Sweet Obsession

Chapter 8 Part 10

Nidal tried to open the door but found it locked. He pounded on the door, yelling, “Unlock this door right now, Loula!” he demanded. “I need to speak to you. Unlock the door!” he howled.

I was terrified, not knowing what he might do if I dared open the door. Last time he was this angry with me, he left me with bruises. So I ignored his calls as he continued to pound on the door. I crouched in the corner of the room, terrified, as the door burst open, and an angry Nidal marched inside.

I was trembling with fear, holding my hands up in front of my face for protection, not knowing how Nidal would react now that he was a few inches from me. “Please don’t hurt me, Nidal,” I begged. “Please, I’m sorry for whatever it is you think I did to you. Please don’t hurt me again,” I pleaded.

I saw Nidal’s puzzled face display many emotions as he played with his feelings. I saw the old Nidal in his eyes for just a second. And within a split second, the angry Nidal came back. He reached for me, but I screamed, “No, please, Nidal. Don’t.” I was terrified now that he would hurt me.

Just that instant, the king rushed in with his queen and started yelling at Nidal to leave the room. The queen made true to her word and boxed his ear as he walked angrily past her. Nidal stopped. He was about to say something but changed his mind. Instantly with long, angry strides, he left the room. The king followed angrily after his son, giving him a piece of his mind, and the queen stayed behind to comfort me. The queen mother’s eyes rested on my shoulders with horror as she witnessed my bruises firsthand.

Her hand automatically went to her mouth, and she looked horrified, not able to believe what she saw. She stared at me speechless. My body was in shock, and I started shaking uncontrollably as the tears came and I started to cry hysterically. The queen mother frantically came to me and wrapped her arms around me. She pulled me to the bed and held me in her embrace for a while until she saw that my body started to relax.

Neither of us spoke, for words were not necessary at this time. We were both at the same understanding. I was thankful that she did not probe for answers. She was an aristocrat, and she handled herself with grace. I appreciated her at this very moment. She was very comforting and helped me to relax. She soothed my soul with her gentleness. Before she left me, she told me that she knew in her heart that all would be fine. I smiled at her and prayed to God that she was right.

Soon after the queen left my side, I heard the trumpets outside blasting away. I knew the time had come. They were preparing to leave for the war. A cold shiver ran up and down my spine. I automatically ran to the window just in time to witness Shaeena kiss Nidal on the lips. It was a good-bye kiss. It looked as if he did not kiss her back, but it was hard to see for sure from where I stood. The queen was standing next to the princess, wiping her tears as her son kissed her too.

Then Nidal walked toward his horse, and I held my breath. He was about to leave without saying good-bye to me. Did he stop loving me so soon? Did I mean nothing to him anymore? I asked myself these questions, but nevertheless, my heart knew what I had to do. I started to run as fast as I could. I ran from my room, down the corridor, and out the huge double doors. I stopped. I was too late. My prince was already riding away with his horse to join the rest of the warriors.

The tears came pouring down, my heart tightened, and I had never felt as alone as I did at this very moment. I kept staring, hoping against hope that he would turn his head my direction, but he just kept riding away. Shaeena turned and looked at me with contempt, but I ignored her and focused on Nidal.

Just when he was about to join the thousands of the warriors, who were patiently waiting for him on the outskirts of the palace grounds on their horses, he turned his horse around. His eyes searched the grounds until he found me, and his eyes locked with mine. My heart skipped a beat. He looked at me for a few minutes. Then he turned and rode away. I was beside myself with happiness. He turned! He thought of me. He cared.

I knew that instant that he would return to me. I knew I still had a special place in his heart. I smiled for the first time in a long while. The queen, with tears in her eyes, walked up to me and gave me a reassuring hug. She too thought as I did. I sighed, turned to the queen mother, and hugged her back. From a distance, I saw Shaeena eyes shoot daggers at me, and I just smiled at her sweetly. She won the battle, but I won the war, and she knew it. The princess marched to her carriage and jumped in, and off she went without even a good-bye.

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