~Main World, Central Forest~ {POV Sitasia Valden Nox Chlannet}
I am rarely having a dream, in this dream, I was once again transported through that silver tunnel to a completely white place and then a voice told me to become the companion of someone ... lonely and betrayed like me. However, I wasn't even given a choice rather, that voice said I desire a true companion however don't want to take the risk.
Then, after that, strangely enough, I was forced to sleep within the dream itself.
I don't know how long I slept dreamlessly but suddenly I was forced to awake partly because my instincts are telling me to protect someone but the same person told me to continue sleeping, and I did sleep however this time it wasn't a dreamless one.
In this dream I saw the life of a human boy, or rather, I believe these are important memories of that person which he is recalling again because I can also feel the current thoughts of the boy regarding these memories.
These are the memories of a small human boy named Aruhik living in a quite strange place; this place has only one intelligent species, humans; also even buildings, clothes, vehicles, and many other things are quite different from what I know about human society; however, the biggest difference is that except for heroes Aruhik read in books who hide their identity, other people here are quite weak.
These memories started with Aruhik being sad and crying over the fact his mother and father have brought a younger brother home because they are unhappy with him for not obeying his parents. At the end of this Aruhik's father convinced him that he won't be loved any less and all his resentment completely disappeared when his mother gave her handmade ice cream.
And at the same time, his parents were completely unaware that due to this event Aruhik has decided to follow every word of his parents, but soon enough his resolves severely tested when he was told to stop watching something called television because its voice is disturbing the baby.
But I can also feel that now when Aruhik recalls these memories he thinks that even for a small child he has been acting like a naive idiot.
The next memory is that of a few years after the previous one and this one isn't as clear as the last one but I can still make out from the broken images that most of the times Aruhik is being taught something, sometimes by his mother and other times by his father, while his younger brothers, who are now two in number, are playing something or enjoying themselves.
I don't know what his parents thought of him but in these faded memories there is one thing I can sense very clearly; that is, for a long time Aruhik wanted to stop studying, he also wanted to go out to play, ask for sweets, play games, and do many other things.
However, he was too scared of even asking his parents for doing so; scared that if he stopped doing things according to their wishes, they will stop caring for him and let him be like they do to his younger brothers who unlike him don't get to spend even half of the time he spends with his parents alone.
By end of these faded memories, Aruhik stopped desiring things other than what his parents told him that are good for him; he doesn't remember when it started but, slowly, he stopped yearning for anything other than his parents' acknowledgment.
He was almost always top in studies, never invested himself in games, and even started learning business and management strategies from quite a young age although due to the immaturity because of the same small age he was unable to make too much progress in the last one.
Although Aruhik doesn't know when and why exactly his desire and yearning for everything unrelated to the recognition of his parents began decreasing, as an observer even someone like me who is inexperienced in these types of complex mental thoughts can easily discover it.
Aruhik desire for his parents' recognition as well as his insecurities regarding being replaced is so strong that over time his passion for all other things became negligible. Whether it was his early studies of complex topics or even the care for his younger brothers, no matter why he started doing it at the end of these memories the persisting in them eventually has become the same.
Even though these memories are quite faded, I still sensed current Aruhik criticizing his younger self as someone extremely ignorant as well as what I think are slight regret and sadness.
The previous memory has already ended, and the next memory hasn't even started, but I can still sense very strong feelings which give me a strange sense of familiarity; surprisingly the feelings are that of extreme hate and sadness as well as a slight deeply hidden regret which I can feel only because of unexpected familiarity, which really made me wonder but I can't think of the reason behind it.
This memory started with a little less than 10 years old Aruhik getting scolded by his father for not being able to understand something related to extra studies in just one explanation. This scolding ended with his mother and father arguing with each other because his mother tried to stop his father.
And it was during this quarrel between his parents, Aruhik overheard that the company owned by his parents has faced some major problem; also, in a way, his father was venting his frustration on him due to which his mother interfered.
But Aruhik at that time wasn't unhappy with his father for this rather was sad because he failed to live up to his father's expectations which might have lightened the mood, even if a little bit, and not increased the problems like now.
Although this scolding and quarrel ended, the memory didn't; rather this type of happenings only increased so much so that later on even his mother also joined his father's side.
And Aruhik further confirmed that his parents' company has faced some major problem, but he never got to know any exact details about it; therefore, Aruhik didn't complain even once and just continued increasing his effort but it was never good enough for his parents.
Suddenly, I sensed the depressing thoughts reaching their peak and I knew that soon the reason will be in front of me. Also, unlike previous memories, this one quite clear; so much so that instead of just getting the general idea regarding any conversation, in this case, I can even get most of the speeches.
For Aruhik, this day started as one of the best in a long time; as his parents once again looked at him with a smile as well as recognization and appreciation he always desired for.
After the whole family visited a zoo and came back home, for the first time Aruhik was called by his mother for helping with making the ice-cream. Though surprised, Aruhik stopped saying no to his parents long ago so he agreed and went to the kitchen for help. But his young age and inexperience only increased the work for his mother so much so that by the end Aruhik was nearly on the verge of crying.
However, this time his mother was quite tolerant and patient with him just like she was used to before their company faced problems.
While making this ice-cream, obviously Aruhik got to know the whole process but he knew every ingredient used except for one, so he asked about the last ingredient added from its small bottle.
"Mom, what is this you are adding?"
"Ohh this? Hmm...This is a secret ingredient to make this ice-cream ... umm...unforgettable. And ... don't worry you will get to know it before eating. So, for now, let's put this in the freezer then we can join father and brothers."
Though confused by such a reply, Aruhik didn't ask any further and joined his father and brothers along with his mother for a luxurious dinner outside.
Soon they returned back and by this time the freezing ice-cream was complete so the whole family sat down at the dining table for dessert ice-cream.
However, even though his favorite hand-made ice-cream was kept in front of him, Aruhik wasn't eating it, or rather he wasn't even looking at it because all of his attention was attracted by the small bottle kept near his ice-cream bowl.
Aruhik remembers that this is the last unknown ingredient added but the reason for this state of his isn't the bottle itself rather what is on the small sticker attached to it; on the white paper there are only two things, one is a red skull with a cross below it and the other is the word 'Poison' in same red color; also both looked hand-drawn but Aruhik was nowhere near calm enough to think about this.
Aruhik came out of his shock only when two ice-cream bowls were also passed to his two younger brothers and he reflexively pushed those two bowls away to prevent his brothers from eating and then looked up only to find out that both of his parents have already eaten up a part of ice-cream from their bowl.
From his side, Aruhik heard his brother's voice but now he doesn't even remember what they said because he was in no condition of paying any attention to them. He picked up the small bottle asked his parents in a shivering voice and hoping this was not what it looked like.
"This isn't genuine, right?"
His father didn't even look at him and just picked up his brothers' bowl to prevent them from getting it, while his mothers replied in the same gentle voice from long ago.
"Why would that be? You should know we won't do such a serious prank."
Aruhik wasn't able to control himself anymore and shouted at his parents for the first in many years but still one could hear the shiver in his voice.
"Serious prank? Prank? ... What is this joke supposed to mean?"
In response, his mother sighed and replied with the same gentle voice but her eyes were clearly tearing up.
"This is necessary. Sorry, sorry for this, sorry for how we treated you for the last few months, sorry for never understating your dependency on us, sorry ..."
Aruhik wasn't willing to hear these apologies so he interrupted them with an outburst of his emotions in the form of another shout.
"I don't want to hear your apologies, I never needed it ..."
Upon hearing this his mother's face saddened even further and she got up from her chair to come near him, then hugged him tightly and once again spoke in a gentle and comforting tone.
"I and your father, both are very much proud of you, but sorry, we can't accompany you anymore. And your brothers..."
But Aruhik didn't hear any further and after breaking out of her hug ran towards the phone because he just remembered that both of his parents have already eaten the poisoned ice-cream.
After giving the emergency call, Aruhik went to search for the maid and other servants in the house but failed to find even one of them, not even the gardener or security guard was present.
While Aruhik was doing all this his parents neither tried to stop him nor spoke anything to him, ultimately Aruhik despaired being unable to do anything more than waiting for the ambulance.
From my point of view, Aruhik is quite capable for someone who hasn't even lived for ten years after all he far ahead of ten-years-old me in everything except for strength; but I already know that when faced with a situation like this one can't blame anything other than themselves not trying hard enough; just like me, Aruhik had to learn it the hard way.
So I saw Aruhik living the nightmare of watching both his parents die one by one in front of him; first, it was his father who didn't speak a single word till the end and just kept the poisoned ice cream out of his still confused younger brothers' reach; then it was his mother who kept on apologizing for many things till the end.
This memory stopped the very same moment his mother died, and all that was left is current Aruhik's feelings of deep hate and sadness as well as a deeply hidden small regret.
By this time, although I have been watching these memories unconsciously, now I desire to know the life Aruhik lived because ...
Even though he and I live in a completely different type of society, he had a family since birth while I searched for them myself, he was less than ten years old while I thousands of years old, he progressed by getting knowledge while I by getting stronger, he never killed anyone while I already lost the count of mine, and there are many other differences ...
In essence, many of our experiences are quite similar; after all, we both became extremely attached and emotionally dependent on the first group of people we interacted with and the happiness of those people became the goal of our life; in my case, it was the Little Tail village while for Aruhik it was his parents.
And finally, both of us were betrayed by the very same group of people we were willing to offer our everything for.
So, I want to see how did Aruhik dealt with this; did he got drowned after losing his life's goal or did he overcame it like me and found a new goal?
I didn't have to wait for a long time to know the answers because the next memory soon appeared before me.
In this memory, I only saw two people discussing something but there wasn't any sound in it and the whole picture was so blurred that I wasn't even able to see their faces.
Still, overall this memory is very strange; not because of the absence of sound or the blurred picture, but because I can't sense any thoughts from Aruhik in the memory, as if he has lost the capability of having rational thoughts; the only feeling I can sense is that of current Aruhik who is ashamed of his performance at the time of memory.
Very soon, I confirmed my guess in the next few memories because in all these memories Aruhik was in the same condition; if I have to describe specifically then it looked like Aruhik wasn't even alive because in these memories he didn't even have basic instincts like self-protection let alone having some rational thoughts as one of these memories I saw one of those two adults from the previous memories hitting but he didn't even try to protect himself.
After watching many of these similar memories, I was almost assured that, unlike me, Aruhik won't be able to overcome this but then in the next memory I sensed the first spike in his thoughts in a long time. Strangely enough but also somewhat expectedly it wasn't due to any big event, rather due to a bowl of ice-cream shown in the box named Television.
Since then, Aruhik's thoughts only increased and gradually began becoming more rational; therefore, by the time Aruhik recovered completely he already had quite a good idea of his current situation and I also understood it due to knowing his thoughts.
Actually, Aruhik wasn't able to bear with the extreme emotions due to what transpired on that day so as consequences all his emotions as well as thoughts got sealed off or rather I believe that he subconsciously sealed them himself; however, watching the ice-cream forcefully reminded him of that day.
As for the reason behind this forceful reminder, although Aruhik avoided thinking about it, I am pretty sure that I have guessed it correctly...
Aruhik doesn't remember what happened after his mother died that day, not even the things like funeral and when or why did he along with his two brothers began living with this distant uncle and aunt.
While Aruhik was recovering his rational thoughts he didn't purposely hide it from anyone or rather he was incapable of hiding it and even after recovering his rationality, due to being inexperienced like me in these things, just like me initially he didn't think there is any necessity of doing so.
However, fortunately for him, those two relatives of his didn't think that he would ever recover and I along with Aruhik later found out that they actually hoped he would never recover and it was due to this that they didn't take him for treatment otherwise professional doctor might have easily discovered it.
And it was due to their late discovery, Aruhik learned their true motives by chance.
Actually, when Aruhik's parents died almost all of their properties and assets were confiscated and sold by their business partners as well as banks for whatever debt they have left behind which Aruhik isn't really aware of.
However, even though nothing was left of their owned property, they have left behind more than one fund, policies, and house as a countermeasure in case they died early. And each of these policies, house, and funds belong to only one person, Aruhik; let alone his parents even his two younger brothers don't have any name in it.
Therefore, none of these were confiscated and these two newly married distant relatives are after the large fund owned by Aruhik.
But due to the laws of this country, although any underage like Aruhik can own the properties and policies, that underage can't do any transfer or amendments in those properties and policies without the consent of parents.
So these two are waiting for Aruhik to grow up and then get all under his name also till then they can enjoy the periodic fund assigned for Aruhik till he grows up, that's is why they took him in their house along with their two brothers; and obviously, they prefer the Aruhik who can't even think for himself, which was the reason why he was never taken to any doctor for the treatment.
When Aruhik first learned of this, he was unwilling to let his two distant relatives succeed because although he detests anything and everything left behind by his parents, due to his parents early teaching he is also well aware that to accomplish anything money is needed; also he has no reason to let his two distant relatives have .what belongs to him, even if it is left behind by his parents.
It was quite a big surprise for me when I first learned about the importance of money; because from my point of view since people of Aruhik's world can't increase their strength they chose money as an unreliable replacement for strength.
Similar to those with strength in my world, in Aruhik's world the ones with money can easily get what they want; however, unlike strength, money is quite unreliable as it can be easily stolen and snatched just like what is happening to Aruhik right now in the memory.
Once Aruhik became aware of what is going on he understood that he needs to do something about this very soon because his two distant relatives are already aware of his recovery. So he thought of using the most obvious method that came to his mind, getting help from the police.
According to Aruhik, Police are the people who keep order and stop others from doing wrong things like stealing money, and surprisingly, even killing is prohibited by them.
Therefore, Aruhik looked for the right time and ran out of the house while hiding from his two distant relatives; and once he was out of the house it wasn't difficult for him to find the police after asking a few other people out there, one human even accompanied him to a nearby police officer.
Upon reaching the police officer, Aruhik immediately spoke.
"Mister Police, I want to file a complain ..."
*****
That police officer took Aruhik to a nearby police station for getting more detail, and although Aruhik can look that they look quite skeptical about his claims, they still recorded everything and told him to wait there so they can check it out.
Aruhik doesn't know how long he waited because he felt like time is running out quite slowly, but when police officers actually returned Aruhik deeply regretted coming here because following behind the police officers who just entered the room were his distant uncle and aunt who were ones he actually complained against.
It wasn't just the presence of his uncle and aunt that despaired Aruhik, rather it was the way police officers were treating them; without any handcuffs, not talking like someone guilty and many other things showed that they aren't brought here like criminals.
That aunt of his suddenly came forward and tried hugging him but Aruhik reflexively backed away and looked at them vigilantly because he doesn't know why things turned out like this.
"It okay my baby, you don't need to be scared..."
Obviously, Aruhik completely ignored all her words; after all, I am pretty sure that now he won't easily believe in any words even if his parents were the ones speaking, let alone he already knows the true face of these two.
Soon enough, Aruhik learned the reason behind this; these two have claimed that he made such absurd action because of mental shock caused by his parents dying in front of him by committing suicide before trying to kill him and his brothers, and his past record of being mentally unresponsive just strengthened their claims.
It was now that Aruhik learned that he has written reports by a doctor for his treatment but he doesn't remember going to the doctor even after recovering partially, so these are most likely to be fake.
From current Aruhik's thoughts, I know that if Aruhik tried a little hard at that time then the result would have been completely different because even though I am not used to this type of things and have limited knowledge of this world, there are many loopholes in those two's explanation that Aruhik can easily bring to light and knowing how police are supposed to work there is a high chance that those two would be found guilty.
But Aruhik was never the one to make requests to others as he used to work hard to get what he wanted; therefore for someone who hasn't requested anything from his parents in many years, requesting or begging complete strangers is extremely difficult let alone the unexperienced Aruhik even began doubting that these police officers here are in collusion with his uncle and aunt just like the doctor who wrote those medical reports.
Finally, the case was treated as the delusion of a mentally ill child.
For the rest of the time in the police station, Aruhik didn't speak anything else; although quite a few of them tried talking to him and even I can look that they treated him kindly, but over suspicious Aruhik was almost sure that at least a few of them are already a group with his uncle and aunt so he maintained his silence.
Aruhik even thought of running away from there and looking for another police station but he had no idea know where he should go now moreover his two younger brothers were still with those two so he decided to return with them at least for the time being.
Upon coming out of the police station, for the first time after completely recovering Aruhik finally saw his two younger brothers waiting in the car being looked after by a female officer.
However, that meeting wasn't a pleasant one because his two brothers looked at him with quite a familiar look because he knows he has the same look whenever he thinks of his parents, also it wasn't like Aruhik was fond of them either because when facing them he thought of how he had taken care of these two just because his parents' wish but it all resulted in ...
Actually, I can look, since many years the whole reason for interactions between Aruhik and his two brothers were their parents; however, now the connecting link between them has disappeared, and that too in one of the worst ways possible.
Also, the absence of interaction between them just after their parents' death due to Aruhik's condition only increased the gap between them.
Therefore, it would have been a real surprise for me if they actually had a good relationship between them.
On the way back in the car driven by his uncle, all five of them maintained their silence initially; I don't know about others but Aruhik was desperately thinking about what to do next, and he also decided his first goal that no matter what happens he won't be staying these two distant relatives.
While Aruhik was thinking of the ways of accomplishing it, he suddenly heard a question from his uncle who was driving.
"For how long have you recovered?"
Although it wasn't named who this question is for, Aruhik understood it is for him but he didn't have any reason to give a proper reply nor did he wish for it.
"Long enough to know why you two took in three of us ... or rather why took me in, these two are just extra pauper baggage."
After thinking a bit, Aruhik also added the second part which actually came out in an unintentional condescending tone without even trying; but this was actually meant for his two brothers so those two 'idiots' can at least recognize the reality however he didn't even.
Soon after Aruhik replied, his aunt nearly shouted while glaring at him.
"Why did you not tell us before? A little brat like you cannot think all this, who told you about us?"
For Aruhik who is still a bit away from becoming ten years old, directly comforting an angry adult really isn't easy; after all, if it became physical, he really won't have any way of resisting; according to me, the reason for this should be the rules of the society Aruhik has grown up in as unlike me who struggled to achieve higher fighting strength, Aruhik worked hard for higher greater intelligence as his strength.
But he also knows that he can't shrink back otherwise he would never be able to confront these two again on equal grounds; he thought that, if there is really something like an afterlife, at the worst he might actually get to interrogate his parents early.
Once Aruhik thought of this, his fear subsided significantly and the reply was the same as the previous one but the contemptuous tone was intentional.
"It wasn't me who was intelligent enough to hide it; rather for someone aiming big like stealing what those two left for me, you were stupid enough to not notice it any sooner."
Aruhik saw the clear distortion due to anger on the face of his Aunt who was looking back at him, but he looked at her with the same expression which only made her face uglier; however, when Aruhik was sure she would be leaping on him, his uncle who is still driving patted her shoulder and calmed her down.
And when his uncle just started speaking, Aruhik interrupted as he just remembered something important that can be used; moreover, learning with his parents for years has already taught him that in discussions like these, giving a chance for others to speak is stupidity.
"Now you..."
"Drop me off to my old house, I won't be living with you two."
Yes, Aruhik has previously heard that the house he used to live in is also owned by him, just he didn't really care about it previously but now it can be used.
Instantly after Aruhik spoke, his Aunt's sharp rebuttal came from the front.
"You think an ignorant conceited kid as you can live on own; it was me who again taught you how to eat by himself otherwise a half-mind like you would have died of starvation, and this is how you return the favor..."
Though Aruhik instantly felt many negative emotions like sadness, anger, and many others, he forcefully suppressed all of it rebutted in the same way as before because this isn't something he can back down on as according to him if he can't even accomplish this then according to him trying to confront his parents in the afterlife is much better.
"Thankfully I don't have any memory of you helping me otherwise it would have given me nightmares for days to come; as for returning the favor, they are my parents after all and this is how we return the favor. Moreover, half-mind or not, I won't die easily so don't need to worry about not getting the periodic funds allotted to me."
When Aruhik finished speaking, both on the front didn't reply instantly and Aruhik used this chance to speak further; not giving them any chance to speak once again. Also, even though Aruhik didn't note it, I keenly sensed that this time Aruhik didn't need to suppress his fear anymore as he already adapted to it; he is indeed quite good for someone nearly 10 years old and little to no experience in a situation like this.
"Oh! It can't be that you actually thought you can actually get what is mine because as long as I am alive it won't happen and if I died even support funds will coming. So be happy you can keep those periodic support funds and we won't be interfering with each other from now on."
Actually, while speaking these words Aruhik wasn't really sure whether what he said about his death is true or not but looking at the fact he is still alive Aruhik concluded that there are chances that his death won't really help them.
From current Aruhik's thoughts, I know that he was quite lucky at that time because although he found it years later, those two distant relatives already knew that upon his death all properties and funds would either be donated or returned to the state and even Aruhik can't change it before becoming an adult by the laws of the government.
This was a clause added by his parents in everything owned by him so basically, no matter what happens even his two brothers can't get anything from Aruhik without his consent. It is to the extent that Aruhik later found out even his two younger brothers weren't mentioned even once in any of the documents declaring Aruhik's ownership over everything left by them.
After Aruhik stopped a long silence was maintained then suddenly his Aunt's shriek came from the front.
"Why are you going this way?"
And uncle replied in a somewhat defeated tone.
"To drop him at his house."
Obviously, Aruhik didn't know which is the way to his house but hearing their argument he understood that he has succeeded.
"WHY!?"
"Then what else can we do?"
Those two began arguing among themselves but Aruhik didn't interfere with it because he believes both have understood what they should but his Aunt doesn't want to accept it.
At the same time, hearing their arguments Aruhik also understood that at the police station it was his fault that those two didn't get caught, he just had to explain a little more.
However now, let alone overcoming the barrier of requesting and begging complete strangers even if they are police, he doesn't think anymore that these two getting caught is a good thing for him because he knows that as a minor he won't be allowed to live by him.
Therefore, it is either getting adopted by another group of adults with unclear motives or joining an orphanage but he really doesn't want to deal with any more adults calling themselves his guardian and teaching what is good for him.
Soon, the vehicle named car reached Aruhik's old house and by this time they have already discussed the other details like living with them once every month and other similar things for avoiding getting any problems with all the formalities.
But it was a real surprise for Aruhik when he saw his two younger also leaving the car for living with him, especially after neither of them has tried talking to each other the whole way.
Aruhik actually had no plans of living with his two brothers; indeed he cared about them before meeting them after recovering but upon meeting them when he confirmed that both are alive and well all that was left was disgust, hate, and other negative emotions towards his parents and towards the two ignorant pieces of baggage who can't think for or take care of themselves.
Undeniably Aruhik ignored their young age in this but I know that Aruhik was competent himself at that age and even after being a completely different race with a much longer sense of time if I compare the awake hours although nowhere near Aruhik in the intelligence part, I was much ahead of those two in taking care of myself even after nobody taught me how to do it.
Therefore, looking at his two younger brothers entering the house but still not having spoken a single word to him, Aruhik can't bear but taunt them and also speak to them after a long time.
"Why do both of you want to stay in my house?"
This instantly got a response from those two as the younger one instantly replied with anger as well as hate in his voice.
"This house was Mom and Dad's. Now it is also my house, and it is you who shouldn't be here!"
To this Aruhik replied with another taunt.
"Well, the two you call Mom and Dad hasn't left anything behind in your name; your dear Mom and Dad have given this and everything else to me, not to you two; so be sure to keep this in mind you are living in my house."
After saying this Aruhik ignored those two and went inside.
*****
This is another quite recent memory and it starts just after the last one.
In less than an hour after entering the house, Aruhik came out again walking towards the direction he asked his Uncle before separating.
Soon, Aruhik reached an empty-looking garden surrounded by a tall iron fence but the way Aruhik describes it is a place looking like the backyard of a deserted church; and the name of this place is Cemetery, a place where intelligent lives burry the body of those who died.
There was no one to stop him from entering the graveyard, so he entered it and began searching for the grave belonging to his parents and he didn't think that the graveyard would be this big and forgot to ask for the location of the grave.
It took him more than an hour to find the right grave and upon finally finding and looking at it he can't help but think.
'Isn't this pathetic? Let alone the fresh flowers, there isn't even a dried flower anywhere near this grave; only dirt and some dried grass.'
But Aruhik quickly suppressed his thoughts and stood in the front of the grave, a single grave with names of both his father and mother.
After a silence of quite a few minutes, Aruhik finally spoke.
"Mom ... Dad... "
'...'
At the same time, a deep unknown feeling came from within him but knowing that this isn't the right place and time he suppressed it.
"Well...sorry, it took me months to come in front of you...um, or if I did come here before, I don't remember it ... after all, well, how should I put it...I somehow managed to close off my thoughts because I was unable to face the reality. Quite pathetic, isn't it?"
'...'
Once again Aruhik suppressed the unknown emotions deep down. Actually, it isn't unknown emotion, I can feel that Aruhik just doesn't want to recognize it but as an observer, I clearly identified the type of emotion.
"I didn't know that we have relatives and till now we have been living with those two but we managed to come back home. So ... can...can you please, please ... come back?"
'I.....'
By this time Aruhik's voice has started shivering and has sat down on his knees where he was previously standing.
However, quite obviously, Aruhik didn't get any reply from the grave; but he didn't give up, or rather I should say that he knew perfectly well that what he is doing is completely useless but he didn't want to give up.
"Ple...ase c..come back ... A...All of us can...live together again."
'I.....'
By this time Aruhik wasn't able to stop his tears.
"T...this time ... I'll do ... everything you say cor..rrectly."
'I...'
"I... I won't desire ... you to give me anything else like those two, ... just come back."
'I...hate...'
"At least ...SPEAK TO ME"
'I hate you'
Gradually his crying turned into shouting.
"I ne...never asked you give me Anything.
'I hate you."
"Then... WHY? Why did you do this?"
'I hate you.'
"If you had problems in your work, we ... we could have left everything behind and...and started anew, but you...both of you, gave everything to me and LEFT."
'I hate you.'
"Do you really think I ever wanted all that? I NEVER wanted any of that, all I ever wanted was for two of you be love me, proud of me, and...and...live...with me."
'I hate you.'
"SAY SOMETHING you COWARDS..."
" ' ... I hate you ' "
" ' I HATE both of you...' "
" ' I HATE that you are my parents ' "
" ' I hate that ... both of you ... left me ... ' "
Aruhik wasn't able to deny his feelings anymore; no matter how much he respected them before, now a single emotion of hate was dominating over all of them.
However, watching Aruhik till now I have understood that Aruhik and I share a major characteristic, or in better words, we have share one major life principle and follow it to the end.
And that is, no matter what situation we might face, we continue working hard till the very end towards the goal we have set for ourselves.
Initially, Aruhik's goal was his parents' recognization but when they committed suicide he lost the goal and I think this is also one of the reasons, along with sadness, for him closing off his thought process.
And now, just like me who has searched and found a new goal after the betrayal of Little Tail Village; upon facing his parents' betrayal, Aruhik also began searching new goal for himself.
A short silence after his outburst, Aruhik wiped his tears with sleeves and completely stopped crying; even his voice stopped shivering and returned to somewhat normal, but hate and anger can still be clearly felt in his words.
"It must have been much easier for both of you to kill yourself compared to continue taking care of three kids, right?"
"This is why you cowards decided to escape from your responsibility? Then, I will show you how I can accomplish what your pathetic self gave up on as something impossible."
"No matter what failure you might have faced, you two only had to support the three kids that you decide to bring in this world, but you grew afraid of even trying to accomplish only this much..."
Although Aruhik desperately searched for a new goal, it wasn't easy for him; from his thoughts, I guess it might be because unlike me who has already seen a lot of places and people before attaching myself to the Little Tail Village, Aruhik always been with his parents so most of his things began and ended with them.
Therefore, when Aruhik began searching for a new goal he again unconsciously connected them with his parents.
"Then,... I will show you that I can accomplish what you didn't even have the courage of trying for, without you cowards."
Aruhik decided that since his parents weren't capable enough of providing proper resources to his brothers to let them grow up properly and chose to escape from it, he would do it himself and show them that what they failed to do as two adults he can do one kid.
"Then ... Goodbye, and we will never meet again."
After saying this Aruhik got up to leave with the thought that visiting here again or even staying a little longer isn't worth his time.
*****
On his way back, Aruhik was thinking about his next set of actions, but he suddenly stopped because he saw a small ice-cream parlor just outside the community where his house is located.
Actually, the colony in which Aruhik owns the house is resident to relatively rich people similar to his parents before their fall, and this is one of the reasons Aruhik chose to stay in this area because in this area although almost every house is owned by someone wealthy, not even half of them live here permanently but still the security here is quite good.
I read from present Aruhik's thoughts that just a few months after starting to stay there he faced another problem due to the same security he chose to stay there because this security doesn't come for free and each resident has to pay yearly payment which isn't small.
But that is something Aruhik won't get to know anytime soon; for now, he is looking at the ice-cream parlor built in the small shopping area built just outside the colony.
Because Aruhik still clearly remembers the ice-cream he helped his mother to make but wasn't even able to taste that last ice-cream.
Although Aruhik stopped here, he doesn't have any money to buy the ice-cream so after looking at it for a few minutes and then releasing a sigh he walked towards his home.
Upon entering the house, Aruhik found that his and his two brothers' items like clothes and even some books have been delivered to their house; looking at books he remembered something he didn't really care about but is important for his brothers.
Therefore Aruhik searched for his brothers in the house, only to find them sitting on a sofa in the main and watching television while eating the snacks he doesn't where they got from.
So Aruhik went there to look at the snacks and found that nearly half of them have expired, but these dates along with somewhat familiar snacks made him understand these snacks should be from before all this started.
Then Aruhik looked at his two brothers desperately trying to ignore him but completely failing to do it, therefore turned off the television from the switch and spoke to them but his words took up a mocking tone without even trying.
"At least check the expiry date before eating; well, I almost forgot, idiots like you might not even know what expiry date is."
Let alone Aruhik, even I knew that he will be getting a sharp rebuttal from both of them because both haven't done anything to hide their hatred towards Aruhik or most likely they don't know how to hide it.
Younger one. "We are not idiots, you are idiot."
Older one. "You are an idiot, an Ungrateful Bastard, it was because of you Mom and Dad killed themselves. They always loved you more but they are not here Because Of YOU and then for months you didn't do anything except for being an idiot like you are."
It wasn't like Aruhik was unaffected by their words but he has already overcome the fact that his coward parents committed suicide and now he has a goal for himself; therefore just like me, Aruhik's priority was completing that goal and depending on necessity everything else can be neglected.
So his reply was also in the same direction but he didn't spend even a little effort in removing the clear mocking tone from his voice.
"Really? That is the conclusion you reached with your so really intelligent minds? Haha... At least you are right about something, I was a real idiot to expect anything more out of you two and are intelligent enough to make me laugh for the first time in months ... Anyway, go to your bed or do the homework you might have, both of you have school tomorrow."
Aruhik ignored their increasingly distorting face and began walking towards his room; however, his two brothers weren't willing to leave the discussion at that.
So the older one spoke.
"Why would only we go to school when you haven't gone there for months? And for homework; because of your drama in the morning, we came back early and don't know about any homework..."
But Aruhik didn't want to invest any more time in a useless discussion as he had a lot of things to plan and think about, so he made his reply short but didn't do anything to remove the satire in his words.
"Then use those unused minds of yours and think of asking your classmates; I have already checked that phones are still working."
However, his brothers didn't back down even now, as for some reason they didn't want to admit their defeat in this argument. The younger one spoke.
"You have not gone to school for months, so why should I go? I won't go."
Indeed, for the last few months, Aruhik has attended the school and not like he was in any condition to, but I still can't understand what is his brothers' problem. Can't they just follow his words? Or is it that they can't even recognize the fact that what Aruhik just said is good for them?
And I am not the only one thinking like this, even Aruhik thought like that, but from his thoughts, I got to know that even Aruhik at that time knew that both are doing this because they hate him just like hates them but has no option other than living together however he isn't willing to accompany them in their hate game.
But I still didn't understand the reason behind their actions; if they really hate Aruhik then they should improve themselves then take revenge and not lose that chance by not studying... Oh! I understood, this is what the word immature stands for.
And indeed, although Aruhik is still a little less than ten years old, he can perfectly take care of himself but even if his brothers are younger than him, they are much worse than Aruhik when he was even younger than them.
"I said, you both will attend school tomorrow and it is final. Why? Because both of you are pathetic fools who can't even find the true intention of those two in months but I managed to do it even in that state."
The older one about to speak but Aruhik didn't give him any chance to speak and continued with an increasingly mocking tone.
"As for me not attending the school...in all the years I have attended, I was always at the top in both studies and sports but what about you two? Have you ever been better than everyone else in your class? Even in just one topic?"
Both were silent but this time Aruhik didn't want to let them go so he once again continued.
"Nothing? Not even a single topic? Well, I don't really need you to tell me, I already know how pathetic you two are after all it was me who was teaching you two for the last few years because your so dear Mom and Dad didn't think teaching you two was worth their time but they taught me, and only me."
After Aruhik spoke this he didn't pay any more attention to them and went to his room while thinking that at the very least his brothers are not so useless that they would start crying just from his few words.
After entering the room, with a variety of emotions in his mind, Aruhik looked at the place he used to sleep and study but now covered in dust, thankfully the bed, table, and other big furniture were covered with large cloth sheets. Therefore, for sleeping, he only needs to change the bedsheet to get a clean place for sleeping and before coming, also he already did the same in his brothers' room before he went out.
After setting up the bed and room, Aruhik didn't go to sleep rather he went to his desk and took out one of the blank notebooks to plan and write his future actions.
And when Aruhik began making plans, I was surprised just by the sheer number of expenses people of that world have to deal with; food expenses, light bills, water bills, study fees, travel expenses, and many others; there are just too many of them.
I don't have any interest in learning something as boring as handling the expenses, so for the most part I wasn't able to concentrate on this part of memory but at least I understood the final conclusion and plan Aruhik came up with.
Actually, except for normal daily expenses, Aruhik doesn't have any major immediate expenses at least for the next few months because most of those are paid annually or bi-annually, and while studying from his parents, he had known that those expenses are already paid, and the next payment date is still a few months away.
After completing the list, Aruhik rechecked it more than once in case he forgot something; I know from the thoughts of the current Aruhik that he forgot more than just a couple of expenses which include important ones like security charges however he wasn't able to think of them at that time.
Then Aruhik began thinking about the ways by which he can cover those bills, however, even though due to his parents' studies he knows about many ways of earning money, most of them are not applicable due to him still being a little away from becoming ten years old.
So Aruhik came up with the way of using what he has inside the house to at least cover food costs for the next few days and simultaneously search for a better method. Then he again went out of the room to check out the places in the house where his parents used to keep money in the house in case an emergency occurs.
But upon exiting the room Aruhik first checked that both of his brothers have already fallen asleep however looking at the still on lights and television he can't help but frown and before turning them off he made a mental note to remind his brothers about this.
Aruhik knows that there are at least two hidden lockers in his house which he knows where they are along with the password for both; first, he checked the one in the first-floor bedroom that previously belonged to his parents; although it wasn't completely empty; unfortunately, the money there can only be used for at most a couple of months.
Then he checked the one in the storage room on the ground floor and fortunately, it wasn't empty; however, instead of containing cash, it had valuable and luxurious items like jewelry, a couple of very old looking pocket watches that looked to made of gold, an antique-looking wooden telephone decorated with metal that is also most likely gold, and quite a few other such items.
At first, Aruhik wondered that how can so many valuable things can still be left at home after all weren't his parents supposed to be in a monetary crisis?
But very soon all his curiosity disappeared as he remembered that even if there is something like a very big hidden secret behind their suicide it doesn't change the fact both of his parents made a pathetic attempt of killing him and upon unmistakably failing in it committed suicide, ultimately leaving him all alone on his own.
Although Aruhik got a lot of valuable items, it doesn't mean he can easily use them as they first need to be converted into money then the money obtained from it would be useable; however, Aruhik believes that due to his young age it might not be that easy to sell them at a proper price, so he added a mental note for researching and preparing before actually selling them.
After roughly going through all the items as well as a small amount of cash, Aruhik closed the hidden locker and went to take a bath as well as eat something in the house before going to sleep.
I might not have paid too much attention to it before but Aruhik has a strange habit of keeping things clean and even do the same himself like he always takes bath with water at least once a day. This is one habit of his that I really don't like; if I take a bath with water, how is it any different from ruining my mood for the whole day especially when I don't find any advantage of doing it since I don't think any dust or those so-called microbes can stick to my body or even make me.
Why do I care so much about Aruhik's habits? Obviously, because I am sure that I am going to meet him very soon; after all, although all these started as a dream, by now it is pretty clear that all these aren't just a dream. And depending on what I heard at the beginning, it is very likely that Aruhik will become my companion.
Indeed, Aruhik is very weak, so much so that I can't remember anyone weaker than him that I have ever hunted or fought against furthermore I don't really know if he will ever grow any stronger in the future or would grow even weaker.... however, I don't mind.
Now, I can somewhat understand what that voice meant by 'desiring a true companion but not willing to take a risk'.
After all, Aruhik is going through the same phases I went through long ago, and looking at it as an outsider I can finally understand the true feelings instead of just superficial thoughts.
Gradually, the way Aruhik is beginning to work and present himself, at a first glance other people might think he is a very friendly and open person, after all, even with just a decade of experience Aruhikis much better at deception than I have ever been.
But those in contact with Aruhik for a long time and perceptive in nature can somewhat guess that he never considers anyone close to him or in other words he doesn't trust anyone and neither can others trust him, no matter who the other person is; even his brothers.
However, as someone who knows his exact thoughts, I know that, just like me, it isn't that he doesn't wish to get close to anyone else again it is just that he is too afraid of another betrayal; after all the way he is now, even a little lie would be considered a betrayal by him; therefore, he stopped trusting everyone else so no matter what happens between them there won't ever be anything called betrayal.
Now after understanding Aruhik's thoughts, I recognized that my thoughts are quite the same.
The only difference is that after that incident I lived alone because for a long time after that everyone else I have met only had one type of interaction with me that is of 'Hunter & Prey' and I have played both of the roles in it.
While Aruhik must interact with other intelligent beings because the society he lives in works like that and isolation would only make things much more difficult for him.
Therefore, just like I worked to increase my strength for continuing the path I choose, Aruhik worked on things like social skills, business, and many other similar things which even include things like fraud and deception.
Maybe this is the reason I am watching Aruhik's life and on the other side, Aruhik might be watching my life or will get to know in the future? Most likely, to make us understand each other? After all, if we meet each other as complete strangers we will definitely ignore each other or fight and trick each other to get what we want.
Maybe, when I leave this dream, I can really get a true companion...
*****
The next parts of memories weren't as clear as the last few ones because they don't hold too much importance for Aruhik, the only thing he considered important in them is the experience he got from them; but still, I got the general idea of what he went through in the next few years.
I saw how Aruhik did his first business; by selling an old wooden pen in a shop that kept similar things. Which he later found that he got scammed ruthlessly in that transaction.
I saw how Aruhik had to learn cooking because cooked foods are quite expensive and he noticed that cheap foods have begun deteriorating their health; if not for this I would have almost forgotten that he can't eat raw food and hunting for food by himself isn't allowed for everyone in his society.
I saw how Aruhik had to live with his distant uncle and aunt for one whole day every eight weeks in order to avoid getting new foster guardians assigned; as Aruhik doesn't want to and just can't believe in another group of people after getting betrayed successively by both his parents and relatives.
I saw Aruhik getting his first job in a nearby small restaurant which was an early morning job of cleaning before it opens for the business. As for why such a job, because many refused to hire him as employing an underage like Aruhik was a punishable crime in the place where Aruhik lived.
Unfortunately, Aruhik had to leave that job just after five weeks as he didn't get even half of the agreed amount, and being underage himself he was incapable of complaining about it.
But Aruhik wasn't depressed or even a little saddened by it but did regret for not being observant enough, because ... in his words, deception at such pathetic levels aren't worth getting depressed over, the only thing they are worth for is learning from them to be the one winning the next game.
Moreover, that job was a test by Aruhik for experiencing how things work after all the money he earned by selling just a couple of those antiques at extremely prices is enough for the next few months; he is doing this to not get too dependent on just one method.
Therefore, very soon Aruhik found a new job at a small garage; although the pay wasn't enough to cover even half of their expenses, Aruhik knew that he has to start somewhere; moreover, while working in the last job he also managed to get the prizes of some of the old items he found in the hidden locker and their values reassured him that he can cover the expenses for quite some time.
As a matter of fact, even after not getting any of the allotted expenses from the policies, Aruhik believes that with some careful planning those antiques can cover the expenses without earning anything by himself till he reaches adult age and gets control over all the funds.
But still, I was surprised to learn that Aruhik didn't go back to school; after all, isn't school the place where they teach young ones the ways of surviving and becoming powerful; I mean, teaching how to earn money?
However, Aruhik doesn't want to do that; no, Aruhik isn't arrogant enough to think that he already knows everything taught in the school just because he has been first in almost everything.
Aruhik doesn't want to attend the school because he previously studied and tried excelling in everything for the two people he hates most at the moment and therefore believes that maintaining his past records while keeping his personal feelings aside will be extremely difficult and tiring.
I also think that attending school isn't a must for Aruhik's goal, that is making his two brothers capable enough of supporting themselves, rather learning how people and society work would be more beneficial for his brothers as well as Aruhik himself; especially when there is no adult to look after them now and he doesn't wish to have one.
*****
After the last memory, the time span between the next ones began increasing, and vaguely, I only got to see those which Aruhik consider as worth remembering.
Like the time when Aruhik learned about the various one-time yearly expenses like the security fees, school fees, study material expenses, and a few others; which all came to him at nearly the same time and he didn't have that much free cash with him at that time.
Still, Aruhik managed to deal with it, he did face some losses though; because by this even I have learned that it isn't easy to find a good buyer in a short time.
One of those important memories that also surprised me was one that leads to Aruhik emotionally distancing himself from his brothers but this time the barrier between them was once and for all.
That happened a few months after they began living separately and Aruhik was also making progress with his social connections; like getting to know a couple of shopowners who deal with antique items similar to what he has in the hidden locker.
It started with Aruhik's brothers informing him about the coming parents-teacher meeting as well as indirectly asking him to join them as their guardian; Aruhik instantly understood why and what they are asking from him. Unfortunately, according to the society Aruhik lives in he is too young to act as a guardian in the parents-teacher meeting.
Aruhik furthermore can't do it, even as a formality, because according to the records he still isn't sane enough to have a rational conversation and that is the reason he isn't forced to attend a school because the country he lives in has the law that all those below the age of fifteen must attend the school; moreover, if they somehow can't afford it, the government will even give them free compulsory education in one the government schools built especially for this purpose.
Because of this Aruhik isn't willing to appear in places like school where there is a high chance that someone aware of his situation on the papers might recognize him after all that is the same school where he used to study before.
Therefore, Aruhik denied his brothers in a similar indirect way.
"Then inform your teachers that our guardians, both uncle and aunt are busy and won't able to join you two for the parents-teacher meeting; and, I will inform both of them regarding the same."
Then Aruhik was about to call those two relatives of his while thinking they are going to try asking him again about where he is getting money from.
According to Aruhik, that supposedly short discussion was over at that point but that wasn't the same for his brothers as he heard the older one asking him but this time directly.
"Why? Why wouldn't you accompany us? Mom and Dad would have never done this and now they aren't here because of y..."
Although Aruhik wasn't liking where this was going, he controlled himself from taunting them as he thought that his stupid brothers might not remember what he has told them before and that too more than once.
Therefore Aruhik interrupted his brother before he can complete the sentence that has been guessed even by me; and replied in a matter of factly tone while ignoring the last part.
"First, I am too young to attend the parent-teacher meeting in place of guardian; and second, that is the same school I attended before and on the papers, I am not in best of my condition to attend something like parents-teacher meeting..."
This time Aruhik got interrupted.
"So you are saying, we would be alone that day while watching every other classmate there with at least one of their parents or relatives? And why? Just because you don't want to again start attending the school?"
Now Aruhik understood, that his two brothers aren't that much of an idiot to not remember or understand the reasoning behind his actions, so his reply also took up a slight condensing tone as there was nothing to explain, and neither were they asking for it.
"Yeah, that is exactly what I am saying; also, as a matter of fact, I am really, really glad you two understood it so easily."
And this was the breaking point between them, as his two brothers leaped at Aruhik and after the first punch on his left shoulder, nothing else was left to be said between them and three of them began using punches, slaps, and kicks.
Quite obviously, being so weak none of them got any notable injuries; however, I also know for the fact that at least Aruhik controlled himself a little to avoid seriously hurting those two, even if by chance.
Although, being so weak, I don't think Aruhik would have been able to do anything ... no, his brothers are also quite weak, so yeah, he might have indeed hurt them significantly. But it is really difficult to predict what might have happened because ... at least for me, all three of them are so weak that I can't exactly tell much of a difference between them.
Anyway, after a very short fight, three of them separated, completely tired and somewhat bruised. His two brothers picked up school bags and went back to their room, and very soon Aruhik heard the crying sound of those two.
Normally, it isn't possible to easily hear the voice from the second floor where his brothers' room is which means those two were really giving their all in weeping; however, even after understanding it, Aruhik didn't pay any attention to them, after all, there is a limit to which he can bear with their stupidity and delusions.
From the start, both have been blaming Aruhik for everything they had to face; they blamed him for their parents' death even though both are intelligent enough to clearly recognize the fact that their cowardly parents have committed suicide.
They blamed him for their Uncle and Aunt becoming distant towards them and even though Aruhik has stated the reason behind their initial care multiple times, both are just unwilling to accept it.
They blamed him for not getting better food to eat, enough pocket money to spend, and other useless things although everything they have right now Aruhik earned it alone by himself. As for the option of a foster home, neither of the three are willing to let another stranger have control over them again.
Aruhik's two brothers have called him responsible for so many things that he doesn't even remember most of them by now. And as I had already expected, a time came when Aruhik reached his bearing point so much so he also wanted to cry out loud.
If it was me in Aruhik's place, I would have left those two long ago because they are just not worth all my troubles and stress; however, Aruhik didn't do anything like that, he didn't even cry, because he just isn't the one to give up halfway.
I really like this part of Aruhik, because once we find a goal it is like something within our instincts that makes us constantly push ourselves for accomplishing it. Obviously, it doesn't mean we are idiots who don't know when to give up; after all, one should know when efforts would be called hard work and when their work might turn into a waste of effort.
However, even though Aruhik didn't leave his brothers on their own, this event completely broke off whatever small part of the familial relationship was left between them.
From that moment on, Aruhik began taking care of his brothers only because of two reasons.
First, to complete the goal he has decided in front of his parents' grave.
And second, to prevent them from joining any foster home because if that happened he would also be found out and irrespective of wish would also be sent to a foster home or an orphanage.
*****
After Aruhik emotionally separated himself from his brothers, life became much easier for him.
Because once Aruhik stopped considering them as some close to him, he began treating them like he treats every other stranger he meets; whether they might be his work colleagues, his distant uncle and aunt, the buyers to which he sells those antique items, or the roadside strangers.
For the strangers, Aruhik has the habit of recording the way they talk, behave, their likes and dislikes, and their priorities as well as their goals, if they have any. And then depending on his observations as well goals, he will decide how to approach, talk, and make any demands or order them; also Aruhik is extremely good at it.
Aruhik is so capable in it that even though I am perfectly aware of how Aruhik works, once I meet him there is a very high chance I might do his bidding without even knowing when I did it.
For Aruhik, the only exception to this habit of his are those close to him; that is, those he considers important and part of his family; however, now there isn't a single person left that he can put in that group of his.
Therefore, once Aruhik began analyzing his brothers it became quite easy for him to make them work according to his demands; furthermore, all their complaints and accusations stopped having any major effect on him because he is fine it as long as they complete the required task and their complaints were mostly used by him in directing them towards what he wants them to do, so he didn't have much of a reason to be disturbed by their accusations anymore.
*****
After that incident, Aruhik life became rather smooth for the next few years; that is until he reached adulthood. Obviously, it doesn't mean he didn't face any problems after that, it is just that they weren't something he can't solve or haven't been through before.
Like the time one of his neighboring family discovered that there haven't been an adult living in their house for months. However, Aruhik already expected it to happen sooner or later after all even though houses in that area are relatively far apart from each other, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise if someone discovered that fact.
Actually, what gave them away was something Aruhik hadn't expected; it was the neglected big lawn around their house. That neighbor was waiting for an adult to come by and tell them to maintain the lawn but soon it was found that their current guardians, their Uncle and Aunt aren't living with them.
The neighbor already knew that their current guardians are those distant Uncle and Aunt of his, and thought that they are living here along with Aruhik and his brothers. Though this might have resulted in a lot of problems, it was resolved quite easily as Aruhik managed to 'explain' it to the neighbor.
Aruhik lied that his Uncle and Aunt are too busy with their so they generally meet around once a month and even with all this none of the three brothers want to live with strangers in the foster house where they would most likely be separated from each other.
No matter what his brothers thought they were intelligent enough to not deny Aruhik's words at that time, so the neighbor also thought that since the three brothers are happy it isn't their place to interfere with Aruhik and his brothers' life.
Fortunately, the neighbor wasn't aware of Aruhik's mental condition on paper otherwise it might have played out differently or according to Aruhik, there are chances that even after being aware didn't think about interfering.
Either way, that problem with the neighbor worked out and it resulted in that family occasionally helping them with some things like maintaining the lawn and inviting them once or twice a month for dinner or lunch.
This is just one of the many problems that Aruhik faced in the next few years; some of those were dealt with quite easily while some took too much effort and time.
Also, although quite rarely, Aruhik had to pay the losses when he failed to find a proper solution. Like the time when Aruhik noticed that his brothers' grades gradually declining and being left the proper studies himself for more than a year, he was incapable of helping them directly.
Therefore, upon completely failing in convincing his brothers to study by themselves, Aruhik was forced to look for external tutors and according to Aruhik, good tutors cost a lot of money.
*****
{POV Sitasia Valden Nox Chlannet}
After a few short and vague memories, another important memory appeared before; it is of the time when Aruhik finally reached the age of 16 years old, that means an official adult by the law.
However, when the memory started I was surprised to learn just how fragile Aruhik's body.
Since a few months ago, Aruhik's vision has been constantly deteriorating. When Aruhik became aware of it himself and found that he isn't even able to slow down the constant decline of vision by himself, he even went to a doctor; people who make ill people healthy.
But instead of getting his vision cured, upon further checkup, he was told that his vision isn't the only thing that is worsening; rather he was informed that many of his organs are in very bad condition due to the stress put over them, the doctor even asked him in both direct and indirect ways that what did he actually do to reach such a condition at the age of less than twenty.
Aruhik had to spend a lot of effort in order to convince that doctor that nothing strange is going on and he is just naturally weak; however, Aruhik himself was also quite surprised that how can he reach such a state because he has previously learned that effect of overwork is generally found on those above thirty years old.
Unfortunately, Aruhik was unable to get proper treatment because first, more than half of those can't be treated and can only be controlled from further worsening, and second, even these aren't cheap so he put it on hold, at least until he gets the assets.
Then the memory began blurring and became clear when it reached the scene Aruhik has been waiting for.
Aruhik thought that to complete the process getting control over the assets won't be easy and had taken many precautions for it.
However, and fortunately, it went over quite smoothly; or rather I would like to say that his preparations and precautions were quite effective. After all, months before Aruhik reached adult age he went through pages of rules to avoid messing up as although he believed that it is almost a fact that ultimately he will be getting the ownership, in case of a discrepancy it might get delayed for months.
Therefore, a couple of months before Aruhik became sixteen years old he discussed with his distant Uncle and Aunt that after two months they will stop getting money from him, to which they agreed after all they didn't have much of a choice; also with their help in return a not so small payment he even got the medical certificate which claimed him to be completely recovered and is in his best metal health.
After the inheriting procedure was complete, the very same day Aruhik applied for writing another legal inheritance document, which he had already made preparations for at the same time he prepared for his own.
*****
{POV Sitasia Valden Nox Chlannet}
In the next few memories, I got to know that Aruhik's life became much easier after getting control over his assets.
Money was indeed one of the reasons for it as by that time he had already sold many things in his house including all of those antiques because by now even I have learned that good education isn't cheap.
Especially when the one learning isn't trying good enough after all even after being decent enough they weren't good enough for a scholarship to at least slightly waiver their fees. Though I blame his brothers for not being good enough, Aruhik didn't because he believes that they are good enough for someone who is studying because of being partly interested and partly forced by him.
Still, leaving that aside, money is only half of the reason Aruhik's life improved; the other half is because his brothers suddenly stopped trying to counter him in almost everything and began following his advice to the words, which also includes trying much harder in their studies.
To be honest, I was quite surprised when I learned of this development but all that wonder was replaced by... frustration upon learning when and even possibly why they changed their behaviors.
Actually, their habit changed the very same day Aruhik informed them that both will be owners of half of all his properties upon turning sixteen and showed them the papers before putting them in the hidden locker.
However, unlike me who is frustrated and angry at the change in the behavior of those two, even after not experiencing it personally, Aruhik wasn't affected by it.
For Aruhik, the change in his brothers' behaviors was neither of good or bad surprise. For him, it was something natural that he already expected to happen, though he indeed didn't expect that his brothers would change their such an extent.
Aruhik believes this is exactly how people behave. According to Aruhik, because he decided to give all his properties to them, they returned his 'kindness' with obedience and polite speech as well as put him on their good person list while returning him the position of a caring elder brother.
I have once again confirmed, I really, really can't bring myself to like other intelligent species living in society, whether they belonged to my place or Aruhik's.
Anyway, after changing their behavior those two tried to repair their 'broken' familial relationship with Aruhik; however, they were completely unaware that for Aruhik, to begin with, there wasn't a relationship left between them that can be repaired.
I don't know how those two didn't understand this simple fact, but I already expected as well as hoped for this outcome because I don't believe they are worth Aruhik having genuine feelings for them.
*****
Aruhik's life was just getting better when another bad news reached him.
Actually, because his body condition wasn't giving him any major problems in anything other than eyesight, Aruhik ignored it, and it came back at him with severer consequences.
I don't know what exactly the liver, lungs, and kidneys are but I got to know from Aruhik that they are a must for his body to continue living. And, to both my and Aruhik's surprise all three organs inside him were in much worse condition than the last he checked.
Especially his liver, which according to the doctor has almost reached the stage were replacing it with another person's is preferable; well, I didn't know till now that one person can use another person's organs. However, the problem is that even if he agreed to spend that large amount on liver transplants by selling some of the properties he inherited not long ago, his body itself isn't in good enough condition to bear with organ transplantation.
Therefore, for treating his liver he first needs to treat at least some of his other illness, and even then his life can only be extended for around ten years; yeah, 10 years is longer than more than half of Aruhik's age but I still feel like ten years is just too short, not anywhere near enough for even one nap of mine.
Then there is still a significant chance of failure in the treatment.
And on top of all these, Aruhik calculated that the net expense would take around 90% of the properties he just inherited, and in case of any complications, it will only increase.
Therefore, after much thought, Aruhik decided to not go for organ transplantation and try treating it with medicine.
*****
Once again memories began blurring as nothing major happened for around next year except for the ups and down in Aruhik's health; there was also a sharp increase in his brothers' performance but I don't really have an interest in learning about it.
It was in these blurred memories I learned that during this time the older one of Aruhik's two brothers reached the age of sixteen and became the owner of half of the Aruhik's properties as well as chose something called Computer Science as the direction of his career and Aruhik believes that he is doing well enough in it.
As for Aruhik's youngest brother, he is still a year away from becoming an adult and is going to choose Business and Commerce as his career direction.
When the memory once again became clear, Aruhik was on a white bed and feeling quite weak; I was surprised to learn that the place was the hospital ward where he was admitted because he collapsed and lost consciousness while on his job in the Client Service section of a bank.
Even though it hadn't been even six months since Aruhik began working in this new job at the bank, it was his workplace colleagues that brought him to the hospital when he suddenly lost consciousness.
Well, unlike me, Aruhik has always been naturally good at dealing with new people and six months is already more than enough for most of his work colleagues to start treating him as a good friend.
That's why even before his brothers reached him and Aruhik woke up, they had already paid most of the expenses even for the after-emergency care.
Unfortunately, Aruhik had to soon leave that job along with all the other side jobs he has been working on because the very same day he got admitted, he also got the report about what happened.
Well, that report was very long as well as ununderstandable for laymen like me and Aruhik, but as Aruhik summed it up after listing to the doctors' explanation; in short, his body had reached the limit due to more than one reasons.
Therefore the occasional fatigue as well as other issues he has been facing till now, turned into permanent and he became so week that even maintaining consciousness became a problem for him.
But the most unfortunate part is that even with the medical support from his job as well as all of the inherited properties aren't enough to heal him from his now much worse condition; however, I soon got to know from his thoughts that he already expected it, just he didn't think it would happen so soon and suddenly.
Aruhik consulted his doctor about this before and expected that he should have been able to maintain that state of his for at least one more year; by that time even his youngest brother should have been able to get a stable path ahead of him just like the middle one.
However, Aruhik was never someone to wallow in setbacks; therefore, very soon he thought of the next set of actions. And that is being alive, conscious, and sane enough till his youngest brother becomes an adult.
Why? Because of two reasons.
First alive and conscious, because if Aruhik died early then his youngest brother won't have any control over the property even after inheriting it and he isn't sure if his other brother would surely help the youngest one with studies and other demands in that case; after all, even I am well aware of what those people wouldn't mind doing for money.
Second sane enough, because he learned that although his brain doesn't have a problem in itself, other organs in bad condition indirectly start affecting the brain and hence gradually reducing the intelligence.
And for someone like Aruhik who uses his brain much more than physical strength, this is one of the most horrifying things that can happen to him; well, this is horrifying enough even for me after all I can't imagine myself going back to being an idiot I was at the time of my birth.
*****
Once again time began passing fast in the memories.
I saw Aruhik getting discharged from the hospital to go back home and since he was advised to not move too much physically as well as get frequent rests, he had to leave all his jobs.
Though he did try picking up other jobs to indulge himself with something, his physical condition restricted him in all of that. Therefore Aruhik had to live an idle life for the next few days which really wasn't easy and even borderline torture for him, after all, he has been giving his all for years, and then he has been forced to just pass his days while not do anything.
In just within a few days Aruhik's frustration reached such a level that even his brothers noticed it as they soon recommended him to watch movies as well as play video games so he can have something to pass his time.
Therefore with nothing else to do, Aruhik first went to try the video game system he has 'gifted' his brothers in return for their good performance in the studies.
I also know what movies and video games are, though I have never seen it as Aruhik doesn't like to watch movies or play video games, I have learned about them from Aruhik's thoughts.
Movies are somewhat like the memories I am currently watching but are fake and contain much fewer details; while video games are movies whose stories can be controlled to some extent.
*****
More than a week passed since Aruhik tried video games for the first time, and I was able to read a very clear thought that has appeared in his mind since that day.
'Video games and movies can make people non-productive in a very short time and that too quite easily.'
I still do not understand how it happens though, after all, people would become like this only if they are not serious enough for their goals or as Aruhik puts it, 'Weak-willed people and those without a well-defined genuine goal easily waver from their path'.
Still, I have never actually experienced movies and games by myself therefore I don't exactly know why people get easily distracted but no matter what it is, I still believe in myself that I absolutely won't come out as someone weak-willed or the one without a clear aim.
Also, knowing so much about Aruhik, I can claim with confidence that Aruhik also isn't someone weak-willed or without clear aim; however, Aruhik genuinely didn't have anything major to do except for making sure that his youngest brother doesn't deviate from his path; therefore, he began investing himself in video games.
Though Aruhik started with video games, soon he also began reading and watching movies; just around three weeks after getting discharged from the hospital he got admitted again, and setting up the video game system there for such a short stay at the hospital was not practical so he had to look for something else to indulge himself with.
Time passed in the memory and although Aruhik had to deal with constant weakness and a few other occasional pain as well as increasingly weakening body, he did enjoy these times.
After all, Aruhik doesn't even remember when was the last time he has indulged himself in leisure activities continuously for even an hour, let alone for nearly a year.
However, as time passed in the memory and Aruhik's body grew increasingly weaker, my confusion also increased because there is no way Aruhik will die there as I know for a fact that I can somewhat sense the thoughts of current Aruhik.
Therefore, Aruhik's condition must get better around this time in the memories otherwise I don't think he would be able to live for more than a few days.
However, even till the end of memories, nothing like that happened, and just a couple of days after his youngest brother became an adult...
Aruhik was feeling completely relaxed because he has almost accomplished what he decided years ago.
At the same time, he was also thinking that whether his parent would show ashamed expression knowing that he achieved what they failed to do and escaped from it. However, as someone who can clearly sense Aruhik's thoughts, I can feel his actual desire is suppressed so strongly that even he isn't aware of it.
I can feel, that deep down Aruhik doesn't want to anything like humiliate his parents, rather he desires to hear from his parents that he has done well in the first thing goal he decided by himself.
Aruhik longs for praise from his parents as he can't even remember when was the last time he got their recognition for accomplishing something.
And it was with this very same thought that Aruhik closed his eyes, and soon after he closed his eyes both of us felt that he won't be able to open them again; I don't why it was but he just understood it wasn't a nap one can wake up from and through him I also felt.
And just like that, the memories abruptly ended with Aruhik's ... death.