TRUE FRIEND
ZARYA'S POV
"You grew well." Matilda was facing a wet rug on my cheek and lips. "Hali must be so proud of you."
I breathe out heavily. Every time I heard his name, I felt the wall in my chest, blocking my breathing. I had no news about him. Probably, he married someone.
What does he look like? What is he doing? Does he eat well? Those were the questions running in my head day by day, minute by minute. I will still be on my one's feet because of him. He taught me everything I knew, even how to survive, the reason is him.
"You seem sad, aren't you?" Matilda brushed my hair. She hugged me so compactly as if she was treating me as her sister.
"Sadness shouldn't be in my heart. This is not right for a warrior."
"Does being a warrior no longer being a wolf with feelings?" Her beauty was immeasurable. She looked so beautiful in the past few days. What makes her bloom like a flower in the garden?
I tilted my head, observing her wide authentic smile. "Did you have…" I did not continue my words when my brother came inside the tent. He was having a grilled fish in his hands. My eyes narrowed when Matilda's look at him had a spark.
Crap. Are they lovers? I was not informed or maybe I was too dedicated to the training, so I had no time to consider other things such as this.
"Fish for my ladies." Khal was now mastered in fishing. He brought down the food on the side table.
"It's prohibited to give food from your fellow players." Matilda seemed to disapprove at the same time, admiring him.
What the? I mean… really? In the middle of the battle? Do they love each other?
My eyes widened a little when Khal's words came out again to my head. He said 'my ladies'. I would be insane by thinking if they were together or what.
In the midst of them fixing the table while smiling at each other, I interrupted. "Did you two make out?"
They both startled and looked at me with surprise. They had the same look in their expressions. I shook my head as the grin traced on my lips. "You two?"
Khal looked away and then stepped toward me. "You live in Human World, right?"
I nodded my head. "I am."
"I and Matilda are lovers."
I was choked by my own saliva when Khal bluntly confessed to me. When I pulled myself together, I spoke up. "Since when?"
"Last night." Matilda had a huge smile on my lips. "You're not going against us, are you?"
"No." I gestured for Matilda to come near me. I grabbed the two of them and hugged him. "Congratulations." It was too late for me to realize that Cleo Karl was standing at the entrance of the tent. He heard everything. "Cleo?"
He gazed at us for a second and then no words came out, he turned his back and left us. This was a disaster. Years from now since Cleo told me that he liked Matilda. She was so gorgeous, admittedly. No one would not like her, even Hali possibly like her from the beginning. That made me feel bad… feel bad that Hali looked at someone with admiration, but he could not do it to me.
I breathed out the frustration. Matilda was about to follow him, but I held her hands and said, "Leave it to me."
I went out to find Cleo Karl. I saw him near the seashores, sitting there while throwing rocks on the water.
"Hey."
He glimpsed at me shortly and then went back his eyes on the sea. "Hey."
I sat next to him and joined him with his broken heart. "Don't be mad at me when I congratulate my brother."
"I didn't." He grabbed another rock and threw it away. "First relationship, failed. Second, failed, third, failed, even with Deni Zin failed. I don't know what's wrong with me?" He stared at me. "Can you tell me?"
"Not a thing." I moved my head from left to right. "We, sometimes… never get what we want." I scanned the beauty of the darkness. The only sound was the waves of water in the sea. The cold air met my skin. "Love doesn't need to force someone to be ours or… force them to love us in accordance with how we feel."
He was curious when he set his eyes on me. "You've been there?"
"I am still there… until now." The feeling in my chest was a combination of hurt and longing. I missed Hali that even in my dreams, he was there. Is he in the same thoughts? Probably, not.
"You love whom?" He became interested in my story.
"King Water."
His mouth moved open. "You're kidding me." He chuckled as if he was laughing at my misery, but no… he was laughing at how worst my situation compared to him.
"I hope I am kidding." I grabbed plenty of air and then rested my stare on the water.
"My water is always with you." The tears welled up in the corner of my eyes when I heard his voice in my head. I felt like the water was calling me to come. At all times, I felt that Hali was in the water, next to me because that was what he said.
I lifted my body up, slowly walking to the sea. I prohibited the tears that threatened to move down. "No crying." It was like he was whispering in my ears.
"Zarya? Where are you going?" Cleo Karl grasped my hand. "It's dark in there and the water is cold."
"You may leave me." I smiled at him and got off his hands on me. "No worries. I'll not commit suicide."
"I will be with you." He grinned back at me.
I had not known that our friendship was deeper than siblings. I just realized that most of the time, Cleo Karl and I were exchanging sad stories and being with each other in terms of hardships.
I found a true friend in him. I wonder how is Serenity doing? I am sure Froy and Hali will not abandon her. I wish all the best for her.