'JASMINE'

I woke up in the morning at 10.pm

The room was bright with sunlight.

I picked up my phone.

There was a message. From Mr. Josh.boss

My heart skipped when I saw his name.

I opened it with shaking fingers.

It said, are you okay?

I didn’t reply.

I was scared.

Scared of him. Scared of myself.

Two hours later his call came.

I stared at the screen and didn’t pick up.

I needed to clear my head.

So I called my best friend Anna.

Let’s go out, I said.

We went to a party.

Loud music. Lights. People dancing.

We danced for hours.

We laughed. We drank juice.

For a few hours I forgot everything.

On the way back Anna looked at me.

You’re quiet, she said.

You look worried. What happened?

I forced a smile.

Nothing, I said.

I’m just tired.

I came home and dropped on the bed.

Checked my phone again.

Only one message.

You ignore me.

My chest tightened.

I typed back, no.

I just got scared.

His reply came instantly.

Be ready at 10.

Driver will come.

Do you want to know the truth?

My hands were shaking.

I just replied, ok.

And put the phone down.

At exactly 10 the doorbell rang.

I opened the door.

The driver was standing there.

And behind him 4 guards in black suits.

My mouth went dry.

I got in the car.

The ride was silent.

My heart was beating in my throat.

The car stopped at Mr. Josh’s mansion.

The gates opened slowly.

He was standing at the door.

In a black shirt. Hands in pockets.

As soon as I got out he held my hand.

His grip was warm.

You look beautiful even when you’re worried, he said.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Tears fell.

Who are you? I asked.

I don’t know anything about you.

Not about your family. I’m scared of you.

He didn’t answer.

He just smiled sadly.

Lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.

Then he led me inside.

To that same room.

The one with the big painting.

The girl in red.

He walked to a wooden box on the table.

Opened it carefully.

This is the painting, he said softly.

This is Jasmine. My love.

You look exactly like her.

Not just your face.

Your habits too. Exactly like Jasmine.

The way you smile.

The way you get scared. The way you cry.

My breath caught.

Where is Jasmine now? I whispered.

Mr. Josh lowered his head.

She’s not in this world anymore.

But I see her in you.

I smell her in you.

When you laugh, it feels like Jasmine is laughing again.

He sat down on the couch. Looking lost.

I need you, he said.

You are very special to me.

Something in me broke.

I got up and hugged him.

I’m with you, I said.

If you want me to.

He froze for a second.

Then his arms came around me.

His hand went to my waist.

And he kissed me.

For real this time.

Not in a dream.

Outside the sky turned dark.

Rain started hitting the windows.

Lightning flashed.

And something flashed inside me too.

He held my face in both hands.

Kissed me deeper.

I could feel his heartbeat.

Fast. Like mine.

A loud thunder crashed.

We pulled apart, breathing hard.

Stay here tonight, he said.

Don’t go home. It’s raining too hard.

I hesitated.

Here?

He smiled. That same sad smile.

Don’t worry. You’ll stay in a separate room.

The rain was pouring outside.

I knew he was right.

Okay, I said quietly.

Mr. Josh nodded.

Get fresh, he said.

We’ll have dinner.

There are clothes in your room too.

If you want to change, check the closet.

I went to the guest room.

Opened the big closet.

Dress after dress.

All expensive. All beautiful.

I picked a simple pink dress.

Soft. Flowy.

Tied my hair in a ponytail.

Went down for dinner.

Mr. Josh was already at the table.

He looked up when he saw me.

And his eyes darkened.

Like he couldn’t look away.

Why are you looking at me like that? I asked.

Because you’re beautiful, he said simply.

We ate dinner in comfortable silence.

The sound of rain in the background.

After dinner he walked me to the room.

If you need anything, tell me, he said.

I was about to go in when he called.

Bella.

I turned.

He just stood there.

Smiled.

And walked away.

I went inside and called Anna on video.

Look at this room, I said.

Anna’s eyes went wide.

Bella you’re so lucky.

Did anything happen with Mr. Josh?

I laughed nervously.

Are you crazy? We’re just getting to know each other.

Well... there was one small kiss.

Anna gasped.

You kissed him?

Yes, I admitted.

There was a knock on the door.

I’ll call you later, I told Anna.

Bye.

Who is it? I asked.

The house help came in with a tray of snacks.

I invited her to sit.

And asked, can I ask you something?

About Mr. Josh.

She nodded carefully.

Sir is very good, she said.

But he doesn’t talk much.

We’ve worked here for 5 years.

You’re the first guest in this house.

No one else comes.

Sir doesn’t like meeting people.

I thanked her and she left.

It was 4 in the morning.

But sleep wouldn’t come.

I got up and went to the window.

The rain was still falling.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I slipped out to the roof.

Let the rain hit my face.

Cold. Freeing.

I’d never felt this alive.

You’ll get sick, a voice said behind me.

I spun around.

Mr. Josh.

With an umbrella in his hand.

You scared me, I said.

He smiled.

You’ll get sick standing in the rain.

I shook my head.

I’ve never felt like this before.

You should enjoy it too.

He shook his head.

No, you enjoy.

His smile faded.

Then he closed the umbrella.

And stepped into the rain with me.

Let the water soak his shirt.

Just keep smiling, he said.

I took his hand.

Thank you, I whispered.

For everything.

I moved closer.

And rested my head on his shoulder.

He didn’t move away.

Thank you for trusting me, he said softly.

The rain kept falling.

And for the first time,

I wasn’t scared anymore.

I felt home.