Golden Jasmine: The Ameer's concubine.

28. Embrace.

Wrapped in your embrace, I felt in utopia.

The nerves kicked in again as she remembered they had to share this room. Staying here and doing nothing won't work right. She went and checked the lanterns and contemplated on lighting them or not. The windows were still open too. What should she do? 

“You can use the bed,” she heard his voice from behind and it startled her. Did she spend that much time thinking?

Jaasir went to the window and closed the glasses. Light still showed with the curtains opened. He turned to look at Yasmine and added that she was just standing there. 

“Yasmine, go lie down. It will be dark ones I lock this,” he added pointing at the curtains. 

“Where will you sleep then?” she couldn't help but ask. He isn't thinking of sharing the bed right? It's his room but still…

Jaasir smiled mysteriously and his mischievous eyes gleamed through his wet hair. “I will, where I'm supposed to. So don't worry about me,” 

Yasmine squinted her eyes before she went to the bed and moved the bed sheet. She slowly went under the duvet and breathed as the room went dark. Her heart beat slowly because he heard no sound of someone moving until she felt the bed dip. She sat up abruptly and whipped her head to the side, it was not like she could see the culprit. 

“What…what are you doing here?” she asked frightened.

“Sleep?” Jaasir returned nonchalantly and rested on the pillow.

“But, you can't sleep here,” she frowned. 

“Why is that?” he said. “This is my head and I sleep here every day, so no stress Yasmine,” 

Listening to how calm he was annoyed Yasmine already. “If that's the case, then I should get a different room instead,” she said and tried to get down when he gripped her wrist. 

“Don't…do that,” he said sternly and withdrew his hand. “I don't get why my wife will sleep somewhere else away from me.” 

“I am not…” she started when he shushed her. 

“Pray and go to sleep,” he added. “There are night monsters you know,” 

“That's a lie,” Yasmine harrumphed. Who is he to scare her? 

Jaasid just hummed and stayed quiet. 

Yasmine frowned pitifully as she did feel scared with the silence now and the safest place here was beside him. She pouted and lay down again. She whispered her prayers and turned her head to the other side, tightly closing her eyes. This should be over in the morning. 

Jaasir peered at his side and grinned. He wants her close to him and who knows what will happen when she isn't? He placed his hand under his head and closed his eyes. It was only after her breathing slowed down did sleep came to him too. 

It was almost Subh time when Jaasir heard someone panting. He sat up quickly and turned to the side. 

“Yasmine,” he called out worryingly and shifted to her sides, shaking her shoulders. She was mumbling fearfully that it scared him. 

“Yasmine,” he called out loudly this time and she gasped and her eyes flashed open. Jaasir sighed in relief and took his hands off her. 

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajiun,” praying silently, Yasmine held her head, trying to take those bad images from her mind. 

“Are you alright?” Jaasir asked worryingly from behind her. Yasmine pursed her lips and scurried to the hamam without answering. What she needs is cold water on her skin. 

Jaasir retracted the thought of going after her and did the most reasonable thing. He lit the lamps and opened the windows for fresh air. He couldn't help but believe that he scared her earlier that she ended up having a nightmare. 

The door opened and she walked out absentmindedly from behind the wardrobe. Jaasir rushed over and blocked her way. 

“Yasmine, say something,” he said softly. Seeing that she was still unresponsive, he held her shoulders.

“I know something is bothering you Yasmine and it's better if you say it. What happened?” he inquired again. 

Yasmine raised her hand trying to explain on the verge of tears. 

“Jaasir, I…” she spoke incoherently. 

Jaasir was astonished that she called his name he still urged her to continue. 

“I saw…flames,” she mumbled and trembled again while Jaasir rubbed her shoulders to calm her down. 

Yasmine swallowed and continued,

“There was fire and my Baba…he…and Maman…they killed them. Najwa…I don't know Jaasir,” she finally broke down again painfully. “I saw him too. He's coming after me. I am tired of crying,” she cried. 

“You won't cry, Yasmine. Soon In Sha Allah,” Jaasir said assuringly and pulled her head to his chest. Watching her get weaker by the day and full of worry broke him down too. She was still young to have these memories and a burden on her heart. He patted her head, hoping she would calm down. 

Yasmine was trying her best to suppress her tears because she was tired of crying but they weren't stopping. Jaasir’s arm around her was giving her a sense of security, so she slowly raised her hands and tightened her hold around him. Jaasir wrapped his arms more around her and kept stroking her hair. 

Her sobs calmed down but she was still scared. 

“It's okay now Yasmine. Nothing will happen to you here,” Jaasir said. Yasmine was quiet with her eyes closed while he started reciting some duas. 

The adhan for Subh was called soon. Jassir pulled back slowly and held her hand. “Come with me,” he said. 

Yasmine followed him to the Hamam and he helped her perform wudu. He also washed his face and they headed out. 

“Will you be alright alone?” he asked carefully but she immediately shook her head. Jaasir smiled and escorted her to the praying mat. 

“Let's pray together then,” he said. She nodded and searched for her hijab. Jaasir led her to Salat and after several duas, he told her to lie back down. He waited until she went back to sleep before he left the room. 

Salam guys. Golden Jasmine is getting more audience, all thanks to you. Do share your thoughts and what you think of the plot in the book.

What is going on behind the scenes? It's going to be more serious now in the coming chapters.