CHAPTER 8 :

After that incident, she did not find the creepy Jack in the kitchen and came to know from Amanda that he has left the palace.

She could not get more pleased with the news. A heavyweight had been lifted off her chest.

Tonight after dinner they stayed on the blanket. She was sitting between his legs, her back leaned on to his chest.

“What are you thinking Vanilla!”

“What?” she grinned. “Vanilla? Seriously?”

“umm hmm. Vanilla. Tell me, what are you thinking?” he nuzzled his nose in her cheek.

“I am thinking about you.”

He turned her head towards him, “Thinking about me? What about me?” Though he could not see her his palms were placed on her cheeks.

She held his chin, “I don’t even know the color of your eyes? Why do you wear this blindfold? Why not dark shades?”

“I tried to. But the light made it unbearable for me, causing me pain. No shades were working, not even the best ones. Then Prince Noah came with the idea of this blindfold.” He just shrugged.

“Where is your family Zek? Do they ever come to visit you?” She could not tell his facial expressions much because of that piece of cloth on his face.

“They tried to. But I did not let them.”

“Not let them? … But why?”

“I don’t know princess. It was hard for me to face people, especially those who I care most.”

“But Zeki. You need your family with you. And they must be needing you too.”

“I don’t know. Maybe I was helpless. And that was the only thing which I could do with my condition. It was easier to shun them away from my life.”

“You are lucky if you have got a family. Look at me. I have got no one. Lost them.”

“Princess. You have got me now. Don’t you? Remember you proposed to me? Or are you still dreaming to become a Luna?”

She playfully punched his torso, “Don’t go off-topic. Don’t push away your family Zek.”

“I am not pushing them away. But the way they were hovering over me 24/7 was making me crazy. Always discussing my health, my condition, my physicians. If my doctors are competent enough or not. Whether they should go for this one or should fire that one. It was playing havoc with my mind.”

“Families are supposed to do that. They care for you. They ARE supposed to give you their care, support, love. And why you don’t want physicians? How are you planning to get treated then?”

He was sitting quietly trying to take in whatever she was telling him. For some odd reason, he looked a little tense.

“Does that mean, If I wouldn’t go for treatment you will not marry me?” He smiled, but he was trying to mask his true feelings. It felt like he was holding his breath, waiting for her preference.

“Don’t be silly Zek. I will marry you regardless of your treatment. That would always be your decision to make. And I would stand by your side. But won’t you wish to see your kids? …”

This got his full attention. A smile appeared on his lips, “Kids?” though his cloth piece was covering most of his upper face, she could tell that he had raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, Zek. Our kids.”

 For some unknown reason, he was not able to wipe off the smile from his face. And then he asked the most outrageous question.

“Hey, Vanilla. Do you know how to make babies?” Now she realized why he was smiling.

Shit!

“Out of the whole conversation, this is the only thing you find interesting! Seriously Zek!”

He held her face, “Answer me Vanilla. Do you …”

“Yes, I know. News flash! I am not five! Zeki. Even a five year old knows about it.” She shot back rolling her eyes.

“Really? That’s too soon. When did you come to know about it?”

Now the conversation was making her embarrassed. She remained quiet instead of replying.

He nudged her little, “Princess I asked something.” there was laughter in his voice.

She pinched him on the side of his torso.

“Ouch.”

He started laughing. She started throwing small playful punches at him. He kept laughing trying to protect himself by raising his arms until he held her hands in his. When he stopped laughing he became unusually quiet.

“I guess you are glaring at me. I wish I could see you. I want to witness your glare. Your anger, your laughter.” He placed his index finger on her cheek trailing it there, drawing circular patterns.

“It’s your face Princess that I wish to see. I want to see how you look when you blush.”  

Tying his arms around her waist he hugged her tightly, caressing his cheek against her head. She wanted to cry but she wanted to stay strong for him.

“You said, it hurts when you remove that blindfold from your eyes. It gives you pain. I wish I could look into your eyes.” She whispered her voice muffled in his chest.

“Hey Vanilla.” He kissed her head.  “Guess what. You are making me fall for you.”

Then he pushed her a little to make her sit, “Now enough fun! Tell me. Do you know how to use a dagger?”

Her eyes went wide with surprise, “No.”

He took out a dagger that was under his pillow. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you. But keep it a secret.”

“Everyone in the palace keeps telling me to keep things secret. And it’s now making my ears bleed.” She wrinkled her nose.

“I know honey. This is a different world than yours. Just do not take risks. Keep yourself safe.” 

…

She was having lunch with Lily, Dustin, and Tom while having a wild discussion about the upcoming Science project when a sudden hush fell on the group.

Lily and Tom who were sitting in front started staring at her back. When she turned around, she found Prince Noah standing there smiling at the group, “Hi all.” Then he turned a little somber while looking at her, “Do you have a minute?”

She excused herself from the group. While walking beside him she could feel the gazes directed towards them.

“I don’t know if I should curtesy or bow right now. Forgive me prince for being ignorant.”  

He shook his head and chuckled, “No problem Hazel.”

They kept walking until he brought her to the medical room.

“Why are we here prince?” She was looking around her.

He gestured towards a chair and sat on the other one, “We need to talk Hazel. And it was … not appropriate to talk to you in the palace.”

He did not want to scare her away, but it was a risk to talk to her or show any type of affiliation with her in the palace.

Hazel sat, her head still bowed, “It's ok Hazel. You can look up.”

Hazel obeyed and found him looking at her with a gentle expression on his face.

“Did you talk to him?” Hazel knew what he was asking.

She nodded her head, “Yes. I did Prince Noah.”

“Hmm. Did he say anything about the treatment? Will he go for it?” he seemed worried.

“Not yet. He hasn’t agreed. But I need some more time Prince.” She said while still looking at the floor.

“Ok.” Giving her a tight-lipped smile he nodded, “I trust you.”

She could sense he was more worried than actually, he was showing. “His family must be getting worried.” She stated.

“Hmm? What did you say? Sorry?” Noah, who was thinking about his conversation with his father, straightened in his chair.

“I said, his family must be hell worried.” There was concern on her face but Noah did not want to give away much. Not only because of certain policies but he did not want to put her in any kind of danger.

The poor girl was clueless and he liked to keep it that way.

He stood up abruptly making her do the same. “I think we should meet again here right after one week.” Then digging in his pocket he produced a box, “Here. Take this. Just as I promised. I have programmed my phone number in it. Whenever you need me, I would be just a call away.”

It was a brand new phone. But she could not reach out to hold it.

“What would I tell everyone?” She was not sure about it.

“Tell them that you bought it with your own money. You can very well afford it now.” He said gently. “And don’t take it as a charity. You deserved it.”

When she nodded quickly while taking the box. He smiled, leaning a little forward he kissed her forehead.

“Take care Apple pie.” He smiled and left the room.

She was rooted in her place. Shocked!

Shit! What did just happen? The hottest person in school! Prince Noah kissed her? Called her Apple pie? OH MY GOD!