A BITTERSWEET BOND

Navigating the Rollercoaster of Siblinghood

By Naim Aiman / 21 February 2024

 

siblings, brother, bittersweetBrotherhood: Two souls, one bond, endless adventures.

  • Explore the highs, lows, and unbreakable bond of brotherhood as two siblings journey through life’s trials and triumphs.

Brothers… Quite the complicated yet so bittersweet term. They could either be your best friend or your biggest enemy. My brother, on the other hand, has somehow managed to become both. 

So, what does having a sibling mean to me? 

Siblinghood is the unique bond shared between brothers and sisters, a connection woven with love, support, and the shared journey of growing up together. 

My brother is five years older than I am. Yes, we do have those occasional disputes, but it never lasts. We were raised the right way. Siblings, whether a brother or a sister, will always have their quarrels, but what matters most is what happens after. 

My parents taught us both that no matter how much we argued, all the times we said we hated each other, and all the nasty things we said, we were family at the end of the day, bound by our shared bloodline and so much more.

Now, let’s begin this adventure by giving you a sneak peek of the crazy rollercoaster that is my brotherhood. Imagine a combination of intense confrontations, impromptu adventures, and heartfelt moments that illustrate my relationship with my elder brother. We’ve been each other’s ride-or-die companions through everything from outdoor shenanigans as kids to figuring out adulthood. Imagine endless gaming sessions, spontaneous road trips, and meaningful conversations under the stars at night. So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an exciting voyage through the ups and downs of siblinghood!

 

The Carefree Days

bittersweet Pokok.AsiaTwo peas in a pod, starting our journey side by side, with a lifetime of memories ahead.

Reflecting on my earliest memories of growing up with a sibling, particularly an older one, brings me back to the carefree days when my brother and I used to play together. I vividly recall my younger self having the time of my life, running around the garden of our house, playing games, screaming in joy, and causing a ruckus.

Oh, what I’d give to relive those carefree days, even if just for a moment. However, times change. Fast-forward to the present and I find myself hardly spending any time like that with my brother anymore. He’s got his commitments, and my schedule is often packed.

Adulthood and responsibilities have taken over our lives. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, I haven’t forgotten the memories we’ve created. Occasionally, we find the opportunity to spend quality time together, and even when we can’t, I always cherish the memories from the past.

Through thick and thin, my brother remains my best friend, my partner in crime, and one of the most trustworthy people in my life.

Allow me to share some of the highs and lows of our brotherhood, the tough times, shared laughter, and a few favourite memories that hold a special place in my heart, all contributing to the unique bond I have with my brother.

I’d like to begin with something that happened many years ago. While I can’t pinpoint the exact time, I know it was before I turned ten. As a very young child, I possessed the biggest ego, feeling like I was on top of the world. I genuinely believed I could do as I wished, being the youngest child between the two of us.

For context, my parents treated us equally, dismissing the concept of having a favourite or golden child. However, as is often the case with the “babies of the family,” we seemed to always get our way, didn’t we?

 

Bittersweet Battles, and Reckonings

Being the spoiled child I was, I often got into arguments with my brother, mainly over the littlest things that looking back at today, seem like the most unreasonable arguments.

However, this one particular disagreement that I remember gives me this very bittersweet feeling whenever I think about it. I believe it was just me being unreasonable again and entitled over something like a game. It was truly a small matter, but some horrible words were exchanged, things I regret saying, then one thing led to another, and my brother and I ended up completely avoiding each other for about a week or so.

I will admit that I didn’t care too much for it at the time, once again, having so much pride. Though, there was a certain feeling of emptiness, not having my best friend by my side.

But what exactly was the sweet part of this bittersweet moment for me?

The thing I remember clearly and the most from that incident was what my parents taught me. Both my mother and father reminded me of the importance and significance of family. Being a close-knit family of four, they wanted me to understand that having fights and whatnot was completely normal among siblings, but what matters most is how we handle it afterwards.

Their lesson for me to learn, which was mentioned before, and is something that I hold dearly is the reminder that no matter what happens, my brother is my brother. We are and always will be family, and nothing will ever change that. Family is meant to stick together.

From then on, my brother and I slowly began to repair our relationship and reconnect. I was still young, meaning I had much to learn, but after I apologised for what I’d done, my brother being far more mature than I was, understood everything.

 

From Backyard Adventures to Virtual Realms

Moving onto arguably my favourite moment; rather, moments much later in life — our shared interests.

Among the many shared interests we have, such as football or cars, I’ve chosen to talk about the times we play video games together. It may not be the most special thing in the world to most, but to me, it allows us to bond and relive those days of playing in the garden, only this time on computer screens. The screaming, shouting, and laughing truly take me back.

Both my brother and I love playing video games. To us, it serves as many things. It could be a platform to socialise with friends and have a good time, and sometimes it both causes us to be stressed and relieves that stress. It depends if we’re winning or losing.

My brother was the person who introduced me to video games. We started off playing titles like Call of Duty, and I enjoyed it. For years and even today, it’s been a way for us to connect in our free time. It’s just a way that we can do something together without having to leave the house.

 

Moonlit Memories

Now, an instance I’ll never forget – the unexpected road trip I took with my brother.

I remember two years ago, in 2022, my brother and I were sitting at home, bored with absolutely nothing to do. It was pretty late at night, but we weren’t tired, so we thought of just going for a drive, which we did.

However, the unexpected part came when we were just driving around the empty roads of Kuala Lumpur, sightseeing and admiring the city lights. Out of nowhere, we came up with this idea to drive up Genting, but only as a joke. My brother, who was driving as I didn’t possess a license then, was up for it.

So around one in the morning, we ended up in Genting. We still had nothing to do as most places were closed, but it was just the ambience, the experience, and the vibes. We sat there for hours, had a couple of deep conversations, and bonded over the experience.

Again, I know it doesn’t sound like much, but going for late-night drives is therapeutic for me. It feels relaxing and calming, and it’s fun if I have nothing to do. Now that I have my driver’s license, I have the freedom to do it more often and sometimes my brother tags along, while other times it may just be my friends and me. I suppose this would be my form of “healing,” as most people like to say.

 

Our Unbreakable Bond

bittersweet Pokok.AsiaFrom tiny tots to forever friends: where mischief began and brotherly love knew no end.

In the end, as I reflect on the journey through the highs and lows of my bond with my brother, it’s clear that our connection goes beyond the ordinary. The bittersweet memories of childhood disagreements, the warmth of shared interests, and the unexpected road trips all contribute to the unique relationship we’ve built.

The relationship between us has changed over time. Our carefree selves have grown up to be responsible adults navigating the challenges of adulthood. Our relationship is still guided by our parents’ lessons, which include the value of reconciliation and their steadfast belief in the importance of family, even in the face of the difficulties and responsibilities that come with maturing.

Our mutual passion for video gaming serves as a link between our hectic schedules. It gives us a virtual place to interact and spend time together, bringing back memories of our childhood, when we used to play outdoors.

We are not limited to the past; our brotherhood’s story is still being told today. Drives in the middle of the night are now seen as a therapeutic way to escape the stresses of daily life. These times, whether it’s just my brother and I alone, or occasionally with others, serve as an escape from the struggles of daily life.

I will always cherish our unplanned road trip to Genting as a sign of spontaneity and shared experiences. I enjoy spending time together in the calm of the night, in the glow of the city lights, and having meaningful chats. It’s not about big gestures, but about just being there and making memories that last long after the trip is over.

As I wrap up our tale, I can’t help but be grateful for our relationship’s enduring quality. Together, brothers, armed with our special combination of empathy, encouragement, and common experience, we weather the ups and downs of life. For me, my journey perfectly captures the essence of being a sibling: it’s a path filled with learning, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bond of family.

 

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https://pokok.asia/home-where-memories-begin/

HOME, WHERE MEMORIES BEGIN

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