I pressed my ear against the door, thankful that it wasn't soundproof. I could hear my twin's curses, followed by Papa's yells and Mama's soothing words. It was a hurricane in the study, despite the weather being calm and humid, at least that's what my brother told me. He traveled around the world on his precious vessel, and Papa and Mama did not take a liking to that. I loved my parents and my brother dearly, so it pained me to hear the fight.

My brother came home last night after his journeys across the seven seas. He never visited ever since he achieved his dream and left us all alone. I remember the day he left, not saying a word to any of us. I was not enraged by his actions, only miserable that he never gave us a second thought until recently. Mama's cries and the footsteps approaching me drew me back to reality.

I stumbled backward before he slammed the door, running his fingers through his messy, dark hair. It was unnatural seeing my reflection come back to life; not surprisingly, he was still the taller and more handsome one. I adjusted my glasses and cleared my throat, making him look at me.

Goodness, I missed those eyes.

"Do you need anything?" He spat in my face before straightening the wrinkles in his dark blue and white sailor's suit. 

"Is everything okay, brother? I heard the heated discussion, and I—"

"Whatever happened inside the study was none of your business." He must have been traveling a lot since our voices were practically the same, except now, he had a noticeable accent.

"I just want to talk to you," I pleaded. My pale hands were sweating profusely, and my mind was racing. I had no idea what to do.

"Why? Do you want to know about the various places I have been to," he responded swiftly.

"No, of course not. I—"

"So, you want to know about the ships I have sailed on?"

"I have no interest in that," I said as I crossed my arms. My brother always had a habit of beating about the bush; I always wanted to get to the point.

"Okay. Maybe I can—"

"Brother, I haven't seen you for the past ten years. I couldn't care less about the materialistic things you have seen and done. All I wanted to ask was your well-being," I snapped. He paled, and time seemed to stop. I was breathing heavily, unable to lower the speed of my racing heart.

He silently looked away.

"If you're not going to say anything, at least have a look at this present I made for you," I sighed. I walked towards the table and picked up an elegant box that fitted perfectly in my hands. I quickly noticed the dark ink on my pale blue shirt and shrugged.

"Why are you giving me this," he muttered, his eyes looking at the floor once again.

"You're going away again, and I wanted you to take something from us when you leave. I hope you like it," I gloomily replied. I know I can't stop my brother from pursuing his dreams, but at least I can give him something to remember about our family.

"Thank you." He smiled at me, but his face was blank. I waved my hand, hoping for a response. After a few seconds, he snapped out of his trance.

"Are you okay? Should I get some water?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I am so sorry, my dear brother."

He never spoke that way unless he was going to ruin something very dear to someone. I had no idea what he meant by that tone, but I quickly found out. He dropped his gift, shattering the box and its inner components. I could see the glass remains of my creation, the destroyed designs, the tainted green gem, and the pain in his eyes when I looked up. 

To rub more salt in my wound, he stepped on it, making sure every part broke. My eyes were watery, and soon enough, two twin rivers found their way on my face.

Throughout my childhood, my brother would protect me from the dangers of the world and would always wipe my tears before they fell. Today was different. My twin ruined my gift without a second thought; he committed a crime and didn't think of its consequences.

It took me seventy sleepless nights to find the perfect colors and markings for the compass. I took various appointments with artisans and sailors to get the proper materials for it. My brother kept drawing designs for a compass, and I thought this gift could make his vision a reality.

Didn't he know how much art meant to me? It was my entire world other than my family. Oh wait, he didn't even care; he was too wrapped in his own life to bother about his twin.

"You're a monster," I spat, clenching my fist. I pushed my brother away, almost tripping him. "I hate you!" 

My brother's expression changed drastically, and all the color drained from his face. He deserved it after what he did to me; I don't regret a single thing.

"I am just trying to protect you," he whispered, his teary, softened eyes looking at me.

"From what," I shouted, "I'm not a child anymore."

"From being the punching bag of your own family," he responded with a grimace. I was puzzled by his statement. What did he mean by that?

"I don't understand."

"Someday, you will."

"No, I want to know now." I never spoke that way to him before, and ignored the pain in my heart as I did so.

"Well, then allow me to tell you a story, dear Brother," he gestured to the chairs near us. 

"This better be a good one," I muttered as we sat down.

"Father and Mother appreciated my enthusiasm for sailing. They kept showing me the wonders of the deep sea and vast ships without knowing that I might consider a career in sailing."  He paused, overwhelmed with the past. All I could hear was his heavy breathing.

Why is he talking about Mama and Papa? They can't be the reason he is like this, right? My head began to pain slightly, and I gently rubbed my temples. My brother composed himself and cleared his throat. My questions will finally get an answer.

"When they wanted me to be an accountant, I was against it. I wanted to travel in uncharted waters, not sit behind a desk all day! I opposed their ways, and they ruined me." The tension in the air made me uncomfortable, and my twin prevented to sob.

"How did they ruin you," I hesitantly asked, my voice shaking from fear.

"They took everything that made me happy and threw it in the garbage. Do you remember the times when we were teenagers, and I barely left my room?" Of course, I remember; they were one of the darkest days I had.

"Yes."

"I had no motivation to do anything and wanted to give up on everything. After school, I realized if I wanted to be happy, I had to let things go. This reason was why I left as soon as I could. Brother, I don't want you to follow the path I took by chasing your dreams. They will lead you on, and you will never know what line they will make you cross. Get a proper job, a wife, earn well, and settle down. You will be loved by everyone, especially by Father and Mother," he cried and headed towards the door.

"Mama and Papa would never do that," I said, "They love you! Please stay with us!"

"Yeah, right. Father and Mother loved me. You don't have to defend them anymore. Now, excuse me, dear brother, I have a ship to set sail." He put on his sailor's hat and walked out the front door. I rushed behind him, desperately trying to get him back and to make him a part of our family.

"I love you, please don't leave," I screamed. I kept stumbling and tripping, but I never stopped moving. I can't lose my twin, not again. I kept chasing him, stopping for nothing, but then he vanished into the salty, thin air.

I was too late once again.