Don't leave

"This relationship cannot happen because the both of you are too incompatible. I’m sorry, but I do not give my blessing."

...

I was passing by after I had just finished using the bathroom. That was when I heard those exact words.

...

This relationship cannot happen.

I do not give my blessing.

...

I was suddenly frozen to the spot in the middle of the hallway. Shiun and the girls were waiting for me in the living room. Aunt Kanna and Sakuya were right outside the door beside me, still discussing. That’s where I had accidentally picked up the bit of information.

...

Relationship cannot happen.

Not compatible.

...

For a moment, the only real emotion I could feel was relief. After so long, I had finally gotten my answer. We were not going to be allowed to see each other.

I was already expecting it. I wasn’t hoping for it, but I was expecting it. Sakuya and I came from completely different worlds in terms of culture, beliefs, and practice. There were just too many hurdles to cross if we wanted to make things work between the two of us, and our families were always going to play a big role in whether or not we ended up together.

Well, I guess it was over now.

***

“Wait. You’re leaving?” Ayane asked.

“Yeah, bro, where you jetting off to?”

I turned to stare at the both of them. I already had one hand resting on the door, ready to push it aside. I suddenly didn’t know how to respond to them. I just wanted to get out of there.

“What’s going on, Jumo? Won’t you wait for Sakuya to drive you on her scooter? It’s already pretty late.”

“Yeah, dawg, it’s not safe out there,” Shiun said.

“Why are you just staring at us? Say something!” Ayane demanded.

Oh, it’s nothing, girls. It’s just that your sister, the girl I have spent the last six months falling in love with—yeah. I just overheard that we could never be together. It sucks, right? Yep, I’m sure you can imagine. So that’s why I’m leaving.

Ash stepped forward.

“I think he heard something,” she said. “I think he heard my mother talking, and she didn’t approve of their relationship.”

The remaining sisters suddenly gasped in shock.

I didn’t wait around to answer questions.

I slid open the door and left.

***

“I appreciate your wisdom, Auntie,” Sakuya said to Kanna while they were still standing outside the house and talking. The sun had completely gone down, and darkness now enveloped the entire area.

“But I have already made my decision.” She clenched her fists as she spoke, and her brows were furrowed in defiance, not disrespect.

“Jumo and I will live together under one roof. This roof.” She gestured to the main house behind her. “I will tell him everything he needs to know about me. The spirits, my powers, and the consequences of me choosing to spend my life with him.”

Kanna looked like she wanted to say something, but Sakuya wasn’t done talking.

“I will not abandon the people to the spirits, Auntie,” Sakuya said. “I will continue to protect them for as long as I live. My children will too, in any way they can—powers or no powers.”

“Jumo means a lot to me. And I choose him and my people,” Sakuya continued. “I want love, Auntie. I do not want an arranged marriage with a random stranger from the village or the other guardian temples. I want Jumo, and I will have him, for as long as he wants me.”

“And the elders?” Kanna asked. Before Sakuya could respond, the side door slid open.

“He’s gone!” Ayane yelled. “Jumo overheard you guys talking, and now he’s gone!”

Sakuya did not waste another second. Her eyes glowed, and she immediately shot out of the temple to look for him.

***

I was stomping down a dirt road, not really sure whether I was going in the right direction. The night stars illuminated my path. The chirping of crickets, the buzzing of cicadas—none of those were loud enough to drown out the storm of rejections brewing in my mind.

All the relatives that chose to leave me and my mother when she decided to give me the tattoos to save my life.

All the times I was blatantly ignored in online group chats, the soft-core discrimination I received just for being who I am, while I desperately tried to belong.

All the numerous opportunities I’ve had stripped away from me.

And now, the very best person I wanted to spend my entire life with—also being separated from me.

That was enough.

There was only so much I could take.

There was only so much I could endure without going batshit crazy at the injustice of the world.

I didn’t want to deal with it anymore.

I was done.

I was going back home.

But then…

“Jumooo!”

I turned just as a body launched into me, sending the both of us flying and crashing into the dirt. The pain was immense, but I quickly realized who I was holding on to—and who was tightly holding on to me too.

“Sakuya?”

“Please. Don’t leave,” she said, holding onto me tighter and sniffling. “Please. Don’t leave.”