Before you know

7 in the evening.

The 17-year-old girl huffs out a sigh of exseparation as she glances at her watch every few minutes. It’s not like time is stuck in its place only for her to feel anxious. 1 and a half hour has truly taken their leave but there was no sign of that teenage girl easing up.

People minding their own business, unaware of the echoes of steps and whispers bouncing back to her now overwhelming mind. 1 and a half hours passed, but the platinum transport in the trackways never seem to arrive.

She lets her leg tremble in its own way as she pushes her hair back in order to get more access for her blurred vision.

She was waiting, letting all the spirits of bad feelings devour her. There was no other choice other than this for her.

She was waiting.

For her brother.

Till her phone vibrates on her lap. Despite her always ignoring unknown caller IDs, this time she picks it up without any second thought.

“Hello. Is this Hanabi speaking?”

" Yes,” She chokes.

" Are you Kaito’s sister? ”

“Yes, why? ” She blurts out.

" Your brother got into a terrible accident in the tracks. Now he’s in a coma-”

Her mind goes blank. Is this really happening? All her life she thought she just likes to think a little step ahead. At least that’s what her classmates fed her up with.

Hanabi. You are just overthinking.

Being the youngest child in her family of three didn’t really give her that much advantage. But it would be a terrible lie if she defines that as misery. Even though her mother was a workaholic single mother, her brother was always there for her.

Picking up Hanabi from her school, hearing out all her silly stories about class, and making sure she’s eaten and got the proper attention she desires were all done by her brother. He even volunteered in her made-up high fashion shows with her ridiculous outfits and makeup. He would even walk on heels only for her to roll on the floor with stomach-aching laughter.

Even though Hanabi is 17 now, she still adores these moments.

Being an almost adult is not really bad. You just get to do everything you played pretend in your childhood, she thought.

Aside from being a misanthrope, she always chooses to hang out with her brother every weekend.

And Kaito, being the big brother he is, never refuses her hangout requests.

Every day before the weekend Hanabi would wait for her brother to be back from work. Ten minutes of delay in the arrival of the 5.30 pm subway train would get her worked up in calling her brother every single second.

Just like any other day, she was waiting.

Calling her brother.

Not a single call connects.

Till she hears the news of the accident. Her heart drops in fear as she rushes to the hospital.

She couldn’t believe the scene unfolding before her eyes. Her brother lying on the hospital bed, breathing through the tight container filled with oxygen.

He looks so much at peace.

It hits her.

She breaks down in a puddle of tears, pouring out all her emotions in front of a bunch of strangers.

Her “overthinking” once again concludes with reality.

Habitually.