JAMAL.
"We found something unusual" Khan stated once we got to the front of Maximus chambers.
"Don't tell me he fled the city" Appa said.
"Nothing like that" Khan replied.
"Get me out of here! Tell that wench to let me go this instant!"
I pushed open the door and entered to find Maximus struggling on a chair but nothing was tying him down.
I huffed. This is strange, but wait! I instantly turned to my left to find Jafar laying sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood with a knife plunged to his belly.
"Jafar!" I yelled getting down on my knees beside him. "You did this to your son, didn't you?" I yelled at Maximus who was staring me with a smirk on his face. I felt Jafar's pause.. It was so low, you would think it wasn't there.
"Thankfully he is still alive, get him to the clinic fast" I ordered as the guards lifted him up and took him out.
Appa stalked towards Maximus. "Seems like someone was here before us isn't it?... Because as it is you are confined to this chair with strong magic" Appa observed.
"Strong magic?" There is only one person who has that kind if ability. "Sarafina... Sarafina was here" I said.
"Obviously" Appa replied.
"Tell her to let me go! I'm going to kill you once she does!"
"Exactly why you are there.... I thought we were past this? And seriously you couldn't be a bit more mechanical than that? Archers? In the middle of a festival! I always knew you had a knack for foolishness but I didn't know you were this rooted in it. But yet I still can't understand your hatred for me that you are so bent on wiping away my entire family" Appa said.
Maximus scoffed loudly at him. "You don't know? You incorrigible bastard! You really want to feign ignorance huh! You took everything away from me. Every damn thing! Everything that should have been mine! And you think you can now live your life in luxury!"
"I have no idea what you are talking about Maximus" Father replied confusion etched in his tone.
"You have no idea? You really want to play the victim here huh? You took her away from me Forbes! She was my first love and you let her die just like that!"
I looked at Appa... What is Maximus talking about. "Maximus, Meena's death wasn't my fault... The house had burnt to the ground before we got there, there was nothing we could do" Appa replied.
"Selfish fool! If she had not left your house that day she won't have been in the fire!"
"Then what was I to do? Allow her seduce me when I knew how much you loved her!" Appa yelled. I just stood watching them bicker, at least Maximus can't make any nasty moves since he is confined.
"Bloody liar, Meena will never do that!" Maximus yelled.
"Then you probably didn't know your so-called first love that much!" Father yelled back. They were both breathing heavily.
"And then Father had to make you the crown Prince because he thinks I wasn't responsible enough huh!"
Appa huffed with gritted teeth. "Father had nothing to do with me becoming king, it was destined by Ashra! Guards take him out.." Father ordered.
"But your Majesty... He can't move" Khan stated.
"Then take him with the chair, and charge him with treason"
"He can't be the only one in this, so find his allies...." I reasoned.
"I will come back for you!" Maximus said struggling with the guards as they took him out.
"In your dreams brother, in your dreams".
* * *
SARAFINA.
The constant throbbing at my back was enough to wake me up, I blinked open my eyes and groaned in pain as I tried to move.
"Hey, don't move or you would only worsen the pain"
That voice..Is that..... My eyes widened as it landed on her standing beside my bed. "Ditya?" I called in shock.
She smiled at me "You are awake" she stated matter-of-factly as if it is the most normal thing for me to see her standing at my sick bed.
"Uhm.... Yes, why are you.. Here?" I stuttered.
She looked down, fiddling with her fingers. "I know I don't have the right to be here but I just wanted to do something good and ask for your forgiveness before I leave" she said.
"You are leaving?"
"I have too, else I will only live in regret for the rest of my life"
"She is awake?" The healer and Queen Mila entered, I caught a glimpse of Pooja standing behind them too.
"Sarafina..." Queen Mila walked to me, tears in her eyes. "Thank you for saving our lives"
I smiled. "Ammi told me not let hate blind me, I did what should have been done"
"Sarafina!" Pooja raced to my side. "If you weren't on a sick bed I would have hit you so hard! Why didn't you tell me where you were going, I had to hear from Sherry of all people... You just had to go and play heroine didn't you" she smiled through her tears.
I grinned widely. "See who is worrying about me, you should have been born as my sister" I joked.
"In our next lives, you would be my younger sister okay?"
"Cool" I replied.
"Okay! Visiting time over, we have to give her the antidote as soon as possible" The healer stated.
"Okay girls let's get out" Mila said with a smile and they went out.
Anwyl the healer turned to me. "You are one dynamic maiden aren't you? You have a venom spreading in you and you are still full of smiles... I envy you"
I smiled at her. "Well.." I shrugged. "What to do, smiling can heal huh"
She laughed and brought out the antidote. "You should take it one gulp... It is very bitter but it would flush it out soon enough...."
"Thank you" I muttered and gingerly drank it from the cup.
"Good, now take a long rest because when you are awake it would be worth it"
She turned to leave but I held her back. "Where is he? Jamal" I asked.
"I thought you wouldn't ask, he was the most worried of everyone here... Like I said you really are dynamic to have the Prince on the palm of your hand"
"Though he went out with his father to..."
"I'm right here"
I gasped. "Jamal" he was standing at the entrance with a smile on his face but that didn't hide the worried look lurking around.
"My Prince" Anwyl curtsied.
"Leave us" she nodded and walked out, closing the door.
Jamal stood there staring at me. "So can we still not be together?" He finally asked.
"I can't believe that's the first thing you would ask me after being shot by a poisonous arrow which should have been for your parent" I muttered.
He sighed and stalked towards me and sat on the bed. He cradled my face in his hands and lowered his face to mine. "Tell me Sarafina" he whispered.
I placed my hands over his neck, ignoring the pain at my back and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "Does that answer your question Jamal?"
"No!" He stated and crashed his lips on mine, kissing me.... Senseless. His lips still tasted the same, like strawberry tacko snack. I sighed, melting into his hands.
He sat up with a smile. "Well I think this did answer my question"
A full grin spread ony lips and I closed my eyes. "Did I ever tell you I love you Sarafina" he whispered.
I shook my head. "Nay nay"
"I love you Sarafina"
"I love you Jamal"
* * *