inquired while flexing his fingers.
“Anything legal.” I snapped with a look of sincerity.
“Don’t you worry, Mark, this is culturally legal.” Romeo injected a smile in his voice as he glanced at me. I had already begun wondering what it was that Romeo was up to. He looked suspicious. . .of nothing cordial. “You will have to sweep the house for a couple of days, do the cooking, do the dishes and massage me after studies.” He paused to laugh. “Don’t forget about the bathroom. And the laundry too.”
“What!? That is all? I have been doing that for the past week now.” I said, I injected a smile in my voice though not pleased to be doing that on condition.
“Yes I know, Mark.” He walked close to me and threw his arm on top of my shoulder “at least now you won’t stalk me. Come on, we have twenty minutes to get back to the house and to resume our studies.” Romeo said.
“Oh!” I sighed and walked along.
≈≈≈
Though Makeni isn’t largely populated, the number is actually fair compared to city and town settlements. Houses in Makeni aren’t close--except for a portion of land where we had stayed, four houses were close, breaking a free walk between the houses and one of the houses were Romeo and I lived in, Aunt Monica who stayed in the other and addressed with a task by dad to look after Romeo and I, and the other two houses were rented, not to family people but to students who wished to break long distance to a university a kilometer close. All house belonged to us, Romeo and I where the close-by landlords.
Though Makeni isn’t populated, people there could arrange and gather up every Fridays for some fun fandangos--easy because with that rich beautiful settlement everyone knew each other by name. Us too. I was known as the boy keen to success; I could get praises from elderly neighbours and teenage girls, but guys my age thought I was boastful.
Romeo was known quite an exquisite name ‘Romeo International,’ as many could call him. It was only this summer that I had him to myself. . .other months I could miss him even more. He loves vacations across boarders. He has been to China, India; Asia I should say, and America is his place of rest once bored from studies. And dad, mom and I could only see him once a year if not talked him not to take any more flights. And this summer he had me to look after, after mom and dad took their first flight to Australia. . .it was there first visit to Australia, and both Romeo and I could chat with them via Skype--they looked cheerful, happy and excited. I still couldn’t figure out why. Was it that the continent/country is wonderful? Or was it excitement to be away from me? I couldn’t figure out why. But nevertheless, I had Romeo International to myself. Yes, he isn’t a funny guy, but who said seriousness couldn’t be funny at times? He is a crown I should say. Oops! Did I just say that out loud? Oh, yes, Romeo has stood the best big bro that any young brother would dream of having. He is my role model.
I hoped to travel abroad Africa when I was ten like Romeo did, but failed, guess I should work on my homework-- The far I could call vacation of my life and an abroad trip was the one I took to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe! Imagine, not mocking the place people but this isn’t what I had expected to be my first trip out of Zambia. And my brother’s first trip was to the U.S at Washington D.C to attend one of the conferences of President George D. W. Bush.
I was loving my moments along with Romeo, though quiet at times and being shouted at to concentrate on my studies. What am I studying for? My thoughts could snap. But I just had to play along and read more-- A single shelf I had in my room which stood stocked with informative works on psychology, medicine. . .both Romeo and I were a week from demanding more books from mom and dad. Hello! We needed a refill of materials to study! Many books parallel to a field I got a degree in (mathematics), Romeo too (medicine), but I was forced to read medicine informative books, Romeo pressured to tackle math. And they call my family weird.
Our health had given up already, stuffing our everyday with eye burning books couldn’t much the two time meals we had of cornflakes in the morning and noodles in the evening if not pizza. Our eyes could nearly drop from staring at books all day, but we ignored such pains. Romeo was slim then. He is dark in compression, a foot taller than me, handsome too, his smile was never genuine, but his glare was if not abide to what he told me to do. . .in his age, and still single like I was, he rather directed his precious time to books than heartbreak pressures.
I too was slim. Seriously, what would you expect from steaming ourselves with books all year long. I’m brown in compression. . .I am a funny guy, but always hid that in attempt to imitate Romeo’s doings and expressions and gestures too towards neighbours.
≈≈≈
It was about time, we had to cure exhaustion, I looked at Romeo as he tacked his right hand in his pocket and with his left hand he reached for his face and rubbed gently his face and lifted his glance to stare at the sky--the morning sun which had risen forced him to drop his glance and with offense after a burn in his eyes he looked back at me.
“Are you studying me?” He said in his sarcastic ways. He blinked his eyes and hoped that he gets over the burn in his eyes. He rubbed again his face and said to inquire-- “Are you trying to get a PHD in me or what?”
“Oh, no.” I injected a smile in my voice and hoped to scoop a laughter which had stopped in my mouth. I forced it back down my throat and tried to act natural.
I could see Romeo tack as well his other hand in his pocket. I almost laughed to his dress-cord, he had not undressed his sleep attire--he was still wearing his silk pajamas, but he still had not figured that out. He was just waiting for the stroll I had yearned for. . .I bet he was looking to get it over with so that he could get back and resume studying. I bet he was dreaming of how fancy his next flight would be like. I knew he was bored living in Zambia, and in the way mom had put it, it looked more like Romeo was actually babysitting me and not having some great time with his brother. That making his stay with me forcibly.
I puffed out silently and loosened my shoulders as I walked forward towards Romeo. I saw him stretch his neck about and quickly he tilted to face back and flushed a smile. Though odd, this actually was far more better than a stiff facial gesture he dressed up his face most of the time after studies. His smile was far more exceptional. I had to take his looks to my advantage and employ a brother-brother conversation as we walk our way.
“Romeo, what are you still waiting for?” I asked.
“Waiting for what?” Romeo lifted an eyebrow as he caught my grin.
“Lost rid--” I snapped.
“What does that even supposed to mean? The last time I studied Archaeology all I got in return for my perseverance were goose bumps. And searching for missing ribs? Hell no! I better not-- Thank god I ditched that subject.” Romeo said, and I could see that relief on his face after a quiver I noticed the moment I mentioned ‘Lost rib.’
I chocked in laugh by a look on his face. I couldn’t help it. I paused the second I noticed him not laugh along. “You aren’t serious, Romeo, are you?” I didn’t get him to respond. He looked dumbfounded to a laugh I had burst out when all he talked was sincere. Or was it? I walked close to him. “No silly!” I exclaimed and bumped his shoulder.
“What, Mark, I hope you are not planning anything stupid because you always come up with the craziest stuff.” Romeo paused for emphasis.
“Like what?”
“Like that time when you had just studied plumbing, and you had Aunt Monica pranked. You know that prank nearly burnt her skin. Why did you mess with the temperatures of the geyser anyway?”
“I did not.”
“Yes you did, Mark, and this time around I won’t be part of any of your schemes. . .keep your knowledge to yourself and I will keep mine.”
“Lost rib, Romeo.” I bellowed.
“Count me out, Mark, nothing you say will make me change my mind.” Romeo said.
“Lost rib is a girl, Romeo, a girl you propose to and make her your girlfriend.”
“Oh!” Romeo lifted both his eye
brows as he looked at me, he had his mouth parted to a surprised gesture that I had brought up that subject. He dropped his eyebrows and shrugged. “I still don’t get it.”
I shook my head while kept fastened my gaze at Romeo, but of course that startled me no bit--this is what I get to have a brother who is much contained with studies than with social life that he can’t notice beauty when he sees any. I too was as well scarcely getting intoxicated by his habit. I guess I shouldn’t have imitated almost every little detail of his character. . .but I still had room for change, a tiny part awaiting for deliverance.
I paused back and laughed when I looked at Romeo’s gesture considering his now froze shrug--I laughed my ribs out and glanced around to check if anybody heard our conversation, any person would think Romeo was joking but I knew that Romeo was sincere like always when I tried to mention anything girly. After a quick minute laugh, I held it back and diverted my attention back at Romeo who stood in his same posture as before. . .I bet he wanted to join into laughter, I could see the corners of his mouth want to twist into a smile, but he