Chapter 48 - Lullaby

Saphira

I heard him sigh. "Jasmine is someone I share this apartment with." Ben answered carefully. "And she wanders off to your bedroom in the middle of the night?" I asked him trying to go for casual.

"No, it's not like that. She had terrible nightmares…" I was getting very angry now. "So it's very normal some girl just comes into your bedroom at night?" I asked him raising my voice now.

"I just lull her into sleep." He said as if that was a very normal thing to do. "She does not even remember the next day, I think she had PTSS." He said in a worried voice.

"If I was there with you, I would of just kissed you until we were okay. But I can't seem to calm you down now. Tell me… how can I?" He asked with a discouraged voice.

I gave it a thought.. He probably couldn't. "May I ask you something?" I almost whispered.

"I'm here." He answered meaningfully. "What made you think it was okay to ignore me all this time?"

It was quiet for a while and then he spoke again.

"I haven't ignored you. I have stared at your pictures every day. And I even made a few for you… You know I don't like taking pictures. But I did, didn't I?" He answered. He stared at my pictures?

"No, that's not what I mean. What I'm trying to ask is, why you haven't contacted me in all this time. While you even contacted Sierra on regular basis. How could you think that was okay?" I heard him yawn… poor Ben.

"I thought that putting some distance between us for a couple of months would be good for us. I guess I was wrong." He finally admitted. "Sorry to put it this way but… Wasn't he whole reason to have distance between us, because for some reason you want to protect my virginity." I said a little awkward.

Did I just really say that… I bit my lip. "Which you are so eager to give away." Ben snapped. "Point taken." I said.

"But didn't you think distance, in the form of another continent would be enough. I mean for me not to touch you so unwontedly." I said sarcastically. "You know, that's hardly the case." Ben chuckled quietly. I knew he was trying to sidetrack me, and for now it worked.

"Ma belle Evangeline, are we okay now?" Benjamin asked persuasively. "Almost." I said "Mhh." Ben answered groaning. "Two things… Well, no three. First… Never let me go without hearing your voice for that long again. Secondly too make up for this all, I demand a picture every day." I heard him sigh. "Fine, I had that coming." Ben said not so pleased with my second demand.

"Third, no more strange woman in your bedroom or… on your phone!" I said trying to sound stern. "I promise." He vowed.

We talked for almost four hours straight. About the university he went to, the things he had done and seen and how much we missed each other… Benjamin probably had lulled me to sleep, as he called it. Because the last thing I remembered, was him singing to me.

I was in luck because it was Saturday. I woke up around three PM. I still had my phone in my hand. And there was a light flickering. He had left me a text after he had hung up.

Benjamin: You're cute when you sleep.

Benjamin: I can't wait to sleep next to you

every night for the rest of my life.

Benjamin: Saphira, my Evangeline.

Benjamin: I love you. Always.

He had sent me a picture too. He was laying bare-chested in a bed. His eyes looked weary and tired, but somehow relieved. It made me think about the words I had spoken to Zachary. I realized I wasn't relieved at that time at all. I don't think I was even relieved right now. I think that part would come after I was wrapped up in his arms again. He hadn't been online since his last text so I guess he was still asleep.

Benjamin

I heard a thud on my door and before anyone was announced by the guard, Raina flew into my room.

"What are you doing still in your bed?" Raina frowned. My head was hurting because of the lack of sleep. I groaned a little. "Get up." She said. "Before grandfather takes interest in your daily activities." I stretched my arms. I glances at the clock, it would be supper soon.

"Ben! You should put some clothes on, it isn't prudent for me to see." She said flushed. I sighed. I was too tired for this. "Raina, you have come into my room, unannounced. Surely you have your reason, but you cannot expect me to be fully dressed every time you do. We are not kids anymore." I pinched my eyelids a little.

Raina's face fell and I immediately felt sorry. "Grab me something to wear." I said as I winked at her. She smiled again. Raina threw me a blue blouse and khaki trousers and turned around.

Getting dressed I thought of Saphira. God, how I longed to be with her. "Done. You can turn around now." I said smirking at Raina.

"Ew… brush your teeth." She teased. I chuckled as I walked to the bathroom. After I was done, I saw that we had some time left, before we had to go to the sultan's dining table.

"Shall we watch a movie?" I asked her flipping through some movies in my head. "Yes!" Raina said exited as she jumped on my sofa. I laughed out loud. "You pick." She said as she put a pillow behind her head.

"Let's watch that new Mulan movie with real people." I said thinking out loud. I turned around when I didn't get a response from Raina. She was on the phone.

I eyed her suspiciously. "Yes, of course Ben would love it if you would join us." I heard Raina say. "See you in a bit." Raina mused. Yikes… For the sake of Saph, I had been staying away from Jasmine. I only saw her at night when she was fighting and screaming, and I would try to calm her down.

Saphira

I got up and walked downstairs. Sierra was in the living room with mom and grandma. Mom eyed me, probably because I was still in the same cloths I were in yesterday. I yawned and then greeted them.

"Good morning, all." I said waving at them. "What have you been up to last night?" Sierra asked suspiciously. I didn't mind answering her question this time around, because I liked my answer. "Err… I have been talking to Ben during the night… And morning " I said as I smiled smugly.

"Yeah I thought I heard you talk around eight thirty this morning when I woke." Mom Said. "You probable did. I was still talking to Ben then…. But he sang me to sleep and I've just woken up." I said as the sound of his magnificent voice came back to me.

Mom shook her head "He has sang you to sleep now did he. I guess Zachary has some competition again." I shot my mom a meaningful look, but it was too late. Sierra was all ears already. "Mom, you know Benjamin will never have any competition." I said trying to make a point.

"Just like I know, I will never have any competition either." I said. I hoped Sierra got that.

I told them I would go up to take a bath and get dressed. Sierra decided she would stay over at my place that night. Since her parents wouldn't be home tonight. I wasn't too happy about that fact because I wanted to speak with Ben again. Alone. And I wasn't too keen on the idea of spending so much time with just Sierra.

While I was getting dressed I thought of something. I could make this a slumber party and invite Lynn as well. She would balance things out. I was standing in front of my big silver mirror. I had my pants already on and had my braw in my hand…

Should I?

No… Ben would kill me. I took a picture with only my head and collarbones showing. There wasn't much else to see, though.. But there was enough space to let him imagine. I hit sent and bit my lip… How was he going to take this?