Chapter 9 #2
“I have many years on you, my dear Princess.” Jahar said teasingly, but then his expression went sincere, “and I guess I finally started to take things more seriously when I was responsible for your life and well-being, and after seeing you experience the things that haunt you.”
Aza doesn’t know what to say to this, so she stays silent.
“Do you remember that time you snuck into the kitchens when we were baking all the desserts for the visiting dignitaries?”
Aza’s expression lightens up with the distraction and the resurfacing memory.
“I definitely wasn’t supposed to be there, but you were so excited to show me the steps to baking your special cupcakes.”
“And you definitely weren’t paying attention.”
“Yes, I was!” Aza playfully argues.
“No, you weren’t. You were too focused on checking me out.”
Aza’s eyes widened with surprise and embarrassment, and heat rose to her cheeks.
Jahar gives a devilish smile and declares, “And that’s exactly why I had to throw that flour on you.”
“All over me!” Aza shouts, “I had to shower three times! It kept clumping in my hair.”
Jahar laughs, “You got me back. I had flour in places where flour should not be!”
At this point, Aza had tears of laughter filling her eyes.
“Mama Nubia was so mad at us,” Aza says through laughter, “she definitely didn’t appreciate the splattered eggs and shells everywhere either.”
“I totally forgot you threw them at me!”
Aza covered her face, trying to hide the red of her cheeks.
Jahar reaches over and pulls her hands down away from her face. “Let me see that smile and those rosy cheeks,” Jahar says enchantingly.
Heat and a tingling sensation began to grow in Aza’s stomach and between her legs. She can’t help but imagine what Jahar’s hands would feel like running down her arms or over her hips. Or how his fingers would feel touching her.
“I’m sorry, Princess.” Jahar apologizes as he removes his hands from her and sits back, breaking her out of her wandering thoughts.
“I’m glad you touch me now.” Aza blurts before she can stop herself.
“Princess?” Jahar asked, shocked and confused.
“It’s just… It’s like I’m a prized possession or a disease that people are afraid to touch. It makes me feel quite lonely sometimes and makes me question myself and my worth.”
Jahar ponders for a moment, “I guess I never thought of that before. But, you are the Princess, and there are rules and etiquette to follow.” Jahar affirms.
“I know, but that doesn’t change how I feel.”
Jahar nods his head, “I still can’t be all touchy with you in public, it would send the wrong message. Even as friends.”
“I know.” Aza sighs, feeling defeated.
A few moments go by before Jahar moves forward in his seat and reaches out to grab Aza’s hands.
“I suppose,” Jahar takes a deep breath, “I suppose I could be more open again. Be a better friend.”
This brings a small, hopeful smile to Aza’s face.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Aza assures.
“I don’t know why you constantly feel as if I don’t want to be around you or don’t want to be your friend.
I am sorry if that was my doing. Maybe I take my position as your guard too seriously and forget that you and I are both living beings.
” He said with sadness in his voice as he squeezed her hands.
“It’s okay. In all honesty, I do miss my friend a lot. Especially when he’s here with me, but also not.” Aza squeezes his hands back, giving him a small smile.
Jahar nods his understanding.
“Can I… can I sit next to you?” Aza asks hesitantly.
Jahar gives a puzzled look.
Aza huffs a nervous laugh, “Never mind. I’m just being silly.”
“No… no you’re not. Yeah. Um, sure. Why not?”
Aza brightens and quickly releases his hands as she gets up and takes a seat next to him.
Jahar watches her movements. She smiles, and he smirks back.
She hesitantly decides to lay her head on his shoulder.
Warmth spread across her body. He lays his head on top of hers and takes her hand in his.
Aza squeezes his back, probably a little harder than needed, but she needed the reassurance that this moment was real.
They stayed like this for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of each other’s company without watchful eyes and etiquette to maintain.
“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t wish it could be like this more often. There have been many people and friends that have come and gone in my life, but none of them were like you.” Jahar finally breaks the silence.
Aza lifts her head to look at Jahar. For a moment, she gets lost in his eyes before her gaze drops to his lips. Her imagination gets the best of her, and she can’t help but wonder what they would feel like brush against hers. Would it be a gentle kiss? One full of passion and short breaths?
“If only circumstances were different.” Aza breathed out, barely a whisper.
“Yeah,” Jahar murmurs back, his lips almost brushing hers, and his breath fanning over her.
“I think I might rest now.” Aza breaks the tension before they cross a line that can’t be uncrossed.
Jahar swallowed loudly, “Of course, Princess.”
Aza slides her body down the bench a little before she laid her head down on Jahar’s lap and curls her arms and legs up in front of her.
Jahar took in a quick, sharp breath before relaxing and laying a hand on Aza’s shoulder. Aza, content in the moment, begins to doze off.