Chapter 7 - Meeting

The birds flew freely below the azure sky, and the sun illuminated the world once more. Classes had ended for quite some time now, and the gate of the academy was filled with students leaving the premises. Ban stood waiting on the side, showing off an annoyed look. He was about to leave when a familiar boy came up to him.

"Zuko! What took you so long?" He shouted, attracting the gazes of students from all around. Isn't he a bit insolent, they thought. He was talking to the prince, for god's sake. The royal family was to be respected, it was taught to them from a young age, and seeing this impolite attitude of Ban aroused their ire. Some sneered while some eyed him angrily, but that was what most they could do.

Zuko's mouth twitched in irritation, he said. "As disrespectful as always." He asked. "Is Haji there already?"

"Yeah, he told me he'd meet someone there, so he went ahead of us." Said Ban, grabbing Zuko by the arm and dragged him to a carriage parked not far from their spot. "Let's go, I had the carriage prepared for us."

Zuko tried to resist, wanting to not show such a sight in front of a crowd, but his strength was far from comparable to Ban. The Imperial Firebenders only followed, never once they helped him to stop Ban's actions. He'd tell his father about their negligence, but a part of him thought that the man would not care about his appeal.

While inside the carriage, Zuko was deep in thought, he looked far outside the window, a hint of concern touched his face. He whispered. "I heard from Azula that he's her boyfriend now. Why would he meet someone there…"

"Did you say anything?" Ban heard his mumbling, it piqued his curiosity.

Zuko looked at him and rudely said. "I did not." Ban was surely annoying, they would even talk rudely against each other when provoked by one another. However, they were used to treating each other this way — to the point where they would not take it personally. Ban awkwardly smiled at him. "Alright." He said, then he laid comfortably on the seat, large enough to fit his body.

The scenery changed one after another, passing through multiple buildings as they traveled through the road that led to Haji's clan-owned restaurant. They had arrived minutes later, and the two let out a relieved sigh. It was awkward, they didn't have many topics to talk about. Ban stretched out his arms, stiff from laying down on the flat wooden seat. "Finally!"

The lower floor wasn't as crowded as yesterday, only a few tables were occupied since it was only late afternoon. Frequent customers would greet Zuko, standing from their seats and bowed to their highness, the crown prince. With his ego stimulated from such a sight, Zuko smiled haughtily at them and waved his hands. Some who were new to such a sight whispered amongst themselves, they wondered why the crown prince would visit this establishment, to which they were informed of the answer; A close friend of his is the owner's son.

Ban and Zuko then reached a hallway, where multiple rooms were to be seen. They strode toward a specific room, right in the middle of the hallway, but a cold, familiar voice froze them in their tracks. They edged a little closer on the door and listened.

"We need to stop meeting from now on."

"Are you serious, Haji? Have I done anything that angered you? Please, tell me…"

"I've found someone else, Yue, my family wishes for me to be with her."

"What about our promise… Are you just going to forget everything about us?" The sorrowful, yet melodious voice spoke very weakly. The usual hangout place of Ban and Haji was now intruded upon by another person. They looked through a gap on the door, and on a wooden chair sat a woman of exquisite beauty, with short, black hair, and bright brown eyes. She exuded an elegant air, one of whom only a lady from a renowned family could cultivate.

Opposite her, sat Haji who stared at her with an ice-cold gaze. The woman stood from her seat and lay down on his feet, weeping, she held his thigh. He looked down at her and said. "Let go."

Her tear-stained eyes glued at the once gentle face, that soft, gentle hands that held her body tightly were now driving her away, indifferent to her plea. She was thoroughly confused, but more than that, devastated. She wailed. "You've already sullied me!"

Haji's face distorted when he heard her screeching voice, it sounded so desperate, almost making him lose his front. Still, he stopped himself from being impulsive, he'd gladly be heartless than losing the favor of Azula. He slapped her hands away as he couldn't bear to look at her pitiful appearance. "Just leave, Yue! We're done. do you understand!?"

He turned away from her, not bothered to mind her presence anymore. She sat on the floor in shock, betrayed by his cruel treatment of her. She lost her voice and stood up weakly. Her frail physique swayed as she left the room, a despairing feeling overwhelmed her presence. She left a statement that lingered in the room. "I won't let you go, never…"

The door opened, Ban and Zuko who was eavesdropping stood at the side, letting her go through. They watched as she strode off in forceful steps, her tears dropping on the floor. Entering the room, Ban commented. "That was harsh, Haji."

Though it was unexpected that the two would arrive here before he could have driven off Yue, Haji spoke in a calm voice. "Better than angering, Azula."

Bewildered, Ban stood frozen on his spot. Haji spoke his next words with a nonchalant tone. "I went on a date with Azula yesterday, things happened."

"Wow... So even the princess became your girlfriend." He exclaimed. Remembering that Haji used to treat the princess like a little sister of his, a bit of teasing here and there, but he had never shown his interest. He turned to Zuko and asked. "You know this?"

Zuko nodded. "Just last night when Azula bragged about it after dinner." He recalled the woman who strode off the room. "Isn't the girl earlier, Lady Yue?" She is known to be the most beautiful girl in the Royal Academy for girls, with great prowess in firebending, and high achievements in academics. A lot of men admire her and many of them had proposed to her family, however, they were all refused. He did not expect even a girl, who was known to be pure and elegant, to be in an affair with Haji, someone who might be deeply involved with his little sister. Indeed, a womanizer through and through.

"Yeah, I've been with her for a year, but things have changed now. You know what I mean, Zuko." Answered Haji, his tone was plain and dull.

"Have a seat you two, let's forget about what happened, okay?" Haji held the empty chair beside him and gestured. He guessed that Zuko was a bit uncomfortable hearing that kind of scene since he was just on a date with Azula yesterday. He intently looked at both Zuko and Ban, then smiled. With a threatening tone in his voice, he said. "Not one word will go out about this, especially to Azula. Can I trust you both?"

They nodded and went on to find their sit. He wasn't faltered nor he cared if Zuko was a prince, Zuko himself felt it, he knew it was truly Haji's personality; a dominant person. Once again, in their favorite hanging spot, the three conversed in everything they could think of. No one brought out any topic regarding Haji's date with Azula nor his affair with Yue. It was a very memorable moment for the three, feeling free from worries inside that small room filled with extravagant snacks. While munching on his dumplings, Ban leaned sideways to Zuko and extended his arm around him. "Isn't our prince's birthday next month?"

"Yes, but you're not invited." Said Zuko, grabbing Ban's hand away from his shoulders.

Ban showed an exaggerated face and playfully said. "Oh, come on! I was hoping to taste the palace meals again, and meet the noble ladies from all around our nation."

Ban's words reminded Haji of something, he thought hard before it came through his mouth, his words stopping the two from their banter. "And Azula's next week, right?"

The two, Haji and Ban, looked at Zuko, and he nodded at their inquiring gaze. "I'm not coming," Ban interjected, a bit cautious of Azula since the incident. He wouldn't want to experience it, and go there once more, lest she once again gets jealous over him, especially, now that she and Haji are sweethearts. He said. "Don't force me to come, and I'll buy you both something expensive."

"Sure, don't forget what you said. I'll make sure to empty that pocket of yours," Haji had a businesslike smile, and he gestured the money sign. He was serious with what he had said, and Ban showed a desperate look. That fated day where he would buy them stuff would be a loss for him, and he ate the last dumpling in a downcast manner. Haji and Zuko laughed at such a sight of a meek-looking Ban, who became silent after what he had said. The man had learned his lesson to not run his mouth off easily in exchange for favors.