Seven Chances In Another World

Chapter 1: The Game

"Man, I'm beaten!" He left out a loud sigh, pressing a shaking hand against his pale skin. "How do they expect us to be happy on New Year's Eve when they're working us to hell for twelve hours?! It's not enough to be born in a trashcan country like this. We should also pay for being here?! If I had the choice, I would rather live underwater than stay another minute here!"

"Ah… It's new year’s eve already." His brother shook his head. "I hate myself as always. I'm happy that it didn't change this year too. It was my greatest accomplishment."

"Ah, pipe down, Shadi."

"Why? I didn't scream. You're the one who always complains, Jassem. And then, you say it's my fault. You're an awesome older broth–"

"It's that coat you've always wanted!"

The brothers stopped in front of a clothes shop, and the older brother's eyes were filled with stars, his whining replaced with delight. His younger brother hesitated before joining his side to look at the coat that probably cost a fortune. He moved his gaze to his brother to feel slightly repulsed by the joy on his face. His brother's green eyes had a unique shade that Shadi never saw before. He secretly envied his brother for having such beautiful eyes while his own pair was a dull brown. His older brother had a soft black hair that reached his collar bone. Shadi often told him that it was too long and that his brother needed to cut it. It was too girly for him. However, his brother would often say that he had no time and that his wife liked it long.

Shadi pursed his lips. He knew how much he was a failure compared to his older brother. His brother was thirty-three, but he had a pregnant wife, a stable job, an owned home and the good looks that could get him anything he wanted. He also started his own online business, and it was blossoming like cherry trees on a warm April. Jassem was a successful man.

On the other hand, Shadi, twenty-nine, could no longer count the number of nights he spent outside of the house with no friends, lovers or purpose. Despite working in the same corporation with his brother, they rarely came home together. When they did, they would complain to each other until they fight and part ways.

His brother made his way up the ladder, and he was almost at the post of vice-president, while Shadi remained another disposable chess piece. Shadi didn't know who to blame for his sad fate, but he secretly wished that his brother died.

"Shadi? Are you listening to me?"

Shadi blinked several times and eyed his older brother, trying to remember what he was talking about. Jassem smiled, amused. "What were you thinking of? I'm telling you, that coat would look great on you. You should go try it on. January won't go easy on us this year, so you need something nice and warm. I know you're a troublesome lad who likes to hang out in the streets a lot. At least get yourself some nice gear," he grinned as he spoke the last words and held his brother's hand. "Your hand is freezing! Come on. Let me buy you some clothes. Consider it my gift for tonight, even though I’m not into celebrating anything really. I’m willing to make an exception for you!"

"You don't celebrate anything really, but your wife still invited us to go with her to the cinema." Shadi raised his eyebrows. "Don't be such a hypocrite. Just admit it. Trying to play it cool and do as if you’re too old for that stuff. Man, you’re exited for tonight’s fireworks. I know you are. You’re not the only one who celebrates New Year in this cursed Tunisia anyway. Who cares? I still agree that it is all futile, but that just my view of things."

"Don't say that…" Jassem sighed and hugged his brother tightly. "It makes me sad to see you so depressed. I might complain about work, but if you need to tell me something, I'm all ears. I'm your older brother. We only have each other. Please, rely on me."

"You're… just saying that…" Shadi took a step backwards. "In the end, you only care about your wife. When I collapsed in the bar last year, you didn't even come to pick me up! Now you're playing the role of the perfect older brother and the angel. Magically, I'm the bad one!" Shadi's eyes watered as he pushed his brother against the shop's showcase. "You don't care about me. Don't tell me any lies."

"When you collapsed in that bar, it was after you stole my money." Jassem lowered his head. "I didn't know how to face you. How was I supposed to help you after you did that to me?! You… hurt me so much…"

"That didn't matter. I was about to die!"

Jassem frowned and looked away. "I… I'm…"

Shadi shook his head. "You're not even sorry! You think you can buy my affection with an expensive coat?! No! Not happening! I don't need your money!"

"Then why did you steal from me?" Jassem glared at him. "If you don't need my money, why did you steal from me?!"

"I was unemployed back then!"

"You were fired." Jassem sighed. "You harassed your employer. Shadi, I'm more than ready to let go of the past. I know our life wasn't easy. I know. Give me a chance to make it up for you. If you need a doctor, I will take you to one. Let me take care of you. Give me a chance, please. Don't try to shoulder everything by yourself. That's impossible! Let me share your burden as your brother. Please."

Shadi shook his head and turned to leave before bumping into someone. He gritted his teeth and cursed, feeling his nose about to break. "Watch your steps, crazy drunkard! Damn… Loser."

He frowned, seeing a paper falling off the man's hands. It landed in front of Jassem. Shadi bowed down and collected it. Jassem glanced at the man. "This is yours. Are you all right?"

"Oh, really?" Shadi poked the man's chest and glared at his brother. "A stranger is more important than me now?!"

"Can you stop being a child?" Jassem raised his eyebrows. "He is a stranger, and that's precisely why! Don't be rude to others!" He stood in front of the man. "Are you hurt? I apologize on behalf of my brother."

"No, you won't! I won't apologize to anyone!" Shadi pushed his brother away and took the paper from his hands. "What is this anyway?"

"Stop! Don't read it! That's rude! Sir, please take it! I'm so sorry!" Jassem seemed extremely embarrassed as he glanced at the man, and he noticed how unbothered he was towards everything happening. "S-Sir?"

The man glanced at him, and his reddish lips curved into a faint smile. His jet black hair covered his face, but Jassem could see their icy light grey shade flaring from underneath the thick hair strands. It barely reached his shoulders, but the blackness of his loose sweater merged with that of his hair, making it impossible to figure out the exact length.

Within a few seconds, heavy rain started, and Shadi opened the letter.

As soon as he did, an overwhelming smell of musk enveloped his senses as his eyes slowly widened. "What is this?!"

He glanced up at the man and saw nothing but shining grey orbs glowing and staring at him in an uncomfortable silence. He frowned and backed off. "Read this, Jassem."

Jassem stood next to him and read the first line.

LAST LETTER

15TH CENTURY FOR THE LOVERS OF THE MOON

DEAR JIBREEL

The smell of musk went stronger, and a strong wind blew as a roaring thunder crashed. They stared at the name written on the letter and the date and exchanged glances.

"The number is complete." The man finally spoke. He gently took the letter from the brothers' hands and eyed them, his smile widening slightly. "You two are the last ones. Have a good night."

He straightened and started walking away.

"You're crazy!" Shadi screamed at him. "Go get yourself checked!"

Jassem watched the man disappear in the crowd without noticing that the rain and wind had stopped a while ago. He slowly took a step forward and found himself running after the man. He entered the mob and glanced around. "THE LAST ONES TO DO WHAT?" he screamed, and the passers-by looked at him. He felt his heart racing as he could no longer see the man. "WHO ARE YOU?"

Shadi clenched his fists and stood next to him. "Let's go meet with your wife. She's waiting for us at the cinema."

Jassem wrapped his arms around his brother. "Are you okay? I… I'm… I'm feeling strange. I'm sorry if I acted strangely before. Please forgive me."

"No. It's fine." Shadi hugged him back. "Let's just leave. We agreed to meet with your wife about thirty minutes ago."

"W-We must hurry."

They left without noticing the grey-eyed man observing them from the rooftop of a building. He smiled, watching them run. He heard slow footsteps, and the rain returned.

"Fate is just like death."

He rolled his head skywards to let the rain kiss his face.

"It spares nobody."

He glanced down at the letter and shut his eyelids, and the water slid down along his long eyelashes.

"It is only a matter of time."

"We must also move." Another voice spoke, and the grey-eyed nodded.

“The game has just begun.”