"I always think about you and how we don't speak enough"

I have experienced what they called as an NDE, or "near-death experiences". And it happened a lot of times. I nearly died a few times, and lost count of the NDEs I've gotten myself into.

But, even if it's called NDE, there is no way "near" to it. People are always making up these weird terms, and I often question their 'big brain time' while creating such words.

But one word was created by my little brother, Thorn, and he made up the word "humogigantastic". I did not know how he did it, but he must've had been listening to Solar again with his 'smart babbles' again.

And guess what? It kept on coming.

"Gleeculous".

"Mood-sass-tic".

"Butt-supporter". (Although we knew he was referring to chairs for this word).

It annoyed Halilintar though, but Gempa, Blaze, and Ice didn't seem to mind with Thorn's slowly getting better with his vocabs---albeit slow yet steady for his pace. Gempa was even thinking of giving the green boyo a reward: Tok Aba's finest Cocoa Ice Cream! And it was indeed a happy moment for my little brother.

Heh, I was so proud of him. Even now, I still cannot forget that moment.

But, something else happened on that joyous and busy day, and night.

Since Tok Aba didn't feel well earlier in the morning and Ochobot had to stay back at home taking care of him, our grandad just told us to ensure everything at his Kokotiam was under control, considering it was on a Saturday. Surely, it was packed with people and customers came from all around the town and island just to taste of his cocoa beverages and meals.

Let's cut the chase to night-time, where everything was done for the day, and Thorn was at cloud nine for Gempa's treat, and Ice, in his usual state after finishing his shift---dozing off and was hiding in one of the lower cabinets of the kiosk (man, he's really flexible to sleep in such a small place).

We cleaned the place, packed things up, and were ready to go home. We woke the ice elemental up, and headed home after the hectic day spending at the park and Tok Aba's Kokotiam.

Now, earlier on I was talking about NDE, right? Well, here comes that part of the story.

Only, it's like, one moment Blaze, Thorn and I were running around and playing tag, and Gempa---as usual with his maternal instinct---kept warning us not to run in the middle of the road, and Hali, Ice and Solar kept staring and giggling at our playful antics; and the next thing I knew my vision was spinning, seeing black dots appearing in my sight.

But I did saw lights coming from up ahead, and then I found myself lying down on the cold, tarred road. At least, that's what I felt.

After my vision was clear, I got up with a little pain felt around my back, chest, and legs, observing the scene that happened to me and my brothers---which I did hope they survived from the accident, or whatever the heck happened to us.

I gazed at the wreckage---shattered glass, the crumbled doors, the front bumper clutching a tree in a dangerous embrace---wondering and prayed everyone, be it my brothers and the person or people inside the vehicle were safe and had gotten out.

I watched at the sight of my siblings trying to push the car away from the tree, and, they had tears running down their face?

I noticed Thorn wasn't around, and so I ran over to them and tried to help my bros pushed the red vehicle out of the way.

"Keep pushing, guys!" I heard a familiar voice yelling from a distance.

I turned to look over my shoulder, and the nature elemental . . . was there?

He was sitting on the other side of the street with a bleeding arm. And he had a long tear from his knee running downwards to his ankles for his left leg, blood still oozing out, creating a puddle of scarlet liquid nearly matching the colour of black tarred-road.

"Thorn?" I muttered, went after him. "Little bro, are you alright? Gosh, you're  bleeding terribly right now."

I started crying seeing how dreadful he looked like, but he wasn't responding to my voice and sobs. The impact must've had hit his head so hard he probably couldn't hear me.

"Thorn? Thornie, can you hear me? Thorn!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

But instead, he shouted back something that really surprised me: "He's probably down there! Come on, Taufan is dying from the squish!"

" 'S-S-Squish'? Thornie, I'm right here! Please, I'm right here! I'm beside you!"

"Hang in there, Taufan!---Taufan, we're helping ya out!---Upan, stay with us!---The ambulance's on their way here!"

The wrecked vehicle was pushed away from the tree, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing . . .

M-My body . . . It was lifeless . . . And crimson liquid soaked my clothes . . .

"Taufan! Wake up!" My twin brother screamed, giving CPR, and my body wasn't waking up. "Please, don't die on us!"

Solar checked for the pulse, guess he didn't know I was watching all of these happening in the moment.

I could only stare in disbelief, and looked down at the holes on my shirt and pants. It made sense with the sudden pain around my torso and legs.

Tears began streaming down my eyes, listening to the sounds of cries and sobs of my siblings throughout the night till morning came.

It's been five years of my passing, and I'm still lingering around on Earth, and my brothers are nearly in their 20s. It's not like I ain't resting in peace, but I just don't think it feels right to leave my family yet---yeah, not until I am satisfied being around them.

I sit around the living room, and so does the entire family. They're watching old videos of me and my brothers with our shenanigans. I hear sobbing from my four younger bros (with Blaze's head is placed on Ice's shoulder). I see Hali rubbing his eyes, angrily saying, "I lost a part of myself, Taufan. Why did you have to leave so soon?"

I never left, big bro.

I am still here.

But maybe never want to go anywhere . . . except this house . . . and for you guys.

Don't worry, Tok Aba, Ochobot, all six of my dear brothers---I'll be your guadian angel, and I'll show a little breeze of wind just to know that I am always here . . .

× × × × × × × ×

Betcha didn't expect that, huh? :'))

Also, I'm supposed to be doing my research proposal report but here I am writing something because it's emo time for meh :'P