I don’t think I’d ever experienced fear like I felt it that night. It came out of nowhere. I was holding my little brother, Tobi, just to keep him from walking around, and then, he was gone.
I looked away for a moment, and then disaster occurred.
But let me start this from the beginning so it all make sense.
We typically don’t spend days out together as a family. Each of us has our hectic routines. My parents often work late into the evening. I’m either busy, with homework or looking after Tobi.
So, that day, we decided to go out together. Honestly, it was even quite pleasant. Tobi was clearly the happiest of all of us, running around and pulling my hand like I wasn’t much older than him.
"Always hold hands. Don't let go of each other." My mum kept on saying and I kept rolling my eyes, because I felt she was doing too much. I wasn't a baby. But I still listened because it was easier than hearing her say the same sentence a hundred times.
It was really fun. We had roasted corn, cotton candy and we even took pictures together.
Tobi and I went to get snacks again and he was talking nonstop about some balloons he saw earlier.
"Mira, balloons."
"No balloons." I basically turned him down. I let go of his hand just to get some cash from my bag, and I swear, that tiny action ruined me.
When I looked down again, his hand wasn't there. Tobi was gone.
I couldn't react. I didn't know how, my mind just shut down. I looked at my bare hand like an idiot, as if it could explain what just happened.
Tobi had disappeared. At that moment the panic overwhelmed me completely. My heart raced uncontrollably. My hands became clammy.
"Tobi?" I yelled, my eyes scanning through the crowd. There was so much people. Too many people. My palms got sweaty instantly, I hated that feeling.
"There you are. Where's Tobi?" Mum walked up to me.
"Mum, I can't find Tobi."
"What do you mean you can't find him?"
"H-he was here...and I just wanted to pay for the...he was just right beside me. I was just holding his hand and then...I don't know what happened." I stammered, I couldn't stop it. Mum's face changed so quickly.
"Okay, okay. Nobody panic. He can't be far. Let's look around." Dad assured, holding mum's shoulder.
I moved before they did. I started pushing through the crowd, trying to look in every direction.
"Tobi!" Too many people. It felt like everyone around me was trying to block my way on purpose.
I was about to cry. Different thoughts began rushing into my head at once.
'What if someone took him?'
"Tobi, no...please."
'Mira, balloons.'
"Right, the balloons." We had come across a stall earlier, he could be there. I rushed over without a second thought. He has to be there. He just has to be there.
"T-" just when I was about to call for him again, I saw him.
He was holding the hand of a young lady, his other hand held a balloon and was...smiling. Smiling like nothing happened, like he hadn't just come close to giving me a heart attack.
A surge of relief washed over me. I began to breathe more freely.
"Tobi!" I sobbed.
"Mira. Look, a balloon." He smiled at me innocently.
"I...was so worried. Why would you scare me like that?"
"He was standing alone. You shouldn't let a kid wander alone. This place is crowded, it's not safe. You should know that."
"I know, I know. Thank you." I said over and over again. "Don't do that again. I was so worried."
We walked back to mum and dad, mum held him so tight in her arms
Dad let out a sigh, that was the longest in the history of long sighs in my life. Like he'd been holding his breath the all along.
"Let's go home. I've reached my limit for the night." I didn't argue, just followed quietly.
"Well, crisis averted." Dad tried to lighten up the atmosphere and we laughed a little.
Yeah. Crisis truly, completely, thankfully averted.
Thanks for reading...
Image is mine.