"Khafa, Ghoth. You handle the grilling," Dayesh instructed.
"Yes, Big Brother," they replied in unison, quickly preparing the meat. Cleaning, slicing, and placing it over the fire.
Sapphire focused on cooking rice and preparing dipping sauces. Dayesh arranged the table and poured the wine.
"Big Brother, where is Jauna?" Ghoth suddenly asked, pretending to be hypnotized by the wine.
"Alright, I'll tell the story. You'll probably forget it by tomorrow anyway," Dayesh announced before recounting.
The alcohol's effect on Ghoth and Khafa seemed to vanish as they listened attentively. Sapphire sipped a little, careful not to become intoxicated while Lzith was still awake and chores awaited.
"The truth is, she left us… her child. She went somewhere with someone from her past. I don't know if they were a lover or who. It's such a small world. Remember the Ordo Vireth member we encountered back then? One of the men she loved first is a member of that cult."
"You weren't chosen in the end, Big Brother," Khafa muttered. Though he felt some sympathy, he knew Dayesh's life as a former general had never intertwined with anyone else. Seeing Jauna for the first time and deciding to start a family with her had been a source of happiness for him.
"That's fine. Why chase someone who wouldn't choose me anyway? That's not my nature," Dayesh said.
Sapphire, quietly listening, thought to herself, "Ah, that's why she's not with him here." She continued eating beef while drinking a small amount of wine, it tasted like ordinary juice to her. The three men at the table were slightly tipsy, and she suspected they'd head to sleep soon.
"I don't need your pity. I shared, you listened, and that's the conversation," Dayesh said firmly.
"Yes, Big Brother," they both replied.
"I'll step away for a moment. Continue drinking while I'm gone," Dayesh said, standing and heading to the bathroom. The three of them watched him go.
While Dayesh excused himself to the bathroom, a quiet hush fell over the table. Khafa and Ghoth exchanged glances, careful not to speak too loudly in front of Sapphire.
"He really is… something else," Khafa said softly, almost in awe. "Managing everything on his own… Lzith, the missions, the house… and somehow still keeping his head straight."
Ghoth nodded, leaning back slightly. "Yeah. I don't know how he does it. I mean… being a single father isn't easy. And from what I've seen, he handles it without letting anyone else worry too much. He really protects Lzith."
Khafa lowered his voice further, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "Do you ever wonder… how he manages everything? Not just the kid, but… well, himself? I mean, he's human too. He must have needs, right? Wants… stuff he can't just ignore."
Ghoth hesitated, then shrugged. "I guess he's learned control. Discipline runs deep with him. I can't imagine him losing focus on what really matters… even with that part of being human. But yeah, it must be challenging sometimes."
Khafa let out a small sigh. "Makes me respect him even more. He doesn't show off, he doesn't brag, and yet he keeps everything together. All while being… well… Dayesh. You know what I mean."
Ghoth smirked lightly. "Yeah, I do. And honestly, I think that's why people follow him. Not because he's flashy or anything, but because he is reliable, consistent… and somehow, even as a single father, he's… balanced. Somehow."
Khafa chuckled softly. "Balanced… I like that word. Makes me think, though. Must be exhausting sometimes. But he still makes time for others, for Lzith, for missions… for everything."
Ghoth leaned closer, lowering his voice almost conspiratorially. "I mean… do you think he ever lets himself relax that way? You know, satisfy those… personal urges?"
Khafa's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded. "Probably. In private, I guess. That's part of being human. But he must be careful. Discipline first, always. I can't imagine him letting it interfere with what really matters. Lzith, the missions… the people who rely on him."
Ghoth let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah… makes me admire him even more. Not just strong, not just skilled… but capable of restraint too. That takes a lot."
Khafa smiled knowingly. "Exactly. That's why he deserves respect. Not the surface kind. Deep respect. The kind that comes from understanding everything someone carries and still stands tall."
Ghoth nodded again. "We'll never really know what goes through his mind. But one thing's certain: he deserves respect. And I don't just mean the 'good leader' kind of respect. It's… deeper than that."
They shared a quiet moment, letting the thought settle. The sizzling meat and the faint aroma of spices filled the room, but the weight of their reflection lingered.
When Dayesh is inside the bathroom, he immediately closed the door behind him and made his way to the sink, splashing water on his face. Whenever Jauna's name came to mind, he used to think he could shrug off the pain between them. But now, just hearing it again felt like an invisible blade stabbing through his chest. He could no longer hold back the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes.
Suppressing his sobs, he let out the bitterness and resentment that had been quietly building up. He had thought he had moved on. He wished he could always stay busy so that thoughts of Jauna would never intrude.
"Haaaaaaaah."
Minutes passed before he finally felt a small measure of relief.
When he opened the door, Sapphire was there, waiting with a cup of coffee.
"Hangover cure, big brother. Just in case you start feeling sick inside," she said, handing it to him.
"Thanks, but I'm not drunk," he replied, his voice calm.
Sapphire knew better. He was definitely drunk, but she chose to follow his lead and didn't press further. She would simply wait for the others to finish eating and drinking before cleaning up.
He had already put Lzith to sleep, while the owl and Amon were inside her room.
"Take good care of Lzith. I'll be out for a while," Sapphire instructed the two.
"Phew… they're finally done. I wonder what time it is… there's no clock here anyway," Sapphire muttered to herself as she began tidying up the mess left by the three men.
Suddenly, someone moved beside her and started picking up the items on the table one by one.
"Wow… you're still awake, big brother? Always surprising me," she said, slightly startled.
"Didn't I just tell you I'm not drunk?"
"Yes, yes, I know you're not sober now. But why are you even here? Go to sleep. I'll handle this," she said softly.
Dayesh didn't respond, quietly continuing what he was doing. Once the mess was cleaned, he finally spoke.
"Make me a cup of coffee… and get me one of those smoking things," he said.
"Smoking things?" Sapphire frowned, not immediately understanding. "Oh… cigarettes, right? Sorry, mind's still loading."
Dayesh sat down, waiting patiently as Sapphire prepared the coffee. Once she handed it over, they both lit their cigarettes and sipped their drinks.
"I thought I wouldn't get a puff today," she said casually.
"I don't understand what you're saying," he replied, glancing at her.
"Never mind… just talking to myself, big brother," she murmured.
They smoked in silence, sipping coffee, each respecting the other's quiet moment.
"I'll go to bed first, big brother," Sapphire finally said after a while.
"Wait…"
"Why?" she asked, surprised.
Sapphire stiffened when Dayesh suddenly hugged her.
"B-big brother… why?"
"Don't leave Lzith and me alone," he said softly.
"Why would I? I'm not going anywhere," she reassured him.
"Just… I'm scared," he admitted.
"Big brother… you don't need to hug me to say that," she said, gently pushing away.
He let go but held her gaze. "Just… don't leave us. If there's anything you want, I'll give it to you. Just don't give up on us here."
"I don't really have any wishes, big brother… but what you're asking is impossible. What if I get married someday? Not now, but someday, that will happen."
"Even so… can it be me instead?"
Sapphire froze at his words. "Big brother… are you drunk? You're just joking."
"I'm serious, Sapphire."
"What? You're using me just to move on from your wife?"
"Move on? What's that?"
"To move on… to forget someone who hurt you. You use someone else to fill the gap."
"No. I would never do that with you. What happened with Jauna and was painful, yes… but that's an old story. You're different."
"You're moving too fast, big brother… can't you… court me first? I feel… awkward. I thought this only happened in TV shows and novels."
"I'll do whatever you want… just don't leave us. Let me prove my intentions are pure," he said firmly, holding her gaze.
Sapphire blinked at him, caught between surprise and the strange warmth that stirred in her chest. She didn't know how to respond. The atmosphere felt smaller, quieter, as if the world had shrunk to the two of them and the soft hum of the night outside.
Dayesh slowly released her and stepped back, giving her space. He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "I… I'll leave you to rest now. Just… remember what I said," he murmured.
Sapphire nodded silently, unsure what exactly she was supposed to take from it. "I… I'll remember," she whispered.
He gave her a small, reassuring nod before turning and leaving the room. The door clicked softly behind him.
Sapphire stood there for a long moment, staring at the closed door. Her mind raced with questions, but also with a sense of safety she hadn't expected. He wasn't forcing her, he wasn't rushing her. Yet somehow, she knew he meant every word, maybe. She felt doubt about it. "No, i must not assume things. He's just drunk."
Finally, she let out a slow breath and shook her head with a small smile. "What a mess…" she muttered to herself, though there was no frustration in her voice, only quiet amusement and the faintest trace of admiration.
Sapphire returned to her own room, her thoughts lingering on Dayesh. Not with longing or worry, but with curiosity and respect. She lay down, closing her eyes, letting the events of the day settle in. Tomorrow, they would face new challenges, but tonight, there was peace. And for the first time, Sapphire felt like she could rest without worry, knowing that, somehow, Dayesh was watching over them all.
And somewhere, in the quiet shadows outside, Dayesh paused by his own door. He leaned against the frame, closing his eyes, letting the tension drain from his shoulders. A faint smile touched his lips, but his thoughts were already on tomorrow.
For now, though… the night was theirs. Quiet, calm, and just enough time to breathe before the storm of the next day.