Love Untangled - Chapter 156

Saphira

“What’s the matter?” Malik asked me, as he came to sit beside me from a distance.

“Nothing.” I said an tried to smile. Malik cocked his hand and looked at me. “I haven’t known you for long, but that does not mean that I can not read you, Saphira.” He said disapprovingly.

“What is bothering you?” He asked me. “There isn’t anything bothering me.” I lied. “Now you are insulting me.” He said calmly rubbing his hands. He had an olive kind of skin color, it was beautiful.

“Now the truth.” He said from under his lashes. “Arghh…” I groaned. “I do not want to tell you.” I almost whispered.

“Why not.” He stated like he had a right to know. “Because… what’s it to you?” I frowned. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again. He stood up, ready to leave. “I’ll let you be then.” He simply said.

“Alright.” I blurted out. He looked at me with a hint of a smile. “Alright… does that mean that you are willing to share?” He asked me.

“But I feel embarrassed about it.” I said feeling insecure. “I…. Can tell you something embarrassing about myself as well…” He said and winked at me. “If that will make you feel better.” He grinned.

“Deal.” I quickly replied.

Malik came to sit next to me again. Of course, he was still keeping his distance. And I thought that Benjamin had always been a prude towards me… little did I know… I deeply sighed.

“You have asked me if I feel like I am a Saudi woman…” I mumbled. “A real one.” I added almost inaudible.

Malik cocked his head to the side. He almost seemed like he felt sorry for me.

“I am not a Saudi woman.” I sighed, spilling my guts.

He was quiet for a while.

“I did not mean to hurt you by saying those words to you.” He apologized. “Who cares if you are not a real Saudi woman?!” He teased me.

“You are probably a real American woman then?!” He questionable stated. I shook my head. “I do not really feel like a real American woman either.” I sulked. “I am an outsider on both sides.” I said looking down at the marble floor. It reminded me of the palace.

“Explain that to me.” Malik said. “My father is an Englishman… But I have not been raised by him… frankly I did not even know who he was until recently.” I confessed.

Malik just listened. “My mom was raised like a real Saudi woman though.” I offered, like that meant anything at all.

“But she was not really good about being a traditional Saudi woman.” I confessed… Malik smiled.

I sighed. “Malik… I…” I looked into his chocolate brown eyes. “I hadn’t met my Saudi family before last year..” I gulped.

“Oh..” He frowned. “Really?!” He said incredulous… “Yeah… so… since I’ve met my family last summer and most importantly… My grandma.” I smiled thinking of her. “I did learn how to cook a mean Saudi dish.” I said proud of myself.

“I understand some words too.” I said enthusiastically.

My face fell again. “But it is hard you know… being here… not really understanding what all of you are saying all the time.. It really makes clear that I do not belong anywhere.” I said feeling sad.

“Okay… Let me get this straight.” Malik said using all those hand gestures again. It was a funny sight. “Being able to speak the language… does not make one a real Saudi.” He explained.

That did not make much sense to me. “Benjamin speaks the language.” He said in a dismissive tone. “You know that I really.” He began to say and waved his hands in the air. “Really do not see him as a real Saudi man.” He said and raised his chin.

“It is about what is in here.” He said placing his hand on his chest.

“I guess…” I mumbled.

Benjamin

“Ben… why are there so many wooden furniture in here.” Jasmine grumbled. I plopped down on the couch and put my hands before my eyes. “You know I love my antiques.” I said wishing my headache away.

“Doctor… Maybe my husband needs some painkillers… ” I said jokingly. “Ha. Ha.” I said sarcastically.

“Your husband needs to drinks enough water and eat something to kill the hangover.” He smiled.

From the corner of my eye I saw that the cook approached my husband. She was a tall blond woman, in her thirties. I saw that she was beautiful, as she asked my husband what to eat.

“I will be in my cabin if you need me.” The doctor said.

“This yacht is gigantic.” Jasmine said from her wheelchair. “You had been on this yacht before haven’t you?” I asked uncertain. I thought so…

“It was when Daniel took Naïma out on a date.” Jasmine said remembering. “But you did not take me inside.” She said.

“Why didn’t you?” She asked.

“What did you want to do inside?” I questioned with my eyes closed.

“I don’t know.” Jasmine murmured.

“We had a good time then?” I thought out loud. I singed for her… we had a good talk. “Didn’t we?” I looked at her with one eye open.

“You always make sure I have a good time.” Jasmine slightly smiled.

“Hey… we are moving.” Jasmine noticed.

“Mhh.. mhh…” I said feeling dizzy.

“How much did you drink?” Jasmine asked me in a lecturing tone.

“Way too much.” I confessed. “Don’t you always?” She shrugged.

“Not like this… and not for three days.” I said sighing.

“I promise I will be better tomorrow.” I said with my eyes covered.

“You better.” She smiled.

“Do we have a paper and some pencils?” Jasmine asked me? “What for?” I faintly asked. “I would really like to draw.” Jasmine told me.

“Mhh… push that green button.” I pointed my index finger towards the alarm for my staff.

Jasmine did so and a servant appeared in no time.. They brought her what she asked and Jasmine started to doodle, letting me sleep a bit more.