Chapter 25
Confessions
After Sharrkan had planted the kiss, in hindsight a bit too forceful, he tumbled them over and took Ja'far with him to the ground, where they now lay sprawled. ''I am hallucinating again, right?'' Ja'far asked, sounding a bit dazed. ''Depends. Who do I look like? If you answer Sinbad, or that guy from camp, then maybe.'' Sharrkan teased, not leaving his position yet.
Cuddling with Ja'far was nice, and though he might not ever do something as stupid again, he was not quite willing to let go. ''Not really. You smell like Sharrkan.'' Ja'far said. 'Smell. He definitely spent too much time with Masrur there.' Sharrkan thought. ''But Sharrkan would not have kissed me. He is taking distance.'' Ja'far added.
''He would. Trust me, he really, really wants to.'' Sharrkan said, before feeling Ja'far's forehead. ''You really are ill.'' he said, deciding to get up. He extended his hand, but Ja'far ignored it, asking, ''How could he want to kiss me, when he doesn't even want to be my friend anymore?''
''Look at me.'' Sharrkan told him, and Ja'far looked up. ''You're Sharrkan?'' he asked. ''Yes. Very good. Now, let's get you up and at least on your couch.'' Sharrkan told him. ''The floor is nice and cold.'' Ja'far replied. ''Your couch, despite still having a hole in the roof above it, is nice and comfortable.'' Sharrkan countered.
''Oh yeah, I should get someone to fix that.'' Ja'far said, then asked, ''Did someone ever fix your stairs?'' ''Not really. I should get someone for that too.'' Sharrkan said, before adding, ''We can arrange for all that later. You are ill, so you should go to bed or lie on the couch. Get better fast, so you can go back to school, to us.'' 'To me.' he added in his mind.
''I know. I was really upset I was sick today. There is something important I should tell you.'' Ja'far said. ''I tried to go this morning, but then couldn't. And you were not replying to any texts. What were you even congratulating me for?'' then he shivered. Sharrkan rolled his eyes, and was pretty happy that his friend was rather light, as Ja'far obviously wasn't going to move under his own power.
He easily lifted his friend on the couch, then covered him with a blanket. Then he sat down, and allowed Ja'far to lean against him. He was so going to be ill too later on, he could feel the fever radiating from the other boy. Then again, everyone called him an idiot, and idiots didn't get ill, so maybe he was safe.
''I was congratulating you, because you did so well with Sinbad. You told him about your feelings.'' Sharrkan said, proudly. ''Yeah. I did. It didn't go so well, but I did.'' Ja'far said, a bit drowsy. ''No offense, but you don't seem too bummed about it.'' Sharrkan said. ''I don't know. I mean, it was what I wanted. It is what I wanted, but it was a nice no. It is Sin, and I love him, and all, but he gave a good reason. A good no.'' Ja'far said.
''That's nice, I guess.'' Sharrkan was confused. Ja'far was ill, and maybe, in some way it was similar to being drunk. He wondered if it'd seriously register when he said anything now. ''And if he had said yes, than we would no longer be friends.'' Ja'far said. ''But he said no. Does that make us friends still?'' Sharrkan couldn't help but notice Ja'far seemed hopeful there.
''Sure. Is that what you have been concerned with all this time?'' Sharrkan asked, and Ja'far nodded shyly. ''Actually, there is something I wanted to tell you too. Maybe this changes the being friends thing.'' Sharrkan said. ''You have been putting your moves on Sin? Or on Judal? Because Sin is not going to like that.'' Ja'far told him.
''Heck no. I haven't been putting moves on anyone the past year.'' Sharrkan said. ''I noticed that. Kept wondering why, you gave quality coaching and are good with people. Unless you have not found anyone yet, and you still got plenty of time, but I think your standards might be very high.'' Ja'far said.
''Maybe, maybe not. Maybe you can coach me this time, I want to ask someone out, preferably this week.'' Sharrkan said. ''Really? Today?'' Ja'far asked, before coughing, then continued, hoarsely, ''Who's the lucky girl?'' ''He-'' Sharrkan started, smiling, ''-is a fellow student.''
''Really? That is nice. So I was not too far off with my guess.'' he coughed again. ''Is he on the team?'' ''No. Definitely not. I have played basketball with him once. Made one decent throw, but other than that...'' Sharrkan wondered if he had given too much of a hint there.
''So, this week. Tonight?'' Ja'far asked. ''I am no shape to support you, but I can give it a try.'' ''Ja'far, I know you're not stupid. You probably got this figured out already.'' Sharrkan said, ready to tell him. ''Figured out what?'' Ja'far asked, and Sharrkan wondered if Ja'far really was that dense. Then again, he didn't seem like himself at the moment.
''Okay, maybe not. I am not telling him tonight, though. This week, but not tonight. I wanted to take care of you today. You're sick.'' Sharrkan said, deciding to wait. ''That's really nice.'' Ja'far said, before sneezing. ''But what if I cause you to be sick too?'' ''Idiots don't get sick.'' Sharrkan told him, flippantly, before adding, ''Let's get you something to eat, maybe some soup.''
Later in the evening, as Ja'far was in bed, sleeping, Sharrkan texted Alibaba he was staying over, to take care of his friend. They lived in the same neighbourhood any way, so Alibaba could always come over if something happened. Soon, he received a call back. ''Why are you calling.'' Sharrkan whispered, ''I just got him to sleep.''
''Oooh, so things are going good, I guess.'' Alibaba teased. ''He is really sick. Not quite the romantic atmosphere I was going for.'' Sharrkan whispered. ''It happens. Still really nice of you to take care of him. I heard that things didn't go so well with Sinbad, though. I thought he would be upset.'' Alibaba said.
''Me too, to be honest. But he seems okay with it.'' Sharrkan whispered. ''Okay with it? Each his own way of dealing with it, I guess. So, now what? Are you going to tell him?'' Alibaba asked. ''Yeah, I mean, we've all seen holding it in isn't going to work. All you have been telling me the past weeks is to come clean.'' Sharrkan replied.
''So you do listen?'' Alibaba teased, before saying, ''I am proud of you. Good luck sleeping there, and hope you don't catch the flu he has. Goodnight, and sleep tight.'' ''Sleep tight.'' Sharrkan said, before hanging up. Ja'far's couch was seriously comfortable.
'To finally be with him. Who knew.' Sharrkan thought back to the really nice times they had had together. From the first time they played basketball, to the small cafés they had visited, the disastrous camp, my god, the trip back... What adventures would there be to come. Suddenly he heard a sniffle from upstairs.
He knew Ja'far's nose had been clogged, but it sounded a bit different. More heart-wrenching, if that was possible to hear. Maybe he had spend too much time with Masrur lately. He decided to head upstairs, to check everything was well. He found Ja'far in bed, curled up, as he sniffled.
''Hey, everything okay?'' Sharrkan asked, as he came closer, sitting on the edge. ''Fever bothering you that much?'' ''Not really.'' Ja'far replied, giving a weak smile. ''Ah, then it's about Sinbad?'' Sharrkan asked, and Ja'far nodded. ''I thought you were handling it pretty well, too well, even.'' Sharrkan admitted.
''I don't know how it will go from now on. I mean, people always say they will remain friends, but once you say you like the other, there is no going back.'' Ja'far said. 'Exactly why I haven't told you either.' Sharrkan thought. ''Do you regret telling?'' he asked instead. ''Not really. Holding it in is even more of a pain.'' Ja'far said.
Sharrkan snorted, if anyone knew that, it was him. ''Sin will probably make it work. I mean, he's amazing that way.'' Ja'far added dreamily. ''He is. He is a wonderful friend.'' Sharrkan said, he had felt envious of the school king for a long time, but Sinbad was still a good person.
''He's planning on telling his crush soon. I hope it goes better than my attempt. Heck, I hope your attempt is going to be better. But, don't rub it in if it does.'' Ja'far said, ''I don't want to be alone while everyone around me is dating.'' ''Masrur isn't.'' Sharrkan said. ''Yet.'' Ja'far joked, and Sharrkan smiled.
''You're not, though. Look at everyone who cares.'' Sharrkan told him. ''You know what I meant.'' Ja'far replied. ''Really, you don't realize it yet, but you attract far more attention than you think. I mean, remember the museum, the one we visited during camp?'' Sharrkan asked. ''The one with the statues, where Sin kissed me to please the fangirls?'' Ja'far replied.
''That's the one. Do you remember your statue?'' Sharrkan asked. ''Yeah, with the weird information. I don't see what it has to do with all this? The statue isn't actually me, you know.'' ''But he had just as many suitors. Sinbad-'' ''Wants Judal. Married the past Ja'far, but not me.'' Ja'far replied.
''Still cares a heap. Willing to bet if he hadn't met Judal, you two would be sickeningly sweet. Pun not intended. Then there was Yunan. Who in this life is a creep calling you sweetie.'' Sharrkan said. ''I don't recall Yunan being on there. And I already told him to stop that.'' Ja'far sat up a little. ''That's not gonna stop him from finding something similar. Then there was a guy named Mistoras.'' Sharrkan lay on the bed too, telling Ja'far to scoot over.
''Spartos' brother. Friendly.'' Ja'far said, making a bit of space for Sharrkan to lie down, still keeping the blanket. ''Overly friendly towards you, regularly friendly towards anyone else. Drinks on the house and all. Masrur told me.'' Sharrkan ranted. ''He could have done that for anyone.'' Ja'far argued. ''But he didn't. Making all the puppy eyes in the world for his sweet little crush.'' Sharrkan joked.
Ja'far snorted, before softly saying, ''Fine. And then there is you. The flaw with the point you are trying to make.'' ''What is the flaw?'' Sharrkan asked. ''It was only a rumor then, and even if it was true, you don't view me as such. I mean, you're an amazing friend, and you are doing a great job taking care of me so far.'' Ja'far said.
''You are the first person I've ever kissed. You are the first person I allowed to get that close to me, and the first person I've felt so many emotions towards.'' Sharrkan said. ''Emotions?'' Ja'far asked. ''Upset, happy, sad, elated, loved, all of them, frustrated and confused even. Like a rollercoaster.'' Sharrkan made the movement of going up and down with his hands.
''You did kiss me this afternoon?'' Ja'far asked. ''Third kiss I ever shared with you, I reckon.'' Sharrkan nearly boasted. ''Third kiss ever, you mean?'' Ja'far asked, sniffling. ''First kiss from an ill person, too. Wouldn't be too surprised if I caught the same virus tomorrow. We can even play a match of who takes care of whom.'' Sharrkan said. ''You are unbelievable.'' Ja'far shook his head, ''You've even cheered me up a bit.''
''It's part of the Saluja charm, you know. It's what I do best.'' Sharrkan said, making them both laugh. A laugh that caused Ja'far to have coughing fit. After he was done coughing, Sharrkan turned more serious. ''But, I meant it. The past may have been a rumor, that's the past, it can't be changed. But, it's more than a rumor now.'' he said.
Ja'far was quiet for a moment. ''You mean it?'' Sharrkan nodded. ''I've the worst timing, you being ill and all.'' ''Not too mention just rejected.'' Ja'far added, ''That too. And I am willing to give it time and all, but when the time is there, I want to be with you. At least to date, and to see where it goes. I don't know where, I don't know when, and I don't care. What I'll be waiting for is worth it all.'' Sharrkan said.
Ja'far smiled, before feeling nausea coming up. ''Just so you know, because I can't hold this in for long, just know I like you too.'' he said, before getting up, and running for the bathroom. Sharrkan, laying on the bed, felt like the king himself for a moment. Hearing those words from Ja'far was nice, the things he heard now, less so. He quickly got up, to fetch Ja'far a glass of water. This would be a long night, but he couldn't be happier.
That was proven the very next morning, as they lay on the bed. Ja'far finally asleep, and Sharrkan felt a big headache coming up, throbbing insanely. He looked over to his sleeping friend, smiling to himself. They hadn't had much time to talk it over, but Sharrkan was pretty sure the timing had been right. He quickly texted Masrur, to let him know they were both too ill for school, before he himself fell asleep too.
