The Despicable's Plead

CHAPTER XVIII: Danger on a Thread of Thoughts

I was sitting inside my room. 

The events of the previous day played in my head.

Too many unpleasant thoughts emerged that day, which caused an unnecessary headache. 

'I've seen your work before! I know you can help us'

I remember that I burned all of my past artworks after what occurred that 'day.'

Feeling so stressed, I began to massage my temple.

First, people destroyed my artwork.

Second, I was humiliated by a professor.

Third, I was constantly glared at by a discriminating asshole.

Fourth, memories began coming back because of stupid circumstances.

Lastly, the actual people in my past began coming back.

It's just been a few months since I started my senior year and yet things couldn't help but get worse for each passing day.

Some of it was even petty to start with.

Thinking of so many things made me succumb to slumber faster than normal. 

When I opened my eyes a few hours later, my headache didn't even move an inch. It actually increased ten-fold.

Fudge.

Looking at my side table, there was no more available medicine.

Without much of a choice, I stood up and went out of my room.

I trudged towards the kitchen, deciding I should take some food and water with me since I'm already down here.

But I was so out of it that I didn't notice the person sitting beside the island table.

He looked as surprised as I am, though I didn't show it.

"Dia…" He called out to me.

I took a step back and felt the need to retreat back to my room.

"Wait!" He stood up hurriedly from his seat at the sight of me leaving. "Do you need anything? Are you hungry? I'll make something for you! Although, I don't know if it'll turn out great…" 

I clenched my fists.

I really wanted to get out of here.

It was hard to breathe.

However, before I could even do that, my head began to throb, unconsciously making me grasp it.

"Are you sick?" I heard him ask.

I suddenly felt him touch my arms. Shocked at his action, I swiftly brushed his hand off of me.

When I looked at him, he looked crestfallen because of what I did.

He forced out a smile and faced me again.

"What did you want from the kitchen?" He asked again.

"Something…" I whispered.

He sighed, "Dia, please. I just want to know what my sister wants in the middle of the night." 

I couldn't help but flinch at the word 'sister.' He took notice of that yet still tried to hide the hurt that overshadowed his face.

I couldn't dare look at it.

I glanced around and spotted the wall clock plastered somewhere inside the kitchen.

It was the middle of the night. I didn't know I slept for so long.

Without even minding his stare, I could still feel it prick against my skin.

I swallowed and deliberately avoided his focused gaze, "Water. Some food and medicine." I answered using a small voice.

"Medicine? So YOU are sick! What happened?" He looked like he was about to panic of some sort.

"Nothing." Was my only answer.

I started moving towards the refrigerator. My throat was seriously beginning to close up.

I took the pitcher of water out and placed it on the counter. Without looking at him, I grabbed the glass from one of the kitchen cabinets. 

I heard him shuffle near me.

"Let me do it. You're sick…" 

I ignored him and continued to pour myself a glass of cold water. 

I thought he'd leave me alone but I should have known.

"Dia! Sit down!" I was shocked when he pulled me away and sat me down on his chair after I finished drinking my water.

He aligned his face near mine and placed his hand on my forehead.

This is making me dizzy.

"You have a fever! Don't tell me you haven't eaten anything since I last saw you for breakfast?!" 

He saw me? I thought I was doing great at avoiding him. I always ate my meals exactly when I knew he wasn't here anymore.

"Stop. You're overreacting." I pulled my face away from his hand and stood up.

But he pushed me back down.

I glared at him because of his persistence. Why did I have to go down here? My mind is throbbing profusely. 

"Sit still. I'll reheat something for you to eat." He started moving around the kitchen. Opening containers and lighting the stove. 

Everytime I tried to escape, he would look at me and force me back. It was seriously exhausting.

Once he was done, he finished plating the warm food and gently laid it in front of me.

Before I could even speak, he began to put utensils on each side of my plate and brought a refilled glass of water, as well as a tablet of medicine next to me.

"Eat it, Dia." He stated, after he sat down in front of me.

I looked at the arrangement situated on the table. I couldn't help but sigh.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked.

"Eat it first." He urged.

I let out another deep breath and picked up the utensils.

I ate in silence as he continued to watch over me.

When I was halfway through with my food, I asked him the same question. 

"I'm your brother, Dia." 

I was frozen in my spot. I couldn't help but grip the utensils tighter.

"You don't have to do any of this."

"I'm your brother, Dia." He repeated.

I frowned and gritted my teeth.

"I can do this myself."

"Not when I can do it for you."

I slammed the spoon and fork on the table, "f**k! Stop it!"

"Until when are you going to ignore me?" He wasn't even disturbed with what I just did. Instead he looked determined. What for? I don't know.

"You know why I'm doing this!" 

"Do I?" 

My eyebrows furrowed at his answer.

"Dia, you've been avoiding me. How would I understand if you won't even talk to me?" 

"Because there's nothing to talk about anymore!"

"You know it's not nothing! I'm your brother! I know you better than anyone else!"

"No, you don't! If you did, then we wouldn't have to sit here blabbing about this anymore!"

"THAT'S BECAUSE YOU WON'T LET ME UNDERSTAND YOU!"

He shouted so loudly that his voice vibrated in the entire kitchen and maybe some parts outside of the kitchen's walls.

I was shocked to say the least. This was the first time he yelled at me in that manner.

I wasn't able to relieve myself from the trance I was in that I almost didn't hear him talking.

"You're always trying to avoid any type of conversation with me! f**k! How many times do I have to remind you? Huh? That I'm your brother! I'll be there for you because you're my sister. No matter how bad or how good you are doing today, tomorrow, or even after the earth collapses, it doesn't mean you, being my sister, will ever change!" 

He sighed.

"I know it's difficult. After what happened-"

"STOP! PLEASE SHUT UP! PLEASE!" 

He was obviously startled. But I didn't care. He should just stop talking.

"I know it's difficult. But you won't understand its extent. Because that is something I can never forgive myself for!"

I can feel angry tears pooling on the edge of my eyes. My sight was starting to become blurry. He was beginning to become unrecognizable to me.

And I hated that. 

"Dia…"

"More than me, it's something you should never forgive me for. Sister or not." 

With that, I left the kitchen and headed back to my room. 

It's been so long since we talked, more so, fighting was an occurrence we rarely do. But this…why? 

I've been doing great. Avoiding it. Keeping it to myself. 

I know, it's not ideal to be like this. But in my situation, silence is the best way to cover your struggles. 

In my case, I deserve to cover it forever.

I was practically locked up in my room for the entire weekend. 

First, because I was sick. I wasn't able to get the medicine I needed and due to the quarrel that happened, my fever became worse.

Second, I was avoiding a certain someone.

Third, exactly what I said before this.

Looking at him just makes me infuriated.

And regretful.

During the days of my self-established confinement. My mind drifted towards one of the nice memories I had left.

It was a warm day, similar to the feel of today.

Basking in its warmth, you wouldn't even feel alone.

You can have your own companion on these types of days. Nature, sun, birds, and her.

"Hey Dia, how's my caramel corn sandwich?"

I forced the food down. I think I used too much force that I ended up coughing.

"G-good." I tried to reply in between my coughs.

"So good that it made you cough that bad?" She looked at me with skeptical eyes.

"Yeah. Good enough to almost go down the wrong pipe." 

She grabbed one of her horrendous creations and threw it at me. But odds on her, I'm a master at avoiding things.

It was a skill I didn't know would be useful even in the distant future.

"You're way too honest, girl. Don't you know how to filter your words?"

"I don't even drink tap water even if it's filtered and you're asking me if I can filter my oh so honest mouth. Ha! You got me there." I stated.

She gave me a blank look, "Now, I know why your brother complains every time we meet."

"I'll take that as a compliment." I grinned cheekily.

"You're a devil." This girl literally shivered in distaste.

Bitch.

"Hey, who wouldn't be proud to annoy the hell out of their siblings?" I replied with an additional hair flip for extra exaggeration. 

With my eyebrow raised, I waited for her response. 

Because I know I'm right.

After careful thinking, she shrugged.

"Touché." 

I bowed proudly.

We looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"To be fair, specifically ruining your brother's day is the best thing that can happen to anyone."

I smirked, "Agreed."

Both of us burst into a fit of laughter once again.

It should have been that way. We would be laughing so hard, we wouldn't be able to catch our breath. We would also be talking s**t about my brother all day and the said person would come and find us because we were out for so long or because he just knew we were talking behind his back.

That was what was supposed to happen.

However, this time her laugh wasn't musical to the ears. It turned into a scream of terror and fear.

And when I opened my eyes, a single tear flowed down instantaneously.

Reminding me that the once sunny day in the meadow, was nonexistent. Only a dark and cold room was here to greet me. No laughter. No jokes. No daytime stories.

No… 

her.

I looked at one side of my room. The side where most of my canvases, used and unused were stationed. 

In this house, I have my own art room but ever since that day happened, I didn't dare step inside it. Not even once. 

The pictures in there terrify me the most.

I tried to stand up and approach one of my unfinished works.

It was supposed to be a gift, but I couldn't find the right motivation to finish it.

I sighed. I looked at the door of my room and heard it.

It was the same thing everyday.

The sound of a soft thump and wandering feet.

I diverted my eyes from that place. 

As if it was scripted, my phone began to ring.

When I looked at it, I was confused and shocked at the same time. 

'Ross is calling…'

What impeccable timing you have amidst the dangers of my longing thoughts..