Chapter 4

Night was the best time upon Sapphire, at least where Samirah was concerned. The cloudless nights provided the most beautiful horizons, the kind that seemed to flow on forever, creating an effect that made the ocean appear to go on eternally. As she confidently gripped the pegs on the wheel, she closed her eyes and inhaled the saltwater air and let it fill her body, taking her over and letting her become one with the sea. She adored the lucid darkness and found herself sleeping in the hours of daylight, rather than at night to allow herself to enjoy more of it. Sighing, she smiled softly; she was home.

Once her father had died, a part of her had dissolved with him. She had once loathed the sea because it kept her father away from her and left her alone on the dry land. Yet, since he had passed away, she felt incredibly close with him out on the waves and felt the part of her connected to him only grow when she sailed. It was as if he stood next to her as she steered, politely critiquing her as she turned the boat or rigged a sail, "Be gentle Sami," He would say, laying his hands over hers, "If you treat them well, they will return the favor. Without the aid of these, you're lost." Later she had understood he wasn't just talking of sailing cloth.

He had taken care of her when it seemed no one else in the world would. When those she loved cast her aside ruthlessly, he was there to pick up the pieces of her life and help her in moving on. Without him, she realized, her life would've turned out completely different, and she couldn't imagine a world without sailing. The thoughts that came flowing back pained her and pulled at her heart. The memories came flooding ceaselessly even as she tried to prevent them with all her willpower. Samirah took deep breaths and focused all her energy on the sea that was smooth and welcoming before her.

The stars were splattered across the sky that night, glowing and sparkling and reflecting across the ocean. She was flying. The wind ran its fingers through her hair and played with it, tossing it from side to side. Sapphire groaned beneath her as she turned the wheel smoothly, her boards shifting against the weight. The waning moon illuminated the placid waves before her and shined insipidly, lighting her way. She noticed off in the distance thunderheads looming ominously, and decided to steer clear of them. Frowning, she realized there was no direct way around the impending storm and knew it would only be an hour or two before they collided with it.

Samirah was so lost within her thoughts atop the bridge; she hadn't realized Aladdin had been watching her for some time. He stood with his arms crossed in admiration at the base of the stairway that lead up to the bridge, gazing up at her and watching her with astonishment as she became so … peaceful as she sailed. The way the moon made her skin glow and how the wind tussled her hair created a desire within Aladdin he simply couldn't ignore.

He cleared his throat loudly enough for her to hear him and become aware of his presence. He noted she became suddenly stiffer once she noticed he was there and her previous peaceful features had vanished and were replaced by an indifferent facade. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Aladdin said as he climbed up to the bridge. "I didn't think anyone would be awake."

"I don't sleep much," She shrugged and watched him approach her. Her nerves twittered within her and she tried to ignore how handsome he appeared in the fading moonlight. It had been two days since they had left Agrabah, and each moment since then with him had her falling deeper and deeper for him. As she thought more of Aladdin and the butterflies in her stomach, she forgot all about the approaching storm. "What are you doing awake? There isn't much rockiness."

"I know, it's actually quite soothing," He commented as he looked over the docile waters. "My mind's just … preoccupied; isn't letting me relax much."

"If you need a listening ear, I'm more than happy to lend one." She offered hopefully. She hadn't even recognized how intent she had become on learning more about him. Days had passed and while they had nearly covered everything in her life, 'aside from your last relationship…' she thought bitterly, they had yet to talk of why he was traveling to Dukhān.

"I appreciate it, but I think I'll take a rain check." He said somberly. He noticed her sudden downcast expression and disappointment. She was honestly concerned in what was bothering him. Interesting. For a few moments, they both stood in an awkward silence, each left to their thoughts. What neither of them realized, was that they both were thinking of each other.

"Do you think …" Samirah began after a several minutes of stillness between them. "That there is one person in the world that is meant for you? One soul mate you're meant to spend the rest of your life with?" She questioned aloud as she stared across the ocean and let her thoughts drift with the waves.

Aladdin thought for a long, agonizing moment before answering. "I honestly don't know." If she had asked him a week ago that same question, his immediate answer would have been yes. Now he realized he wasn't so sure. Had everything between him and Jasmine been in vain? Was it all some terrible fabrication they had been living?

"I used to think so," She said absently. "But, I suppose Allah had other plans for people." Before she could stop the memories again, they rushed into her mind and clashed her thoughts, creating pandemonium and havoc within her heart.

"What do you mean?"

She didn't answer right away, she let his question hang between them as she thought over her previous relationships and wondered if she cared enough to begin a new one. Aladdin was so different than all the other men she had ever been involved with and had more promise then all of them put together. Yet, did she dare to unlock her heart and allow it to be broken again? The sting from her previous thoughts and feelings became too strong for her to ward off, and Samirah became all too aware of the anguish they seemed to bring.

"I was engaged." She said bluntly. 'Well, that's one way of putting it.' She thought sardonically. 'Too late to take it back, might as well finish…' She looked at Aladdin's nonjudgmental expression and continued. "I loved him more than I ever thought was possible, and I thought he felt the same." She hadn't noticed her eyes began to water until a warm tear trickled down her cheek. "We were together for over a year, everyone said we were a match made in heaven. My parents and my sister were pushing us to marry. Even my best friend who was normally very indifferent about my relationships kept saying what a wonderful man he was and that I was lucky to have him." She scoffed lightly and shook her head. 'Yeah, you were an idiot.' her mind whispered harshly.

She took a brief moment to compose herself before continuing. "I was ecstatic when he asked me to be his wife, until one night not long after his proposal, I found him with another woman." She held the pegs so tightly in her hand as she spoke, she could feel a throbbing pain begin to emerge from them. "The other woman was my best friend." The tears began to flow uncontrollably and the embarrassment from crying in front of Aladdin only added salt to the freshly opened wounds.

Finally, she broke her hands away from the wheel and covered her face with them. "I trusted, I let myself depend on someone else, and I was crushed." She sobbed, mostly to herself than to Aladdin. 'Quit blubbering like a wispy, defenseless woman!' she scolded. Swallowing her pride, her tears began to dissolve, but she continued. "I left him and my home, and began to travel with my father on this ship." Originally, she had no intention of ever sharing that story with him, and yet somehow she felt somewhat relieved to have told him. Without even realizing what he was doing, they were both slightly shocked when he took her in his arms and hugged her gently. He swayed with her soothingly to the mild rocking of the boat as her crying subsided. She wiped the remaining tears away and took a steady deep breath to retrieve control of her breathing. Yet, he still held on to her.

The pulsating from his heart vibrated through his chest and onto Samirah's as she steadied herself and closed her eyes to enjoy every moment of it. The remaining ache of her story of painful love quickly faded away as she became lost within his tender embrace. Aladdin's throat began to tighten and he questioned himself as to whether he was merely comforting or allowing himself to become closer to her. Beginning to feel uncomfortable, he pulled away a little and looked at her tear-streaked face. "I'm sorry about that …" She began. "I … I just …" She searched for the words. "I mean … I … thank you." She fumbled. "You didn't need to hear all that."

He shook his head reassuringly. "It's all right. Everyone has moments like that. All you needed was someone to listen and a shoulder to cry on." She nodded and looked deep within his brown, affectionate eyes. Her legs felt wobbly, unstable beneath her. Her heart pounded in her ears and was nearly to the point of deafening. She parted her lips slightly and leaned towards him, closing her eyes slowly as she became closer to him.

He suddenly became all too aware of her intentions to kiss him, and began to panic a little. He didn't know what scared him more, the fact she wanted to kiss him, or the fact that he wanted to return the kiss. Hesitantly, he backed away and broke his timid embrace with her, leaving her standing before him confused and nearly irritated. "Aladdin…" She began, her brows furrowed. "I thought …"

"I'm sorry Samirah," He apologized as he backed away a little more. "I … haven't told you everything about me, and I think I should. I didn't mean for this to happen." He said blandly, referring to the connection between them both.

"I didn't either, but it obviously has." She placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side, baffled as to what had suddenly come over him. The gesture had Aladdin immediately thinking of Jasmine and the virtually exact same mannerism she tended to present when aggravated. She approached him again, placing her arms around his neck. "We're alone now, on the open sea, with nothing but the stars. Let's make the most of it." She offered in a sultry, low voice and tried to lean in again. He ducked under her arms and avoided her once again. At this, he could see the rising anger in her eyes. "Are you just playing with me, or what?"

"Samirah…" He began gently.

"What? Aren't you attracted to me?" She placed her hands on her hips again.

"Yes." He said quickly, not even thinking it over.

"Do you like me?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to kiss me?"

"Yes." He said equally as fast.

"Then what is the problem!? I don't see how two people can be so obviously engrossed by one another and not want to display those feelings. If you're just looking for something to keep you occupied while on this trip, you're sadly mistaken because I am not one of those --"

"I'm engaged, Samirah." He burst out suddenly, cutting her off mid-sentence. She stood before him, the remainder of her words forgotten on her lips. For a moment, she stood there, frozen and disbelieving to his words. How could he string her along knowing full well she was falling for him? They both became aware of the swelling resentment and anger that flooded her eyes and caused her body to tremble as her heart pounded with rage. She cast her eyes down, refusing to look at him again, and instead turned and walked away. "Wait, Samirah! Let me explain!" He called out as she left the bridge, horribly embarrassed and alone to clutch the remainder of her dignity. She went below the decks and rapped on Hamal's door, signaling it was his turn to take the helm as she retired to her cabin.

Once she was inside her room, she briskly turned the lock and leaned her back up against her door. The sobs came quickly, wracking her body as she slid to the floor. She had finally convinced herself there was a man out in the world worthy of her heart and allowed herself to fall again, only to find herself landing upon the jagged rocks of heartache below. Samirah buried her head in her hands and cried.

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Aladdin took a moment before also going to his cabin, passing Hamal on the way. He grunted mildly as they passed each other on the deck. Aladdin was sickened with himself. Why hadn't he just explained his story from the beginning? Why did he lead her on? He sat on his bed and sighed, what was wrong with him? He couldn't betray Jasmine, yet he couldn't ignore the apparent feelings he had for Samirah.

He fell back onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. Turing his head towards the porthole, he noticed the faint hue of the approaching sunrise. Closing his eyes, he saw a picture in his mind of Jasmine, laughing with him and holding him within her arms. Flirting and playing in the gardens of the Palace, he was dressed in his Prince Ali garments. The picture suddenly faded to Samirah's saddened expression as she learned the truth of him as he stood before her, more a street rat than ever. Slamming his clenched fist on to his bed, his mouth tightened into a frown and he felt completely despicable with himself. He deserved to be hated by her.

Aladdin began to drift off into a dreamless sleep, mentally exhausted and physically drained. Just as his last few remaining threads of consciousness floated away, the ship was suddenly slapped by a brutal wave that hit the starboard side. Aladdin was jolted out of his bed and sent sprawling to the floor. Not long after, he heard Samirah's cabin door slam open and her footsteps as she ran up to the deck. He could hear her muffled bellows as she cried out commands to Hamal as she ran the rigging and shifted the mast.

Regaining his balance, he made his way to the porthole and gazed out. Eyes wide and jaw dropped, Aladdin saw the fury that was quickly approaching them, a blackness of night that dusted off the daylight and threatened to tear the boat into pieces. Swallowing the lump that formed in his throat, Aladdin's heart raced as another wave bashed into the boat and sent him tumbling across his room. Aladdin once again lost his balance within the turmoil and crashed against the wall next to the porthole.

Without his footing, the boat rocked Aladdin and sent him sprawling to the floor. Before he could brace himself against the impact, his head slammed into the corner of the nightstand located next to his bed. As he hit the floor, all Aladdin saw was the world around him immediately vanish as he fell into blackness.

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To Be Continued …

Please R/R!