Chapter 8: Chapter 8

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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.

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" he said.

"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 said 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, Kismata, 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 dies 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 punishment 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!!

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