Sinbad sat on his chair as he thought of all the things that happened today. He was stunned by the sudden exit of two countries in the International Alliance. Not only that, he was also unsure if it was really Thais that he saw outside. He felt ridiculed and thought of Kogyouku's sincere apology as sarcastic remark to bring shame on the world he created. He felt as if it was a direct attack on his ego and his magnificent work. The thought of Thais being a figment of his imagination, after all the stress he had, also brought pain to him.
'She's not just some figment of my imagination, right? She can't just be, right? I-I'm longing too much for her empty presence. I can't help but feel more empty. Aladdin told me that everybody can see a bit of their destiny? Then why is it that they still make mistakes?' He sneered internally. Sinbad could not focus and there were a lot of things on his mind right now. He needed to get out of the stuffy room. Drowning himself with work was not helping anymore.
"Sinbad? Are you listening to me?" Darius asked. He was pulled out of his trance and quickly stood up. He apologized to the Sasan Representative and told him that he needed to cool his head down. Darius understood his friend's predicament and let him off.
Sinbad quickly changed to his casual clothing before taking off. The pain in his chest increased in time as he thought of the things that were happening to him. It puzzled him to no end. He was confused why he could not see destiny anymore, even hear his voice. He also thought of how Thais was alive. However, deep inside him, he knew that they never found the body and just assumed that she was dead. He was the one who chose her to be dead. How could he? He was not a good husband.
'Thais. Let me see you again!' He desperately wished.
Thais felt a chill run down her spine. She looked around for the source. Akil tilted his head in wonder. He asked if there was something wrong. She shook her head and unconsciously tightened her hold on him. He knew that there was something bothering his mother, so he lead her to a bench to rest. He held her hands and told her that whatever was on her mind, she could tell him.
"You're too mature for your own age, Akil. But, you are right. I just thought that I heard your father. You know, there is this fear in my heart. I want you to meet your papa. Do you want to?" Thais weakly asked. Her hands trembled against his hold. Akil brought his hands to her face and put his forehead on hers.
"Mama, I will be with you. There is no need to hide your fear. I will not let anything bad happen to you. You can show me your weakness." He whispered. Thais cried against him and tightly held her son. It was the best thing she heard all day. It was the only thing that broke down her walls. Yes, there was no need to fear now. There should not be any regrets left.
"You're right. Let's go to your father?"
"Ma? I want to surprise him with a song. Do you think we can do that?" Akil asked. She nodded before using 'hadad', a magic to guide Sinbad to them. It took the form of a blue butterfly and fluttered to where Sinbad's magoi was. Akil and Thais both took off to a special place they found on their travels. Together, they put on their guitars out and sang.
Hikari Shoumeiron by Honeyworks [Chico]
<Thais; Akil>
Mayoikonda kono sekai de
Deatte shimatta bokura wa saigo ni
Touhon seisou sagashibito ate mo naku
Kyouran dotou arekuruu yo no naka de
Aimai monokuro jinsei ni
Saidai furasshu kuretan da
"Arigatou" hitori janai
Kuroi kuroi kono donten ni Cry Cry namida shitatte
Kumoma no hikari tsukame
Akai akai kono shoumei ga itai itai hodo nagare
saigo ni
Hanarenai you ni waraeru you ni
Ikite ikeru you ni
Ah aoi aoi kono seiten ni
Negai hitotsu todoku you ni
Shichiten battou kizu darake kuishibare
Isshoku sokuhatsu senran wo iza susume
Ai suru dareka no jinsei no shuuchakuten wo yorisoeru you ni
Tsutaereba hitori janai
Mayoi mayoi kono seimei de mitai mitai sono daidanen
Yowasa wo buki ni kaero
Tsuyoi tsuyoi kono shinnen ga towa ni towa ni tsuzukeba to
Saigo ni
Furikaerazu ni arukeru you ni
Ikite ikeru you ni
Ah mirai mirai kono seiten ga
Itsu made mo tsuzuku you ni
Semai semai kono sora de deaiwakareta bokura wa
hikari wo ushinatteita
Negai sugaru no wa raise? tsurai tsurai kono gense
tatakae
Kuroi kuroi kono donten ni Cry Cry namida shitatte
Kumoma no hikari tsukame
Akai akai kono shoumei ga itai itai hodo nagare
Saigo ni
Hanarenai you ni waraeru you ni
Ikite ikeru you ni
Ah aoi aoi kono seiten ni
Negai hitotsu todoku you ni
Aoi aoi kono seiten ni
Negai hitotsu todoku you ni
The wind blew hard. The garden sang with them as the butterfly guided him inside. The light shone on two silhouettes who bathed themselves in their music. Sinbad could not help but run towards them. He engulfed the two with a warm hug. Akil's eyes flew open, and he could feel the fast beat of his father's heart. The hug tightened. Thais let herself feel his love. Her hands hold on to him as if he was her life support.
"It's... good to be back, Sin." She muttered. Sinbad breathed in her scent. It was the same flowery scent with a hint of mint on it. He pulled away to get a good look at them. He noticed the short hair but same bright blue eyes of his wife. His child, however, had his hair and blue eyes of his wife. He never felt complete until now. The emptiness he felt was gone. It was filled with joy of seeing his family again.
"I thought you were gone. I thought you two died." He said. Thais placed her hand on his cheek and put her forehead on his.
"Sorry for running away. I can explain to you if you want but right now, I want you to introduce to your son. Akil?" Thais nudged on his son who got shy all of a sudden. His eyes tried not to meet his eyes which made Sinbad chuckle. It was adorable to see his own flesh and blood get shy like this. He squat down and put a hand on his head.
"There's no need to be shy. May I know your name?" He asked.
"I am Akil! It's nice to finally see you, Papa!" He hugged Sinbad tightly which brought tear to his eyes. His son laughed at his funny crying face before going back to his guitar. He told his mother that he will be going further in the garden to get some rose. They nodded and warned him of the dangers ahead.
"Thais, I...."
"Let me explain everything first. Munfasil." Sinbad felt a slight pain inside him. Thais assured him that it was just a spell so that David will never interfere with their talk. He tensed at the mention of his name. She sighed before telling him that it was not her business anymore if he wanted David inside him or not.
"Right now, I want to tell you what and why those three years happened. Firstly, I want to apologize Sin. I ran away because of David. When I learned of my ancestry, I knew right away that you were the Singularity I can never part with. You were also unpredictable that time knowing that Arba was by your side. I am still not comfortable with what happened 18 years ago, but I learned to forgive. I will never forget though. I am happy that you even let me talk to you like this. I thought you will shove me away. I thought that you did not love me anymore. I hated that feeling." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at his eyes.
"Sin, I am happy to see you again. Even if you hate me. I also don't want to regret anything anymore. This time, I will not run away anymore. I don't know what your plans are. If ever you want to go inside the Sacred Palace and change it to your ideals, just know that I will be your opponent. I will no longer run away from my responsibility. I am done being weak. What I want is also a bright future." She confessed. Sinbad looked a little disappointed, but he shook it off and hugged her. He was glad right now. There was nothing to hold him down, and he can show his weakness to his family.
"I am just happy that you are alive and here by my side. If ever that we need to fight in the future, this scenery will forever be etched in my heart." He shifted and laid his head on Thais' lap. She played with his hair and calm covered the garden. Akil returned with a bunch of flowers on his arms. He grinned seeing his mother and father basking in each other's presence. She pulled out the tie on his hair before jokingly ruffling it. Sinbad grinned. His son created flower crowns and put them on their heads.
"There! Mama and Papa look like king and queen. Hehehe~" They both had a mischievous glint on their eyes before they pulled Akil to a tickling session. He laughed so hard that tears already formed on his eyes.
'This is the life we envisioned.' Sinbad thought to himself. His wife and child was within his reach. He did not want to let them go anymore. There was no way he was going to lose them again.
Marbas and Seere watched their mistress laugh and joke with her family. This was one of those precious moments that they truly saw her genuine emotions. The grin etched on their faces will forever be in their hearts. Thais stood up and used her rukh to materialize food for them to eat.
"It's lunch time already. Let's eat?" Sinbad and Akil raced towards their food which angered Thais. Those two were so alike that they ate like pigs.
"Argh! You two, did you even washed your hands?" They stopped before nervously looking at her in the eye. She sighed before pointing at the podium where they can wash their hands. The two obliged before returning to their lunch. It was truly delicious.
"Papa! After this, let's go to the park. Please!" Akil begged. Sinbad glanced back at his wife who smiled. He nodded and quickly finished his food. The rose garden was a spectacular sight to see. Sinbad stood up and gathered red and white roses to whom he gave to his wife. Thais blushes bright red before shyly kissing her husband's cheek.
"Thank you and why am I blushing so hard!?" She pouted. Sinbad and Akil laughed at her before they packed their things. Not minding the world around him, Sinbad let his hair flow. He carried his son in his arms before taking Thais' hands.
"Which park do you want to go to, Akil?" Sinbad asked. His son thought hard before pointing Magnostadt.
"Alright! Magnostadt it is then."
They arrived at the said country and Akil was, once more, amazed with the magic around him. The sky was bright enough for them. Many recognized Sinbad, but he shut them up with his eyes. This was a special day for him and nobody, I mean nobody, will ruin it for him. Thais caught on his actions and was thankful for it. She tightened her hold on his hand before pulling them to the park where every child played. Thais sat on the benches as she watched her husband and son bond.
"Go, Sin, Akil! You two can do it!" She cheered as they raced through the monkey bars. Neither gave up. In the end, the attractions in the park tired them out. She laughed when she found the two lying on the ground with drool coming out of their mouth. With her magic, she materialized a blanket to cover them.
"You two did a great job." She whispered. She suddenly felt arms on her waist.
"S-Sin!?"
"Thais, sleep with us." They fell asleep on the grass with Akil between them.
Night time came and they just finished their dinner. Akil was sad to see his father go. Thais was as well, but it had been a fulfilling day. There was no way she would run again. This time, she will face him head on.
"Sinbad, I know that you are going to the Sacred Palace. May I ask something though? Was there something that happened between you and—" Before she could even continue, Sinbad pulled her to a longing kiss. She felt his pain and desire to be with them. Kissing back, she held him as if he will be gone if she will not do so.
"I only love you, Thais. No woman would ever compare to you. You are my sun." He whispered. She nodded before pulling out a similar necklace as Akil. Flame swirled inside.
"Always have this with you, okay? Akil also have the same thing. I'll... see you later." With that, they separated from each other once more. Akil hugged his father tightly.
"Bye, Papa. I hope I can see you soon." Sinbad did not know to say, so he just ruffled his child's head. He did not know what will happen in the palace, and this might even be the last time he will see him.
"Maybe soon, Akil. Be nice to your mama, okay? Always follow her. I love you." He bid. Akil kissed his father's forehead before they went to their own ships.
'This time, we will destroy our destiny. We will create a world nobody has ever seen.' Thais and Sinbad both thought. Only one would win. Ja'far once warned Sinbad, but he already made up his mind.
'To the Sacred Palace we go.'
=END=