**
JAMAL.
It is so dark here, I think I'm drowning... My hands are stuck, my feet's too,I can't move. Then there is a light, an almost blinding light... My eyes travel to it and I see her there, standing stretching her hands for me to grab.
With a sigh of relief, I grab it but then she does the unthinkable. She releases me and she moves back.. I am falling again into that tunnel...
Darkness again.... Total darkness.
﹏﹏﹏﹏
Maximus didn't know whether to laugh or be scared as he saw Jafar walk inside his chambers with her.
Naja's daughter —the Sheba.
"Morning Father" Jafar greeted as they finally got to where he is. He nodded and his eyes landed on Fina.
"Hi there young lady"
Fina bowed her head in respect as if thought s were not rilling in her head of how she would have strangled this man who plunged a knife into her mother.
"Good morning Sir, I am Sarafina Jafar's friend"
"Ah..." Maximus said feigning ignorance as if he didn't know her before.
"You are one beautiful lady Sarafina... It is no wonder how you managed to be friends with my son here... You know"
A smug smile spread on Sarafina lips as she sat down on the floor. "I am so flattered Maximus" she said but in her she was fighting herself not to stand and wipe that stupid grin from his betraying face. Someone like him should not be allowed even as small as a smile.
Jafar sat beside her, his eyes telling his father to tread carefully as he didn't know the girl's motive.
Maximus winked at him and then looked at Sarafina. "So why are you here young lady" he asked.
Sarafina scoffed inwardly. "Ah... I actually came to see you... I mean it won't be polite if I'm friends with your son and I don't know you you know on a more personal level" she said.
Maximus smirked as his eyes glued on the girl's own... If she was here for something else it would be so hard to detect. He has to walk on eggshells around her.
"Wow, that's very thoughtful of you Sarafina. My very first conception about you is really true then"
"Very first conception?" Sarafina cocked her head curiously. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"Well, i had rough view of your kind of character when you came in. It happened my view was right after all, you are good lady"
Sarafina pressed her palms together and bowed her head. "Thank you Maximus" she stated.
"Its nothing, its nothing... Well how about Lunch while you are here huh?"
"As much as I would like to decline which I know won't be polite... I'd rather stay and eat" her head turn to Jafar and she gestured toward him. "Because of him" she concluded.
Maximus stood up and walked to the dining. "Nice choice to make then" he pressed the bell to call the attention of the maid in charge of food.
"It will be here in a few minutes"
The door opened some seconds later, they all turned thinking it was the maid only for them to see Kayla walk inside.
Her eyes widens as she sees Sarafina sitting with Maximus and his son at his dining.
Maximus stiffened, he has forgotten that Kayla was to visit him today.
Sarafina eyes traveled around them with a smirk, she then stood up. "I think I will have to decline this invite for lunch, maybe some other time Maximus" she said, completely ignoring her step mother. Her eyes fixed on Maximus.
Maximus blinked, if he did not understand her motive of coming, he did understand the logic behinf her announcing her leaving.
She was daring him to let her leave and then she can be able to get what was between the two of them. "I insist you stay" Maximus finally said, while Kayla just stood there in shock.
'Good choice' thought Sarafina. "Well then who am I to refuse a royal meal" she said and sat down back.
Just then the maids came in with the tray of food. "You should step away from the door, step mother" Sarafina said, her tone laced with total mockery.
"Come join us for lunch, won't you step mother" Sarafina said, emphasis on the step mother.
Jafar just kept quiet, the girl was smarter than he thought. She was roping them all in one corner.
﹏﹏﹏﹏
Mila sat on the bed beside her son... She only wished he would wake, even if he was still cursed. At least she would be able to see his eyes.
"Jamal, wake up for Ammi... Kripaya" she whispered softly and placed her head on his legs.
Her eyelids were already closing in sleep when she felt a hand on her hair. She sat up immediately.
Jamal's eyes was open already.
"Jamal... Jamal you are awake" he smiled at her.
"Ammi"
Mila's eyes widened in shock. Did he just call her Ammi with a smile.. She squeezed his hands unknowingly, feeling elated that he was awake.
"Ammi, you are hurting me" he croud out painfully with a pout.
Mila stopped. What! Did he just say she was hurting him.
Can Jamal feel now? She looked at him.
"How do you feel now?" She asked.
"I feel refreshed bit..." He looked down at himself and raised his hands up.
"When did I become this big, the last thing I remember is playing with you at the garden when I turned twelve"
Mila blinked.
Again.
And again.
"What !!" She screeched.
••••