Kajji-Tarra

Chapter 23: Blind

Khathari's POV
I was waiting for Nharro in front of his bedroom.

Today was the last day of Junior High Week. Everyone's wearing formal attire.

I didn't have a fitting dress for the occasion.

Instead, I was wearing a white tuxedo that Nharro wore at last year's graduation.

I smoothed out the clothing and smiled. I hope I look good enough for that special person in mind.

The plan is to give him the new paired bracelets I bought yesterday.

Nharro walked out of his bedroom in a similar tuxedo, but in maroon.

"Is it good?" he asked.

"Perfect!"

"Thanks!" he chuckled.

We made our way to the school.

I got some looks from the sides. Can't blame them. It looked like I was the only female in male attire.

Events around the school went on like the past days.

Nharro and I got excited when we were called away from our classmates to prepare for the final concert of the week.

Backstage, Nharro and I were getting ready.

"Nervous?" Nharro asked.

"Not really. I'm doing it with you!"

Nharro hugged me tight and readied his guitar.

The backstage door opened and Valdrin's head popped out from the side.

"Valdrin!" I squealed.

It's time to get ready for the moment.

Nharro's POV
Valdrin peered around the room and landed his sights on Tari.

Tari squealed and ran to him.

"I'll be right back Nharro!" she giggled.

"Just be back before we start!" I called out.

I got no response. She darted put the door before could even finish.

Just at that moment, the person in charge of the show came to me and announced that Tari and I were coming first. In 5 minutes, we begin the performance.

I went out to inform Tari.

Then that was when I saw it.

Valdrin gave Tari something in a decorative box.

She jumped for joy and hugged him with a smile across her face.

At that moment, I felt it hit me like a train wreck. Jealousy, anger, sadness, disappointment, and so much more mixed into one storm.

I walked back to the backstage of the auditorium and told the event organizer that Tari and I won't be able to perform due to certain circumstances. I didn't specify what it was.

The organizer was disappointed but allowed us to be excluded from the closing performance.

Truth is, I don't think I can play well with so much on my mind.

I'll mess up. Tari and I could end up as laughingstocks.

I don't need more problems than what I already had.

Leaving the school premises, Tari ran behind me.

It was raining hard. We didn't have umbrellas, but I didn't care. I wanted to leave. I hated to just stand and watch.

"Nharro! What happened? Miss Natalie told me you canceled our performance."

I ignored her.

"Nharro!"

I thought it would be easy to let her go, but this was too much at once. Easier said than done.

"Stop!"

I stopped right before the road crossing.

"What happened?" Tari pleaded.

"You know what happened! Me, someone who has been by your side for who knows how long, gets easily pushed to the sidelines. All I'm left to do is watch as you fall for some guy you just met last week! I don't know if you've realized it, but I love you more than what we tell each other we are. I wanted to be more than best friends, but I guess that is never going to happen no matter how much I want it."

I let it all out there.

Turning away, I was about to cross the road but Tari stepped in front of me.

In blind anger, I shoved her aside, making her fall onto her back.

Something fell out of her bag at that moment.

It was the decorative box Valdrin gave to her...

... but it said it was from Tari to me.

"Valdrin kept it safe while I spent time with you. I'm sorry if it looked like we were something else..." Tari confessed, still on the ground.

She then continued, " Truth is, I have realized your feelings. I share the same thing, but I did my best to keep my composure until this day."

So this was what happened the whole week...

A light then started shining at the side of my vision.

My attention darted to its source.

A loud horn blared as a truck made its way to...

... Tari.

Tari panicked and scrambled herself up. She kept slipping on the wet road.

On impulse, I ran up to her and braced for impact.

I felt the wind knocked out of my lungs, followed by unbearable pain.

Then it felt like nothing.

Just nothing.

If I wasn't so caught up in my anger, I would've made our last moments worth it.

However, I still failed.

Am I dead?

Did Tari die with me?

What would her mom say?

What would my parents do after they find out they lost their second son to a vehicle accident?

I didn't know what to think.

I couldn't feel Tari in my embrace anymore.

She was gone...

I felt a bed under me, but it lacked that hospital scent.

Looking at the ceiling, it was wood.

Wood from that of...

... a ship.