Chapter 3

Samirah was navigating on the bridge, setting the course for Dukhān as Aladdin checked out the rest of the ship. He had his own cabin, next to Samirah's and across the hallway from Hamal. He had only seen glimpses of the man, and was somewhat anticipating meeting him. For some reason, the image he had in his mind of Hamal reminded him of Rasoul.

As the ship left the harbor, Aladdin gave one last fleeting look upon the fading Palace. It was a world he had never known until he met Jasmine and Genie, and perhaps it was a world he was never meant to know and would never be a part of again. Sighing, he leaned against the railing and looked down into the waters below.

His reflection was clear and brutally honest. He was dressed in commoner clothes, the same clothes he had been wearing for what seemed an eternity. No matter how many times he could dress up in royal attire; no matter how many outfits Genie made to make him feel more sophisticated, he would always be the street rat that was staring back at him in the water. He had always wanted to make something of himself, but some dreams are never meant to come true. "I'm lucky I had it as long as I did," He mumbled depressingly to himself.

Turing his head, his attention and gaze away from his reflection, he looked over at Samirah. She was steadily steering the ship out to sea, strong and confident, with a small trace of cockiness to her manner. For a moment, she caught his gaze and became locked within his eyes. There was something about him that unnerved her, it was almost as if he could see into her soul. No man had ever seen Samirah for who she truly was, and it terrified her. Did she really want to place herself in that unprotected battlefield of affections again? Could she survive another heartbreak?

Aladdin looked Samirah over again, and then soon reprimanded himself and thought of Jasmine. Yet, the thought of his fiancé almost pained him, to think that they may not have a future together anymore. Everything they had built between them could have all been a horrible lie. And then what? Would he go back to living in poverty on the streets alone, running from the guards and stealing what he needed to survive? Could he possibly pretend the last year or so of his life had never happened? How could he even live to watch Jasmine marry another man? He could just have Genie create his own Palace, far away from Agrabah and Jasmine and all his memories. But, he would be terribly alone, and terribly depressed. No amount of money, land, servants, harem girls, or respect could ever buy him another Jasmine.

Samirah noticed his recent pained expression and smiled at him, motioning for him to join her on the bridge. When he shook his head and held up a hand in appreciation, she rolled her eyes playfully and tried again. He smiled politely, but declined the offer. It was then the truth struck him like a horrifying, excruciating arrow through the chest. He had to stop living a lie. 

He had been living a lie for the past year; that he was to marry in to sovereigns and someday become Sultan. Deep down within his heart he knew the truth that the day of his rule was never to come. Who was he to kid that a street rat could change his destiny? It was time to face the facts and begin to look for something that was more plausible. He gazed over Samirah and discovered his thoughts kept leading him in her direction. He looked at her, and although he would later feel appalled about thinking of her in any other way than a friend, he could feel some attraction between them. Almost the same attraction he and Jasmine felt the first time they locked eyes on his rooftop. It was undeniable, and almost seemingly right. Samirah was in his league, and was defiantly adventurous and outgoing, just like him.

Aladdin stopped his thoughts and couldn't believe what he found himself thinking. Was he already trying to move on from Jasmine? Was he trying to weigh the pros and cons of his predicament? He didn't even know what was going to happen yet, and he was preparing himself for the worse by already forming a relationship with a woman he had only know for hours. Yet, as his will and heart tugged on with him, he looked at Samirah and couldn't deny his appeal for her. 'Those who expect nothing are never disappointed.' He thought dismally.

Turning away in bafflement, away from his feelings, his mind and heart toyed with him incessantly. He loved Jasmine; he always had and always would. But the simple fact of him loving her was not enough to sustain a relationship between them when members of the Counsel became involved. Just exactly why was he taking an impulsive trip to Dukhān? What would he accomplish? Was it even worth it?

Of course it was! Jasmine was worth every last breath he had within him, she was his jewel, his most important aspect of his life. He would die for her a hundred times over just to ensure her happiness. Yet, there would be nothing between them should the Counsel interfere and determine Jasmine unfit to decide such a matter. Oh, how his mind played with him! The headache that was forming pulsated in his temples and pained his eyes. He welcomed the interruption of his torrent thoughts as Samirah approached with a husky man he assumed was Hamal.

His entire body was a giant mass of muscle with tattoos that were landscaped across his arms and chest. His head was bald, shaven he figured, but that only added to the intimidation of him. His hands were rough and clenched at his side, his eyes dark and solid. Oil and grease stained his pants and his face was coarse and tough.

"Aladdin, this is Hamal. Hamal, I'd like to introduce our newest shipmate, Aladdin." Samirah introduced merrily.

Aladdin extended his hand and smirked for lack of anything to say, but Hamal only stared at the offer and grumbled lightly. When he turned and walked away, Aladdin awkwardly pulled his hand back and felt slightly embarrassed.

"I don't think he likes me very much," Aladdin said hesitantly once Hamal had headed down below deck. Rubbing the back of his neck, he became all too aware of the sudden interest he was taking on Samirah.

"He's like that with everyone. Once you get to know him, he's completely different; like a giant teddy bear." She smiled and giggled. When Aladdin merely nodded and became strangely quiet, Samirah felt apologetic. "I'm sorry if he offended you …"

"Oh, no, it's not that." He shook his head mildly. "Believe me, I know people like him where I come from. I know how to deal with it." He thought back to his last altercation with Rasoul and cringed inwardly. "Its just hard to keep my thoughts away from my problems lately." He sighed quietly and sat down on the deck.

Joining him, she became fully prepared to learn all about Aladdin and what made him tick. "Tell me about you, Aladdin." She said as she laid a hand on his thigh. When he became somewhat skittish, she removed her hand and became to toy with her hair. Settling for an up-do, she briskly tied it back in a ponytail, and watched him intently.

"There's not much to say." He shrugged mildly. "I was born a street rat, and I'll probably die a street rat." He said, remembering the words of a prince … of true royalty. When she only watched him, without judgment, he already began to feel better. The fact that she hadn't immediately comforted him, like many would, declaring he wouldn't rot in the gutter, made his trust steadily rise with her. She was honest, and he appreciated that. "Don't worry though," he added, "I can pay you." She laughed softly, almost flirtatiously. He grinned and continued, "There's not much to my life, I suppose." 'Who are you kidding!? But start small, don't say too much too soon', he thought cautiously. "I have a monkey, Abu."

"Ohh," She cooed, "That's so sweet. I love monkeys! How come he's not with you?"

"Well, I suppose you can say he's on vacation."

"Wow, that's pretty posh for a monkey that lives on the street." She commented. "Does he have a tailor and a chef making him banana parfaits every night?" Aladdin thought of Genie, but only laughed. It wasn't time to tell her the entirety of his life and what had lead up to his most recent escapade. Maybe that would come later. For the time being Aladdin just wanted her to think there was really nothing to his life, plain and simple. Perhaps the way it should've been all along. 'You lived a lie before,' he thought sharply, 'Do you really want to start another relationship based on a fabrication you conjured up?'

"Well," He swallowed, and decided to change the subject. "Tell me about you … and that thing over there, you call Hamal." She laughed, and it sent ripples through his body. She had one of the loveliest voices he had ever heard. It was a voice that was so clear and pure, a mere humming could send a person into a deep, comforting slumber. Temporarily, it actually made him forget about Jasmine, something no one had ever done before. She was so real and vibrant, and Aladdin was already feeling some kind of a connection between the both of them after only a few hours together. What would the next week bring? 'She could be the siren beckoning you to your doom…' his conscience warned as he snapped back to reality.

"My Father left me this ship," She began as she looked over the boat, gazing up at the sails. "He taught me everything as a child, how to rig, how to steer, how to order burly men around. When he died, I fired every man on the ship since his loyalty was to my father and not me. I hired new men, but none of them seemed to have a true heart for the nautical life. Then I met Hamal."

She glanced over to the bridge where he was steering. "He needed to earn money for his family back home, and so I gave him a job. He has a wife and three kids and only gets to see them two to three times a year." She frowned sadly, but continued. "He's a great friend and companion. Loyal to the end … you know, one of those kinds." Aladdin smiled and nodded. "You just have to get to know him."

When she stood, he did the same, but listened intently as she finished. "It's just me and him, sailing the seas and looking for treasures." Aladdin beamed at her with appreciation.

"Aren't we all?" His eyebrow raised and he grinned devilishly. She felt herself begin to melt, and her heart began to accelerate.

"I suppose so," She said, her voice so low it was nearly a whisper. "I love a good adventure."

"Then I suppose …" He went to the rail of the ship and leaned against it. " …it was fate that put you and me together, because adventures is what I seem to live for." Crossing his legs at the ankles, he dropped his head back and felt the tenderness of the sun caress his body. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself in to …" He warned playfully. "I tend to be a magnet for trouble." He scoffed lightly and let himself fall back into his torn emotions. He didn't care to explain his life at that moment, but knew deep within him the tale of his life would emerge. But, that long story would have to wait until he figured out the best possible way to tell her.

Samirah watched him, and felt her heart began to swell. The fluttering was becoming more and more distinct with each word that was spoken between them. It was electrifying and confusing at the same, intense moment. With at least a week with him, she would have plenty of time to decide what her heart was trying to tell her.

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To Be Continued …

Please R/R!