SLAVE OF THE HEART

Are We Together? Part 1

It was midnight when she sneaked out of her room. She was wearing a pair of jeans, a vest, a t-shirt, a shurt then a hoodie. She sneaked into the kitchen to steal some food she could take with her.

Rajab had gone down to get some juice from the drinks' fridge. As he closed the door and turned, she was there, looking so good...

Wait... what?

"Ronnie, are you okay?" he asked. She turned and took off down the corridor. Rajab put the carton of juice down and ran after her. He caught her as she rounded a corner and they fell, him on top of her.

He covered her mouth. "Shh, be quiet."

She stopped writhing as they saw a guard pass. She was looking at him while he watched for anyone. Eventually, he got up and reached out his hand. She caught it and he pulled her to her feet.

They went back to the kitchen and sat on stools.

"So," he took a swig off the juice carton, "what brings you out of your room at midnight?"

She looked down as she spoke. "I wanted to run away."

"Why?"

"Because i miss everyone! okay?"

He sighed, before taking her hand and kissing it gently. "You should never plan something like that without at least telling me so that i can help you."

She wondered why he was being so nice to her.

"Because you are nice," he said, looking into her eyes. She sighed and he hugged her. She rested her head on his tummy and closed her eyes.

"Now, let's get you back to bed." He held her hand as they walked back to her room. There were two guards standing outside her chambers. They closed the door behind them.

"Goodnight," he said, kissing her forehead as her brows strsightened and her eyes closed. He left the room and went to his to sleep.

<><><><>

Devonne woke her up. She was jumping on her bed noisily.

"Wake up! Time to wake up! Wake up! TIME TO WAKE UP!"

Vasheronne hit her leg making her collapse on the bed.

"Hey bestie!"

"Hey... how's the boyfriend?"

"Which boyfriend?"

"Who else, Rajab, duh!"

"I don't know... I haven't seen him since... i just woke up..."

"Hmm... funny to say because Carlos, the guy outside your door last night, told me at half past six that you came to bed at one in the morning and that Rajab tucked you in."

"Well... he was here for a while but.. never mind! So, Devonne, you and I are related, huh?"

"Nope, but our grannies were besties. That is why we were named these 'nne' names. Like your mum's Charonne, mine's Sharonne. Isn't that weird?"

"Super weird! It is like we are one and the same."

"Not like, we are one and the same!" Devonne sang, jumping on the bed. Vasheronne giggled as they made a lot of noise for close to a minute.

"Okay, now you should go shower. Hurry!"

"I thought you liked me?!" Vasheronne countered.

"You're just like your brother! Go shower, please! you kind of stink," Devonne retorted. Vasheronne's lips started trembling.

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean it! You don't smell, i was just messing around..."

Vasheronne burst out laughing. "Oh, you fell for that trick?!It's the oldest in the book!"

"Laugh all you want! The fitting won't vanish magically! Shoo!"

Vasheronne traipsed into the bathroom to find the bathwater already run. There was a maid waiting to help her into it. However, she had to undress first.

"Could you... umm... let me have some time alone?"

"But Your Highness, I am supposed to help you!" the lady who looked a little older than her objected.

"I can do it myself. If i need your help, i will just knock on the door, okay?"

"Okay," she accepted, walking out quietly.

<><><><>

Devonne stood next to her as they met their parents. The young ones had planned to watch some movies in Rajab's room after lunch. They would start the evening with that before playing some games and watching some more music if they wouldn't be too tired.

"I am glad you guys honoured our request. You know, us old foggies can drag you down," Prince Laban said, indicating for them to sit. The young kids sat down to partake in the meal.

It was both good and bad. Good because they talked about good things and tried to be funny. Bad because they asked Vasheronne about the Crescent.

She held Devonne's hand throughout the whole questioning. When Rajab noticed she was about to start crying, he interrupted and they stopped.

After they left, the parents were left behind musing about Rajab and Vasheronne.

"Do you think we should tell them?" Charonne asked. Her friend, Amal, looked at her then at her husband, King Owen.

"No."