Faith and The Vampire ✔️

Chapter Twenty Two

These past few weeks had been far more unsettling than anything. I crossed over to a window and gazed out over the parking lot; not the most picturesque view in Brașov, but at least it stopped me from staring at Khalid's text on my phone. He reminded me of Daniel's invitation for my farewell party tonight, he'd pick me up and drive me there. It was the pity that truly ate at me. I prayed that whatever would happen tonight, I wouldn't cause any trouble again.

I didn't think I could bear it if I made another mistake.

I never thought that Daniel and Marina would held me in such high regard and in some personal affection, considering all the mess I'd dragged them into. In fact, they even threw a sweet farewell party for me.

The thought filled me with grief. The grief flooded through me, dissolving the not that I hadn't even known was there. I had to quit my favorite job and let people down. After everything that happened, Daniel and Marina deserved so much more. This whole farewell idea was breaking my heart.

Khalid really picked me up later that day, he drove me to Daniel's. We didn't talk much while we're on his car. Partly because it was a short drive, partly because he knew that I was still having a hard time about it.

The diner was covered in Christmas lights and white paper lanterns. Granted, there's no wall of white flowers, but it still looked lovely. All of the chairs were set up, the tables were set aside. They provided cokes, kebabs, cakes and- Turkish delights. I bet Khalid told them how I much I loved lokums. It was a small party, only me, Khalid, Daniel, Marina and their two children.

I told them what a shame to put their business on hold for my farewell. It stunned me when they said they closed the diner for today anyway, because they went to Bucharest for halal stuffs on the tables.

Marina was cheerful over kebabs and lokums that night, since she never had any. Their children were rarely hanging out at the diner, especially at night, they were allowed as a treat. We ate and laughed and talked about safe things, like the foods, Khalid's accent, places that Daniel and Marina have visited and, of course, embarrassing things about me. Normally, you felt humiliated when someone, or in this case your boss, shared embarrassing things about you. Not to mention, right in front of you crush. But, I didn't mind. I humiliated myself in front of Khalid a million times already.

At nine, Khalid and I helped to clean up the diner. Just like old times, I washed dishes and wiped the windows. Marina mopped the floor. Khalid and Daniel set back the chairs and tables. When we finished, Daniel handed me my paycheck, my last one from him. Then, Marina handed me a plain bag. I reached Marina for a hug, and cried like a baby. I definitely would visit them, a lot. This wasn't a goodbye, I told them, and myself. We made our temporarily goodbye and parted ways.

Guilt and sorrow filled my body.Once, we were in his car, I stared outside the window, blankly, not saying anything.

"They really care about you." Khalid said at last.

"That made it worse." I muttered

He exhaled. "I know it was as hard for you, as it is for them," he glanced at me and gave a lopsided smile "But, sometimes you have to make a hard decision."

I sighed. "Yeah, you're right."

We reached my dorm shortly after that. He reminded me about our next course, which I lowkey looked forward to it. The test came up in two weeks. Wow, I hadn't see it coming. I thanked him for driving me. I watched him drove away, his hand raised in farewell, and he disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Two weeks passed after that, I soon worn problems off a little, and I began to fall into a semi-comfortable routine. My days revolved around classes, courses with Khalid, lunch with Aisha, and whatever sort of social life I could scrape together outside of that. Denied any real free time, I didn't have too hard a time staying out of the trouble.