Page 13 of Jade

“Please, Prince Naseer, just hang for a little longer.” Jade pleads.

“Get out of here and don’t ever come back!” I yelled at her. How could she ask me to hang on a little longer? This pain is unbearable.

“Please, Gent, I can’t bear to see you like this. I know the pain is excruciating, but please hang in a little longer.”

“Did you not fucking hear me? Get the fuck out and don’t ever return!” I lash out at Jade.

“You don’t mean that. Let me stay till you feel better,” she pleads. I could see the sadness in her eyes. I care not.

“I mean it, get out and don’t ever return or I will have you arrested for disobedience,” I repeat louder.

I see the tears in her eyes, but I don’t care. I have my pain to worry about and I don’t like her seeing me like this; she fails to realize it. I would rather throw her out than have her see me this helpless. I see the tears drop before she walks out.

I continued to rave in pain until the hour I received my next dose.

Waking up the next morning, I can move my body. The pain is still there but manageable. I remained in my bed all day. Didn’t want to speak with anyone. I know I wasn’t pleasant yesterday, but who’s pleasant when in pain?

The nurses helped with managing my pain and getting me ready for therapy. Therapy was brutal, but I needed to get it done. It was killing me and healing me at the same time.

I stayed on the path; I haven’t heard from Jade, much as missed her daily. I needed to talk to her to laugh with her, but I had sent her packing because I didn’t want her to see me in the state I was in. I also know her well. She exhibits mild stubbornness that is not easily noticed. I know I owe her an apology but she’s not even giving me a second of her time.

I know she won’t return to me even if I asked nicely, but I asked, and she rejected me politely too.

Two weeks now and no Jade. I call her phone and it’s off. I asked Taimani to invite Jade over and she turned down every request. Taimani gave me her new number; she answered on the first ring because she didn’t know it is me.

“Hello.”

“Jade, it’s Naseer,” I gently confirm. I’m certain she knows my voice by now.

“Hello, Your Highness” her tone is stern.

“Can you stop by tomorrow; I need to speak with you?” I say almost pleading.

“I have been ordered to never step foot in the Darabi residence and if I do, I will be arrested. I can’t disobey this order, Your Highness.” Fuck, I said that to her. I don’t have to see her face to know it hurt her.

“I’m sorry, I said that to you. No one will arrest you. I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

“Well, my aunty has said I must not return to your residence, and I can’t disobey that order as well. Thank you for being nice to me. This is where we say our goodbyes. My hours of service are completed.”

“Yes, I know that. I signed the papers remember,” I answered calmly, much as wanted to decree her to come and see me.

“Yes, you did. I must go now. My uncle needs me, goodbye and I wish you a speedy recovery.”

She hangs up before I can say more. I try calling but the phone is switched off. I didn’t expect her to come running but I certainly didn’t expect the complete brush-off. She’s clueless if she thinks I’ll ever let her go.

I waited for two days and call the line again, no answer. I sent Rilwan to speak with her, but nothing comes of it, and she says she’s busy with homework and chores. Rilwan reports to me that she has a part-time job after school. I don’t like it when he tells me that some guy is always giving her a ride home after work. That doesn’t settle well with me.

I sent her favorite chocolate, and she returned it. I know buying her the shining items would upset her more. Short of going to beg at her doorstep, I did everything, stubborn Jade would not speak to me.

I’m missing her and Jade not speaking is making me cranky. I’m grumpy and mean to my nurses and therapist. I refused to eat. The downside to that is the fact I can’t take my pain meds on an empty stomach, which also backslides any improvement I’d made, and my dad took that personally.

He asked why I was refusing to eat and take my meds. I told him all I wanted was for Jade to come and speak with me and she refused. I had tried everything, short of going in person to her house or issuing a king’s summons. My dad listened to me. I continued to call Jade and to my surprise, she answered a few days after speaking with my dad.

“Hello, Prince Naseer.”

“Jade, when can you visit?”

“I’ll be there tomorrow” I detect, annoyance in her voice, but she’s showing up and that’s all I care about.

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