Destroyed

Galant Virendra never thought in his life he would be buffeted by a storm once again. Turning his life around, destroying everything until only debris remained. How could Galant have continued his life, if the pedestal and cause for him existed in this world had died?

Even though it had been a week, Galant was still devastated. It was hard for him to bounce back, no strong hand grabbed him anymore. Strengthening himself from the abyss of grief. What happened to the universe? Why happy just stop for a while? Gray again enveloped him and seemed reluctant to run.

What sins Galant had committed until he was stabbed with the pain of loss.

Galant breathes in the beach air in the morning. The cold that pierced the surface of his skin he ignored, because it was not comparable to his heart freezing when the ordeal greeted him without permission.

The sand attached to his fingers due to the original kicks on the innocent beach sand channeled the emotion he let out, long making him uncomfortable.

"If I drown there. Does anyone care? Will the problem be solved?" muttered Galant covered in the sound of strong winds.

Galant forgot how many hours he had stood in silence. Looking at the blue sea laying out in front of him, with waves occasionally sweeping across Galant's feet.

Galant finally got out of where he stood, left a little weight on his shoulders and he wished it happened. It's not just his hope.

Galant did love the quiet atmosphere of the beach, but he hated the cause of him being here for hours pondering with full thoughts in his head. Hated by the circumstances in which his father has left Galant alone in this world to deal with the rigors of life alone.

Galant was sad because at the last moment his father was gone, and he and Arghi could not be present by his side. Seeing the last second of his father's life because his father was exposed to a virus that even Galant could not approach an inch even to come to the hospital at that time, all he could do was cry in the room in the pouring rain without anyone hearing his screams.

***

"I'm home." There was no reply from inside the house that greeted him. Just arms and quiet make Galant's chest cavity feel tight. Galant called out, "Arghi?"

Galant traced the sizable two-story house, frantically searching for Arghi's room upstairs. Arghi had long since moved downstairs to make it easier for him, but he refused wordlessly and was silent the entire time. Galant kept screaming hoping to get an answer about his whereabouts. However, Galant should more than know that Arghi won't answer him, and also he has settled in his room for a long period to snuggle up about his current state.

When Galant opened the door quickly in Arghi's room, he found his best friend standing grasping the balcony wall and staring straight ahead with a strong wind flying the curtains hanging from the window. Then within seconds, Galant's eyes widened as Arghi's legs moved to lift the balcony.

Galant darted towards the balcony with a feeling of guilt that quickly enveloped his chest. He pulled Arghi's icy arm to re-enter the room and closed the door tightly. Galant didn't know how long his best friend had been standing there. "What are you doing there, Arghi?"

Arghi just silently stood stiffly before Galant, somehow Galant felt Arghi's slightly hunting breath. Galant didn't get an answer, but Galant's hand on Arghi's arm was roughly edged by him.

Arghi instead darted lying on the mattress, wrapping his entire body in a blanket and there was no movement there anymore.

Galant exhaled a rough breath, his eyes feeling hot staring at the thick lump of the blanket in front of him. Galant regrets saying it, suicide is prohibited. No matter how much trouble and suffering hit him, there will never be any justification for this heinous thing.

Perhaps Galant's pain was not worth all the suffering that hit Arghi recently. Perhaps Galant selfishly thinks he's the one who has a problem as big as the ocean that he has to endure and solve. Not that it wasn't Galant, but Arghi.

"Our Arghii does not have to drag on in grief. I'm here, Arghi. You're not alone anymore," Galant said slowly, he didn't want to misspeak or everything would be ruined. "Arghi, we can start everything from scratch."

There was no response from Arghi. Like being pierced by thousands of invisible needles, seeing the lump of the blanket that was just silent without any movement.

How could he think of ending his life and assume that he had already lost his pedestal? There is still Arghi in his life. The only Galant family, someone Galant cares about most after he recently lost his father. How arghi would go on without Galant. His best friend had been there in his life for a long time, why couldn't Galant be like him? Who is always strong to live life.

"We may be sad and disappointed, but life has to go on," Galant said at the end.

"Shut up, and go," Arghi hissed submerged under a blanket. Galant gasped slightly, unsure what Arghi's words hurt his feelings.

"Arghi, you haven't eaten since last night," Galant recalled. He grimaced a little before this happened, Arghi was the one who always did it.

However, there was no more answer that Galant received. Perhaps, when Galant sheds a tear once again Arghi won't know and care anymore. Does Arghi now stop caring about the surroundings? Even on his own?

"Arghi has to eat," he said in a low tone. "I can deliver food for my brother now. We can—."

"I am blind, not paralyzed. Get out of here!" cut Arghi in a sharp tone that muffled his thick blanket.

Galant was eager to take the blanket and shouted anything to resuscitate Arghi not to do something in vain like this. That Arghi was not alone there was Galant to share his suffering. There's Galant ready to do what Arghi wants, being his shoulder to lean on. Wasn't that also what Arghi did when Galant's mother died first.

"If your attitude continues like this, I will give up on the situation," Galant said, sure Arghi heard it clearly and hoped his words were about Arghi's heart.

Galant looking up at the ceiling of the room wouldn't let the tears fall back. He rose to his feet, glancing once more at Arghi who was lying under the blanket and Galant passed away.

***

Galant's night is not the same anymore, since one week ago. He usually falls asleep right after dinner and does his schoolwork, but this time not. Galant looked only at the night sky without stars. He felt small and lonely. Galant was at a loss to have to do let alone after this, he felt his life's purpose in the world had now changed.

Galant gasped when he heard the sound of broken ceramic items. He immediately stood up from his seat ignoring his sudden blurred gaze. Out of the room, Galant found nothing, he ran towards Arghi's room with his heart pounding faster. Galant opens the door of Arghi's room to find that his best friend is not there.

Galant's eyes twitched restlessly, his expression instantly hardened he shouted out to Arghi in frustration. Galant didn't want the same thing to happen again.

He roamed all the upstairs, but Galant found nothing. When Galant reached the stairs, his legs stopped with his body like on a nail where he was now. The memory of that day, which Galant wanted to forget again, opened wounds that hadn't even dried up yet.

Galant became claustrophobic with his heated gaze. As his body was about to fall to the cooled floor.

"Arghi?" lied Galant quietly with his trembling voice.

Because just below the stairs, lay Arghi who was just silent with his head flowing blood between pieces of large jar fragments that were shattered into pieces.