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LEAH&GERALD’S UNIT**
“How should we play this?” Leah asked.
“I ha…have an idea” Gerald responded
“Go on”
“Let’s…Let’s… count the num…numbers on the pla…playing cards. The one with the lesser number is the lo…loser” He replied.
“Okay” She muttered and looked at her cards. There were lesser numbers ranging from 1-5
“Gerald, I love you” She thought and a tear dropped down her left eye.
He didn’t see the tears because she was covering her face with her cards.
“Lets count, Gerald”
“Okay” He nodded.
Gerald knowingly dropped some of his own cards down.
Yes, Gerald understood the game rules but pretended he didn’t.
He pretended not to pay attention when his mind was actually there.
“I’ve counted mine” Gerald broke the deep silence.
“How many…did…did you get?” He batted his long lashes.
“How many did you get?” Leah asked back.
“I asked first” Gerald giggled
“Hmm..Indeed. Okay. Mine is 19”
“Wow. Too small” Gerald shook his head.
“That mine,,,19. I’m the loser. Too bad” She forced a sweet laugh.
“Mine…Mine is actually smaller” He smiled at her.
Leah eyes blinked fast.
“What do you mean? How many did you get?” She asked, collecting the cards from him.
“Just 10” He muttered.
“10? Gosh. But why? Wait…Why do you have only 5 cards? Where are the remaining 15?? Where are they, Gerald!!” She barked.
“Gerald…Gerald doesn’t want a shouting sister. It…It scares Gerald” He teared up.
Leah quickly stood up and held his collar.
“Where! Is! Your! F*cking! Cards!!!”
She looked down and saw the cards on the floor.
“What’s your problem?? Gerald!! What’s wrong with you?” She asked, and rubbed her teary eyes.
“Pick them up and recount. It more than 10” She pointed a finger at him and went back to her seat.
“No. Its 10” He shook his head, picked them and tore the cards to her face.
“What!!! No!! No!! What have you done?? What have you f*cking done??!” She cried, and rushed to him.
“Gerald. You can take mine. Take my cards. Okay?,,, So,, now, I’ve 10 and you’ve 19. You like big things, right?” She nodded, holding his both shoulders.
“Yes, I like big things” He giggled.
Leah rubbed his cheeks.
“Then,,, take mine,, huh?”
He shook jhis head.
“What’s wrong? Why not? Don’t you like bigger things? Mine is bigger than yours?”
“I like bigger things but,,, I love Leah. I…I wanna protect Leah. I’ve never protected Leah before. But Leah always protects me. I…I wanna protect you” He looked at her, teary eyed.
“You…you got the game rule?” She muttered.
He nodded, quietly. written by sommy pearl f.
“Have you gone crazy?? Do you wanna díe!! You might get eliminated!”
“But…Leah…Leah wanted to díe for me. Why? Have…Have you gone crazy?” He asked.
Leah scoffed and inflammation left her nose.
“Yes. Leah has gone crazy. She has done lot of crazy things for me..” Gerald whispered.
**FLASH BACK**
HOME**
“So, Gerald? What do you wanna be in future?” His mother asked, looking at him.
Leah was adjusting her work dress. She’s actually a nurse. She stared at Gerald who was busy watching TV, immersely.
“Mum is talking to you” Leah snapped.
Gerald didn’t still respond.
“Gerald?” Leah scowled.
Gerald finally turned and looked at them.
“Didn’t you hear Mum? She asked what’s your dream? Don’t you have one?” She muttered.
“I do” Gerald smiled.
His mother beamed.
“So,,, Tell me….What’s your dream?”
“I…I…” He talked, blinking his eyes at each point.
“I…wanna be…a- He paused and pointed at the bright TV screen
Leah looked at it.
“Basketball player?” Leah asked.
“Yes” He nodded with a smile. written by sommy pearl f.
Their mother laughed warmly and went to him. She hugged Gerald close to her chest.
“I’m glad you’ve a dream. Just knowing that makes me happy. I’ll root for you. You can do this!”
“I can do this!” He sqeaked, childishly and smiled.
“I’m late for work. Bye” Leah said, and left.
“Bye…Leah. Bye” He waved.
THAT NIGHT**
“Mum!! Mum!! See!!!” Gerald jumped into the kitchen.
She looked at him and he shoved a big basketball ball to her face.
“Gosh. Who bought it for you?” She asked, surprised.
“Me” Leah came into view, with a warm smile on her beautiful face.
Her mother smiled back at her.
“Back from work already?”
She nodded.
“How was the hospital?”
“Hectic” Leah replied, with an eye roll.
Her mother came closer and hugged her.
“Thank you, Leah” She muttered, rubbing her back.
“Its fine, mum. Besides, he’s my brother. I should always care for him”
Her mother broke the hug and Leah looked at Gerald.
“Guess what?” She asked.
“What?” Gerald asked back.
“I talked to the basketball coach on my way. I registered you via proxy and he said you can stand tomorrow if you want” She smiled.
“Yipeee!!” He jumped, holding the ball close to him.
“Tha…Thank you, Leah” He stuttered.
“You’re welcome. Enjoy. You deserve it”
“I want to go. Mum. Leah. I…I want to go tomorrow”
“Okay then. I’ll drop you there tomorrow. Let board the earliest bus”
“Okayyyy!” He exclaimed, joyfully.
