Private Finished Time to Stop Pretending

On days like these Jafar would usually spend them at the library or just being out and about walking around the island.

However today is going to be a bit different from the others. He had a meeting with Noli which he didn't find anything wrong with that.

So he got a few things and went to go meet her after his trip to the library to return a few books.

It was a little weird that Noli wanted to talk with him in private at the park. At first Jafar haven't thought deeper about it until the closer he got to the park. He went from genuine happiness to being concerned and then to trying not to worry and right back to genuine happiness.

Before he realized it himself, Jafar was already at the park. He had to walk around for a bit until he was able to spot Noli sitting alone on a bench.

Walking over to her with a smile and even waved. "Hello Noli! I hope I am not too late." Opening up the bag he carried, Jafar pulled out a plastic food container. "I uh... also brought some fruit!"

No, this isn't going to be a picnic. Not like he had time to prepare anything for that.

@Kathinja

He was going to offer a hug but thought a bit better on the part so instead he only continued to smile. “It’s good to see you Noli, how have you been?”

Jafar carefully moved the container of food back into his bag which he then placed the bag on the ground. “It's just a few strawberries and grapes nothing more.” This was really a small amount of food considering Jafar and how much food he cooks and gives out.

“Yes, this is the time I would usually be at the library or donating some food….though I don't really mind it.” Well he is always able to back to the library at a later time there was no big loss there.

Jafar tilted his head a bit to the left and eyed Noli and probably seemed a bit clueless to anything at this point. Well he wasn't that clueless to tell that something maybe a little off due to Noli’s body language however he didn't think much on it.

“Talk? Oh sure we can talk about anything. Also do you want us to sit down or keep standing?”

Jafar nodded and sat down on the bench with Noli, placing the container of fruit between them.

“You want to talk about what I said at the party?” He wasn't sure what she was talking about at first but then he remembered. He remembered being slightly tipsy and remembered talking with Noli and the scarf she gave him. The scarf that he was wearing now. “Oh. You are right we should probably talk about that huh…?”

Jafar listened to Noli speak and then quickly realized where this conversation was going. He sunk a bit in his seat and just focused his attention on Noli. In honesty he should have known this was going to happen sooner or later…

When she mentioned him choosing Malara over her he sunk even more and looked down at the fruit.

“I didn't choose her over you because I love her….there's more to it than that. She saved me. If It wasn't for her I'd be dead or still a slave….I owe her my life and I will do anything she asks of me to my last breath. Plus….” Jafar sighed and picked at the fruit in the container. “I never thought Malara would propose to me even before she proposed to Cat or met Pandora, nor did I ever even thought I'd get married until it...just happened. That made me feel happy…”

“I want to choose you…” Woah, wait. Stop.

“No...I mean…” Aw shit now he isn't sure what he is saying. “Even If I chose you, even if I loved you more, I am still loyal to Malara. I am her ever faithful servant.” In his mind he repeated that last part. “Ever faithful servant”
Suddenly he didn't feel like eating the fruit anymore.

Noli didn't want to see him anymore and he understood why with how things happened. He was the one being clingy and they probably shouldn't be going on like this.

“Noli….” He wanted to say something but for the moment he couldn't find any words. “If….that's what you desire. I….” He stood up off the bench and just seemed a bit lost. He couldn't argue her..no he would never do that. He wasn't fine with this but it didn't matter what he felt, what matters is that Noli would be happy.
“I do love you but that wouldn't be fair to you or Mal. I was being a bit optimistic and thought that we could still be something. Friends.”

“I didn’t want to lose you and that's why I didn't notice anything wrong. I'm sorry Noli…” With that Jafar stood up from the bench and eyed the ground. “As long as you're happy then everything should be fine then after all.”

Right, he just want her to be happy.

@Kathinja

Jafar slowly nodded as he listened to Noli. She was probably right maybe it was best if they didn't hang out together. He however didn't really care for that. He preferred to keep her as a friend than lose her completely but sadly he didn't speak his mind. “I see what you mean….” No he really didn't. “You don’t want Malara to think I’m cheating on her with you hm?” It was said in a joking manner….well not like Mal would get angry if Jafar actually dated someone else besides her right? Maybe? Well either way that's something Mal won’t really have to worry about.

Jafar was a bit startled by Noli’s sudden actions. He took a moment to just stare at her as he wasn't sure on what she meant in ‘That isn’t fair” but when she continued, Jafar just sighed. He had freedom to do what he wanted.
“Noli you left those people because they didn't make you feel happy. You was hurting because of us not giving you all the attention you wanted and deserve. So you did what was best for you. You decided you wanted to stop hurting.”

“And I do have the freedom to choose, servant or not. I chose her. I love her and I can't really imagine my life without her.” Jafar smiled as he looked off to the distance. “You chose to leave and I chose to stay. We both made our choice...or are you saying I didn't make mines at all?”

“I could have left her numerous of times already such as when she got engaged to Cat or even when she first started dating Pandora.” both times he didn't really agree for his own reasons. Though unlike the event with Cat everything seemed to work out well with Pandora.
“However, I didn't leave because I love her and no matter what she does or who’s she with I know she also loves me.”

“...And that is all that really matters.” That there was the simple truth. Jafar is just a simple man with simple wants no matter how small they may seem to others.

Jafar returned his attention back to Noli and reached out to pat her head. “ there is no reason for you to be upset. This is the life I chose to live.”

@Kathinja

With how things ended with Noli and Mal he wasn't really surprised by what she said. Still though he didn't really want to hear it.

”Yes. You deserve someone like that...It's good to hear you found someone.” He smiled and nodded. She found someone which was great he should be happy for her, he was happy for her. “That's good Noli…”

So it seems like no matter what they couldn't even just be friends. Jafar took a moment to just...process that before absent mindedly nodding again. “You’re right. We should move on.” internally crying why? Because Jafar shouldn't cry right? This should have been expected for a while anyway…. “Maybe we could just start over and be friends at a later time when we are both ready…” Which he knows that could be years from now...or never at all because right now he wasn't sure if he could just let go.

“Hey...hey...no tears. Everything will be fine.” He tried to smile, tried, sadly he wasn't really able to do that. Jafar took off his scarf and attempted to try wipe away any tears on Noli’s face.

There wasn't anything he could really say that he didn't already say so he remained silent....even his thoughts were silent.