Kajji-Tarra

Chapter 21: Hate

Khathari's POV

After breakfast with Ro's family, I went to the backpack and took away the bracelet.

"Finally gonna get rid of that cursed bracelet?" Nharro said from behind.

"Definitely."

"You know what? You go shower, and I'll toss this into the fireplace."

"Can't we just toss it into the river or bury it?"

"Those ideas didn't get rid of Jumanji so the fire it is."

"Point taken."

About 30 minutes later, I finished my shower.

Ro was sitting on the edge of the bed, playing his guitar.

"Burnt to a crisp," he said with a chef's kiss.

A relieved sigh escaped both of our lungs.

"We finally made it!" I cried.

Crying tears of joy, I dived into Roro and embraced him.

"Heh... yeah. We did."

He hugged me back with his tears staining my shirt.

To celebrate, we went out to take a trip to the park.

As usual, Roro brought his baby, the guitar.

"Man, the park is farther than usual today," he complained.

"Here, let me carry it."

I took the guitar off his back and casually took the strap over my shoulder.

"Don't drop it!" Nharro panicked.

"Like this?" I teased, pretending to stumble.

"Careful!"

I winked and stuck my tongue out at him.

"Alright, I'll be careful."

When we found a place to sit in the park, I remembered Hiza's bloody mist.

"Nharro, I know it sounds weird to say now since it's over, but do you remember the blonde girl on the ship?"

"Yeah. Of course. Why?"

I then told him everything she told me.

Nharro shifted in his seat and stared into space as I finished.

His face spoke worry and fear to me.

"I know that look. Tell me now," I said. "I know you're hiding something."

"Khathari. Not now."

I pushed on.

"You only call me by my actual name if there's something wrong. Tell me. Don't we tell each other everything?"

"Yes... but I can't tell you this one."

"Nharro-!"

"Shut up Khathari! Some things are best left unsaid!"

I stopped, grabbed my phone, and plugged my earphones in.

As the music started playing, I answered him in a low voice, "You were the one who said things left unsaid will make way for regret. Didn't you?" After that, I raised my music volume to the max.

Watching Nharro's frustration, he mouthed a couple of words and ended with, "There... I said it."

I didn't hear what he said, but I don't want him to repeat it.