Demon of Tobiya Street
1037 Words
Najimi gave a weak laugh and used her elbows to prop herself up. "Weirdo. Your sister complex is gross," she said, taking the tray. "Quit it or I won’t get better."
"C’mon, don’t say that!" I tapped her nose. "You’re going to get better, I swear."
"Are you… sure about that?" Her eyes were on the steaming porridge, but her smile didn’t reach them.
And I understood… Najimi was beginning to lose hope, slow and steady.
I swallowed the urge to whimper. "I’m sure!" I said, louder than I meant to, with way too much conviction.
"Big bro..." she said, eyes wide.
"Please never shout like that again. It was super annoying."
"Ah, s-sorry," I mumbled, but I meant it when I said she’d be fine. "You’re going to be better soon. You’ll go back to school, hang out with friends, go to parks… don’t just lose hope, okay?"
She put the spoon to her lips and ate slowly, then set it down. "Big bro..." she started again. "Every day I wake up I’m thankful for another day to talk to you. Every time I fall asleep I think it might be the end."
She turned to me and rested her small hand on my face. "...I wish you wouldn’t bottle everything up. I know you hide your sadness behind being jolly for me. If that’s what you’re doing, stop. I’ve pretty much accepted I might die. In my dreams the reaper is always pointing at me, but he never comes for some reason. My death feels certain."
I bit my lip and forced my breathing steady so I wouldn’t crack.
"Then… why were you crying earlier?" I asked. "If you’re ready, why are you sad?!"
“Why won’t I cry, i***t Bro?” She flicked my forehead and giggled through it. "I want to join Mom and Dad someday... but whenever I think about you being left alone, I can’t help but cry. I love you so much, it hurts thinking you’ll be by yourself."
I rose up without meaning to, my face going dark as Najimi startled, then I eyed the medicines on her tray.
"I’ll go now," I said flatly. "Your meds are almost out."
As I reached the door she whispered, "Big bro... maybe I said too much. I’m sorry."
"What the hell," I said with a ridiculous grin, "I wasn't angry or anything... I would sooner die than let you abandon me!"
Najimi is hurting… She is thinking so much.
She actually believes what the doctors said now, and she is trying to accept that her days are few. She just does not know how few the days are.
And I’m just… I am useless. I am so useless.
I checked the shelf next to my bed and realized the money for her medicines was not enough.
Tsk. I was robbed not too long ago.
The pills do nothing to cure her; they only take the edge off the pain and give her enough energy to get through the day.
And they are kind of—okay, just too expensive; about 10,000 rals a month.
A few months back almost all our cash got blown on groceries to last the rest of the month. Then I left the rest to fate and luck, but they have been really quiet, though.
How am I supposed to scrape up the full amount for her medicine? I have only 2,000 rals left before we hit total impoverishment.
It has been two days and I have not eaten anything, just so the food in the house will last. But if I break down, who will care for Najimi?
Those thoughts were circling my head as I locked the door and went down the stairs. Should I... steal?
"Seriously?! That's so cute!"
"I know, right? Papa bought it for me!"
"Which Papa? You mean your father or Tiger?"
"Tiger, of course! What would my old man get me?"
The teens laughing downstairs pulled me out of my fog.
I reached the ground floor and saw them sitting on an old abandoned table near the entrance, the single bulb throwing harsh light over them.
One of the girls had short, dark spiky hair, a choker, baggy track pants, and a cropped top, clutching some expensive-looking accessory.
The other had light purple hair, high-waisted trousers, and a pale yellow cropped hoodie.
Ugh… Me and popular people do not mix well. And these gyarus were definitely going to clock me.
I think it’s best to just ignore them.
I pulled my hood up and pushed my hands in my pockets as I passed.
"Uwah! It's the Hooded Creep of Tobiya Street," one of them called out, loud as hell.
"So this was where he lived? I thought he was homeless?" the other asked. "Do you think he went to see his girlfriend?"
"Nice of you to give him that much credit. I would respect any girl who'd go out with this loser. He looks like a slasher, honestly. Ah… he's suddenly staring daggers at us."
"You’re right. Gross."
Ladies, please do not further murder my already dead motivation.
Their gossip stung, but then I remembered the remark about "Papa" and that shiny accessory. An idea crawled up my sleeve.
I slowed my walk, peeled my hood off so I would not look like some threat, and tried to show I meant no harm.
"Piss off, creep!"
"Begone, demon of Tobiya Street!"
They did not even bother to be delicate.
But before they could bolt out, I forced myself to speak.
"P... please," I stammered. "I need to raise money for my sister's medication. Can you help me?"
It hit me in the chest. I had begged for money before, sure, but never from high schoolers. I did not know how to plead with kids who did not even work yet.
I felt so damn ashamed.
The two girls stared at each other for a beat, then looked back at me, silent.
Tch. If they do not want to help, at least tell me to get lost.
"Okay." The short-haired girl answered like it was no big deal. "If this medicine is not super expensive, sure, we could totally cover it."
- Writer
