I spent the night tossing and turning, fearing he might report to my family, as he had already reported me to Aunty.
Seeing that the morning had come safely, I took a bath and wore my long dress with two layers, which we might call a Saudi or Dubai dress. I left the house without even a headscarf and headed to the rock where I usually rest.
It was eight in the morning, and I had excused Mansura from accompanying me, not even stopping for breakfast. As I stood there, lost in thoughts of things I knew I couldn't have, I saw the Prince, upset from yesterday's conversation, telling me to go marry Anwar. I looked up at his balcony and saw him sitting with his feet on the table.
I turned away and climbed the rock. After fifteen minutes, I felt like entering the stream by stepping on the stones lined up, which led into a small forest where the water flowed. The stones were dry as long as you stepped on them.
I took off my shoes and carefully stepped into the water, walking on the stones. As I stood there looking around, I saw Faysal's balcony. Just as I was about to turn away in annoyance, I saw a large snake approaching me in the water, its head open and hissing. I didn't realize when I stepped back quickly, screaming. In no time, it blocked my path, and I couldn't move as it hissed.
I closed my eyes and screamed, calling for the Prince. The snake bit my leg, and I felt a sharp pain, screaming louder. When I opened my eyes, I saw Prince Faysal running towards me with others behind him.
I kept shouting, "Snake! Snake!!" He didn't bother stepping on the stones but ran through the water. My vision blurred, and I heard people talking faintly, feeling myself being shaken and my name being called.
I felt the ground beneath me and heard the Prince shouting at people. I think he carried me and ran, but I lost consciousness.
Slowly, I tried to open my eyes, hearing the Prince calling my name, "Yasmin! Yasmin!!" and feeling his hand on my forehead.
"Is she moving?" I heard someone ask.
"Yes, she's moving her eyes."
I stayed like that for five minutes, unable to open my eyes but hearing everything. Feeling something cold on my forehead helped me open my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Faysal sitting by the bed, placing the cold object on me. He quickly threw it aside, lifted my head, and hugged me to his chest, sighing deeply. Then he said, "She's awake." He laid me back down, adjusted my position, and kissed my forehead. People started peeking in, saying comforting words, their eyes red as if they had conjunctivitis.
Gradually, I began to recognize their faces, but I didn't know the men and women, only the few close to him, not more than five. My roommates were still crying.
After about fifteen minutes, everyone left, and the Prince stood up, took his phone, and started dialing.
"Good evening, yes, she woke up twenty minutes ago. Yes, she recognizes people. No, I haven't checked yet, but I will now. Please come quickly, Mama, she will hear you." He turned and smiled at me.