Severin sat perched on the counter, swinging his legs while he watched Galen rush around the room. "The shop won't collapse as soon as you leave."
"I want to make sure everything is in order. Do you need me to run over the list for you again?"
"Galen," Severin rolled his eyes, "I have been working in this shop for almost two years. I will be fine."
"I know. I know." Galen paced back and forth between the shelves. The past week kept Galen busy as he prepared to leave with Thuraya. He barely had any time to spend with Severin. Packing his bags and organizing the store's stock monopolized it. The conversation they had the day after Galen visited his house flashed in his mind.
"Why does Thuraya need your help?"
"She needs a teacher, and I'm better than most."
"That's true."
"Thank you for understanding."
"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't? Although, you’re leaving so suddenly."
"Yeah, it can't be avoided. The... issue is time sensitive."
"Could I help? I'm not a teacher or anything, but extra hands could be useful."
"Asteris only business, I'm afraid. I wanted you to come, though. Thuraya said no."
"That asteris is a seer, isn't she? Can all asteris see the future?"
"No, she is the only one.”
"Why does she have this power and no one else?"
"It's a complicated and long story. I don't want to talk about this. We only have so much time left together."
"You won't be gone for long, will you?"
"I won't be."
"Then don't worry."
The bell chimed, announcing Thuraya's arrival. The first thing she saw was Galen's frantic state. She walked up to him and grabbed his shoulders, stilling his movement. "Calm down. I've checked all your bags. Everything is ready for tomorrow."
"I've already tried to calm him down. He's too worked up," Severin said, "I told him the shop would be fine in my care."
"Galen, Severin is right. Stop worrying. Don't you trust the boy?"
Galen looked at Severin, who attempted to appear like he did not care what the answer would be. "I do."
Severin smiled before he turned his head away. Thuraya said, "He will be fine."
Galen sighed, "He will."
Severin's smile widened ever further. He asked, "Do you know how long you guys will be gone? Galen said you should be done soon."
Thuraya cocked her head in thought. She eventually said, "Yes, we won't take long. Seven years should be enough."
"Seven years?" Severin repeated.
"That is what I said," Thuraya furrowed her brow, "You two seem to make a habit out of repeating things."
Severin turned fierce eyes onto Galen. "That is not soon."
"It is. Relatively," Galen claimed.
Thuraya could feel the rising tension of the situation. She decided to give Galen and Severin privacy to sort it out. "I must check on the coach. I will see you tomorrow."
Galen and Severin watched her leave. Silence came over the two, masking the simmering anger in the air. Galen thought he needed to make the first move this time. "Severin, seven years isn't that long when you think about it. I'll be home before you know it."
"Seven years, Galen. That's what Thuraya said. Seven. Fucking. Years."
"Severin," Galen started.
"No!" Severin interrupted, "In what world is seven years soon?"
"Seven years is a drop in the ocean compared to how long I've lived. It all passes so quickly."
"I'm not an asteris, Galen." Galen winced at the way Severin snarled his name. "Time is long, slow, and arduous for us humans."
"I can't help the way time moves for me anymore than you can. Okay, seven years is not soon, but I promise I'll be back."
"You're leaving me!" Severin screamed.
"I told you I'll be back!" Galen shouted back. His own anger rose in the face of Severin's.
Severin ignored him. "You're abandoning me!"
"What are you talking about? I'm coming right back!"
Severin hopped down from the counter and faced away from Galen. He stopped screaming, but his voice was harsh. "Right back? It won't be the same. Too much will have changed."
"No, nothing will change if we don't let it."
"Galen, why are you being naïve? I will change. We will change."
"You're acting like you're going to be a different person. You'll still be Severin, and you'll still be my friend."
"You don't know that!" Severin's voice rose to a scream in the middle of the sentence.
"Neither do you!"
"Even if it doesn't change anything. I'm just supposed to, what, sit here and twiddle my thumbs, waiting for you to come home as you're off galivanting with Thuraya?" Severin turned back around to face Galen.
"I'm not asking to you put your life on hold for me."
"That's exactly what you're asking! You've given me responsibility over this shop. Should I just walk away from it when I get bored?"
"No, Severin." Galen pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not saying this right."
Severin snorted, "You're not. I need to go."
"Severin," Galen pleaded, "Don't go."
Severin shook his head, mumbling to himself. He left the shop without looking back.
"Shit." Galen stood there and watched the door, hoping he would come back. He did not.
The next morning, Galen stood next to the coach, helping the driver load his bags. For once, the Erasiman sun was gentle and avoided scorching everyone under its rays. Nonetheless, Galen was sweating from the physical exertion of loading heavy cargo. Thuraya checked a list and said, "That's it. We're good to start the trip."
The driver clasped Galen's shoulder and thanked him for helping. Galen waved him off. He wiped his brow and leaned against the cart. "Finally."
Galen looked to the town's entrance. Thuraya noticed and asked, "Waiting for your boy?"
"Perhaps."
She gave him a knowing glance, "I saw that he will come, so he will."
"You and I both know that you aren't always right."
Thuraya shrugged, "Believe me, don't believe me. He will come."
A lone figure approached Galen and Thuraya. Severin looked tired. He stopped in front of Galen. Galen tuned to look at Thuraya, but she was already gone. Severin spoke, "I'm still angry."
"I know."
"But I'm not going to let you leave before saying goodbye."
"I don't want us to part on bad terms."
Severin sighed, "Goodbye."
"Severin, I—." Galen stopped himself. "You mean a great deal to me."
"You mean a lot to me too."
"I'll return. I promise."
Severin failed to respond, and a bitter quiet settled between the two. Galen pursed his lips before going to walk away. Severin's voice stopped him. "Take me with you."
"I can't."
"Then don't bother coming back."
Severin walked away, taking Galen's hopes for reconciliation with him. Galen dragged himself back to the coach. Thuraya took one look at his despondent countenance and said, "I'll be right back."
Galen morosely watched her leave. He sighed to himself and climbed into the cart, making himself comfortable between his bags. He covered his face as tears welled up in his eyes.
Thuraya found Severin. He had walked into the woods and leaned his forehead against the rough bark of a tree. His shoulders trembled.
She said, "Are you just going to leave it like that?"
Silence.
She tried again, "Si una Galen aitieod."
"I euthaá mhei."
"Uyou oda'nteo," Thuraya smiled sadly.
"On, ui oad'neto."
Thuraya realized she would not get anything more than that from him. She looked at him one last time, leaving him to his misery. The cheerful songs of the birds were the only backdrop to Severin's pitiful sobs.
Comments (3)
See all