Later that day, mom called Nick home for dinner. I am somewhat relieved that mom was helping me in bridging the gap between us, which I created because of my stupidity and insecurity. I don't know what I would have done without her help.

I am following mom everywhere, just like a duckling follows its mother.

Glancing at the clock, I figure it is almost time for dad to come home. Not even a few minutes later dad enters the house, instantly I feel like losing all my bravery. As one look at my dad and I want to crawl back into somewhere and not to come out ever.

I am having the same feeling which I used to have when I had to show my report card to him.

Mom encouragingly pats my shoulder and gives me a reassuring smile. Dad notices our exchange and looks at mom. Silent communication is passed between them and a second later he glances at me as if he is waiting for me to say something.

Taking a deep breath, I walk to dad. Standing in front of him, I just don't know what to say, how to apologize to him. While I am not able to speak anything, it feels like with my hearing ability at this moment I have even lost my ability to talk.

I look at him, silently, as tears begin to gather in my eyes.

Opening and closing my mouth a few times, my shoulders slump in defeat, as dad expectantly stares at me.

Giving me a small smile, he gently pats my cheek understanding my unsaid words, mouthing. "It's okay."

My gaze falls to the ground in shame for the hundredth time.

"I am sorry, dad." I envelop him in a hug and instantly he returns my hug.

"My son." He pulls back for a moment, then hugs me again fiercely and even I return his hug with the same fierceness feeling happy to have him back as I have thought with my outburst I have lost him. All his emotions are visible in his eyes.

Mom taps on my shoulder with a tear-filled smile and points at the door, where Nick is standing.

Nick glares at me, while I notice his red-rimmed eyes and dark circles under them.

"You owe me an apology, but don't you think that I will forgive you so easily." Clenching his jaws, he just talks to me using signs.

Quickly I go to him and holding his hand I raise it to slap myself, but he quickly pulls back.

"Slap me as hard as you can. Slap me and release all your anger on me, but after that, I need my friend back."

"Do you know how much you have hurt me? You are my brother how can you think I don't understand your pain?" His hand movements are shaky, as he is controlling himself not to cry.

"How can you think that we look at you any differently after your accident?" He throws his hand up in frustration.

"You are still the same for us. You are still that Jason, the same bastard whom I have known all my life, just you need to understand this thing. Your hearing disability can't lessen our love for you." He points at his ears. "So instead of keeping everything inside, talk to us. When you feel down, or need someone to share your feelings, come to us. We will always be there for you. But don't be a jerk to us."

Then suddenly he slaps me, making me hold my stinging cheek as I watch him with an open mouth completely in shock.

"I can't pass your offer to slap you. It was too much tempting." He shrugs smirking.

And with that, I know everything between us is back to normal.

There is only one person left without whom my life is incomplete, who has been deeply affected by my words.

Caleb.

We are sitting in the living area as dad discusses possible ways from which my hearing might be restored. This talk is normal in our household, if somebody tells dad, about something that might help me in gaining back my hearing then he starts searching for it. Although he has been unsuccessful, he is still not ready to lose hope.

Yesterday, I realized one thing, getting my hearing back is important for me. However, it is not nearly as important for me as much as my family is. I may not ever regain my hearing, and somewhere I am fine with it, as long as my family is with me.

A little later, Caleb walks inside the house and heads straight for his room without even responding to mom's call.

Irritatingly she shakes her head while muttering something and stands up to follow him to his room, but holding her arm I stop her.

"I will go and talk to him." Nodding my head at them, I walk towards his room.

Knocking on his door twice, I wait for ten minutes before letting myself in.

Carefully, I further walk inside his room, as half of his room is trashed.

Somebody is really pissed.

I watch Caleb perched over his desk, as he feverously draws something. Whenever he is angry or upset, he either breaks something or immerses himself in drawing.

The way he is moving the sketch pencil across the paper, it is clear that he is venting out his anger on the paper.

His tense shoulders and stiff back shows that he knows that it is me, but he continues to ignore me as he keeps on drawing.

Taking a deep breath, I place a hand on his shoulder and immediately the angry scrawling of the pencil, across the paper, stops.

He clenches the pencil between his fingers so tightly, for a moment, then drops the pencil altogether.

His action shows how much my presence is hurting him... because of the venom-filled words of mine.

He turns to face me, giving me a clear view of his eyes in which there is nothing but pain.

"Do you really hate us, Jason?" He signs to me, even before I can speak. "Tell me, do you really hate me?"

"No, buddy." I quickly shake my head. "I can never hate you." I try to put my hand on his shoulder but he pushes my hand away, turning his face to another side.

"Yesterday, I was not thinking straight." I run a hand through my hair feeling my throat constricting with emotions. "I said things which I should have never said." I again raise my hand to reach him but then I let it fall down on my side, knowing I will get the same reaction from him.

"It is not easy to come to terms with the fact, that you have lost something as essential as hearing. Since the day I have woke up from the coma, I am trying to deal with this. Somewhere there was anger slowly building up inside me, and yesterday I guess I had a breaking point. That resulted in me in voicing my insecurities and without even realizing how much my words will hurt you guys, I lashed out on everyone." I sigh loudly and close my eyes recalling the way I reacted yesterday, not even once thinking about the hurt I might be causing everyone.

"I am sorry." I look into his eyes as a rueful smile settles on my lips.

When I am sure I would not get any response from him, I am tackled down on a floor as he lunges at me, completely taking me by surprise.

As soon as a punch hits me in the side, I come out of my shock. Grunting in pain I push him off of me, but he again hits me in the jaw.

A string of curses leaves my lip, thinking when did this little shit become so strong.

"Stop it, Caleb!" I try to block his hits while trying to remove this asshole off me.

Damn, where in the hell he has learned to punch like this.

Does he even realize that I am his brother? Because of the way he is hitting I have strong doubt that he does.

"I hate you." He yells at my face and shoves me hard while he rubs his eyes with the back of his hand.

Again without a warning, he wraps his arms tightly around me, and automatically my arms hold him, his body starts to shakes in silent sobs.

His hold on me is painfully tight, but I don't care.

Tears gather in my eyes, as I lightly pat his back as he cries in my arms. He might have grown up in height, but still, he is my baby brother whom I used to hold when he cried at night. He is still that kid who looks up to his big brother, and I promised myself at that moment that I will not let down him ever again.

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Thank you for reading.