I, close your eyes, while I hold your breath. You close your eyes; I'll sing you a lullaby, as the lemon tree drops its leaves. It will be just you and me, in this somewhat little garden…
"Eirikur, can you take care of yourself while I'm at school?" I asked as I run all over the house searching my clothes, they were still inside boxes and the house was a mess.
"Sure" was the simple answer given by my 12 year old little brother.
"What about the boxes?" I asked, finally spotting my white shoes "Don't worry; I'll stay at my room all day to avoid them."
And the missing thing: the white coat "Fine, just promise me that you won't try to unpack the boxes, 'kay?"
Usually I let him help me, help me with little things, "Já, I promise" he said with a little anger in his voice.
I hug him and kiss him on the forehead "Take care onii-san" he said.
I remember that the track from home to university was rather long, almost 2 hours or more and 2 buses to be there at 7:30 in the morning.
My brother was blind, and we lost our parents that summer, we lived with the money they left, I attended Medicine College because mom had insisted so hard on dad, in order that he paid the whole six years. Yes my parents were rich.
We were force to move to a smaller house a day before College started, don't ask me why I barely remember, after learning the whole human's anatomy I barely remember my own name, but what I do remember is the first day and the following ones of the premedic course….
It was the third or fourth time in the day for presentations, our anatomy professor, Doctor Arthur Kirkkland, was eager to hear from all of us three things: each ones full name, age, and excepting money, and the 'cuz I like it' answers why medicine? For the third or fourth time I heard the same answers in the same order, "because my grandmother died", "My dad is a doctor", "My mom, my dad, my aunt, my niece, my grandmother, and my cat are doctors", "I broke my leg and a doctor fix it" …and so on.
So on until it was his turn. "Hej everyone! I'm Mathias Køhler, I'm 19. June 5 if you wanna gimme presents." At this everyone laugh a little, Doctor Kirkkland clear his troath to get the attention back "And willing to be a savior of the broken, the beaten and the damned" then more than one burst out laughing. He gave me a grin before he took his place again. And the boring presentations went on…
I was the last one they were all tired of hearing the same, well with one exception… "Hei, Nikolai Andersen pleased to meet you, I'm 18 years old, and although I was never took to a parade, I feel interested in helping" No-one seem to catch the message, not even the professor, no-one but him, Mathias.
After that Doctor Kirkkland asked for work teams, and guess what?
That idiot came to me, followed by a girl with curly hair and a big pink rose barrette and a very tall boy with glasses. "Hej! I'm Mathias and this-"
"That's Elizaveta and the tall guy is Berwald, I have already heard that a couple of times" I said in a surprising annoyed way
"Yer a smart boy! Hey! By da way, wanna join?" He was really annoying at he beginning, but nothing could be done. I accepted.
As far as my memory can truthfully tell, our team had great differences, but worked well.
I remember Elizaveta as the talkative one, she was 27 and was living with a worthy man that gave her every single thing she wanted in life, money, clothes, cell phones, any new and awesome gadgets and love, that Roderich guy really loved her, she drove a red X-Trail. She had an awesome body and a cute face but she was crazy as hell. She would shout from time to time to take control over the situation, know that I come think of it, Liza was a very manipulative woman.
Berwald, on the other hand, barely talk. He was 28 and the oldest of the class. For an unknown reason Mathias and him never got along, they were always arguing about nothing. Usually Mathias got on our nerves, and Berwald couldn't stand him. He got us copies of various medicine books, lots and lots of freaking copies…
Mathias, the over social one, surprisingly was a very intelligent guy, his grades were always on the top. He was Mr. Sparkle, or so I thought…
"Hej Niko!" Mathias waved his hand at me.
"Hei Mat" I waved back, I had to run to join with him "Where's Eliza and Berwald?" I asked, we were supposed to do a team work after class.
"Eliza is talking outside with her boyfriend, Roderich, and Berwald went for something to eat with Tino" he said as he took off his cell phone to put some of his music on. I emitted a complaining sound. "What's wrong my Niko?" he asked as he playfully put one of his heavy arms over my shoulder. I simply push him "Stop it"
A new song started, "But Nikooo!" I push him again as the song got my attention "Sigur Rós?" I said in a whisper "You know them? They are my favorite band!" he said overjoyed "My little brother is a great fan as well". "Here listen, this is my favorite song!" He gave me his phone to see it read 'Gong'
"Don't you have 'Sæglópur'?" I suddenly turn up my face from the cell phone only to meet Mathias eager and sparkling eyes. "Is that your favorite?" he started searching on his phone, "No, it's my brother's…" I said a little sad remembering Eirikur all alone at home.
…"So what's wrong? My dear Niko?" he asked not in he's annoying way, but in rather decent and… concerned one.
As the song 'Sæglópur' played we took place on a bench that was under a lemon tree. There I let some of my worries out I told him about my sightless little brother, my parents and how difficult it was for me to attend school and babysit Eirikur, although he was a good kid the whole time.
'Gong' played again and he confessed me something, "I thought you weren't like his, I mean, you are always so sarcastic, to find out the broken side, your broken side, I was… even a little… jealous…!"
I was incredulous "YOU! The oh so perfect grade guy?"
Mathias wrap an arm around me, only to pull me on a strong embrace. "Well yes. You know? I came here to live at my uncle's home just because I belief I could reach my dreams without a motivation"
"And is it working?" At his point a new song I have never heard before started
Blá nótt yfir himininn
blá nótt yfir mér
Mathias was silent for a moment "I… don't know" was his quiet answer
horf-inn út um gluggann
minn með hendur
faldar undir kin
"Then, just call my awesome name and I'll help you"
hugsum daginn minn
í dag og í gær
"Some bucks would be greatly welcome too" I added, and then turn to have a sight of Mathias wild grin
"Ya lil bloody comic!" Mathias replied messing up my hair
I smiled back.
blá náttfötin klæða mig í
beint upp í rúm
breiði mjúku sængina
loka augunum
The wind blew gently, moving the trees branches, some lemon leaves fall over us.
ég fel hausinn minn undir sæng
starir á mig lítill álfur
hleypur að mér en hreyfist ekki
úr stað – sjálfur
starálfur
Mathias strong embrace was overprotective. I felt that in those arms nothing could actually hurt me.
opna augun
stírurnar úr
teygi mig og tel (hvort ég sé ekki)
kominn aftur og alltalltílæ
samt vantar eitthvað
eins og alla vegginna
Jus Close My Eyes a lil Elf would take care of me...
