How time flies…

I had a video call with my brother. I made a funny face, and before he could react, I hung up. Next day, he sent me a snapshot of dog poop.

Flashback to school times, as soon as I reached home, I would kick off my shoes and eagerly search for my little brother. He would come running towards me, eyes full of curiosity, and would ask with a big smile, “How was your school today?” I’d plop down on the couch, still wearing my smelly socks from a long day, and tell him every single thing. I loved storytelling and he loved to listen. If I think about it today, those evenings weren’t just about the stories; they were about the bond we were creating that would last a lifetime.

But not every day was filled with sunshine. He has witnessed my inner child getting wounded, and I, in turn, have witnessed his. On those days, we never spoke to each other about it, at least not with words. Yet, we knew exactly what the other person needed: comfort.

When he was way too young, he was my constant companion, a little shadow that mimicked my every step. I affectionately called him my “tail” because he would always roam around me and follow me everywhere. His universe revolved around me. Every action of mine seemed cool and fun in his innocent eyes. Looking back at times, there’s a heartfelt wish to return to the simplicity of the good old days, those moments when there was just play and zero care of the world.

However, the dynamics have changed with the passing years. Our daily interactions have become less frequent due to work, studies, and other stuffs. The intensity of our childhood fights has mellowed with time, and the demands of adulthood keep us occupied with various responsibilities.

With all that life has shown it’s still bittersweet to see my little brother grow and talk about riding the bike on his own to an unknown city. It’s hard to picture him drinking booze with his friends, it’s hard to think about him having his first heartbreak. I know I sound like an overly protective older sister, but I gently wish that he never has to go through these. I just wish for him the strength, the patience, the courage, the kindness.

Through all the fights over a piece of chocolate to fights over giving the other the piece of chocolate, we grew.