SOLD TO MY ARCH ENEMY

“Oh mum, what do you mean I shouldn’t hug him too tightly?” I sounded muffled and giggly in an attempt to hide the laughter in my Voice. “I promise to leave any bone breaking to you” I added as I hung up the phone. “See you later” she struggled, her voice betraying her efforts to hide her chuckles. I volunteered to pick up Joe from the airport while Mom and dad perfected the welcome party. I would hate to see Joe for the first time after three years in a mini party. An alone time together just before the crowd seemed like a better idea. Oh Joe! I had not seen him in such a long time and yet it feels like it was just yesterday my mum had bawled her eyes out in this same airport while sending him off. My sole aim of offering to pick him up from the airport was to hand over firsthand gists of all the happenings that I sure left out while we facetimed. The almost separation of our parents needed a physical catalyst. The air was humid and I wiped my face with a white handkerchief thinking about how I still felt hot despite the armless embroidered yellow gown I had chosen just because I didn’t want to give Joe any reason to tease me. I should have just thrown on some jeans and a tank top but it was too late now. His arrival would be anytime soon. I didn’t want to give Joe any reason to tease me. I intend to do the teasing, at least today. “Waiting for a lover?” “ Huh?” I tilted my head slightly making sure the voice was directed at me. A middle aged lady in tight jeans and a cute top, she must have been embarrassed since she had thrown a knitted cardigan over it. Her hairstyle was trendy and popular among the 20’s, I would know because I had just switched mine the day before. “No, just my twin.” I replied with a smile. “I’m waiting for my ex husband”, she continued as she twisted all her fingers together nervously. She looked like a child. “How long have you been divorced?” “Separated…we never went through with it.” “Oh!” Was all my brain came up with She looked at me, her eyes darting in childlike excitement eager for a love she once lost and a conversation that would put her at ease. But I was too engrossed in the humidity and my phone to grant her a better conversation. I looked at my phone for the time, 2:15pm already. The flight was already running 30 minutes late.A message from Brian pops up. Something about reaching the spot with some of his friends. He had stylishly made up excuses not to be at the welcome party, Brian my college sweetheart was sort of a coward. Meeting my Dad couldn’t be that scary. I loved Brian but he was so bland. A good boy through and through. He doesn’t even miss classes! Suddenly there was a bustling and increase in activity as people poured in from the arrival as if on cue my phone lit up as my phone vibrated. It was mum already anxious, I pictured her with sweaty palms as she paced about trying to reach me. I picked it up. “I think they just arrived,” I said immediately. “But I haven’t seen him yet”. My eyes were scouting as I stood up once they started trooping in. “Ohh hold on I think I see him”. It was indeed Joe, my twin. A little skinnier and his hair way wilder than I last saw him, but definitely him. His eyes finally found me and then he smiled and that was when I saw the other person. A black hoodie, a face cap and a lean silhouette. He had a phone to his ear and then suddenly there was a pistol before my brain registered what I saw, there was a loud bang. I was standing over my brother while he fought for his life,the red patch of blood grew bigger and bigger as it yanked my world off gravity. My phone kept ringing, like a background song to a poorly made movie. That stupid phone. My brother stared at me with a fear that was tattooing itself on my brain. The screaming had stopped and there was a distance between us and the crowd. I looked up as a pale face officer mouthed words at me. “You should pick up” I heard him say “Finally he was audible enough” I thought to myself with my gaze fixed on my twin. The paramedics lifted him and placed him on a stretcher. My legs automatically followed while the officer sprinted alongside me. “You know him don’t you?” I glanced back at the officer…he wasn’t putting on a uniform, why did I think he was an officer. He never said he was. “He is my twin brother,” I said to myself, still in shock. He must have heard me because he was quickly jotting something down while I hopped on the ambulance. I looked at the two people who attended to Joe. There was a sense of urgency in their movements and voices that should reassure anyone but only deepened the dark shadow that was spreading through my heart since the loud bang. I looked at Joe but this time his eyes were shut and he looked peaceful. “He is alive right?” Please…he has to be alive All I did was stare, one of the paramedics looked at me. A girl who would pass for my age but with experience with situations like mine. “We should be able to get him into the theater soon enough.” “Soon enough” What does that even mean? I squeezed Joe's hands a little lightly. The computers began to beep frantically, while Joe jerked, his eyes tightly closed,his hands in a tight fist. I looked away while the paramedics attended to him. I tried to picture him smiling at me but the darkness kept spreading. I clutched my chest, gasping for breath. I thought about Joe not having enough air while trapped in the ambulance and I was suddenly enveloped in confusion and panic. The Ambulance came to a halt and with it a silence that announced death. I looked to the other paramedic. A shrill noise bursts from my bag. Familiar yet distant. “I’m sorry," he said. His head hung low. “That damned phone” I whispered looking at the still face of my brother.