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Photographs play an important role in our lives, by having a picture you can connect the past to the present, it connects us to the past people and memories we created with them, they help us know who we are and our effect on the people around us. Capturing a happy moment with the lens helps keep this moment forever, along with the memories with it. Pictures also save the moments that you spend with someone you hold dear, someone who you want to spend the rest of your life with and don’t want to forget the memories you spent with them, so you save those memories with a simple photo.
“Why do you like pictures so much?” That was the question that lingered on Alhaitham’s mind ever since he met you 5 months ago. You loved taking pictures of everything, your house, your dates together, every time you see him, you always take pictures.
“Because Photographs play an important role in everyone’s life, they connect us to our past, they remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories. They help us discover who we are and the effect we have on people.” This was your reply, you then took out a small photo album and showed it to him.
“Look, every time I see these pictures, I remember every moment I had with you, and the fun times I had with my friends. You see…..”
“A picture saves the beautiful moments”
“What are you doing in my office?”
“Well, I heard from Kaveh that you have so much work to do and would stay after hours so I decided to have our picnic here.” You said, making yourself home on his chair as you put the basket on the table.
“I still have work t-”
“Work later, let's eat.”
Alhaitham knows that there’s no way out of this for him so he joins you on the little picnic. It was nice, you two talked about anything aside from work, it was mostly you showing him your latest adventure pictures.
“Look at this, the fungi were rolling on the sand and they looked so cute, I had to take a picture.” You said, showing him a picture of two hydro fungi rolling on the sand. Alhaitham had a small smile on his face as he admired how excited you get when you talk about things you like, especially pictures you’ve taken.
“Oh yes, let's take a picture together, this is our very first time in your office together.” You realized, pulling out your camera and facing it towards you and Alhaitham.
“Our first date together in my office needs a photo as well.” Alhaitham said, earning a giggle from you as you both smiled for the picture. After taking the photo, you took the printed picture in your hand and laughed,
“Alhaitham, you have a bit of sauce on your lips.” You laughed while looking at the picture as Alhaitham took a tissue and whipped his mouth. You looked back at him with the picture in your hand and he took the camera.
“Let’s take another one.”
“I won’t throw this one away!”
“Then you can consider this as the first time I take a picture of us.” He replied, getting ready to take the picture.
After taking the photo, you both admired it with a content smile and a warm heart. It’s moments like these that you wish to freeze time and not care about anything, you wish to enjoy this moment for the rest of your life without having to worry about other life concerns. This was also the start of Alhaitham’s hobby of collecting photographs.
This is the first significance of pictures. Photography is a great hobby that is not only fun but it also saves the most beautiful and meaningful moments of your life, the cons of reality is that beautiful moments pass very quickly and we cannot enjoy them for a long period of time, that’s why by taking a photo, it saves the moment and the memories with it.
“This is a nice photo, it’s the first time I see you smiling.”
“I have emotions unlike someone who finds a hard time reading emotions.”
“Well, at least put it in a nice picture frame instead of leaving it like this.” Kaveh replied, walking to his room to find a nice photo frame. Alhaitham sighed as Kaveh walked back with a photo frame.
“No thanks, I want to keep it with me.”
“How about this,” Kaveh went back to his room and returned with a small photo album. “I had this laying around and I have no use for it, you can take it with you. It also fits in a pocket so you can have your precious pictures with you wherever you go.” Alhaitham stared at the photo album in his roommate’s hand then took it after some time.
“Thank you.”
It was a rare moment for Alhaitham to thank Kaveh for something. A moment that needed to be saved in a picture.
“A picture protects the precious memories.”
“Guys, you won’t believe what I found while I was cleaning my house.”
You were gathered at the tavern with Alhaitham, Kaveh, Cyno and Tighnari. Enjoying a nice reunion between classmates since the days you were all students at the Akademiya. You all love to gather together every time you get the chance. Even though you haven’t interacted much during the times you were all students and also some were in different Darshans.
As the years passed, you all started interacting with each other and also became friends from working together in different research studies. The researches, library meetings and even meetings outside the academia brought this group together.
“What is it? Is it another research draft we all worked on?” Tighnari asked, shaking your head as you sat down.
“I found this.”
You pulled out a photo album from your bag and placed it down on the table, “It’s a photo album of all the pictures I took of us back in our student years.” You said, a smile on your face as you open the album.
“You still have them?” Tighnari asked, his ears perking up, “These were nice days actually, I wish to go back to the time when I was a student and didn’t have the responsibility of work.”
“Of course I would have them,” You started, placing your hand on the album and smiling softly, “These pictures have a great meaning to them. They saved all our moments that happened in the past that we will never get back to because it is impossible. The only way we save the past is by remembering it and we will need a stimulant to remember that past, the best one is a picture.”
You told Alhaitham these words before, you can never trust the future, you don’t know whether you will see the people you’re with tomorrow, you don’t know if you will still be close with your friends in the future. A picture protects those precious memories you have in the present from the harsh future that can never be trusted, a future that either brings people closer or far apart.
Even so, you can’t trust a picture in the future. This picture may bring you happiness and fill your heart with warmth about the precious past, or it may give you grief and sadness about the people you lost because of the harsh future.
“You do have a point, with all the work we have it is hard to sit back and remember the old days.” Cyno commented, watching as you pull out different pictures from the album.
“I remember this one, it was the first time I met Alhaitham.” Kaveh said, pointing at one of the pictures. It was you and Tighnari taking a picture of a baby plant you raised while Alhaitham and Kaveh were arguing in the background.
“The first thing you did was complain about my sense of style.” Alhaitham said, receiving a glare from Kaveh, “Yeah because I had to, thank the archon you changed your style when you grew up.”
“You guys didn’t change your bickering even when you grew up.” Cyno said, you giggled in response and nodded.
“I remember when they were both arguing about the last slice of pizza. It was such a funny moment, I think I have a picture of that too.” You said, looking down at the album and started searching for the picture.
“There was also one time we all failed an experiment and started laughing as Alhaitham just stared at us.” Cyno said, a smile on his face as the memory of their laughter occurred in his mind.
“Here they are, the picture of Alhaitham and Kaveh bickering and the one of us laughing.” You chirped, pulling out the two pictures and placing them on the table.
As the night continued, laughter and warmth erupted from the table and brought a sense of comfort to not only the group of friends but also to everyone who was present in the tavern at that time. A warm atmosphere that gave everyone a sense of comfort.
As the night went on and everyone parted their ways with a smile on their faces, the night went on as everyone went to their respective homes with a good mood and ready to face what tomorrow holds.
"Did you know that there are flowers with a dark meaning?" The voice said, all the while Alhaitham kept a straight face.
"A flower in Naltan, Black Dahlias." The voice started, "This flower means betrayal, despite its beauty. A beautiful dark flower that is so enchanting you want to admire it forever has that kind of meaning."
"There is a presence like that in your life, a presence of Black Dahlias that is hiding a garden of Purple Hyacinth behind it. Unfortunately, the Black Dahlia bushes are so large that no one can see the sad picture"
"What a weird dream." Alhaitham thought as he opened his eyes to a new day.
“A picture brings past friends together”
“Guys, look what I found!” A young child called out happily to his friends, they all came to where he was crouching down near a flower floating on top of the clear waters of Sumeru.
“This flower is called Nilotpala Lotus, it only blooms at night.” Another boy replied, the rest of his friends looking at him in awe.
“Is there a reason why it blooms only at night?” One of the group asked, his eyes sparkling at the beauty of the flower even though it did not bloom.
“In old folk tales, it is said that this flower is the light of the Moon Goddess to bring peace at night in times of war.”
“You know a lot at such an age Alhaitham,” a fourth kid spoke up, “What else did the book say about the flower?”
“Well-”
“Nilotpala lotus is said to be the reincarnation of the Moon Goddess.” A new voice spoke up, the group of kids turned to see another child sitting by another Nilotpala lotus nearby. That child was holding a sketching book and drawing the scenery in front of them. “Originally, a Lotus means rebirth. It’s a flower that grew from mud, a place with no life and you see a beautiful flower bloom from it, in ancient times this was a sign of rebirth.”
“So when Nilotpala Lotus was first discovered, many people believed that it was the rebirth of the Moon Goddess and her light was protecting the people at war or people returning from late night trips.” The child finished talking and stood up. Their eyes scanned the group then looked at young Alhaitham, a soft smile appeared on the child as they turned and walked away.
“Who is that?” One of the boys in the friend group asked, they were all confused about this person and kept looking back at each other.
But only one person was fascinated. A 7 year old Alhaitham.
This picture was titled “Nilotpala Lotus: rebirth”
- - -
“It’s you again.”
Seven year old Alhaitham is now fifteen years old and is a fresh student at the Akademiya in Haravatat Darshan. Most of the time, Alhaitham would spend his time in the library, learning more about the world using books. Despite everyone telling him it’s more convenient to use the Akasha but he disagrees, the Akasha is based on people’s thoughts and beliefs and there is no evidence behind what they say. Books on the other hand are all supported by evidence, by research made and the results all written for the reader to see and learn more about the world.
As Alhaitham was searching for a new book to read, he saw the same person from his memories of the time he was seven. The same person who spoke about the meaning behind Nilotpala Lotus.
“It’s nice to see you again.” They said, giving him a soft smile then looking back at the bookstore and pulling a book.
"You seem to enjoy reading about flowers a lot.” Alhaitham said, his eyes on the book the student is holding. They look down at the book and smile softly.
“Can I take you somewhere?” The student said, Alhaitham didn’t have any class for an hour so he agreed to go with them.
They took a nice journey to Pardis Dhyai, the place where you would find Amurta researchers discovering a new plant species or making research about new medical approaches using plants.
“You remind me of this flower.” The student said, crouching down next to a small garden that has some of the most beautiful White Lilies that Alhaitham ever saw in his life.
“They are pretty.” He muttered, the student stared at the lilies then got up.
“Do you know what they mean?” The student said, grabbing a watering can and going back to the lilies and started watering them.
“I miss you…” Alhaitham replied, his eyes not looking away from the beautiful flowers in front of him.
“Do you miss anyone?”
“I do.”
“Then take them.” The student said, walking to a small vase and taking the White Lilies in them, then they proceeded to wrap them in a nice wrapping.
“Don’t you need them?”
“No, you do.” The student walked up to Alhaitham and gave him the flowers. “You miss someone, I can tell you do. Go tell them that.”
That day, Alhaitham placed the white lilies at their home. His parents’ grave. Before he left, he saw a nearby picture. A picture of a single White Lily.
This picture was titled “I miss you”
“That was quite a strange meeting for us. I was a kid who really liked flowers.”
Alhaitham was showing you the small collection of pictures he had back home, these two were one of his precious pictures. The Nilotpala Lotus and the White Lily.
“It was,” Alhaitham started, taking a look at the two pictures, “You still like flowers a lot. You frequently visit Pardis Dhyai and always take me with you."
“Can you blame me?" You laughed, "It's always filled with different types of plants and they are all so beautiful."
Alhaitham found himself laughing along with you.
“A picture unlocks old memories”
“So, what other pictures do you have?”
After last night, you visited again. Alhaitham has gotten used to your presence and Kaveh no longer complains because you never told anyone about his living situation.
“Well,” He starts, pulling out a book and opening it. In the book you found a few pictures and a neat handwriting on the book
‘May my child Alhaitham lead a peaceful life.’
“It’s my grandmother who wrote this,” Alhaitham said, answering your questions, ”and also the one who took those pictures.”
“She did?”
“She really liked the idea of a camera so much. When it first came out she was fascinated with the idea of taking pictures, so I got it for her on her birthday.” Alhaitham said, taking the pictures in his hand and showing them to you.
“This was taken on my first day at the Akademiya.”
“You looked like you wanted to get the picture fast and leave.” You giggled at the picture. Young Alhaitham had a slight blush on his face as he flashed an awkward smile at the camera.
“I really didn’t want to, but my grandmother looked very happy so I let her take the photo.” He replied, smiling softly at the picture as the memory of his grandmother laughing flashed in his mind.
He quickly changed his expression and switched to another photo. It was a picture of him with a group of students.
“My first friend group that I made in the Akademiya.” He started, “She was very worried about me not making any friends and would always encourage me to talk with people to make friends. So when I told her that I was going to hang out with some students from the Akademiya, she insisted on taking this picture.”
“And this one,” He pulls out another picture, “It was my birthday and she surprised me and got me a book I really wanted, when she saw my smile and excitement, she immediately took the picture.”
“And this-”
“Alhaitham…. You can cry..”
Once you said those words, a tear fell from his eyes, then another, and another…. Until he started crying silently and you hugged him.
“I miss her so much, she really wanted to meet the person I fell in love with.” He muttered, arms wrapping around you tightly as he silently cried on your shoulder.
“She is happy, she is watching over you. Your grandmother and your parents, they are watching over you and are happy and proud of you.”
“Will you leave too?”
You pull away from the hug and give him a warm smile.
“I will never leave.”
“A picture lasts forever....”
“Alhaitham. It’s done.”
Cyno was in the office of the Acting Grand Sage, reporting to Alhaitham about the end of the mission.
“Weird. You never report anything to me.”
Recently, Il Dottore planted some spies in the Akademiya before he left. Their mission was to report everything Alhaitham and Cyno are doing, they were even responsible for sabotaging some of the research of the Akademiya and stealing some of them as well.
Cyno was the first to catch on and started a secret investigation to find them. The investigation lasted for 3 months in order to successfully catch them all, today the investigation ended.
“You need to see who those spies are.” Cyno said, staring at Alhaitham in a way that the Acting Grand Sage can’t read him at all.
Alhaitham got up and followed Cyno to the place where they kept all the spies at. The moment Alhaitham entered to see them, he froze.
There, in the room, filled with 10 spies.
You were there.
“What are you doing here?”
You looked away.
“I need to speak with them alone.” Alhaitham said, Cyno nodded and took you then followed Alhaitham to another room in the prison.
After you three entered, Cyno left you two alone and closed the door behind him.
“Answer, please.” Alhaitham said, looking at you with eyes filled with desperation. “You made me feel emotions I have never felt before in my life, I have never felt so attached to someone before.”
“And you fell for my lie. I did all of this to trick you.” You replied.
“You’re lying.”
“No I’m not!”
“You are lying!”
“You’re right!” You yelled, eyes tearing up as you looked at him, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“Why did you not leave? Why did you not say anything?” Alhaitham asked, walking up to you and holding your arms.
“I couldn’t say anything,” You started, “I was forced to do this, the fatui held something against me and forced me to do this. I really did fall in love with you, but I couldn’t run away and I was forced not to say anything. I was in pain everyday because of this.”
The man in front of you couldn’t believe his ears, he really wanted this to be a dream, all of this moments he lived with you were all a lie.
A big lie that he had no choice but to believe it, because it was so beautiful.
“What do you want me to do?” He muttered, his eyes getting blurry as you gave him a soft smile.
“Exactly what you will do to my comrades.”
“I can help you.
“The fatui won’t leave Sumeru. I don’t want to put you in more pain.” You said, lifting your hands and caressing his face softly.
You shakingly leaned in for a kiss, he also leaned in and you shared your very last kiss.
After pulling away, Alhaitham hugged you tightly then let you go. He didn’t look back at you as he walked to the door of the prison and left the room.
“Kill the spies.”
“You heard him.” Cyno said to the other matra around. Alhaitham walked away as fast as he could because he didn’t want to hear you in pain anymore.
When he reached his office, he found a small box on his desk. Walking up to it, he found a letter on top of it.
- - -
Dear Alhaitham,
By now, I should be dead. I’m sorry for hiding the truth from you all those years. I’ll explain everything here in this letter.
For a long time, my parents have been in huge debt and we were trying to survive despite the debt. One day the doctor came up to my parents and told us that he will help us out, obviously this gave them a huge hope and they accepted his help. After we settled all of our debts, everything was alright until I enrolled in the Akademiya.
Dottore kidnapped my parents, and told me that the only way I could save them is by selling the fatui information about the akademiya and stealing any valuable research. I was forced to this job, I was forced to stay silent or he would kill my parents. I had to lie to you, to our friends in order to survive and keep my parents alive. I wasn’t able to tell anyone because he said he would destroy Sumeru, this is why I had to stay silent for all those years.
I really loved you Alhaitham, I really loved you so much and wanted to be with you for the rest of my life, I didn’t want to leave you, I wanted to spend my life with you. This love came at the wrong time, I’m sorry.
If we ever meet again in the next life, I hope we can be lovers. I love you.
I love you so much. I’m sorry.
Y/n
- - -
Don’t cry.
Don’t cry Alhaitham.
You just got betrayed by the person you loved.
You just lost the person you loved.
It’s no big deal.
You are okay…. You are okay….. You are-
“Alhaitham…. You can cry..”
And he started crying again, he sat down on his chair, holding the box of pictures in his arms as he cried. His tears stained the letter.
He kept crying.
But this time, you were not around to comfort him
All he had of you, were these pictures. Then he remembered what you said a long time ago.
“Look, every time I see these pictures, I remember every moment I had with you, and the fun times I had with my friends. You see…. A picture saves the beautiful moments A picture protects the precious memories A picture brings past friends together A picture keeps the smiles and happiness frozen in time A picture unlocks old memories A picture lasts forever.... But people never do."