Life's back on track. Same old routine: eat, chill, and sleep. Oh, and let's not forget the essentials novels and anime. Can't just ignore them, right?

  A day went by, Mara's parents came home, and of course, his little bro tagged along. Guess the peace is over now.

  Mara stepped out of his room, nodded at his parents, and asked, "Arrived?"

  His tone was as enthusiastic as a Monday morning. His voice seemed to remind them he was still alive. His father just nodded and walked into the room, while his mother asked with a smile, "Did you eat? How was the exam? You'll pass, right? Remember, you have to be a good surgeon, then I'll be happy!"

  It was a barrage of questions, followed by her dreams – like a boss dictating tasks to an employee, not a mother talking to her son. Mara responded in a dry tone, " Yeah, I ate. Exam was okay. I'll pass." and retreated to his room.

  He knew someone was following him with tiny footsteps. He pretended not to notice.

  He opened the door, entered, and closed it behind him without looking back – a game of sneek attack but unfortunately it's spoilt.

  Well, it not like he is cheating but he swear and bme it to his extreme senses and cute but loud pattering sound of the footsteps... Ah, not to mention that every little huff- buff from the little mouth that came out from the little old man.

  This little old man was non other than Mara's little brother Muyang -this little being is mini- him. The name itself screamed "brotherly vibes", and people often confirmed it was the two brothers just by looking at them. Same hooked nose, same piercing Greek god eyes - like they were Ctrl+V'd.

  And now, the mini Greek god was itching to py a sneak attack, and everyone was obliged.

  Mara was just pretending, though it was obvious... ahem.

  "Grawww!"

  Suddenly, a burst of spit showered Mara's face, filled with all sorts of smells. Not a new thing, Mara knew the drill. "Ahhh My god, you scared me! His dramatic reaction made Muyang giggle, "Aish! Look at this rascal! Does anyone scare their big bro like this? Huh? Raorr!!"

  The brothers were at it again – Mara caught Muyang and pinned him to the bed, tickling him. "Sworry hehhe Swory! Ma." Though all the milk teeth were not yet broken and he was all round and bubly and is all mischievous.

  And Mara was in releif of his behaviour.

  Children are not adult they should not be quiet or calm all the time. If children are not being mischievous then who should be? Adults?

  Seeing that Muyang face was turning red, Mara let him go and kissed his forehead." How was it at aunty's pce? Anyone bully you?"

  Muyang shook his head. Mara asked again, "You didn't misbehave, did you?" Muyang shook his head again, looking up at Mara with sparkling eyes that said, "praise me, praise me".

  Seeing him like this Mara too gave off a teen energy.

  He pressed on Muyang cheeks and rubbed it until the red that dissipated return.

  " Goku boy! Do you want to eat something? I already have a desert ready. It is in the refrigerator wait here I'll bring it to you" Mara saw Muyang nodding vigorously as he asked the question.

  Seeing his reaction he chuckled and went out soon to be return with the dessert he made a day before.

  The colourful dessert filled with his fruits make Muyang giggles again. After eating his filled the little tried old man wash himself up and stubbornly went to sleep on Mara's bed.

  "It's bigg. It's gwood. It's mine!!" He then gave a thumps up and closed his eyes.

  Quite intimidating.

  What can Mara say? Nothing he just let him sleep. But he also know the reason his little old man don't want to sleep with their parents.

  Mara, who was sitting on the study table facing the bed turn and face the book cabinet filled with psychological books.

  Childhood trauma can become a deadly seed as the person grows up.

  He still remember the day when he became responsible of one more thing in this house and he still remember that it wasn't him who is irresponsible but the parents who gave birth to a child and forgot to look after them because they were too busy 'resolving a conflict' among themselves.

  Mara sneered as remember the burn marks on Muyang thigh and his parents disapproved gaze at the four years old child.

  It was nothing but the same old story...

  Since childhood, Mara's witnessed his parents' fights – the shouting, the crying, the stern faces, still etched in his mind.

  He's always pyed neutral, never taking sides. But when things escated, his grandparents or aunties would step in, smoothing things over. Life went on; Muyang came along, and the fights seemed to lessen. Mara thought they'd figured things out, but nope, things got worse.

  He knew the problem – money and their ego. A father only work when the things were in emergency A mother wanting all things perfect. Bringing up her past and her past love interest in front of her kids. Also no the love interest itself or the talk about their meeting was not a problem, but her implying she should've run with him, not married Mara's dad was unpleasant.

  Downgrade his father, infront of him, was okay but doing the and comparing his father in term of that love interest is not good it's worst experience for the childs heart.

  Mara was okay, though. His parents previous interactions already made him build a shell. He became an introvert, but society's more accepting now.

  When his mom spoke badly or heartbroken of his father , he ignored it, writing his feelings in his diary at night – unpleasantness, disappointment.

  Both of them are in the wrong and no one want to give in first.

  He felt bad for both parents. It'd have been different if they'd cheated, but they were too loyal. The character wasn't the problem; the mentality was.

  When he was young and used to always stay at home, though he stay in now too, he thought his mother was too miserable so he agree that when the time comes he will protect her and give her all the things she want.

  Mara used to study hard. His goal is to become a well known surgeon.

  Though the irony was he did not see his father as devil he love both of them equally but he knows that his love is love and his mother love is hers.

  He was mature enough to understand that little things though he was only six at that time.

  But as the time went by he see things more clearly.

  Well, but they say - "The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories."

  Mara does get to see a lot of memories but whether they are good is hard to say.

  To be coming if life remains...