seen his younger brother, Emeka, since he returned home.
They had always been close growing up — sharing stories by candlelight, walking to school barefoot, even sneaking out together when Mama Ada was asleep. But after James left, Emeka stopped answering his calls. Silence became their new language.
Until now.
James stood outside the gate of Emeka’s university dorm. The security man gave him a long look before waving him in. The campus buzzed with life — students laughing, loud music playing, books in hand. It felt like another world.
He knocked on the metal door of Room 3B.
It opened slowly.
Emeka stared at him, expression unreadable.
James cleared his throat. “Hey.”
A long pause. Then Emeka stepped aside. No words, just space.
The room was small. Neat. A photo of Mama Ada sat on the desk.
“I don’t know what to say,” James began. “You were right. About everything. I should’ve listened.”
Emeka sat on the bed, arms crossed. “You didn’t just stop listening. You stopped being my brother.”
James nodded. “I know. And I hate myself for it.”
The room grew heavy with silence.
Then Emeka looked up. “You lost everything, didn’t you?”
James managed a weak smile. “Everything but you. If I haven’t lost you yet.”
Emeka’s face softened — just a little. “I’m not saying I forgive you. But I still remember who you were. That version of you… I want him back.”
James swallowed hard. “So do I.”
- Writer
