Dandelions

30. A Hard Heart

The white clouds hanging in the blue sky slowly moved to form a giant wisp of cotton candy. The dry wind that moved him along blew away the leaves, leaving a void on his abandoned branches. The sight that often escapes human sight is now an object of interest to the owner of the sky-eyed young man.

The man who was usually wrapped in joy was now just pensively in the corner of the classroom, propping up his chin while staring out the window. I don't know what he was thinking until the crowd around him also made him interested.

Everything looks fine, looks peaceful immersed in his imagination, or all that is just a mere image, because behind the blank stare is implied emotions that no one can understand. Sometimes a long breath, as if he were tired.

Until a loud enough call knocked his eardrum and pulled him forcibly from the imaginary world. The figure of Arga who was panting stood in the doorway, stealing the attention of almost the entire class.

"Aphon! Ken, ... He fainted!" His exclamation in between his hunting breath.

Instantly he was shocked, just hearing that one name was enough. His heart was racing, now his brain was filled with bad things that might happen to Ken.

"Where is he now!?"

"Being treated in the UKS."

His feet took a big step out of the classroom, then ran down the crowded corridor of students enjoying their break. Several times he hit people who blocked his path. Instead of apologizing, he just passed by, inviting swearing and ridicule from the person he hit.

He doesn't care. All he cares about right now is his sister, Ken. Yeah, you name it, though maybe Ken no longer thinks of her as a brother or sister. Ken is still his brother, and nothing can change his brotherhood status, whatever it is.

Arrived in front of a white paint door with a red cross sign on top. He barged in, as soon as the distinctive aroma of medicine and antiseptics entered his sense of smell. His eyes circulated, looking for someone from behind the white curtain that became a barrier between one bed and another.

"Ken?"

Now he finds his sister lying on the bed with her eyes closed. Her face was pale, her lips were slightly dry and next to her sat a strange-looking hijab-wearing woman, Yasha. They looked at each other for a moment, before one of them finally broke the silence.

"Turfan, what business are you here for?" ask the girl in wonder.

The typhoon slightly flinched, again recalling its original purpose which led it to that place, "Ah, Ken... How's he doing?"

The girl picked up a wet cloth on Ken's forehead, "He just had a fever, had been given oxygen because his breathing was heavy. But now he is gapapa. I think he was exhausted after returning home from a tour yesterday. Though if the permit for a day is also not papa, but he even forced himself to even coordinate the course of the ceremony."

The typhoon breathed a sigh of relief, giving thanks because his negative thoughts did not really happen.

"By the way, what brings you here? I mean, you couldn't have come here just to ask her how she was?" Next to his eyebrows raised, astonished by the behavior of his friend.

The typhoon pulled a chair not far from him and sat down beside Ken's bed, opposite Yasha, "No, I'm here just to find out how things are."

"Why?"

"Because he's my brother."

Clearly visible from Yasha's countenance implies confusion, she comments an awkward smile, "Sister? You mean the underclassmen? I don't think you're the kind of person who cares about the underclassmen."

Typhoon shook his head slightly, staring at the pair of eyes was plain, "No, he is indeed my brother, my younger brother." Added her.

Yasha's eyes were perfectly rounded, her eyes showing her disbelief. For almost a year he accompanied Ken with the status of vice chairman of OSIS, but not once he talked about his family.

"W-wow, i-it's a surprise. I just found out that you guys are brothers, you deserve to look alike. But, I never saw you guys close at school so I thought you guys didn't have blood ties." His mouth laughed awkwardly.

The typhoon smiled wryly. Not many people know they are brothers. Maybe people think their clan is just a coincidence. Coincidentally with ravael, how many people out there have such a clan? Maybe people will not believe that they are brothers because of the almost opposite attitude. He doesn't blame Yasha for that.

"Everyone would think so, because we were never close. Anywhere, whether at school or at home." Gumam Typhoon.

His eyes did not take a look at his brother who was lying down, staring fixedly at his figure who was still asleep. He wanted to enjoy the rare moment before Ken regained consciousness and went back to making a distance between them or even kicked him out of the room.

His fingers gently stroked Ken's black mane, removing a few strands of hair that were blocking his face. Right now he doesn't even believe he can touch his sister because the mind separates them.

Yasha could find a hint of sad feeling emanating from those blue eyes. He was a little empathetic, there must have been something unpleasant between the two brands.

"You're not familiar, are you?" the question just slid even though he had been resistant.

His intention of restraining himself from asking any further and taking care of one's personal life just faded away. He should have let the Typhoon tell his own story, but something within him revolted to find out more.

For quite a while, Typhoon fell silent in his mind. A moment Yasha regretted her words. He himself could not force to tell his life, even though he himself wanted to. He tried to understand how difficult it is to tell the problems that are being experienced in people who are not even well known.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. You don't have to answer my question."

A heavy sigh blew from Typhoon's dry lips, his eyes closed for a moment, "I don't know where to start. But it all started when both of our parents died" he opened a dialogue. The gaze glared far away, forcing his memories to wander into the past.

Yasha was surprised, her breathing choked for a moment. His eyes looked back at the incredulous man in front of him. So they were both orphans all along? He himself could not even imagine what it would be like to live without the presence of parents.

"It's an old story, it was 6 years ago but it never faded from my memory even though I tried to forget it." Then he laughed softly, "I think I'd go crazy if I could just forget it."

Yasha was still silent, unable to catch the direction of the conversation, but she kept waiting and being patient while guessing what would happen.

"I have 2 brothers, my brother Ken and my brother who is currently in college. It all started when I was in 5th grade. Ken and my brother were at my grandfather's house on vacation."

"There was a fire in my house. The fire quickly spread throughout the house. I was the only one who survived at the time. And... That's why they blame me. I don't deny, they died saving me, too." The typhoon again took a deep breath.

Typhoon hid his face with both hands, he himself was still afraid to remember the terrible accident. An accident that tragically took both of his parents.

"Although I also had to be treated for too much inhaling at that time..."

He ended the story with his head bowed, looking as if he was trying to hold back the feeling that was burning in his chest. Slowly the guilt returned to her heart.

Yasha was stunned, now regret enveloped her, "Sorry for making you remember."

The hurricane shook its head briefly, "No, I want to tell you. Since that incident, our relationship has been bad and getting worse. Anyway it's all my fault. If only the fire had not happened. Both my parents will probably still be alive right now, Brother Hali and Ken won't suffer like this."

Typhoon laughed a little, his hand wiping away the tears that had accumulated in the eyes. A smile he forced, unfortunately unable to hide the pain behind the two eyes.

The typhoon looked up quickly, "What..?"

"It wasn't all your fault, it was just an accident." Yasha said half-screaming. He wasn't sure he had an important reason to say that, he just didn't like to see someone so resignedly accept the charges against others, he said, without any intention to fight or turn away from the accusation itself.

The misty eyes of the girl looked at Typhoon wistfully, "I'm in mourning for what happened to your family, to you as well. But you also can't completely blame yourself for the fire, even if only you survived the crash. You're a victim here too."

he smiled faintly, "Maybe you're right, it was purely an accident. But still I can't accept my life right now. Why am I the only one alive? That question often haunts me. It's not fair that my parents died, but I'm still free to breathe air. I feel like my life is wrong."

"That's not wrong, it's a blessing! Be thankful for your life until this moment. I'm sure your parents would really like you to be able to move on with your life, for those who have already left."

Typhoon fell silent, digesting Yasha's words. He doesn't know what to behave. Her hands were warm as Yasha's two hands clasped them. He is the second person after Arga who is able to understand him.

"thank you. I have always waited for someone to say that. Even if it's just to cheer me up."

For the first time since their meeting the other day, Yasha can see the Typhoon's shady smile. For the first time ever, eyes are fixed with blue irises that always look as bright as their personality.

He may not be aware if the body temperature is increasing. Either because of the warm air out there that infiltrated the room, or just his feelings. It is certain that the heart rhythm is beating faster than usual. This kind of atmosphere, what is its name...

Kingg!!

The bell rang loudly in every corner of the school, awakening Yasha that her fingers had long enough to hold the hand of Typhoon. Quickly he pulled it, he turned his face already as red as a cherry.

"Udah beluh, back there. Which OSIS vice-chairman can skip?" Taufan explained the smile.

"Then what about you?" yasha suddenly stuttered. In his heart he cursed, he should not have misbehaved like this.

"I'll take care of him."

"Don't my dad live alone?" The girl was still reluctant to leave the two of them there.

What if Ken is conscious and needs something, or something might happen that he can't imagine? Ah, her anxiety is becoming excessive now. But Typhoon tried to convince him,

"Of course, I should apologize. Because you have to take care of Ken, your time is wasted." Yasha commented smilingly, "Ngga really, I'm happy to be able to chat gini rich. Oh yeah, you can give me this medicine when Ken's conscious. Then I go back to class first huh?"

Typhoon nodded, without letting off a smile on his lips, "Thank you."

Yasha quickly disappeared from his sight, now there were only the two of them left. Brothers without strong bonds. He stared at the pale skin of Ken's face, his eyes still closed without showing any signs of soon awakening.

Typhoon doesn't know why, how much Ken hates him, how often he hurts his feelings with harsh words. He could not ignore it, let alone hate it.

He really wanted to go back to that time...

Childhood when their families are still intact...

He, really, misses those moments.

*****

The eyelids blinked slowly, the white light that entered his sense of sight making him dizzy. Unconsciously he was a little. It was only after adapting that the golden iris opened completely.

"Aware?"

He circulated the gaze, looking for the origin of the voice that first knocked on his eardrum. His heart seemed to want to jump, when it found the presence of Typhoon beside him while throwing a bright smile.

In that instant he also pulled up a blanket that covered part of his body. Seeing the person he hated when he first opened his eyes was sickening. Without turning his face away, he got up from the mattress even though his limp body struggled to stay lying down. Unfortunately his stubborn ego forced him to immediately leave the room.

"Wait, where are you going? You just realized." Prevent Typhoon from directly blocking Ken's hand, holding him back to rest. It was clearly full of worry on his face.

"Delivery." Hiss Ken cold. His eyes stared at the grip on his wrist sharply.

"Hey, don't push yourself. You must still be dizzy, right? Rest again." Said Typhoon with a clear voice.

"I said get off!" Ken exclaimed, while releasing the grip on his hand in one hit.

The Typhoon's lips clenched tightly, his expression wrapped in a pitiful disappointment. "You still hate me?" I don't know what prompted Typhoon to ask that question all of a sudden. He just wanted to know how Ken felt all along. Straight from the mouth itself.

His jaw hardened, his fingers tightly clenched until the tip of his nail turned white. He turned around, and looked at Typhoon in annoyance, "You want to know? All this time I've really hated you so much!" Shouted Ken firmly.

The look of dislike and hatred was so clearly implied in those golden eyes, "You made me lose both my parents. You made my whole life difficult! Are you content to ruin my life!?" he exclaimed with hunting breath and reddened eyes.

"But you still have me and brother Hali for a sharing friend." Taufan said trying to look calm even though his soul was shaken.

Ken laughed cynically, "I don't even think of people like you as my brother. Oh and one more thing, now you've really managed to win Hali's heart and make him hate me. Congratulations, you really succeeded in ruining my life."

His heart is beating fast. Ken's words were like a sword that unhesitatingly drew to the bottom of his heart.

"Ken, I-"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear anything from you anymore! I hate you now!" cut Ken. He immediately shot out, slammed the door and left the petrified Typhoon in place.

As if he had a loud slap, the Typhoon felt his body limp for a moment. The room was suddenly empty, very empty. The air seemed to be thinning, suffocating his respiratory tract.

Eyes closed. This isn't a dream. Hearing Ken's words directly made his ears ring. Ken's sharp words managed to ravage his heart. It hurt when his sister - the one who had the same blood as him - uttered such a word to him.

Ken just doesn't know the truth that's happening. But it feels like telling that would be in vain. Ken's hatred had already sunk so deeply.

TB