Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(149) TDoKA: Arabian Night Rhapsody

 Nearing Midnight – Thursday, 6th January

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"You're going to regret that."

Jamil lowered his blanket, glaring at the newcomer who was leaning by the doorframe with his arms crossed. "What do you want, Azul?"

"You know you hurt his feelings." Azul stared at him with an almost pity look. "You're going to regret that sooner or later."

"Hey~ Sea Snake!" Jamil lifted his heavy head, glancing at Floyd who leaned across the counter. Jamil acutely remembered that he was cleaning the bar just a few minutes ago. "Fancy seeing you here but we're about to close down."

Jamil groaned and rested his head on his folded arms again like a pillow. "Good. I need some booze."

"We don't sell alcohol here," Floyd said in a deadpan manner. "That's the only rule Crowley gave us when we establish Mostro Lounge."

Jamil groaned again. "Just give me something."

"Alright then~"

Jamil didn't like the sound of that but he didn't care about that nor about the grumbling that came out of Floyd's mouth as he walked away. Jamil didn't care. Jamil didn't care at all. Not about how he left Jonah with his dirty plate. Not about how tired his legs were after a walk around the campus forest and back. Not about how he never returned to his dorm or attend basketball club activities. Not how he crashed into Mostro Lounge and sat there for hours. He didn't sleep. His mind was muddled like he was sinking into the bottom of the ocean. He hoped that this ocean can give him an answer to how to fix Kalim's huge mess this time.

Fucking Kalim...

...

Why does he even care?

...

"Ah, Mister Jamil!" Jamil turned his head again toward the approaching boy with his cheerful businessman voice. "How are you this fine evening? It seems like something is troubling you these couple of days."

Jamil couldn't help but roll his eyes. "No thanks to you," he grumbled, "everything is just peachy."

Azul let out a fake gasp. "Oh, dear. Is this something that even Mister Jamil couldn't fix?" he chuckled. "Must've been a big mess."

Jamil lifted his head and wiped his tired face with his hand. "The fucking idiot." He leaned forward, elbow on the table and fingers pressing his face. He couldn't keep his mind straight anymore. All he could think about is Kalim, Kalim, and Kalim. He didn't understand, he couldn't understand that white-haired boy's action, his reasoning.

"He left without a word. He nearly gave me a heart attack." He clutched his spoon hard as his voice rose. "He's just across the island right now and I can't even call him!"

Jonah was still calm. "Have you tried walking to him?"

"Why would he want to see me if he choose to transfer school without my knowledge?" he shouted and Jonah didn't seem afraid.

"Maybe there are more reasons than you think."

Jamil closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't know what to feel about this."

Azul didn't immediately respond. Jamil could hear a shift beside him, followed by a click of a class in front of him. "Give me an apple cider, Floyd," Azul said, followed by Floyd's grumbling. He then spoke louder, probably to him, "Penny for a thought, Mister Jamil."