Thinking about that alternate timeline thing and here's what I've got-
Kalim had decided to run away shortly after Jamil had been poisoned for the first time. For Kalim him getting poisoned wasn't exactly a big deal, but when Jamil faced the repercussions it was a whole different story. Instead of it making Kalim be more mindful of food and still sucking it up for the sake of the Asim legacy. It did the opposite somewhat. Kalim still learned about plants and trained himself to detect poison in his food, yet he also began to notice that the system around him wasn't great. Once before all of this he'd pretend that nearly dying and getting kidnapped didn't bother him. But once Jamil suffered the same thing too, that pretending wasn't exactly easy to do anymore.
Before long Kalim found himself thinking more and more about his life. About how it didn't seem all that great, how Jamil was suffering with him. And that there was the beginnings of his wanting to leave took root. It fully bloomed after he'd talked to Minajael one day and his cousin explained how nice it'd be to be free from it all. And it haunted him, that thought.
If he left, he'd be free. Jamil would be free.
It was a no brainer. He'd began to plan then, his leaving. He put up with everything as usual, quietly planning on his departure and where he'd go. Smiling and laughing while inside burning for that peace and freedom. For once in his life not caring if what he was doing would be selfish and put his younger sibling next in line. All he could think about is that he'd easily be replaced. And it wouldn't be the first time someone within the family had left it all behind. Him and Minajael being related proof of that. So he prepared unaware of Jamil seeming to feel the shift in him.
Jamil noticed it, yet he didn't rat on Kalim. Because he too yearned for freedom. Longer than Kalim has, so much so that he already had a packed bag should he one day have the courage to take that next step. He'd end up taking it on that fateful night when he'd seen Kalim preparing to leave. When he'd seen that look that Jamil wore sometimes when he dreamed of a new life where he wasn't a Viper. The two disappeared into the night, as younger teens. Swallowed up by the mystical sands of the desert. Their disappearance had varying reactions. Jamil's parents and his sister Najma were panicked at their missing son. Kalim's family on the other hand......
While they grieved and worried, it was done in a way that didn't last long. The way of the Asim family could be brutal, including in the way of raising children. Many siblings meant many replacements should something happen to Kalim. It wasn't long before the next sibling was named Al-Asim. Due to the age of this sibling, Najma was spared from becoming a personal servant to them. The only family member who was legitimately upset over Kalim's disappearance was Minajael. It'd only be a year later that the Asim family would have Kalim claimed as legally dead. The only ones who kept searching for the two boys were the Viper family and Minajael.
They wouldn't be successful.
As for Jamil and Kalim, the two traveled together. A silent agreement to stick with one another unless they'd found a place to call home. They left the Scalding Sands behind, and saw many sights such as Afterglow Savana and The Land of Heroes. Enjoying the freedom that was denied of them from the moment of their birth. And while they do miss their families occasionally, they'd never go back. Not when freedom was finally theirs. Kalim due to giving up his status became more independent, still the charming smiling boy we all know but now more confident in himself and his abilities. Jamil now free from the servant title, grew more comfortable in being himself and more open with Kalim. As well as unafraid of overshadowing the other boy, not that Kalim minded much to begin with.
This is what I've got so far. Don't know if I'll expand on this or not.
