Chapter 57 - The Day

Jasmine

"Are you sure? I mean…-" Benjamin stroke his index over my ring finger. I nodded again. This time with more certainty.

There weren't any words, because this wasn't real. It wasn't a real wedding. He just had a guilty conscious leaving me here. That was all.

After the Imam performed the Nika ritual, Benjamin shoved the ring around my finger and kissed my hand. "Is there anything you and your sister would like to take to the palace Habibie? We will leave in an hour max. It's not necessary to bring clothing, I'm sure they will measure you a whole new wardrobe. But if there is anything you are attached to, than we will help you pack." I glanced at my father.

This couldn't be real. Benjamin smiled. His hazel eyes were shining, he seemed pleased with this arrangement. What about Saphira?

"It's all settled Jazz. They will throw the four of you a wedding party at the palace. The two of you have my blessing." My father said with a smile that reached his eyes.

"Just mothers books, if that is okay?" I asked directing myself towards father. "Of course, I won't be living in this house any longer either, you can take anything you want." Huh? "I've arranged for your father to be taken care of in the palace, where there are the best doctors that can attend him.

I stood up and flew into Benjamin's arms, holding him tight. He smelled of spices.

Ashamed of my action, I let go of him. Pulling me back, Benjamin wiped the tears from my eyes and kissed the crown of my head. I flinched, because there was a bruise on my head.

"How can I ever repay you?" I whispered. "By getting a PHD degree, in whatever subject you desire." He smiled. "A bachelor's degree first." I said. He always exaggerated. Benjamin chuckled.

Around 10:00 AM we arrived at the palace. It was as beautiful as ever. Benjamin and I were quite in the limo. He just simply held my hand and squeezed it from time to time.

When we walked into a grand hall, we were welcomed by several members of staff. "My ladies, you can come with us." A lady said with a whole group of maids behind her. "The wedding will be in 2 hours and we have to prepare your dresses."

I held on to Benjamins hand, as strongly as I could, and when he wanted to fumble from underneath my grip, I grabbed his blouse. "I want to stay with you, I mean were already married." I shrugged. "And I want to stay with you." I pleaded, panicking.

Saeed would be here for the wedding.

Benjamin cocked his head to the side. "My little pea." He said. "I will just be in another room." I still did not let go.

What had gotten into me? He sighed, but still had a playful smile on his face. "Okay Habibie, wait." He said raising his hand gesturing I should be patient.

"Servant can you bring the new princess the smartphone and gear I asked for please?" And as if it was all planned out, a male servant brought a phone within a minute.

He handed it to me and looked into my eyes. He came a little closer and our noses almost touched. Benjamin smiled and then took a step back.

He dialed a number and the phone in my hand started to vibrate. I looked down on my other hand that was still full of the material of his blouse and pondered if I should let go or not.

"I told you I'm not going anywhere." He said patiently.

Benjamin smiled crookedly. Breathe, breathe I chanted to myself. I gently let go of the fabric and took out the phone. Benjamin swiped to pick up the call while I still held the phone in my hand and as to set an example, he tugged his earbuds in his ears and nudged me to follow his lead.

"See, now you can talk to me at any time, even though I am in another room." And just like that and without thinking, I kissed his cheek and flushed. "Your grace." The servant called again. At first I did notice that she spoke to me.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I did not look at him and obediently followed the servants to a big room filled with, what looked like, more than a hundred dresses.

"W.O.W." Naïma exclaimed. Is this real? I had a hard time holding on to the grudge I held for him. "How come you are always the one that is so lucky. Why didn't Benjamin pick me?" Naïma rattled on. There it was, she was jealous again.

"Naïma, you should not be jealous of my fake wedding and my fake husband, who will continue to screw everything he sees. It's not like he really wants a wife, the sultan had ordered that he should get married."

"He could have married anyone, could he not?" Naïma said in an irritated tone.

"He just felt like he couldn't leave me, because-" I didn't want to finish that sentence.

" It's all fake, so get over yourself, and enjoy being with a man who just chose to spend his life with you." I wasn't paying much attention to what Benjamin was doing through the earbuds, but I realized it was entirely quite on the other side of the line, once I finished my tirade.

I felt a big knot in my stomach.

"I would want to be fake married to a prince." She responded. I didn't answer, because I was now intently listening to every word Benjamin was saying. It kind of felt like eavesdropping and of course it probably was.

While he spoke to his servants, I heard that his voice broke on every word. I shouldn't have said all that. He didn't have to do this, Naïma was right, and yet he did.

"Jazz!" Naima almost yelled. "Oh I'm sorry." I apologized." And held up my shoulders. "There are so many dresses, I would not know what to choose." I said to Naïma.

"Look on the bed.." Ben almost chuckled endearingly through the earbuds.