Chapter 6

    SARAFINA

    We got to the maid quarters and I practically shivered in fear.

    "Just be yourself okay, don't mind anything they say" Terai told me as if sensing my fear.

    I nodded as she led me to my room. It was a big room and five other maids were already there making me the sixth person.

    "Good evening Terai" They greeted.

    "Good evening girls, this is your new roommate, Sarafina"

    "We know her before Terai, isn't she the witch charming the royal villa?" One of the maids said.

    "Ah, the one Peri was talking about" another one added.

    "Shut up girls, why will you believe rumors about someone you haven't met" Terai scolded.

    "And didn't the queen mother warn you all of false rumors?" She added.

    The first one snorted. "It's not a rumor Terai, it is the fact, she is not even denying it"

    I blinked back my tears, what did I do to deserve hate like this?

    "Talk Sarafina" Terai urged.

    I shook my head, what's the use? Nothing I say will make them think otherwise.

    "Can I get something to eat" I asked instead.

    "There is no food" one of them said as she was laying her bed.

    "Zareen!" Terai yelled.

    "What is it" the girl called Zareen said.

    "We are here to serve the palace not make food for a criminal like her, right girls"

    The girls agreed, I bit my lips helplessly. How will I cope with these girls now.

    "You would have to wait till tomorrow morning, I don't have extra food in my quarters" Terai told me.

    I nodded. 'Yet another night sleeping on an empty stomach' I thought.

    "Good night Terai" I told her as she made her way out of the room.

    She smiled at me. "Kismata, Fate" she whispered.

    I sighed.

    Kismata, Fate.

    .

    .

    .

    "How was your trip my king" Mila asked her husband as they retired to their chambers for the night. He had just returned from his trip to the Pecan province.

    "Good and bad" he replied weakly.

    Mila narrowed her eyes. "How good? How bad" she asked.

    "We have to form an alliance with Pecan or else they will go to war with us"

    "What! Why will they go to war with us?" Mila asked in a panicked tone.

    Forbes sighed. "You know how things are in this province, once a city gets stronger, they start to war with weaker cities"

    "What kind of alliance are we talking about here?"

    "Marriage"

    "Marriage?" Mila asked in a mazed voice.

    "Jamal has to marry the princess of Pecan, princess Ditya"

    Mila stood up. "What! Jamal can't get married and you know it, we can't risk anyone finding out the truth about him! " she yelled.

    "We can't go to war with Pecan either, that's the only solution"

    "Forbes, we can't do this to our son" Mila said pleadingly.

    "Princess Ditya is arriving in the next three days, I will talk to the council about it and a ceremony will be organized to welcome her" Forbes said with a note of finality.

    Queen Mila sighed. She had three days.

    Just three days to find the cure for Jamal's curse.

    The Sheba.

    .

    .

    .

    They sat again, in a deep discussion. The three older men and the young

    one.

    "Change of plans" The first older man who appeared to be the leader said.

    "What are you talking about?"

    "We need accomplices from Pecan, we can't possibly do this on our own"

    "So what's the plan?"

    "The King of Pecan is sending his daughter in the next three days"

    "How will that help?"

    "She is to marry Jamal"

    "I still don't get".

    "Well, we do the unthinkable, no lady wants to marry a monster"

    "So?"

    The older man smirked. "We reveal his secret.

    •••

    JAMAL

    I have been hauled up in my room since yesterday's incidence. I'm still as confused as ever.

    What happened to me? What took over me?

    And why is her name still ringing in my head?

    Why do I keep thinking about her? What is this called?

    "Jamal are you there?" Mother called from outside my doorstep.

    "Come in" I answered.

    She opened the door quietly and stepped in closed it back.

    "Your father arrived last night" she said as she sat on a chair opposite my bed.

    "So I was told, what's the news?"

    "You should talk to him"

    Her face creased and her lips parted lightly as she replied me. I was taught human behavioural because of my curse so I knew she was hiding something.

    "What is it" I probed.

    She looked down, fiddling with her fingers. "Before your attack yesterday, did you meet someone in the banquet hall?" She asked.

    Why is she asking now? "Why?"

    "We have just three days to find the Sheba, Jamal"

    "What are you talking about?, we have all the time we need" I told her.

    She sighed. "That's what I thought, until now" she stopped and looked at me, tears shimmering in her eyes.

    "You are getting married" she said at her.

    I froze, what is she talking about? I mean what the hell is she saying?.

    "Married? I don't have a betrothed yet"

    "As it is, you have one now. Princess Ditya of Pecan city"

    "Shocked is the expression for such a statement right? Because I don't remember asking for her hand" I stated coldly.

    "It's an alliance with their province or they would go to war with us" she said, raising her voice a bit.

    "Leave my room"

    "Jamal" she gasped at my statement.

    "I said leave my room" I said again my voice getting louder.

    She wiped her hand over her face. "I'll see you at breakfast" she said.

    "Don't wait for me, I won't be there"

    "Jamal" she said in a concerned tone.

    I stood up and grabbed my scarf, throwing it over my face. "I'm taking a walk, Mother. Don't wait up for me"

    "Ditya is arriving in the next three days" she said with a sigh.

    "I will be waiting for her" I stated simply as she opened the door.

    She looked back at me and exhaled deeply before stepping out.

    I took a long drag of breath.

    Sarafina.

    Her name came to my mind. I need to see her again.

    SARAFINA

    "Get up witch!" Zareen yelled, splashing water on my face.

    I blinked my eyes open, rubbing it frantically, I sat up.

    "Good morning" I greeted her.

    She eyed me with a lot of hate apparent in her eyes. "Terai said you're working with us this morning" she said ignoring my greeting.

    I stood up. "Let me just take my bath, I will come and join you soon" I replied her.

    She scoffed. "Like you know where we are going to be working today, get dressed, I'll be waiting for you"

    "Thank you" I said, a smile creeping up my face.

    "You better be fast, I don't fancy waiting for criminals like you"

    My smile disappeared and I gulped.

    "Okay"

    ~

    I got to know their names as we worked.

    My roommates were Zareen, Rai, Anushka, Preity and Sonal.

    We were asked to clear and clean the pool side. Two other maids joined us, Kajal and Sherry.

    They kept talking as we worked, none if them paying any attention to me.

    "So did you hear that our prince is getting married to Pecan's princess" Rai said suddenly.

    "How did you know that" Sherry asked, placing her arms on her waist.

    "How else, you should know me already" Rai replied, smirking.

    "Girl you will never change" Kajal said in a laughing tone while the other girls laughed.

    "But let's be serious here, how good is she? I mean she is going to be our future queen" Zareen chipped in.

    "She better not be rude"

    I scoffed inwardly. As if they are any better.

    "But wait girls, why are we working here, I mean since the witch here is under punishment shouldn't she be the only one doing this" Zareen huffed.

    I gasped. Is she for real?

    "I agree with you on that" Anushka replied as she dropped her broom and sat down beside the pool, the others did the same.

    "But this isn't fair" I said. "We are supposed to do this together."

    "Who cares" Sherry said scoffing.

    "Witch" Zareen also said rolling her eyes.

    I sighed. Hate everywhere.

    .

    .

    Few minutes later, the girls suddenly started running to their workplace, acting as if they've been working for long.

    I frowned in confusion, what is wrong with them. Until I heard Rai whisper.

    "Prince Jamal"

    I almost choked. I gripped the edge of my broom tightly, and bent a little. But before I could turn. He called my name.

    "Sarafina"

    I froze.

    ••••