Bram rested his back on the wall and heaved a huge sigh of relief. He looked down at his hand.
In his hand was a bag. He had gone to get some lunch for Riley when the lunch break started. He just didn't expect Riley to be up so soon and then to be with his friends.
"I nearly got busted." he said with a soft laugh.
A sweet smile formed on his face, when he remembered seeing Riley with the flowers he had dropped on the bedside table earlier on. Hold on a minute, was it Riley who was with the flowers? It was a friend, but did it matter, so long as the flower was within the group, Riley acknowledged it.
Bram smiled as he walked away.
*****
"Come in"
Mr Mekaly who had gotten used to receiving door knocks every now and then everyday was now tired of it. There was only one person who could disturb him so frequently in a day. The person who had now turned him into a relationship counsellor.
Bram rushed in and sat down, even before Mr Mekaly told him to do so. He was all smiles, which made Mr Mekaly happy.
Bram was not just another music prodigy to Mr Mekaly. Bram was his nephew. And seeing Bram get interested in someone made him so happy. Ever since he had known Bram, he had never seen him so happy over something or someone. Bram played music so excellently, was so good at his studies, or anything he did, he did so well, but not cause he loved doing them. No, he was only trying to live up to his parent's expectations. They wanted nothing, but the best from him.
"What? Made any progress?"
Bram just wouldn't stop smiling.
"Kinda."
"Oh! That's why you wouldn't stop smiling?" He said as he reclined in his chair.
Bram just chuckled.
"I actually do have a question for you."
"Shoot it."
"Do you know what club he joined after he quitted music?"
"What are you gonna do if you know?"
"Just tell me if you know."
Mr Mekaly took a deep sigh.
"Do you really love him?"
"Yes of course."
"Can you go against your parents for him?"
Bram was caught off guard and remained speechless. He looked down at his hands. Why didn't he think about that before pursuing after the boy.
Even though Bram's happiness meant a lot to Mr Mekaly, he could not bear to see Riley in pain again. Riley had been broken a lot in the hands of those who claimed to love him, and Bram would be no different. Not cause he would want to harm Riley, no, but because his parents would never let Riley ruin their perfect son. As far as Bram's parents were concerned, a perfect son meant being the best in everything, marrying a woman from a noble family, taking over the family business, and giving them wonderful grandchildren. Anything outside of that was a child ready to be disowned. And Bram, was one who would not do anything outside of that.
Not cause he was scared, no, he just wanted his younger ones to live a better life. He was the first child in the eyes of the public, he was also the perfect son, which made his parents more lenient on his younger ones. He wanted them to live a life of theirs, not a life dictated by rules. Even though it meant him abandoning his own happiness, he was ready to do everything to make his siblings happy. Family meant everything to him.
"When you are ready to go against your parents, you can go after him." Mr Mekaly said, got up, and left his office, leaving Bram alone in there