Chapter 23: Chapter 23

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DITYA.

I lay on my bed, different ideas of how I was going to deal with that Sarafina girl on my mind.

I conclude that I have to meet Maximus... I refused his offer to help me become the Queen of Zedora when he came to Pecan, but now I really need his help.

I sighed.

I was still trying to have my beauty nap when Insia entered suddenly. I sat up swiftly. "Why will you barge into my room like that !!" I yelled angrily at her.

She went on her knees instantly and pressed her palms together. "I'm sorry princess but there is a news from the main palace" she said breathlessly.

"A news? What is it about?" I asked, my ears piquing with curiosity.

She nodded and stood up. "The... The prince fell unconscious yesterday afternoon" she stammered.

"What!" I exclaimed as I stood up, throwing over my blanket, slipping my feet impatiently into my flops. "Why am I just hearing this? Why! !!"

"I think the Queen did not want to worry you" Insia stated unsurely.

I scoffed. Bullshit, she is obviously hiding something from me... I mean why will Jamal go unconscious all of a sudden? He did not look sick when I saw him unless there is something about him that is not known to the province.

I signalled to India to follow me and we both left for the Queen's chambers.

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SARAFINA.

Throughout yesterday after the encounter at the palace, I kept to myself. I did not go back to Ditya's chambers neither did I go back to the maid quarters.

I slept at the secret garden... It is not a new thing after all I sleep at open stalls when I was still at home.

Now, I am going to meet Jafar. I don't know what I'm going to do but I am going to meet him.

I entered into his chambers, there were guards at the door. One look at them and I knew they wouldn't let me in. I smirked.. Throughout my evening at the garden, I started learning about and how to use my powers.

I moved closer to them and muttered a spell beneath my breath, I blinked and watched them as they stood still. I wave my hands in front of their face to see if it worked. I smiled ,satisfied that it did work.

It is an hypnotizing spell.

I peeped through the keyhole and saw Jafar sprawled on his bed.. I creaked the doorknob and saw that it was not locked.

"Fool" I muttered and entered, closing the door silently and locking it. I pulled over a chair and sat down cross legged behind the door waiting patiently for him to wake up.

And did he wake about five minutes later, he fluttered his eye lids open and his eyes landed on me. He jumped from the bed in fright, falling on his butt in the process.

I fought the urge to laugh and stared at him with a blank look. "Sarafina, what are you doing in my room!?" He asks wide eyed.

I bit my lips again to stop my laughter... The look of horror on his face is so amusing, I want to laugh my ass out but I don't because I'm here for something else. "Its been three days since we last saw each other, can't I visit my friend again?" I asked matter-of-factly.

He blinks his eyes, probably surprised at my reply to his question. "Of course, you can visit me" he says, standing up.. His gaze travels to the door.

"How did you come in?"

I shrug. "Your guards are pretty friendly, just did some little chit chat with them and I was let in"

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at me, I looked away. "Want something to drink?" He asks standing up.

I stare at him, how can he be so comfortable with me when he knows what he did. Bastard.

"No, thanks" I reply him, a fake smile plastered to my face.

"Oh" he sat down back. "So how have you been?" He asks.

I smile again. "Terrible... I'm one of Ditya's new maid... The work is tiring" I tell him.

"You are one strong lady, you'll surely make it through"

Of course I will, after dealing with you and your father, Kayla included. That's actually what I want to say but I smile at him and instead say. "Thanks Jafar, I am flattered"

"Well... Isn't this kind of awkward" he asks after some minutes.

I laugh. "If it is, then let's do something fun" I say.

"Like?"

My laugh turn into a smirk. "Meeting your father"

He shot up from his bed. "What !!"

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Mila paced endlessly around her room, thankfully Forbes was not around when all this happened. How was she going to tell him? Just how?

She wished Sarafina could help her get Jamal out of her unconscious state but who was she kidding. The young maiden will never help as long as she knows she was a party to the death of her mother.

Was this Kayla's plan all along? Was this the reason why she badly wanted her hand in it? Because she knew Sarafina won't help him when she gets to find out that Mila Killled her mother.

Mila slapped her head, how could she not have known... Kayla was as sneaky as a green snake under a green grass.

Mila sighed, she has to rectify her relationship with Sarafina.. First she would relieve her of her palace duties, then she will give her a home and a stall in the province.

Yes that is what she would do. Mila smiled to herself.. At least this is getting somewhere.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the knock on her door. "Yes" Mila turned as the door opened to reveal....

"Ditya!" She had totally forgotten that Ditya was in the palace. She gulped as Ditya entered closing the door behind her.

"Morning, Mother" Ditya greeted and sat cross legged on a seat.

Mila forced out a smile. "My daughter" she replied stiffly. "What brings you to my chambers.

Ditya smirked. " I don't think there should be a reason why I should visit you, Mother" she said laying emphasis on the "mother".

Mila shook her head, there was something off about the way Ditya was addressing her. "Of course not, daughter" Mila replied, making sure to use the same tone on her.

Ditya smiled smoothing her dress. "I'm actually curious as to why I haven't seen Jamal since yesterday afternoon, you know we had a little fight because of a cheap maid and he sort of got angry and left.. But I haven't seen him since then.. Any idea why?" She asked.

Mila placed her palm on her neck. "Actually, Jamal doesn't want any visitors now.. He has been meditating since yesterday" Mila lied avoiding eye contact with Ditya.

"Ah.... Is that so? Or is it because Jamal suddenly went unconscious yesterday and has not woken since then" Ditya asked, skeptical enough to look straight at Mila's eyes.

Mila blinked. "Who... Who told you that?" She stammered.

"I think the question should be why wasn't I told, don't you think? Mila are you hiding something?"

"Of course not !!" Mila flared up.

Ditya got up. "I will hold your word on that, but if I find out you are really hiding something—" she paused.

"I might have to make a drastic and merciless decision" she added in a dangerous whisper and walked out.

Mila placed her hand over her chest which was already beating faster in fear.

If words get to Pecan that Jamal is cursed, then she is oh so doomed.

She needed Sarafina.

Or the whole of Zedora is going to be in trouble.

Real one.

..

﹏﹏﹏﹏

SARAFINA.

They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer right? Well I'm sure going to put that adage to work now.

I smiled sweetly at Jafar. "Why the exclamation? Can't I see your father?" I asked.

"No, actually I —" he started to say but I cut him off.

"Didn't you say something about weighing your chance the last time we met or have you forgotten?" I asked twirling my hair.

He bit his lips and then sighed. "Fine let's go meet my father" he said. I smiled again, throwing my arms around his neck.

He stopped and looked at my hands on his neck. "Aren't you being less of Sarafina today?" He asked, raising his brows curiously.

"Less of Sarafina?, what's that supposed to mean..."

He shrugged. "You know, the Sarafina I know isn't as carefree as this one standing beside me"

I pouted my mouth childishly. "What do mean? I can be carefree if I want to be, I can't believe you are putting me off when I'm trying to be free with you" I put my hands down from his neck and folded it, tapping my feet in mock anger.

'Oh Sarafina, you are so good at acting' I say inwardly to myself. I stiffle my laughter, still tapping my feet continuously.

Jafar immediately came to my front. "Hey, I'm sorry okay.. I didn't know that will hurt you, I was only trying to state the obvious... I'm really sorry"

I smiled. "People change, don't you know that and I decided to change too... I mean if I keep being so reserved I will never make friends"

"You're right" he muttered, and I placed my hands back on his neck.

"Shall we?" I asked with a dramatic tone. He smiled at me.

"Of course"

We walked out and I stared at the guards, the hypnosis spell only works for five minutes, the surprise look in their face at seeing me was so humorous... They sure didn't remember anyone coming in, but if they did notice they didn't say a thing because I was with Jafar.

They bowed their head in courtesy as we walked out. Bunch of foolish bastards just like their master. I winked at them and followed Jafar outside.

Well, I think I like the new Sarafina. And this new Sarafina is sure going to get revenge on her mother's death.

She is going to take down every single one of them, leaving no one out. She is the Sheba isn't she?

I smile to myself at my new resolve. I love me.

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