Sinbad, this is Crystal.

Chapter 19

Sinbad packed his last outfit into his suitcase when Ja'far walked in. 

"Sin, everything's set for tomorrow."

"Great, thanks Ja'far."

"Of course."

Ja'far looked at Sinbad. His face seemed pensive and distant. He was thinking about something. Something important. It seemed to bother him a little bit.

"Is something on your mind?" Ja'far asked. He walked over to Sinbad's side. 

Sinbad sat down on the bed, plopping next to his plump suitcase and sighed. Maybe it would be good to get this feeling off his chest. 

"Do you feel like...I don't know...that I'm mistreating Crystal?" he hesitantly spoke.

Ja'far doubled back. He'd expected Sinbad to maybe pose a question on the affairs meant to take place in Balbadd or perhaps a business matter with the trading company. But Crystal? She was like family to him, to everyone. 

Ja'far was impressed Sinbad was able to open up as easily as he did. Internal conflicts plagued him from within, which is where he generally decided to keep them.

"What makes you say that, Sin?"

"I don't know, it's just that I'm getting the feeling she doesn't want to be here anymore. In Reim, with the trading company, us. Me."

"Why?"

"When I first met her, we were both orphans. I dragged her into this entire ordeal when she had nothing to lose, so she chose to tag along. Now that we've grown so much from that time, I feel like somehow I'm holding her back. She's been with me through everything on this journey, from the very beginning. I can't imagine fulfilling my dream without her with me, but I don't know if that's what she wants."

"Sounds like you really care about her, Sin."

"And I do! But that's not enough for her to convince her to stay with me. I mean, without her, I might not have ever made this far. I know for a fact I would have surely gone insane on that boat, wading days in and out until we reached Imuchakk. And meeting you..."

"She's been like a sister to me. Taking care of me, going out shopping and exploring with me and the rest of the crew."

"Is that really what she wants though?" He tugged at his hair. "Or is it just that she's only doing these things because I'm keeping her here? What if she wants to explore something else?"

"Why don't you ask her?"

Sinbad threw his head back against a pillow as Ja'far sat on the foot of the bed. 

"I'm scared of the answer."

"What made you even think of this?'

"When we first got the invitation to go to King Rashid's party," Sinbad explained. "I wanted her to come but when I asked, she seemed so uncertain."

"There's no doubt Crystal's been exceptional when running the company, and she's helped out everywhere and everyone."

"I know!" Sinbad exclaimed. "All she's done is to help me, to support me! I haven't done enough for her."

"So that's what you're really scared about. You think you're not paying her back for all the times she's helped you out."

"I feel like I don't deserve her. She's just always been there, and I don't thank her enough for it."

Ja'far couldn't help but smile. Sinbad talks about Crystal in a way he's never spoken of anyone before. There's this gentleness whenever he says her name and the far off look he gets when he's thinking of her is all the proof Ja'far needs to know that Sinbad loves Crystal. Ja'far wondered if Sinbad knew that too. 

But of course Sinbad knew. He didn't know when this had begun with Crystal, maybe since the first day they'd met. Yet he's only now discovering these feelings for her. He's met plenty of girls, and yet only she makes him feel this way. Like he truly can do anything. It was only a dream in his head but she somehow made it real in the best way possible.

It only made him feel worse about his own guilt.

"We're going to Balbadd tomorrow," Ja'far said, "Maybe during the party or the week we stay there, you could tell her."

"What would I even say?"

"Everything that's on your mind. Sinbad, we follow you not for the riches or fame or glory. We follow you because you're our leader and we believe in your dream and we know you are the one to make it so. Crystal probably feels the same way."

"Maybe."

~

The day rolled around for Crystal, Sinbad, and Ja'far to set off on their journey. Bags were packed, plans were made, and everyone was gathered and ready for goodbyes.

Rurumu was shuffling through all of Crystal's bags. 

"I'm just making sure the dress we bought for you is still in there," she defended. 

"Don't strain yourself, Ru. Aren't you pregnant?"

"That's not gonna stop me."

Crystal turned to Rurumu's husband. "Hinahoho? Help?"

Hinahoho hesitantly stepped up to his determined wife. "Honey? Don't you think that's enough? What are you even looking for?"

Rurumu tugged Hinahoho to her mouth and whispered in his ear. "Really?!"

"What?" Crystal asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," Hinahoho said sheepishly. 

Crystal shook her head at him and turned away. She saw Sinbad walking up to her and she waved at him. He waved back, smiling.

"Hey," he said, "I just made sure all our gifts were packed. Do you know what Hinahoho and Rurumu are doing?"

Crystal shrugged. "I don't know."

"We're doing nothing untoward, Sinbad!" Hinahoho shouted. 

"I believe you!" Sinbad shouted back, but then whispered to Crystal, "I should believe him right?"

Crystal chuckled. "Debatable."

"All right," Rurumu said. "I think we are all ready to go. Have fun and be careful."

Crystal embraced Rurumu. "Don't miss me too much. I'll be back before you know it." Rurumu hugged Crystal back. 

Ja'far was saying goodbye to Mahad and Vitell. "Take care, Ja'far."

"Always. You guys too." 

Hinahoho hugged Sinbad, practically lifting him off his feet. "Now you just try to stay out of trouble, okay?"

Sinbad laughed. "No promises."

"And Crystal's coming with you."

"Yes and....?"

"Nothing," Hinahoho smirked. "Just thought I should remind you."

"Whatever," Sinbad snorted in reply. 

Crystal ran up to Ja'far and Sinbad. "You guys ready to go?"

"Yes, let's go."