It all started one early March, Alicia had just had breakfast with her mother. She was in such a hurry that morning because she was late for university. A light-skinned mixed race girl, she was the eldest of a family of 3 children. Alicia loved adventures and that's why she was studying history because she often had to do research in faraway countries to hand in projects. She was in her last year and she had one last project to submit, after which she could travel the world and do research to write her own papers.
- Mommy? I'm going to go. I love you.
- Me too, don't forget to pick up the twins after school today!
- Yes, Mother, I'll remember.
She was already on the street running so she wouldn't miss the bus to the University. She arrived at the station and got on the bus in a hurry and, as usual, she stood there because there was no more room.
When the bus parked in front of the building, she got off and ran to her friend, Sarah, who was waiting for her like every morning in front of the big school gate. Sarah was a blonde with freckles.
The two girls entered the university, already talking about a Greek myth that had recently fascinated them. The classes started and our two young ladies enjoyed answering and asking questions about all the classes:
- So, as you all know you have one last project due and then you can get the hell out of college so I am announcing that today is the day that you will have that project.
- But sir, I thought it was due next week.
- Yes, but I'm rushing things because the project would take longer than expected. You will have three months to do this project. First of all, choose a partner.
Some chose their boyfriend or girlfriend, others chose the one he or she coveted:
- Alicia, let's get together?
- But yes, Sarah we are always binomial it is not today that it is going to change! Answered she in a smile!
- But and Alex?
- Alex? Sarah, Alex loves me and I don't love him. There's no way I'm spending three months with him...
- But I thought...
- No, you didn't think Sarah! You're my best friend and no one can make me miss another adventure with you!
- So, I'm willing to be your partner as long as you promise not to set fire to my hair! She said, all excited.
Alicia laughed while remembering last year. She had set fire to the hair of Sarah and the latter was obliged to wear a cap all summer.
- I promise you, because this time I'm going to set your clothes on fire!
They went into a fit of laughter and a clearing of the teacher's throat signaled that they were the only ones still bickering. They fell silent and listened to the teacher:
- So, I'm going to give you a box and you're going to take a paper and the country you find you're going to tell me its history, its way of functioning, its political and economic level, its relationship with the other countries, its customs, its beliefs, its religions, its progress in time and everything...
Sarah had written down everything because she had the gift of writing as fast as a secretary. Alicia passed in front and chose the paper, she was so anxious that she did not read it immediately, she looked at Sarah. But Sarah was waiting for the name of the country she had chosen.
- Now I want you to write the name of your partner and your name on a sheet of paper with the name of the country you drew! And hand it in to me, then thank you!
Sarah did as the teacher said, but she couldn't write the country because Alicia refused to look at the paper:
- Open it, will you?
- Open it, will you? Put France or England, Greece, Egypt. I don't know.
- And if the teacher asks to see the paper?
- What? He won't do that to me!
- Alicia, take a breath and look at the paper.
- OK.
Alicia took the paper from her pocket and closed her eyes when she opened it.
- Miss Alicia, have you finished?
She opened her eyes and looked up quickly when the teacher pointed out that he was still waiting for her.
Jaipur.
A simple little word, but a strange little word that represented an unknown country to the young woman.
- Jaipur, Sarah!
Sarah wrote and gave the paper to the teacher and they stayed together a little confused because neither of them knew this country. They had been very good friends since childhood and they were so close that Alicia didn't even have to ask because she could see in Sarah's eyes that she didn't know this country either. At the same time, they breathed a sigh of discouragement, already feeling that this project was not going to go well:
- You know what? Come to my house after college, I'm sure my dad knows something about it. Sarah suggested!
Alicia nodded her head. When school was over, the girls went to Sarah's car, because Sarah lived in a wealthy family, even a rich one, and she did not have to take the bus like Alicia.
They went to the villa of Sarah's parents. They spent the afternoon looking through books and when Sarah's father returned from work. He let them know that Jaipur was a small monarchical country lost deep in a desert. He showed them more information about it and as Alicia looked at the information a wonderful click occurred in her head and she exclaimed:
- The twins?
- What? You scared me.
- I forgot I'm supposed to take the binoculars!!! Sarah, I'll see you tomorrow!
She left the villa at full speed. The twins' school was very close to Sarah's house. She arrived in a hurry but she learned that her mother had picked them up almost an hour ago. So she went home, already feeling her mother's reproach.
She went home and from the door her mother greeted her with a nasty look;
- Don't say anything, Mom, yes I know I forgot the twins again!
- Yes, Alicia. Can you believe these are your little sisters!!!
- I know mother!!!
- Alicia! You know I'm afraid that this obsession with history will lead you to do something foolish.
- No mother don't worry! I bought them sweets to make up for it and I brought you a flower to apologize!
- Your father's daughter, I see him in you! He too had this obsession with history. Said her mother with a dreamy look and a big smile.
- It's normal, Mom. I am his daughter.
Alicia kissed him on the forehead and gave him the flower and ran upstairs to the twins' room.
She gave them the candy and sat down next to them.
- Alicia, You know I had a wonderful afternoon! It's a good thing you forgot about us because we had a great time! said Alyssa.
- No, I'm angry with you and then Alyssa, it's you who had fun, not me, I was thinking about the maths homework! And because of your forgetfulness, Alicia, I didn't write the homework! said Alysse, with a sulky face.
- I'm sorry, honey, I promise not to do it again!
- Okay, that's the 78th time you tell me but I believe you!
Alicia smiled at her two sisters and kissed them good night before leaving the room.
"It's not like he's very handsome! He's just handsome, that's all!"
"Sarah, are you dreaming about the brother of the Sheikh of Jaipur? I'm going to tell the whole school about it.
"No, I forbid you... I have to meet him in person because my father is paying for us to go there!"
"What? No, that's too much!"
"Alicia, stop it, will you? There are a lot of good looking guys there and you saw the Sheikh, he's too handsome but I prefer his brother because the Sheikh is too dark and arrogant, they say he's as hard as a rock".
"I only hope that we won't have to meet him during our stay! So when do we leave?"
"The 3 months start next week! I think we'll be taking Dad's private jet on Tuesday. "
"That doesn't leave me much time to get ready today is Wednesday!!!"
"Stop being so dramatic, we're going shopping on Saturday."
"This time I'm paying."
"That's okay, you're so stubborn no need to talk yourself out of it!!!"
"Yeah well I'm going, I'm definitely sleepy."
"Good night, bunny...!"
"Good night, Sarah" she said, turning her irises...
She was exhausted and after talking on Skype with Sarah. She fell asleep already dreaming of the trip she was going to make... But something disturbed her even more was the presence of the Sheikh in her thoughts...
- Beautiful, dark and arrogant! She whispered before sinking into the arms of Morpheus...