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It was the 3rd anniversary of Kaveh’s death. Alhaitham believed that they would one day re-encounter, but that one day never came.
——
It happened about a year after their fallout. Kaveh went on a trip to search for inspiration in the rainforests. There appeared to be a landslide after a heavy storm, and he was nowhere to be found. The forest rangers and matras did their best to search, but in the end, all they could find was Kaveh’s briefcase covered in mud.
Alhaitham was devastated. He assumed that he could still see Kaveh here and there even after their fallout since he got the job of the scribe at the Akademiya and the Light of Kshahrewar frequented there. Many regrets ran across his head. Nonetheless, he knew nothing could bring back his beloved senior. It took him some time to accept the news, even. Sure, he had lost his parents and grandmother before, but who could ever get used to losing someone so dear? His parents died when he was still young, so the memories were only faint. As for his grandmother, he was somewhat prepared, since she was already weak and aged. But Kaveh, he did not expect to lose, not forever.
——
Alhaitham got up in the house that was supposed to be both his and his senior’s. The fact that this house legally belonged to the two of them, albeit only for a short while, was enough to pain the scribe. After forcing himself to get ready, Alhaitham eventually left to arrive at his senior’s grave, with a bouquet of mourning flowers in hand.
Despite the immense grief, there was not a single teardrop. Perhaps even after all these years, the scribe still couldn’t accept the loss. Or perhaps, he had just cried so many tears that he could no longer shed another.
“Alhaitham?”
A way too familiar voice called for him. Alhaitham turned around to see the one he lamented for right before his eyes.
“Heh. Am I yearning for him so much that I’m hallucinating now?” Alhaitham laughed at himself for what he was seeing.
“Where is this? I was just near a big, pink tree not long ago, and before I knew it, I’m in a graveyard. Tsk, to think we’d be talking to each other again here of all places.”
Alhaitham felt bitter after hearing that last line. After all, he too, did not wish to only be able to spill out the unsaid words after his senior’s death, before this very grave.
“Why are you just standing there? So you really are still as infuriating as you used to be. Who would've guessed,” Kaveh rolled his eyes before they widened at the name on the gravestone: “Is that… My name? On the gravestone?”
Alhaitham finally opened his mouth after a sigh: “As you can see very clearly, yes. I don’t know if you’re a hallucination or some kind of ghost, but I’d appreciate it if you could just let me mourn in peace at least.”
“What do you mean by hallucinations and ghosts? I’m clearly an alive and well person! I was on a trip to find inspiration in the forests but somehow found myself in this mysterious domain with a large tree. I somehow fell asleep and the next thing I saw after opening my eyes was this graveyard,” Kaveh pouted in confusion.
Alhaitham couldn’t believe what he just heard. A feeling of hope rose within his chest, but he soon suppressed it. He didn’t want to be punched by the brutal reality again.
Even if it were a dream, it felt too real. Perhaps he too stepped into the afterworld, where he could finally fulfill their long-awaited reunion.
The scribe caressed the architect’s cheek with one hand, then lightly pinched it.
“Ouch! What are you doing?!”
“So it’s not a dream…” Alhaitham stared at his senior, emotions rushing through his head. Defeated by his longings, the scribed pulled Kaveh in for a tight embrace.
“Hey! What was that for?! Also don’t people usually pinch themselves to check if it’s a dream or not? Hey!” Kaveh struggled in the scribe’s arms, but eventually gave in and hugged him back.
Alhaitham rested his head on the architect’s shoulder, silently promising to never let go of his dear senior ever again.
——
When he woke up, his pillow was stained with tears. Alhaitham sat up in his bed, still trying to process his dream. He checked the date, and it was the 3rd anniversary of Kaveh’s death.