Chapter 7

    SARAFINA

    If the ground can open up and swallow me now, I will gladly enter it.

    The deathly glares coming from the maids is enough to make me want to run away.

    We all bowed. "My prince" we said in unison.

    "Sarafina" he called again, I looked at him from the corner of my eyes.

    "My prince, the maid is on punishment, it is not right for you to speak with her" Zareen suddenly said.

    I gasped. Is she for real now?

    "Do you want to teach me the laws of the land" he asked icily.

    I bit my lips to stop my laughter. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. "I'm sorry amir" she said.

    I want to speak to you, Sarafina" he said, ignoring her.

    I sighed nervously and nodded.

    I could hear the scoffs from the maids as he held my hands and pulled me along with him. "This isn't right my prince" I said once we were out of earshot.

    "Jamal"

    "What?" I raised my brows in confusion.

    "Jamal, call me Jamal"

    Is that even possible? I thought but I nodded.

    We got to a garden and he sat on the grass. "Sit" he said, tapping the floor beside him.

    "I should sit?"

    "Should I repeat myself" he retorted curtly.

    I shook my head negatively and sat down, making sure to put a good distance between us.

    It is funny how I'm sitting beside the prince who wanted to kill me just three days ago.

    Ordinary me, a commoner.

    Well, Kismat,Fate.

    "Is it weird, that I find myself wanting to talk to you" he finally said after a long silence.

    I gulped shakily, why is he talking like this? "No, not at all" I replied.

    He sighed and clasped his hands together. "I have a secret" he said.

    I looked at him. "A very deep secret" he paused. "I'm cursed"

    I clamped my hands over my mouth to prevent me from screaming. "What kind of curse?" I asked curiosity getting the best out of me.

    "I don't have human feelings, I can't be happy, I can't be sad, I can't fall in love, anything feelings, I don't have"

    What?!

    I almost cried for him as he spoke, how did he get cursed? Who did he offend? How does he cope?

    "Why are you telling me?" I asked.

    He stared at me for a long time.

    "I need your help, I need you to teach me how to feel"

    "Why" I asked.

    "Why what?"

    "Why do you want to know how to feel and why me"

    "I am getting married" he stated plainly.

    I don't know why but I cringed when he said that. What is wrong with you Sarafina. I mentally scolded myself.

    "My betrothed is arriving in three days, I don't want her to know she is getting married to a cursed prince"

    "And as for the second question, I don't have an answer to it"

    I looked down and fiddled with my fingers. "I don't think I can help, I'm just a plain commoner who was supposed to be killed and is now serving punishment in the royal villa"

    "Are you refusing your prince"

    "No, I mean... "

    "It is an order" he said blankly.

    "What!!"

    "I don't repeat myself, Sarafina"

    I gulped as he stood up, he stretched his hands and help me up too.

    "I should go back to my workplace" I told him.

    He cocked his head to a side and suddenly pulled me close to him.

    I gasped, because we were only breaths apart, my heart beat accelerated and my cheeks flushed.

    "If I do this to her, what does it mean"

    My eyes almost popped out in surprise. What were you thinking. My subconscious mocked me.

    Stupid stupid that's what you're Sarafina, I mentally told myself.

    "Answer me" he said snapping me out of my reverie.

    "Uhm... It will seem as if you want to kiss her, it is a very romantic move" I said blinking my eyes rapidly.

    "Go back to work" he said and released me.

    I nodded and left without looking back.

    I'm really in for it.

    . .

    "Where are you coming from" Terai asked me as I got to the pool side. When did she get here?

    "Ask her, ask the slut" Zareen said from behind her with so much hate lacing her voice. What is with this girl, what did I collect from her to make her hate me thus much.

    "I was called by the prince"

    I saw a smile flash through Terai's eyes or maybe I imagined it because it was quickly replaced with a frown.

    "Charming him wasn't enough. You have given him a love portion right?" Rai huffed.

    "Shut up Rai and you Sarafina, don't forget that you are on punishments here so you should mind your self" Terai said sternly.

    I nodded and picked my broom.

    "Your work is completed here, you are to clean prince Jafar's chambers next" Terai said.

    What!!

    "Me?" I asked.

    "Yes you" she replied.

    I gulped.

    Just kill me now!!

    °°°

    Oh dear! Oh dear!, I kept chanting in my head as I made my way to Jafar's chambers. Placing my feet gingerly as I took each step closer to it.

    I held my breath as I got to the door, I pressed the doorbell and waited. There was no answer so I peeped through the keyhole, it looked like it was empty.

    I held the knob and pressed it down, opening it gently, I entered. I glanced around and sighed in relief. The room looked empty, I just have to clean it before he arrives.

    I picked my broom and started sweeping. After sweeping, I brought out the cloth that I will use to clean the tables and figurines. I dipped it into the water and started with the table.

    As I cleaned, my eyes caught a drawing on the table, it was in a book,I couldn't see it clearly because it was half opened but it looked beautiful.

    My brain was telling me to go back to my work and leave there quickly but my curious eyes and fingers wouldn't listen. I placed my hands on the book and opened it slowly as I could.

    My eyes most popped out of its socket as it took in the drawing in front of me. It was a drawing of a little girl, her hair flying with the wind as she stared longingly at the royal villa.

    It was beautiful and it had me wondering if it was drawn by Jafar. If it was, then he is such a good artist.

    I closed it back and continued my work, humming a song as I did.

    I was halfway done when I heard footsteps from outside the door. My breath hitched, I bit lips in fear.

    If that is Jafar, he must not meet me here. What will I do now?

    The doorknob bent, I moved back unfortunately allowing the mop at my back to fall.

    "Is anyone there" his voice sounded from the doorstep. I blinked squeezing the hem of my cloth tightly.

    " Is anyone inside" he asked again, I moved back slowly.

    "Uhm... Yes" I stuttered.

    "Sarafina?" The door opened and he walked in. His eyed widened in surprise as it met mine.

    He closed the door. "Sarafina what are you doing in my chamber?"

    "Uhm...." I showed him the cloth on my hand. "Cleaning"

    He looked at me keenly and smirked. "Ashra really wants us together if we keep seeing like this"

    I gulped and moved back because he was moving closer to me.

    "Continue your work, I just want to lie on my bed. I nodded hastily and put the cloth into the water and started cleaning.

    "Tell me about yourself, Sarafina" he suddenly said.

    I blinked, remembering when he said it yesterday before asking me if he could kiss me.

    "Why? Why do you want to know about me" I hushed.

    He laughed. "Let's start like this, I never had a female friend how about you being my first?"

    I blinked again.

    His friend? "Really?" I asked.

    He nodded. "Yes really, what do you say?"

    I lowered my eyes... Jamal wants me to teach him how to feel. Jafar wants me to be his friend.

    "You shouldn't reject a prince" he added in an amused voice.

    I gulped, same sentence Jamal used for me. Is this some kind of joke or is this fate playing games on me?.

    "I accept" I muttered.

    He stood up. "I didn't hear you" he was closed to me now.

    I took a step back. "I'll be your friend"

    He smiled triumphantly. "First rule of friends, call me Jafar" he said.

    A wave of dèja-vu hit me as I remembered what prince Jamal said.

    •call me Jamal•

    "You are not answering Sarafina"

    "I've heard you..... Jafar" I replied.

    "So how about you finish your work and I take you somewhere"

    I gasped. "As friends" he quickly added.

    "I don't work on my own free will here, Jafar" I told him.

    "I know that, I will see you in the evening Sarafina"

    "But I can't.... " I started to say.

    "You shouldn't refuse a prince"

    I shook my head slowly. "This is called abuse of power" I said, a smile finding its way to my cheek.

    He laughed and I didn't know when I joined him.

    Maybe being his friend isn't totally a bad idea.

    ~~

    Jafar stared at his father as he gulped down his wine.

    "Father, didn't you hear what I said"

    Maximus dropped his glass.

    "Of course I heard what my coward son just said, why will you say you quit, I'm doing this for your sake"

    "I'm tired of using her"

    "You are a lame pussy, you've fallen for the girl right?"

    "Father... "

    "You are just as stupid as I thought, get out of here"

    "But Father...."

    "Jafar I said get out" Maximus yelled.

    Jafar stood up. "But just remember son that blood in, no out"

    Jafar gulped. He was held tight in one place.

    He doesn't want to hurt Sarafina.

    Yet he was in with no way of pulling out.

    •••