I used to have bunch of dreams that keep changing from time to time. Once I want to be a doctor, Once I want to be a teacher, Once I want to a war reporter, Once I want to be a detective, Last one, I just want to be a good and successful young lady for the sake of my family. No other reasons than my family. None. *** I got my mom, my dad, and my bro living together with me in an enough size house, or home I could say. It did feel like home. I love to spent my time at home, unlike the other people at my age who loves to go out. I usually spent my time reading books, looking at each details of my home, or just doing some random DIYs. Every time we sit together at the dining table for dinner, I would always look into each pair of eyes of my mom, my dad, and my brother. I saw hope. I found love. I want to be good for them. I just want to be good. Every night at dinner, I kept repeating the promise that I made. I want to be good. I promise to make them full of joy, full of hope, full of peace. I promise to make them as the reason for every dreams that I want to achieve. My family were doing just fine, until the day my dad got fired. He did nothing wrong, he was framed, yet he couldn't prove it that he was framed. Poor him. My mom worked as a consultant in not so big company. She didn't protest or got any stress with the fact that dad being jobless. Sweet spouse, poor one, too. With the fact that dad's jobless, he stayed at home all the time. One information, we didn't get along quite well. He used to spent all of his time for work, got home when I was already asleep beside my little doll called Xena. But we do have some things in common that we enjoy. Movies. Dad always took me out for a movie when there's new and suitable one for both of us. My relationship and dad was just like a love-hate one sometimes. Or all the time. My brother—Donn—and I are just one year apart so it's like I'm having a twin instead of a big brother. We go to the same school and go to the same place for our part time jobs. He's a smart and dumb ass at the very same time. Not smart, but genius. He got first in almost all of his subject when all he did after work was just reading comics and playing video games. He also got his own obsession in military. Yet, he sure acted like a child. Whining everytime I woke him up for school. Begging for another hot chocolate when he already had one. Getting all excited everytime we go to the amusement park—my most favourite of his child like trait. Everything went well. Mom made enough money to keep us alive, dad used to do the house chores while looking for other job vacancies, me and Donn never ask for pocket money anymore, and we both got a scholarship each. Until one day, the ship was wrecked. A police officer came to our home and told us that there was a car accident near by. The car belong to my mom's. She died when they rushed her to the hospital. Imagine, having to lose your job (and pride even when no one trying to make it less), desperate looking for another one, and worst, having to lose your love of your life. Dad reached his peak the day when the officer passed us the news. He went uncontrolled. He screamed my mom's named until he passed out, exhaust himself. The day of my mom's funeral, he couldn't come as he was being hospitalized. My relatives from both of mom's and dad's came and gave me quite enough support. I didn't cry. No, I couldn't cry. I was still in that stage where I deny that that was the reality. I was too stunned. At that time, I saw Donn at his toughest time. But I gotta to see his strong heart too. He was the only one who was able to control himself and tried to accept what it was. He's the only one who I could rely on. Home didn't feel like home anymore. Dad's more like a middle aged man with his mental to be taken care of. He didn't talk. He didn't eat unless we nagged him for over ten times for each meal time. We spoke through eyes. But me and Donn barely know what Dad actually wanted or meant. Some days, he would only be in his best silent mode. Not even a hum. Some other days, he would in his strange mode—mumbling, humming, screaming. Worst stage of my life, as I thought, when it was not. *** It was the day of Donn's graduation. He was all smile when the headmaster called his name as the brightest student at school. I brought him a bouquet of his favourite various types of chocolate. I thought I was the only one who came for his graduation. But then when we were about to took a picture outside, bunch of girls from the junior class below me stormed and showered him with gifts—most of them are useless flowers—and also looks of awe in their eyes. He got the face, he got the fame. Kinda proud of him. We went to McDonald's to have a little celebration of his graduation before we went home. I know, not really a fancy place to did so, but we bot loooove McDonald's. I asked him what he wanted to do after this, and he said he would like to join the military. He did realize his obsession. Dad was still in his room when we got home. It's not the time yet. Usually he would go to the backyard at late noon, sitting beside mom's portrait. Donn went inside his room with his medal and big smile. I could see what happen as Donn let the door wide opened. Donn kneeled besides Dad's bed and shook his shoulder to got his attention. And he did. Dad's head tilt towards Donn's direction, but no expression shown in that old face. I swear, I missed my Dad. My expressive dad who loved to exaggerate almost everything. My cheerful dad who welcomed with big hug when I said I'm home. I missed him. Donn showed the medal to Dad. Donn stayed for almost two hours talking to Dad, while Dad's focus only last for the first minutes. Beside the medal, Donn also showed him the flower that I gave and mentioned my name—telling him that it was me who gave it. Donn also showed him some photos that we took using his phone. Donn never got tired of it. He kept talking and talking. Expressively. And I stayed sit outside, looking at both of my men, broken inside. I cried. *** I was at school when Donn text me. He texted me with all capital letters. "OMG! DAD JUST TALK TO ME!!" "HE WENT OUT FROM HIS ROOM TO WATCH THE TV WITH ME!!!" I smiled and a tear of joy drops. He's getting better! Thanks, God!!!! Another text came in as I slide my phone screen to unlock it. "CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? HE WENT TO THE KITCHEN, MADE SOME ORANGE JUICES!" "THREE!! FOR ME, HIMSELF, AND HE PUT YOURS INSIDE THE FRIDGE WITH A NOTE!!" "Make sure to check it out later." "Gotta drink this while watching tv, see you at home, dork ;)" He came back. My dad came back. I don't know if it's some kind of miracle or something. I just want to go home quickly and hug him. I just want to go home quickly to be welcomed back by my dad. My 'normal' dad. I walked my feet lightly on my way back home. By the time I got home, I swung the door opened with smile all over my face. I ran to the living room right away. Still with my smile that won't even fade out. I saw Dad and Donn sitting sode by side facing the tv, just like what Donn texted me. I hugged both of them from behind. But then their body felt like they have no bone. I turned my head, waiting for their reaction. I turned my head, just to see the two men of my life frozen still with their eyes open. There's no cry. There's no scream. It was like I was struck but electricity worth hundreds voltage. Took me some minutes for me to finally ran to the fridge. I took my orange juice and read the note written in Dad's handwriting. "Drink this and let us meet your mom," it said. Poison.
