Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Flashback Post #2
Had another of those moments when you just think back upon a memory that has been etched in the recesses of your mind since your childhood. Thought I'd just earmark it. This time around it involves my brother.
The air was tense and my heart was palpitating as it would whenever trouble brewed at home. It seemed attuned to the emotional climate of the home as a barometer to the weather. Vehement shouts were exchanged between Daddy and Gor-Gor. I couldn't comprehend what they were shouting about. Not that I wasn't old enough. I just could never understand why they had to shout to get their opinions across, and I could never tell who was in the right or wrong. It only seemed wrong and dangerous that Gor-Gor was shouting back at my dad. That's a rare commodity in my home. It looked and seemed as though Gor-Gor was ready to fight back at my dad if ever he was challenged. Then it happened quick as a flash. Dad raised his hand to slap Gor-Gor but he blocked it. That infuriated my dad and he bellowed, 'ni gan dang!' (you dare to block!) Shou fang xia ni ta ma de ni! (put your hand down dammit!) ci pang ying le la! (grown up already la!) And I saw Gor-Gor's blank face steeled against my dad and his blows as his arms hung loosely at his side.
I can never forget that look in his eyes, on his face. On hindsight my brother really did try to make a stand for injustice. Unlike me, who strives for harmony at all costs, even compromise. I can still feel his hurt even now. I wonder if he can ever recover from this trauma. Ironically sometimes such events are more traumatic to the onlooker than the victim themselves. But only sometimes. I really pray he gets to meet my Healer too.
Mantou at 12:21 AM