Jamil who is incapable of his own emotions. Feeling them. Expressing them. Voicing them. Both in his own body, and in permission. His position means he has no right to say anything other than carefully manipulated pieces of advice. His own thoughts had no place in Kalim's air.
Especially not when he was lucky enough to get to stay. To stand in the corner and watch it all happen. The thing, the person, he'd resented so long was being ripped from him and the idiot didn't even realize it. How long was Jamil going to be graced with admission to Kalim's life now? New wife meant new help. New staff flooding the walls he's spent countless hours memorizing and shaping into his own.
How would they fare? How would Kalim? Does he really think they'd be able to tend to the house the way he can? It's been years learning Kalim. Growing with him. They were two trees intertwined. Branches intercepting like fingers lacing. Wildly different blooms who's colors complimented each other effortlessly. They were planted this way on purpose. This woman has every intention of ripping them at the roots.
As if she has any knowledge of who the Asim heir truly is. What it takes to care for him. Day in and out, beck and call. Every meal, meeting, outing, every the rain stick of a man managed a fleeting thought of his own, Jamil was there.
Will he be expected to remain? To pick up the pieces whenever she failed? To witness someone new begin to pick up on the habits. The differences in the rises and falls of Kalim's voice? How many failed meals will he have to pick at the scraps of until she no longer needs him to salvage their every breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Who will schedule his meetings? Save him from his father's insistent business partners? Guide him towards his best interests? Some woman who barely grasps the concept of his magic.
What if he is asked to leave? Pushed out bit by bit until he can barely enter a room without knocking. The idea of having to request anything from her fills him with disgust. He's earned his place. There is work put behind his attitude, despite her best efforts to dismiss it. Jamil knows no life without the consistency that the pest brings him. The drilling routine he's found comfort in. He is secure in the exhaustion, it's a sign of his worth.
Already, in the flurry of wedding arrangements, he feels so distant. He hasn't had a moment of privacy with Kalim to offer his concerns. Time alone hasn't been an option either. A constant buzz never seemed to leave the air. Droning voices and arguments never seeming to come to a conclusion. Colors of napkins, floral arrangements, guest list. Nothing seemed to ever find a compromise, or even a proper decision. Everything put aside to a later date as Kalim gets off track with another idea that is allowed to roam free for hours with no direction or supervision. Jamil was given direct instruction not to interfere with any wedding discussions, but not to discourage any of Kalim's excited ramblings. To stand and listen to his meaning be diminished further and further.
Was it his responsibility to sabotage this? His role is to prioritize Kalim's well being. Is it not up to him to delay or even completely ruin this entire ordeal. Kalim is not meant to be with - Someone who would struggle so much to keep him focused. Surely, if he allowed this to follow through, he would be failing.
Or is it to simply see Kalim's enthusiasm begin to face away from him. To find satisfaction in all he's done to bring Kalim to this moment? To let go. But what is there without this? How is he meant to proceed after? He dreamed but never anticipated this arrangement actually ceasing.
What is there for him without Kalim?