College is seriously kicking my ass.... But here's the next part!

Part 2: Siblings, Market food and some embarrassing memories

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The first place the group arrived at was a stand of stone bleachers.

"Where are we?" Malleus asked.

"This is where all the spectators will be for the show tonight." Jamil explained. "The Bazaar we're heading to is just up ahead of here. But we can take a look around if you'd like?" Jamil led them through the stands where several people were renting and chatting without a care.

"Still hot out but lots of people are out here." Cater looked around to see many dressed in silk garbs like them.

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"It's the Firework festival after all." Jamil starts. "It's based upon an old story from the past. The story of a bond of love: between a headstrong princess and a lonely street urchin. Despite their statuses, they found a way to be wed. In celebration of their marriage, the genie had launched thousands of fireworks into the night sky as they left for their honeymoon. The story was told for years on end, and still continues to this day. And thus, the Festival was born."

"So romantic~!" Cater cooed with a lovesick smile.

"And the flowers we have are another prominent symbol. They're called Jasmine. It's said in the story this was the same flower the young urchin gave to the princess when they first met."

"No wonder everyone has it on some way, shape or form." Malleus observed subtly every person who has the flower: as a brooch, as an accessory, etc. "And they smell so fragrant...."

"I can't help but think that those two things: the flowers and the festival, it makes me think people from here are romantic in a sense...." Cater thought humbly.

"You're not wrong." Jamil admits. "Everyone here values tradition and customs of the past. One example being: the craftsman who build the fireworks are responsible for setting them off. But for me, the real thing I take pride in is the technological growth of our country."

"What do you mean?" Trey asked.

"It's the Sorcerer of the Sands." Jamil admits. "He's a respected person in our homeland, hence why he's one of the Great Seven. He once built a machine that produced artificial lightning. Many a wizard and engineer envied the levels he reached. But they began to conduct advanced research in our country. I guess that's one reason why I can live a good life...."

"I'll admit myself: this country never ceases to amaze me." Malleus admitted. "There's a well balance between Tradition and Modernity. Perhaps this event may be one symbolism of this country's wealth."

Charlie, whom had been looking deep into the lake's waters beside the stone bleachers could almost picture the fireworks up in the night sky. "If they're as pretty as described, then if only I could see them in front of me...." She whispers as she looked up a small smile gracing her painted lips.

"I know that exact feeling." Jamil appeared beside her silently, startling her. "When I was younger I was always excited to see them for myself. It's not as how it used to be, but I still like to see them as all those years ago...." Charlie couldn't help but see the same small boy she saw in her visions when he had fallen from his overblot. He was so full of life back then, despite the transgressions thrown at him....and yet he remained strong...just like her....it felt weird: seeing someone whom you used to consider an adversary to be similar like yourself. It just goes to how how human some monsters can be....

"Hey, uh, it's getting kinda crowded here..." Cater 'politely' jumped in between the two to speak to Jamil.

Jamil looks up to see more people entering the stands. "It's more of the residents. They're trying to find seats for tonight it seems...."

"And they're bought their own food and drinks." Trey nods. "Quite the planners."

"Just goes to show how great this city is." Malleus says.

"Well, let's find our as well!" Grim urged.

"No need to worry over that. Weve reserved a few ahead of time." Jamil points to the back where a canopy of turquoise and gold fabric was. "There's canopies over there. Those are the Reservation seats. We can watch in a safe space."

"The difference is pretty clear. Looks more like one of those VIP booths at a convention center." Trey says.

"They're mostly used for celebrities or influential people from other countries." Jamil answered.

"Weren't there other decorations with the same color scheme...?" Malleus asked.

"Peacock Green is is the color the Princess's outfit that she wore from the story. It's during this period, the streets are lined with sink fabric in that same color."

"But what about the canopy that's dark red at the end?" Trey asked, looking further down the line of VIP seats.

"That's the color to represent the Sorceror of the Sands." Cater was too busy getting a picture to listen to what Jamil had to say.

"So, uh, where will they launch the fireworks?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the phone.

"On the other side of the river from where we are. People can choose to see them elsewhere, but lots prefer up close and this is the ideal spot."

"No wonder many scramble to get good seats..." Trey looks around to see some starting to find a few and set their belongings down so no one can take their spot.

"Hey, can we stop the talk? I'm getting famished....." Grim swayed with boredom.

"Okay. Let's head to the Bazaar." Jamil agreed.

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From food stalls to wares being sold, the street was as busy as ever.

"There's so many stalls, it's more of a morning market!" Trey looks around.

"It's always like this, but it's more busy than usual." Jamil led them in a cluster around the streets. "Obviously due to the festival."

"OOOOH! This is what I totally wanted to see from the Scalding Sands!!!" Cater was in awe as he snaps photo after photo. Charlie looks around seeing lots of things being sold: freshly caught fish, pots in different metals and clay, small snacks like figs and nuts, and jewelry that sparkled every time she blinked.

"Do the residents come here a lot to buy groceries?" Malleus asks.

"Yes. The locals always come to buy the necessary things: fish, vegetables, and other things. But there's also food stalls around and that can attract many tourists."

"...I see..."

"Why is something wrong?" Trey asked.

"It's just that I never saw one camel....It's called the 'Camel Bazaar, so I only suspect that we'd see at least a few here...."

"Is that why you're worried?" Jamil chuckled. "Actually, there are none. "Before the land routes and canals were built, Camels became of use in transportation to deliver things. This market was actually an oasis where travelers would rest with the camels after long miles of travel. Soon, business flourished here and the market became what it is today. Like I said before: no one uses camels for transportation now that we have cars and boats, but only the namesake is left to remind how it all began."

"Ah, that makes sense. I never knew the name of the Bazaar would have such interesting history."

"But it was a smart move to keep the original name." Trey said. Which led to Cater saying it's a cute name and how malleus should do the same when he got back, only to say that it should be named after his beloved toy: Gao-Gao Dragon-kun, which got a few awkward silences but a small giggle out of Charlie.

"Ugh, enough with the history crap!!" Grim was getting impatient. "Gimme da food!" But that only earned him a sharp ear tug from Charlie who hissed at him to be quiet or she'll throw all his tuna into a deep dark hole which he'll never be able to find again.

"Yea, it's been a while since I ate too..." Cater agreed.

Grim took a huge whiff and smiled. "Oh, I've got something!"

"It must be that skewer stall." Trey points out.

"It's Shawarma. If you get it anywhere else, it usually comes with a grilled side. But here they just give it without the side. It's another popular fast food item. It's healthier than it looks, trust me. You can add anything you'd like to it: olives, tomato, onion and more."

"You've got the yogurt, garlic, chili sauce...."

"I usually prefer mine with garlic and hummus spread." One by one, they gave their orders to Jamil: first Trey, Malleus, Cater, Grim and Charlie.

"If that's what you recommend, I'll try one as well." Trey smiled.

"I'll go with just a traditional one."

"I'll take mine with onion, tomato and jalapenos! And basil mayo, just a dash of yogurt and all on a baguette!"

"Gimme one with everything!"

"And you, Charlotte?"

"Maybe... lots of chicken and turkey, wrap it in pita, and...some basil mayo and olives with lettuce?"

"You've got it." he memorized it. "Okay, gimme a few minutes." he told the group and towards the vendor, recalled all the orders correctly.

"Wow...he memorized everything without any mistakes!" Trey was impressed.

"That's Jamil for ya!"

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"Sorry for the wait, but here's your order!" one of the waiters hands over six individually wrapped shawarma. Jamil takes them with a smile.

"Thanks. Everyone, take the one with your initials on it." Jamil says, as the others tried to find their name initials.

"Let me help with that." Trey offered.

"Wow..this looks better than I imagined!" Cater grinned.

"Never thought we'd stand while eating." Malleus says as he began to unwrap the tinfoil.

"When you go to food markets and social events like these, it's a regular thing for you." Charlie says, having her own experiences.

"Is this heaven....?" Grim began to drool. "Agh, I cant take it!!" He rips open his own meal and chows down.

Jamil went to grab his own only to see....there were none left in his or Trey's hands. "Huh....strange, my Shawarma's gone."

"Did they forget it?" Malleus asked.

"No, I distinctly remember getting six." Jamil denied.

"You could say a certain monster got his paws on it~?" Cater says, looking at Grim.

"I agree that the possibility's high~." Trey teased as well.

"Fgnna?! I-Id never do something like that!" Grim shook his head rapidly. "I'd rather rob the whole stand than take anther person's food~."

"Don't you dare." Jamil hissed.

"Jk! Jk!" Cater laughs. "Lt's just look around and see who may have it instead!"

"Well all of us have it...." Trey circles to see that him, Cater, Malleus, Charlie and Grim have one.

Charlie then had an instinctual feeling to look behind her. She did so and seeing someone's back was turned, they were obviously chewing on something. Something....that looked like the food they ordered....and the initials of "J.V" were scribbled on it messily.

Her eyes widened. But when she got a closer look at the person, who then turned around, it was actually a girl! She looked to be in her adolescent years. With chocolate brown-colored hair like hers, but a tad lighter in the medium spectrum tied in a small fan bun/side ponytail, bronze skin and charocoal eyes. She wore a black tank top with frayed ends and gold stitching, a blue patterned cape with pink and red flowers, jean shorts, black leggings and sandals. For jewelry, she had a thin black choker with a red gem as the charm, two gold bangles on either wrist, the same peacock green silk sash she and the guys had, but tied at her waist like a makeshift belt, a cloth bandana and the same jasmine flower tucked by her ear.

"Not bad!" the girl smiled. "I may get one of my own next time~." She smiled.

"That's her!!!!" Grim points her out. "She's the culprit!!!"

"Excuse me..." Trey approaches. "Did you come here alone? I don't think that's right swiping someone's food like that."

"And what if I know the person~?" the girl teases back. Her eyes directed to Jamil.

"Uh, you look like you're gonna have an aneurysm...." Cater looks at him worried.

"N-N-Najma?!" was the only thing that left him.

"Long time no see, Jamil~!" the girl, now known as Najma, smiled.

"You two know one another?" Cater asked, looking between the two.

"Nice to meet you all! I'm Najma Viper!"

Confusion swept the newcomers...all but Charlie who had connected the dots almost immediately. "Oh for Christ's sake, she's his sister!" she exploded.

"HUH?!"

"Why'd you steal what was mine?!" Jamil demands, not caring if the others were shcoked at the revelation. But he regained his bearings and relays, "Correction: what are you doing here?"

"Hey, I didn't ask to be dragged into this, either." she looked at him with the same gaze, like looking in a mirror.

"Jeez, they even share the same "I'm done" looks!" Cater shivered.

"Actually, I've been meaning to find you. Dad wanted me to pass a message." Najma explains. "Our seats for the fireworks has been changed. I told him so many times I sent you a text!"

"I'm aware. I saw the messages." Jamil nods.

"...But he insisted I tell it to you face to face...." Najma finished. "Again: I didn't wanna get dragged into this and here we are....~."

Jamil sighed with exasperation. "He really needs to learn about modern technology....."

"Hey! I forced myself to get out of the house and traveled all the way on foot to find you! Not even a simple 'thank you'?!" Najma snaps.

"Right....Uh, thank I guess....anything else to tell me while your here...?" he says. "If that's all, I'm a little busy and you need to get back to the house."

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"Yeah, uh....is she your girlfriend or Kalim's?" Najma asked, looking at Charlie.

"Uh, what?!" Charlie looked at her horrified. Jamil even froze at the question.

"I mean, look at her outfit! It's no wonder she has SOME connection to you or Kalim...." Najma approaches Charlie and smiled slightly. "Is she the girl you wrote to us about?"

"SHHHHHH!!!!" Jamil shushed her.

"Wait, you WROTE about me?!" Charlie looked at him, feeling a bit betrayed. "When did this happen?!" Jamil was a bit too tongue tied to speak, lest look at Charlie properly.

"Yea, he wrote to us about you one day." Najma confirmed. "You must be Charlotte. I gotta say: I thought Jamil was imagining things, but now I see he's not lying. You seem like a nice person, even if we haven't truly met 'til now. Jamil only mentioned you and said a few things, but it had our dad freaking out. Our mom was chill about it, but they had one thing to say: they wanted to meet you one of these days."

All the while Najma was talking, Charlie was glaring at Jamil who looked like he wanted to dig a hole in the ground and reside there for the whole day, maybe the rest of his academic years....

"So, uh, Jamil! Why don't we bring Najma along with us?" Cater decided to ease some tension. "Jamil's likely to get home rather late due to his work. Why not stay and talk with him if you'd like? Maybe get to know a future-in-law~?"

"Yeah! It's been sometime since you both spoke." Trey supports.

"NO WAY IN HELL!!!" Jamil explodes, causing a few passerbys to look over with worry.

"Actually, I kinda like the idea!" Najma decides to push her brother's buttons more and tag along.

"I'm not gonna keep an eye on you!" Jamil seethed with flushed cheeks.

"I didn't say you were my babysitter." Najma fired back.

"You're not coming and that's final!" Jamil stood firm.

"Rude! After all those miles I tracked just to find you!" Najma feigns hurt. "And I didn't get to hang with MY friends because of you! Besides, its still mid-afternoon and the stars aren't coming out for sometime. So I guess I'll have to be alone until then! And that's boring! Being myself on this yearly occasion!" Jamil grunts, looking away in anger, knowing his sister was likely guilt-tripping him to having her come along.

"Why won't he bring her along? Aren't they related by blood?" Malleus was confused.

"Maybe he doesn't want us knowing about his personal life." Trey shrugs. "I've siblings of my own, so its relatable."

"Really? Sounds like its complicated...." Malleus says.

"Trust me: living under a roof when you've one sister and brother, you can get used to doing shit like this all the time..." Charlie sighed.

"But I get where he's coming from!" Cater defends. "I mean, if I were to be seen by MY sisters with MY friends in public, I'd be scarred!"

"Don't tell me that actually happened, did it?" Trey looks at him. "But it's rare seeing Jamil frazzled, keep this as a key memory~." he teases, sharing a snicker with Charlie.

"Shut up!!!" Jamil shrieks, embarassed at losing composure. He glared at Najma, "Back. To. The House. This instant!"