Love Untangled - Chapter 145

Benjamin

“Hey Darling.” I kissed the temple of her face. “Hey my love.” I said as I brushed my nose against her cheek.

Her beautiful cat-like green eyes were staring at me. A smile twitched on the edge of my lips.

I kissed her nose and cupped her face. “How are you feeling?” I asked her. Jasmine did not reply.

“Mhh?” I breathed. Her gorgeous eyes seemed unfocused. “Is she okay?” I asked the doctor.

The man came closer to us. “She is breathing on her own, you see.” He said as he pointed to the screen. “Do you know where you are Jasmine?” The doctor asked her.

Still no reaction from her. I looked at the doctor pleadingly. “Habibie, please say something.” I begged of her. Nothing.

The doctor took out a little lamp and she followed it with her eyes. “Curious.” The doctor mumbled.

“Jasmine, I know that it is all a lot to take in…. but you are safe now… your husband is here and your health will be okay…” The doctor said trying to get her to speak.

“Princes…  do you hear me? If so, can you move your fingers?” The doctor asked her. Jasmine moved her right hand.

The doctor smiled. “Do you know where you are? If so nod.” He told her. Jasmine shook her head, meaning no.

“Do you know what happened?” The doctor pressed further. Her body felt rigid on mine. “I think it is a good idea if we get some rest together.” I uttered. The doctor seemed to think about my suggestion.

“Is there any way we can get her unplugged so we can move more freely?” I asked him. “No, not yet.” The doctor said apologetic. “Her lungs still need the help.” He explained.

“Okay.” I said. “Your grace’s.” He bowed down before he left.

I took a string of her hair in my hands and kissed her cheek.

“Alone at last.” I sighed.

The room was quiet, I could only hear her breathing and the sound of the machines. Although the cables made it difficult to lay comfortably with her in my arms, we managed.

Her head was pressed against my chest and I softly stroke her back up and forth the whole while. I closed my eyes a little. My head still severely hurt.

I sang to her, for I don’t’ know how long. She fell asleep after a while and I continued singing until I fell asleep.

When I woke up, Jasmine was already awake, staring at me. With one eye closed, I took her in. “Hey Habibie.” I told her. I slowly brushed my nose to hers and whispered; “My moon, my stars… my life. Habibie, thank you for coming back to me. Without you I can not breathe.” I spoke my mind.

Jasmine let out a deep breath. I held her hand in mine, trying to warm it up. “Please say something.” I said playing with her fingers.

Nothing.

“I am so happy you came back to me.” I said again. Jasmine opened her mouth, as if she was going to say something. I felt uneasy when she closed her mouth again and did not speak.

What was going on?

“I did not.” She began to say. Her voice sounded strange, out of use. I carefully grabbed the glass of water near the bed and let her take a sip. She drank too fast and started coughing.

The alarm bells went off and nurses ran to our side. They gestured me to get out of the bed as they attended to Jasmine.

“What is happening?” I asked one of the nurses.

Saphira

“Zach no, I don’t think it is a very good idea for you to come here…” I tried to get through to him. “Why not?!” Zach pressed skeptically. “Because, it is not like I am on a vacation or something. I am stuck in some palace and can’t leave it anytime soon.” I sighed.

“Well that is why it is a very good idea that I come over. If you can’t come to me, it is good that I come to you.” He argued. “Zach you can’t just show up here, it is not a normal house or something.” I tried again. “It’s not like you can ring a door bell.” I said in frustration.

“For how long will you be gone?” He asked in desperation. “Benjamin spoke of six months.” I told him. It was quiet on the other side of the line. “You are saying that I can’t see my girlfriend in six months?” He almost yelled.

“About that… ” I tried to say. “Saph…. No you don’t. Really?!” He sighed. Then the phone was dead. I stared at it for a while. I was trying to decide if I should call him back, but I decided it wouldn’t help any of us.

A man with a white dress and a red headscarf or something on, approached me, talking in Arabic. I gestured him that I did not understand.

Then man frowned and then smiled a little. “English?” He asked. Relieved that he did not continue in Arabic, I nodded frantically, like the idiot I was. It was a bliss to hear someone speak English again.

“May I sit next to you?” He asked me. I don’t know why, but I hesitated. His eyes were chocolate brown, he had full, but characteristic eyebrows and a neatly trimmed beard. “Of course.” I said.

He came to sit next to me and smiled. “Why is it that men in this palace all seem to wear dresses?” I blurted out. Shocked by my own boldness, I placed my hands on my mouth.

The guy softly laughed and folded his arms in his lap.

“It is a traditional dress called a thobe.” He smiled. “But why?! I can not imagine that a fully grown man would want to wear a ankle-length dress.” I blurted out again.

“I am sorry, I don’t know what is wrong with me.” I said squeezing my eyes.

“All Saudi men wear it.” He explained. I shook my head. “That is really not true.” I said disagreeing. He seemed amused.. “How is that?” He dared me with a smile on his lips.