Chapter 17: Chapter 17

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SARAFINA

"My maiden" Jafar said with a weird smile. I looked down at his hands on my waist, I think he saw where my eyes was, because he quickly removed his hands.

I sighed and moved back a bit. "Hi Jafar" I said stiffly. His eyes scanned my face as if scrutinizing it.

"Are you surprised to see me or is it unhappiness?" He asked.

I took in my lower lip, batting my lashes nervously. "Why would I be unhappy to see you?"

I just didn't know how to react since I was seeing him for the first time after our last encounter, him hugging me and saying he was sorry, when I couldn't even pinpoint what he did wrong.

He shrugged and held my hands. "We can't tell, you might have written me off in your mind"

I laughed — a genuine smile at that. "Written you off? That's silly of you think" I said amidst laughter.

"You think?" He said with a smile. I nodded, my nervousness easing a bit.

"So what are you doing now?"

"What I'm doing now? I'm going to get ready for the arrival of princess Ditya, I've been assigned as one of her maids" I told him.

"Part of your punishment?"

"No, I'm no longer on punishment, I'm one of the palace maid now" I replied.

"Wait... You are no longer on punishment?" He asked with raised brows.

I nodded and started moving forward not wanting to tell him anything about it. He followed.

"I take it you don't want to talk about it" he asked.

"That's right" I said lowly. He sighed and kept quiet.

"This is kind of awkward" he said after a while.

"I don't know, but it seems like you are more withdrawn than the last time we talked" I replied facing him.

"And that might be because I'm weighing my chance"

I stopped. "Weighing your chance? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Think about it" he said tapping me.

"I will see you again, Sarafina" he added and left.

I stood transfixed on a spot, what does he mean by weighing his chance? I thought.

I sighed, shrugging the thought off... I have to get ready for Ditya's arrival.

So saying, I trudged on to the maid quarters.

Kayla stared at her daughter, Zella who was sitting on the floor still shaken about the news of Salmar's death, while her two sisters were getting ready for the ceremony that was going to take place.

"Why are you still sitting there? Won't you get up and get ready huh?" Kayla snapped at her.

"Get ready for what?" Zella asked in a sullen voice. "Ummi, we are supposed to mourn Apa for six months not going around attending parties like apa didn't just die yesterday" Zella said raising her voice a bit..

"You must be a very stupid girl to talk like that, Salmar is not your father, how many times will I tell you that!...!!"

"As long as he nurtured me for fourteen years, then he is my Apa...!!" Zella yelled back.

Kayla furiously slapped her. "The next time you raise your voice at me... I'm going to..."

"Do what?.. I can't believe you are so heartless ummi! First you sent his daughter out of his house and now this... Who knows if you hands aren't clean on his death" Zella said tears spilling from her eyes.

"Zella...!!"

"You know what ummi, I'm out of here, out of your pathetic life and don't you ever look for me....!!" Zella said making her way out of the door"

"If you take one more step out of that door, then you cease to be my daughter!" Kayla yelled furiously.

Zella turned back with a sad smile. "I ceased to be your daughter the day you sent Fina out into the got afternoon because of some worthless money... So your statement is just like a reaffirmation of it" she said and walked out.

"Aargh!!" Kayla yelled kicking on the ground. Cirona and Raina came out immediately.

"Ummi what's going on?" Raina asked.

"Ask that excuse of a girl you call a sister....!!" She yelled and stormed off.

SARAFINA

My eyes scanned the whole place. It was very crowdy.

I cranned my neck maybe I would see Pooja among the palace maids that were standing at the middle row but I couldn't find her.

Terai was standing at the rear front, her eyes caught mine, I waved. She motioned for me to come.

I nodded and pushed my way through the crowd.

"And here she comes, I heard Zareen say as I got to the maid line.

" you mean the witch?" Rai chipped as they glared hatefully at me.

I rolled my eyes, keep hating sisters.

"Hi Terai" I greeted.

"Fina" she smiled. "The queen told me to assign you to Ditya"

"Yes she said that"

Sherry scoffed. "Why would they assign a criminal like you to our future queen?"

I looked at her and shook my head with a sigh. "Anyone that talks ill about Fina again would have me to face" I heard Pooja say from behind me.

I smiled and turned to her. "Pooja, I've been looking for you"

She scoffed. "Its a good thing you didn't bail on me, else I would have your head on a platter" she said. "Terai we will soon be back" Pooja said with a wave of her hand.

"Stay out of trouble Pooja" Terai called after her.

"What is she talking about?"

Pooja grinned. "I might have told her I was going to talk with Ditya today"

I snatched my hands down. "Are you crazy or are trying to be crazy?"

"Chill girl, I just want to have some fun"

Suddenly everywhere went silent.

"And here she comes" Pooja squealed.

"Pooja don't!" I whisper yelled, but she was long gone.

I sprinted through the crowd as I started following her, only for me to slip, pushing down somebody in the process.

"Who the hell are you..!!" I heard the person yell in disgust.

I lifted up my face only for me to come face to face with... Princess Ditya.

I gulped. What a very nice way to meet your Prince betrothed.

Curse pooja and why do I keep bumping into royalties?

"Ehm... Ehm... I'm sorry Princess" I stuttered stretching my hands to pull her up.

"Get your filthy hands off me you lowlife commoner!" she yelled swatting my hands away without looking at me.

I flinched at her words and moved back, readjusting my burqa so that she won't recognize me. People were already gathering around the place. The only good thing is that we are still feet's away from the palace.

Suddenly someone pulled me away from the crowd. I looked at Pooja holding my hand and I snatched it away as we got to the back of the the crowd.

"Pooja! What is wrong with you" I snapped. She pouted, blinking her eyes like a doll.

"You should have just left there when you pushed her, besides she deserves it" She said clicking her tongue.

"You are insane!" I muttered, wiping away the dust on my dress.

"What! And you even ruined my chance of wanting to talk to her" She said shrugging.

I gaped at her. "Do you know her somewhere" she shrugged again.

"You can't tell already.. Ashra help me... I hate her guts!" She dragged my hand again.

"Let's go somewhere"

I scoffed. "Pooja going somewhere with you is just like digging your own grave!"

"Fina! Fina!" I heard voice. Isn't that Zella? I thought turning back. She waved at me already running towards us.

"Fina" she squealed as she flung her arms around me. I held unto her as I patted her back. I had been so envekioed in my troubles that I didn't remember there was still someone who cared for me in that house.

"Zella!" I replied her sniffling.

"Okay, okay as much as I like a touching reunion like this, am I not supposed to be introduced" Pooja said tapping me. I rolled my eyes as Zella and I disengaged.

Zella smiled though I could see the sadness that emmited from it. I think I'm not the only one affected about Apa's death.

"Hi I'm Zella, Fina's sister" Zella said.

Pooja cocked her hips and placed her hand on her chin. "You are beautiful Zella, but I feel like something is bothering you" she paused. "Anyways, I'm Pooja... And it's good to meet you Zella"

Zella smiled and there was yet again this straining to it. "Where is Raina and Cirona" I asked.

She wiped her forehead tiredly. "Can we not say anything about home now... Its really stressing me out" she replied and looped her arms around mine.

"How about we catch up on the time you've been away... I'm sure you have so much to tell me" she said.

I patted her hand with a grin. "I have so much to tell you Zella, so much"

Pooja snorted. "Before you do any catching up.... What do you say we go have some fun"

"Fun enough to take my mind off life for a while?" Zella asked. Pooja ruffled her hair and clicked her tongue.

"I bet it is fun enough to forget all your troubles"

Zella grinned and pulled me. "Let's go sis"

I nodded as I followed them. "Right, let's go.

DITYA

" Get that trash that did this to me!" I yelled at the guard that accompanied me.

"You have to calm down princess, we don't want to make a bad impression on your first day here" he whispered to me as he helped me back into the carriage.

I came out just to admire the beauty of Zedora only for it to get ruined by a worthless commoner.

I rolled my eyes and muttered a "whatever", making a mental note yo find whoever that commoner is.. Even though I didn't get to see her face but I can still recognize her by her cheap anklet on her leg.

"Do not stop until we get to the palace" I told the coachman.

" yes my princess" he replied.

I sighed and rested my back on the cushion.

.

.

Few minutes after, we got to the palace.

"Here we are princess, we will escort you to the royal hall and leave you with your maid, then we will take our leave" My guard said.

"You know, I still don't know why I'm here with only one maid" I said facing my guard.

"You are here to stay princess, so maids will sure be provided for you, you are a property of Zedora now" he paused while I rolled my eyes.

"I will help you down now" he said and got down, stretching his hands for me to hold.

I got down and breathed in a sigh as I stared around. The tales about Zedora province were not lies after all... They were really wealthy.

A smug smile crossed my lips as I imagined myself ruling this place. Of course I would rule it someday, oh how I can't wait to be Jamal's bride.

We were escorted inside by the royal guards. I saw the queen from afar, she was walking towards me with a smile plastered on her face.

"Ditya dear, you are welcome" she said looping her hands into mine as she led me into the royal hall.

My palms were already sweaty when we finally got to the main palace.

The whole royal family was seated there. I didn't see Jamal but my eyes caught someone that looked a bit like him. The man smiled and winked at me.

I almost gasped out loud, what is it with him. I was taken to a seat while we waited for Jamal to arrive.

"He is here" a guard announced after some minutes, I placed my palms on my lap, craning my neck stylishly to see him as he approached.

I licked my lips absentmindedly as he walked into the hall.

My husband is one fine young man. He had that kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. His stoic expression and nonchalant gaze coupled with the burning intensity of his eye color. Not to talk of his muscular body.

I wondered how it would feel to touch it. I shivered at the thought, of course I would be doing a lot of touching.

"Jamal come sit with your betrothed" his mother told him, gesturing toward me.

His eyes flickered my way, I smiled at him but I was only rewarded with a blank expression as he turned back to his mother.

"Why?" He asked. We all turned to him in surprise.

"Jamal" his father gritted out. He ignored him. "I have seen her what else am I needed for" he stated icily.

My gasp was the loudest. "I will be in my chambers if you need me" he finally said and left.

My hands shook as I stared at his retreating back. "Jamal!" His mother called but he was already long gone.

His mother came up to me with pleading eyes. "Please Ditya, don't take that to heart. He is only in a bad mood"

I gave her a fake smile. "Not to worry, can I see my room now?"

.

.

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SARAFINA

It was almost nighttime when we got back. Pooja had actually taken us to a dance club. And the crazy girl had actually forced us to perform our native dancing.

It was fun though especially because I was able to tell Zella about my life in the palace, though I skipped the part of I and Jamal. But still she was happy that I was now free from punishment and her insane mother.

-like she put it-

"You should get going now, Zella" I said to Zella when we already halfway to the palace.

She halted and Pooja and I did the same."where exactly" she asked with a scoff. I gaped at her in surprise.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I have no where to go" she replied shrugging.

Like seriously? She was acting so carefree as if she had not just dropped an huge bomb in words. "What are you saying Zells?" I blinked rapidly as I asked.

"She doesn't have a place to go, isn't that was she just said" Pooja huffed. I glared at her. "Just stay out of this Pooja" I snapped.

She chuckled and moved back a bit. "Insanity" I muttered under my breath and turned to Zella again. "So you were saying?"

"Why do you want me to repeat it? I said I have nowhere to go.."

"I didn't say I want you to repeat it, I just want to know why you have nowhere to go when you have a ho...."

"A house full of maniacs? Sorry but I'm far normal to continue living in a den of mad people who call themselves family" she stated without mincing words.

My mouth was wide open as she finished talking. "Wha.... What... What happened?" I stuttered.

"I had a fight with mother, and I left.. And I'm absolutely not going there again"

"I have somewhere you can go" Pooja yelled from behind.

"Pooja shut up !!" I yelled back.

"Where is it?" Zella asked her. I gasped in shock. "Sorry... What?"

"She has somewhere I can go then why can't she help"

"Zella you are making a mistake" I said.

I mean why would she make a decision like this, leaving her biological family because of some stupid argument.

"It wasn't a stupid argument" she snapped.

"Huh? Did I say that loud"

"Obviously" Pooja replied with an eye roll.

"Zella you can't possibly leave your..."

"Really? Whose side are you on now huh? They never treated you right and yet you think I'm making a mistake by leaving?"

"It was me that wasn't treated right not you, Zell you have to go back"

"The sun is down already, you should go back to the palace... I will see you again" she said and turned back facing Pooja.

"Zella..."

"Pooja, can I get the address?"

"Sure.... The Sharukh inn... Ask for Ma'am Leila... Tell her you came from Mohini, she will take care if you... Make sure you tell her why you left home, she won't take you in if she thinks you ran away from home.

Zella smiled genuinely. " thank you Pooja" she said and ran off without looking back or biding me farewell. She was annoyed with me though I still didn't understand why. But there was something else bothering me.

"Did you lie about your name?" I asked Pooja.

"What are you talking about?" She said feigning ignorance.

"You know perfectly what I'm talking about!.. What's with the Mohini name again? "

She ran her hands through her hair drawing a long breath. "I won't do it again" she said lowly.

"What?"

"There are things that are not meant to be known Sarafina, my identity is one of those things"

"Why?" I asked curiosity getting the best out of me.

She looked straight ahead and sighed again. "It has always been death, the penalty of knowing my identity has always been death" she stated and walked on.

I shuddered in fear. Death?