Chapter 21: King of the Sea
Olana's voice echoed through the classroom, "Dear students, it's better if we conclude the lesson now before you all faint. Take a break, go grab some lunch, and then dive into your studies. Remember, people look up to you as the next big figures, but to achieve greatness, you need to keep learning and growing."
She flashed a caring smile at the class before turning towards Alex, "Alex, don't dwell too much on today. You gave your best, and that's what matters. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll achieve your goals."
Alex beamed back at her, grateful for her words of encouragement. "Thank you," he said softly.
"No problem, now go grab some lunch," Olana said, patting him on the shoulder before turning to leave the classroom.
As Alex made his way towards the locker room, Emily stood by the door, beaming at him. "Alex! Hurry up in there, today's lunch is on me! I found a fantastic restaurant, and we can go together!"
Alex's face lit up, and he nodded eagerly before rushing inside. Inside, he found Max getting dressed. Seeing Alex, Max smiled and said, "Hey Alex, want to join me for lunch?"
Alex's heart sank as he remembered Max's earlier coldness towards him when he entered the class late. His mind raced, trying to make sense of Max's sudden change in behavior. After a few moments of hesitation, Alex responded, "Thanks for the invite, but I already have plans. Maybe next time."
Max's curiosity got the best of him, and he asked, "Plans? With who?"
"Emily," Alex replied, hastily changing his shirt.
"Where are you guys going?" Max inquired.
"I don't know for sure. She said she found a very good restaurant and wanted to try it out," Alex said, grabbing his things to leave the locker room.
As Alex made his way out, Max's voice sounded behind him, "I like her, so I hope as my friend you can support me and my relationship with her when the time comes."
The weight of Max's words hung heavy in the air, and Alex stopped in his tracks. After a few moments of standing still, he continued walking without looking back at Max.
Alex stepped out of the locker room to find Emily waiting for him. "Alex, come on, I'm starving!" she exclaimed.
He was still lost in thought about the strange encounter with Max, but he quickly shook it off and replied, "Lead the way."
As they walked out of the institute, they spotted Jiten shuffling towards them with a weary expression. Alex couldn't resist the opportunity to prank him, so he snuck up behind Jiten and shouted, "Good morning, Jiten!"
Jiten jumped in surprise, and Emily and Alex burst out laughing at his reaction. "Jiten, we're grabbing lunch. Want to join us?" Emily asked, still chuckling.
Jiten looked at them both wearily, but ultimately agreed. "Okay, I can go with you guys, but Alex, you're paying for me," he said, half-joking.
Alex nodded, happy to treat his friend, and the three of them left the institute.
The trio made their way down the street until they reached a grand building adorned with a statue of a shrimp. The restaurant's sign read "King of the Sea."
"A seafood restaurant? I bet this is very costly," Alex remarked.
Jiten replied with a grimace, "Then prepare yourself to go broke."
As they entered the restaurant, the sound of seagulls and waves greeted them, creating an immersive atmosphere that transported them to the seaside. The walls were decorated with paintings of marine life, and the smell of freshly cooked seafood filled the air.
A friendly hostess greeted them and led them to a table with a view of the ocean. They browsed the menu, which featured an array of exotic seafood dishes, and placed their orders.
As they waited for their food, Alex couldn't help but marvel at the luxurious setting. This was a far cry from his humble upbringing in a small fishing village.
Emily noticed his awe and asked, "What's on your mind, Alex?"
"It's just that... I never thought I'd be able to afford to eat at a place like this," Alex admitted.
Jiten chimed in, "Yeah, me neither. But we're all here now, enjoying a meal together. That's what matters."
Emily nodded in agreement. "Exactly. It's not about the money, it's about the company you keep."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food. A platter of grilled octopus, a steaming bowl of clam chowder, and a plate of fried calamari were placed before them.
As they dug in, the trio couldn't help but moan in pleasure at the flavors exploding in their mouths. Each dish was expertly prepared, with a perfect balance of seasoning and texture.
As they enjoyed their meal, Alex noticed that Jiten looked exhausted and asked him if everything was all right.
"Sorry, dude, but I couldn't sleep all night," Jiten replied. "That fucking noise kept me up, and I'm afraid I might go crazy."
Alex chuckled and jokingly responded, "I guess you don't need to be afraid of that happening."
Jiten smiled at Alex's response and added, "I promise you, if this continues, I will create a potion so strong that it will destroy that building!"
Emily, intrigued by their conversation, asked, "Are you talking about the noise coming from the church facilities?"
Jiten, still eating, nodded his head in agreement.
"I've heard about that noise," Emily said. "They've been renovating the church for months now, and the construction noise has been unbearable."
Alex frowned, "That's not fair to the people living around the area. They should find a way to minimize the noise pollution."
Jiten agreed, "Exactly, it's been affecting our sleep, work, and mental health. It's not something we can ignore."
Emily nodded in agreement, "I heard that some people have already complained to the church authorities, but nothing seems to be working."
Jiten looked around to make sure that no one was eavesdropping on their conversation and said, "I need to tell you something, and I know it might sound crazy, but I need you to believe me. Yesterday, I was very attentive to the noise, and it sounded like a distraction to cover the real noise of what's happening inside the church. The sound was always the same, and I'm sure it came every time from the same spot, but there was one time it sounded later, and I heard something strange, like a cry."
As Jiten spoke, Alex and Emily listened intently, their interest piqued by their friend's strange revelation.
"A cry?" Emily asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
Jiten nodded, "Yes, like something crying or screaming in pain. It was faint, but I heard it. And it wasn't coming from the construction site."
Alex leaned in, "What do you think it could be?"
"I have no idea," Jiten replied, "But it sounded like it was coming from there. I couldn't pinpoint the exact location, but I know it wasn't part of the renovation noise."
Emily looked thoughtful, "We should investigate this further. Maybe we can find out what's really going on there."
Alex nodded, "But we need to be careful. We don't want to get into any trouble."
Jiten agreed, "Right. We should do some research and try to find out if anyone else has heard anything similar."
As they finished their meal, the trio made a plan to gather information and investigate the mysterious noise.
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