Scheherazade

Chapter 8

"You want me to translate the book for you? I'm busy handling the thief on the west and you want me to translate a book?" Ali protested. He talks too much for a man.

"You're so noisy! I mean, just the front page. Look at it first." Syahrar snapped.

Ali opened the book. On the first page there's a handwritten note. "This?" He asked.

Syahrar nodded. "Just a few sentences. Can you do it now?"

"Two people from a different world. I was free, sailing over the seven seas. You are as evil as the devil. But sometimes just like an angel. You are carefree and never feel jealous. I dont know but I believe that you never really care. Scheherazade." Ali translated. "There are some words I can't understand. But, that's it."

Syahrar mumbled something only he can hear. For a few minutes, he drown himself in his thoughts.

Ali cleared his throat. "If you don't need me anymore, I'll leave."

Syahrar nodded. But before Ali take a step outside he called. "Wait."

Ali turned, "Yes?"

"What do you think if I were to kill Scheherazade tonight?"

"Scheherazade? It's like killing yourself. Sultan." He laughed and left.

"What the... that man is always so hard to understand." Syahrar mumbled.

Its been a week since they came back from Sena city. And it's been a week, Syahrar tried to avoid her. He bury himself in work and passed the night alone.

She waited until she fell asleep. And wake up like nothing happened. Then at night, she would wait again until she fell asleep. She missed him in many ways. But most of all his voice and laughter when she tells him her stories.

Yet she never asked him anything. She never tried to get explanation. Because she is afraid. The brave girl who sailed over seven seas, mastered over ten different languange, met many kind of people is afraid of what kind of answer he would give her. She sighed deeply.

"You look anxious sister. Did something happened?" Ask Dunyazade, her sister who came for a visit.

"Nothing Dunya. Im fine." She smiled.

"Really? It's been a while but you only stare outside and sighing all the time." She said. "Oh!" Dunyazade jumped and gasp. "Are you pregnant?"

"No!" Scheherazade snapped. "You speak too loud. If the servant heard us, it will cause uproar in the palace."

"Oh yes, I'm sorry. But are you sure you're not pregnant?"

"Dunyazade. I am not pregnant."

"Ohh..." Dunya sat back to her seat. "So what's wrong then? He threatened you?"

"Who? Syahrar? No."

"He attempted to kill you?" She asked again.

"No. He is not the type that would dirtied his hands."

"Right." Dunyazade nodded. "What have he done then?"

"Nothing Dunyazade. He done nothing." She sighed. "I think he's angry at me. But I don't know why. I don't dare to ask."

"What did you do?"

"I don't know. About a week ago, we travelled to Sena City. And then I got lost. He found me and everything is fine. But the following day, I left to the city... and when I got back he's already angry."

"What? Just like that?"

"I don't know. Something might have happened while I was away. But he wont speak to me."

"Sister... You are always so brave. Why are chickening out right now? He's just a man!" Dunya glared at her. "Go talk to him and ask him what happened."

"But I dont know how he would answer it."

"Don't worry. If you die, I'll spread the word to the pirates. And an army of pirates will attack this town. I think Thomas would hear it sand be angry for you too."

"Hey!" Scheherazade laughed. "No don't. Seriously, Thomas will most likely to hunt the pirates down. You know his job is to catch them." She smiled.

"But... you're right. I'll go ask him what happened. If I were to die, or to live, may God be with me." She spoke softly, almost a whisper.

"God will be with you sister." Dunyazade smiled.

Scheherazade walked to Syahrar's office, almost running. She was about to open the door when she heard them talking.

"Vizier. You are very loyal to me that you gave me your first daughter. True?" Asked the sultan.

It's about me? Scheherazade can't help but to smile.

"Yes, your highness." Her father answered.

"That's why I would like to return the favor to you." He said sternly. "Go and bring her back to where she belongs."

What? She raised her eyebrows. Me? Bring me back to where I belong?

"I'm sorry?"

"Take her home with you. I have no longer want her. And you dont have to bring anymore brides to me."

What? What's wrong?

"Ye-yes... Thankyou very much Sultan. Thankyou very much."

Scheherazade did the only thing she could think of. She ran back to her room. And cried on her sister's lap. Dunyazade, not knowing what happened cried silently. If only she didn't go home that time, she would be spending the night smiling with a cup of tea in her left hand, and a book in others.