Chapter 8 - Friendship

Jasmine

"Raina, do you think a man and a woman can be friends?" Raina almost spit out her drink and laughed. "Why?" Raina asked suspiciously.

I eyed her, feeling confused by her question. "Why do you ask?" Raina clarified as I held out a black hajib she could wear today. "I don't know, I mean, we have become friends and we talk, watch movies and although I am your maid, I like that. My question is; if you could have that with a man."

Raina seemed to ponder that for a moment.

"You spend time with your cousin and he is a man." I pointed out. "Nah, I think that is different." Raina said while praising her new outfit in the mirror.

"A woman can't spend time with a man…" She turned around facing me. "That isn't family, without a chaperone. I mean; would your father let you?" We both burst out in laughter.

No, no he would probably get a heart attack by the idea.

"I have watched some American movies and they don't seem to have a problem with the concept of a friendship between man and woman." I stated.

"True, but I don't think you can compare that." Raina said. "They have an entire different view upon affairs concerning marriage all together." She frowned.

"Reminds me of some woman here in the palace." She said sourly. "I heard about that." I whispered. "She flat out told everyone at the servants breakfast table." I said stunned.

"Spill the beans!" Raina commanded. I told her everything I knew, but I still never told her about my meetings with Benjamin.

She wouldn't understand and I wasn't doing anything wrong, was I? Rabia was there and maybe it was a good idea if I took Nadia with me today as she suggested.

Raina had a long day ahead of her and that meant that I had the day off. Since my lectures with Ben wouldn't start until later tonight, I went to the library and picked up a book.

It was hot outside. I sat under the willow, which provided shade.

Suddenly Benjamin sat down next to me, breaking my deep concentration. The way he smelled overwhelmed me. I clutched my hands together, to stop me from doing anything I would regret later on.

"We shouldn't be alone." I mumbled a little irritated. "Why shouldn't we be?" He asked seeming offended.

"Sometimes you make me question your sanity. We live in a highly religious country and you ask me why we cannot be alone?!" I said louder than I meant. I bit my lip.

Benjamin ran his hand through his hair. He was wearing formal Arab clothing today, but his hair was messy. "I'm sorry." He apologized. "I sometimes seem to forget." He said cheesy.

I shook my head. What a guy. "What are you up to today?" I asked eying him from head to toe, while trying to avoid his hazel eyes.

Today they seemed more golden. "Nothing much. Just this and that." He shrugged.

"Do you have to go anywhere official with the Sultan?" It was truly odd that he was wearing a, what seemed to be, royal suit. I don't know, maybe the sultan was as fond of him as Raina was of me?

That thought made me smile. I couldn't imagine that though.

Benjamin was quiet. I pushed his arm a little, as to urge him to answer. We both stared at each other in shock of my action. He swallowed visibly. "Well, about that." He sighed heavily. "I'll tell you tonight." Ben said avoiding my eyes.

It was silent. It felt awkward so I tried to lighten up the atmosphere.

"Oh, I have thought of something recently!" I said. Benjamin tilted his face to the side questioningly. "Raina's cousin enjoys watching Disney films." I said rolling my eyes. "He does now… And you have something against fairy tales?" Benjamin prompted.

"No, not really. Actually not at all." Why was he being sensitive? "Anyhow, we were watching Pinocchio. Do you know that story?" Benjamin nodded slowly, narrowing his eyes at me.

"It's just a little fun fact, but did you know that if Pinocchio would say his nose would grow, that would be a paradox." Benjamin looked amused.

"Don't be like that." I said making a duck face. "Like what?" He said teasingly.

"Ugh… I'm serious, I mean; I am refiring to the liar paradox. It's like if I would say 'this sentence is false.' Then that would be true, then it is false and of course would mean it is technically true, but that also is false and so it continues." Benjamin look at me endearingly.

"We into philosophy and logic now are we?" He said smiling crookedly.

"It's interesting." I said flustered. "I think it is very good that you keep on expanding your horizon. Sometimes I wish my sister was a little more like you." He shrugged.

"What do you mean?" I asked not understanding. My sister isn't as eager as you to learn. I love her of course, but she would rather spend time with her friends, than that she would ever open a book." Benjamin said disapprovingly.

"She doesn't ask much questions. If I would tell her the earth was flat she would accept that as the truth without any question." He said slapping his own face. "If she is anything like you, she must be really smart anyways." I smiled.

"How is your family doing?" He asked. "They are okay, I guess." I didn't like talking about them, or even thinking about them. It made me miss them more.

"What's wrong?" Ben asked, as he cupped my face, raising it so he could meet my eyes. My face burned where he touched me.

"My sister is 23 and still unmarried. She is not like me." I shook my head. "She wants to get married and besides… my father needs the dowry."

Benjamin caressed my cheek. Abruptly I stood up. "I have to go." I said. My heart raced in my chest.

"Jazz!" Benjamin shouted. "I'll see you tonight, don't forget!"