It’s a good day. Days filled with dark clouds and frightening thunders have ed, leaving the sky clear without a cloud in sight. Alibaba lifted up the baskets filled with fruits, heading over to the carts.
Today is also a busy day. He’s been ordered to sort all these goods into the carts, and there seems to be no end to it. Alibaba wonders if he could ask for someone to help him, but he’s sure the Boss would snap at him for wasting time, and it's not like anyone would lend him a hand. They've got their own parts to do.
Well, he’s used to that anyway.
Alibaba pushed the basket filled with olives further towards the back. His hand slipped forward, causing his fingers to scratch against the rattan.
“Ouch!”
He brings his hand to his lip, sucking off the wound to soothe the pain. That certainly clears his mind, he should’ve known better than to daydream at work. He blows gently at his fingers as he stepped down the carriage, only to lose his footing and fall on his butt.
“Damnit—”
Throwing out all the curse words he knows, Alibaba stood up, still wincing and cursing in pain.
Guess it’s not really a good day after all. He still needs to carry all Budel's wine barrels to his cart, which he would drive all noon, all the way to Qishan.
He thinks he hears Budel's voice from the distance, yelling at him for being so slow. Alibaba wanted to yell at him too, but he’d rather not lose his job.
Just you wait. After I became a treasure hunter and conquer a dungeon, I won’t have to look at your face again.
He took another look to make sure the baskets are all there, then walks over to the next cart. The Boss said that Budel's always a bit cranky whenever it's time to deliver the grape wines. Alibaba hurriedly checks all the barrels within his cart, then reports to Budel. He just scoffs at him, "About time!". Alibaba wears his customer service smile and shows him to his cart. Oh, another sadly thing about today is the fact that he's stuck with Budel for the entire ride. He doesn't have the best attitude towards drivers from what Alibaba heard, and Alibaba is a driver. Though, Alibaba's used to being sneered at. He'll be fine.
"Alibaba!" His fellow driver called him. Beside him is a woman with her daughter, holding hands. "Do you think they could stay with your cart? They're also heading towards Qishan, and the other carts are already full."
Alibaba's face crumpled. "You know I can't, Zaahid. Budel's with me today. He doesn't like sharing his space with others."
Zaahid just smiles and gestures with his fingers, "I'll give you a bonus if you'd do it, but it seems like you don't need it..."
"I'll do it!"
Alibaba leds the woman and her daughter to his cart, warning them beforehand about their company, and then he coaxes Budel to let them ride together in the cart. Budel expressed his dissatisfaction, but eventually lets them on a condition that they won't speak to him.
They were about to get off, when a little boy in a turban appears out of nowhere. "Heya mister! Does your cart heads to Qishan? Mind if I tag along?" The boy grins cheekily. "Do you have money on you?" Alibaba asks. It doesn't look like the kids carrying anything, aside from the flute hanging from his neck. Then again, it looks shabby, so he couldn't have that as a form of payment. As expected, the boy lowers his head and fiddles with his flute. Usually a sign of no money. Alibaba sighs, "Look, kid–"
"Wait! I'll pay for his part, let him come along." The woman suddenly said, handing Alibaba a bundle of coins. Alibaba accepts the coins, placing them in his shirt. He pats the boy's back. "Get on, then." The boy's eyes glittered with delight. "Thank you, pretty lady!" The woman just giggles as he works his way up the cart. "My, what a sweet mouth you have, child."
Alibaba rolls his eyes and walks over, taking his place at the front of the cart. Grabbing the whip, he thought.
This is going to be a long day.
A feet lands on his back. "What's taking so long, hurry up you stupid donkey! I haven't got all day!"
Alibaba grits his teeth and turned towards Budel. "My apologies sir! I'll get on it right away! I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience, it seems like we've got another company."
"Like I give a shit, these grape wines must be delivered to the Lord before nightfall! Each of this barrel is worth more than you and your whole salary! Get on with it!"
Alibaba churns out more apologies and runs the cart. They head off with the caravan, towards the city gates and eventually onto the desert sand, rumored to be hiding deadly creatures underneath. Looking at the journey ahead of them, Alibaba sighs again.
Things I do for money.
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