Scarlett stood staring at the ring, her heart palpitating in her chest. This was the first time she'd seen any physical evidence of her past life. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least, because it meant everything was real. Scarlett's mind protested as she walked into the shop, and walked closer to where the ring was, but her heart persisted. She didn’t hear the bells that dinged as she walked through, nor did she see the shop assistant standing beside her. It was as though she was bewitched by the ring . It was disconcerting to people who knew Scarlett had connections to her past life, but she’s never really wanted or willed it to stop. It was a part of her she loved and hated. It kept her company when she felt lonely. She was happy to have received so much love, even if it was her past life. And If she was given the chance, she’d still meet Hakeem in this life. It was silly how in love she was with a man she’d never met.But at the same time, it tormented her, that's why she ha
At first, when she started getting the dreams, she’d been happy thinking it was normal. Even before the dreams, she was a loner and never had any friends. So whenever loneliness crept in, she looked forward to sleeping…. and dreaming. When she was 13, she met a monk. She was compelled to find answers to what was happening to her, so she consulted with him. He explained that what she was seeing was indeed, her past life. He explained that sometimes when people are reincarnated, they come with memories of their past life because they still have something to do. When she asked him if it was normal, he just looked at her like she had two heads. It only happened to one in millions of people. It wasn’t normal.Apparently, since she had regrets, or yearned for someone from her past, the past life intrudes on the current life, until something soothes it. The monk asked her if she remembered anything about a regret, an oath, a promise, an unfinished task, or just something important she h
Mateo walked in rhythm with Bri. She wanted to call for a taxi but he suggested they walk to the grocery store, it was just 20 minutes away and he wanted to clear his head and organize his thoughts.Something was bothering him but he didn't know what it was. He knew it was connected to the woman in his dreams. He felt like he was missing out on something important. The main part that completed the puzzle.His mind kept flashing to the dreams he'd been having that always felt too real to be a dream. For some reason, the woman in his dream felt familiar. Like she was someone he knew well and had been waiting for. But he never saw her face, and even when he did he never remembered it when he woke up.He knew this whole fiasco was connected to a dream he had a few years ago about a promise, for some reason every dream about this particular woman always stood out because they were dreams but didn't feel like one.Another clue he had was how he felt whenever it snowed. He didn't know anyt
Scarlett started to pick up her rhythm after she left the antique shop. The snow had stopped a few minutes after it started. She continued to cry though. Tears blurred her vision and she had to slow her pace. She couldn't stop the sobs.People stared but she didn't care. Her heart was broken into a million pieces ever since she heard the story of how Hakeem died. Over the years she'd learned that it was possible to feel emotional pain physically, and that's what she was feeling now.Her heart was hurting.He died. What if history repeated itself? Scarlett jerked to stop, wiping her tears furiously and shaking her head, "I won't let that happen." When she looked up again to continue her run, she couldn't believe her eyes.If someone told Scarlett that she’d died and gone to heaven, she would believe it. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Or who.Hakeem.In the flesh. Was this a dream? She looked around her to make sure it wasn't a dream. Even going as far as pinching her c
The year 1881Rosalie made her way up the path to her home. She had a large smile on her face and was virtually jumping on her feet.Their tiny cottage became visible. It appeared earlier in the dim sunshine. Her lips widened even more when she saw Hakeem putting additional flowers in the yard. She had some fantastic news for him.She paused to observe Hakeem and attempted to take a breath. As he pushed the hoe down into the hard dirt to remove obstinate weeds, his veins and biceps contracted. His black skin shone due to the sweat that was pouring on his forehead. She had a gorgeous spouse.She muttered under her breath, "And I'm one lucky woman."To make their small house a lovely environment for their kids, he had once informed her he was planting these flowers. She could tell by the longing in his eyes that he wanted them to live like regular people rather than like prisoners hiding in the mountains.She muttered "Hakeem," putting an end to her line of thought.As soon as he stoppe
Thomas let out a bark of sarcastic laughter, taking a few more threatening steps toward the couple. “Your father wants you home dear Rose, he is very angry that you eloped with a servant.” He spat the word servant like it was a bitter taste in his mouth."“She’s not going with you!” Hakeem boomed, red hot rage flashing through him.“Shut up! how could you dare to think of eloping with your master’s daughter?” Thomas sneered.Rose shook with rage. “He is no longer a servant Thomas! He is my lover, my husband.” She slipped her hand into Hakeem’s palm desperately needing strength.Thomas scowled “I don’t care. Your father has searched far and wide for you after you caused him irreparable embarrassment by eloping with a servant the night before our wedding.” He inhaled deeply as if the memory alone scarred him. “He is very angry dear Rose, he’ll never approve of your love for such a lowly person. You know the daughter of whom you are better than I do.”“I don’t need his approval Thomas, I
At that moment it started to snow, Rose’s favorite season.It was the first snow.Her favorite day of the year.Rosalie had always loved the snow, but her love for the season grew because the snow had led her to meet Hakeem.They would’ve been in their little cottage, celebrating their first baby together. The snow would’ve been the icing on the cake as they enjoyed each other's company.When Hakeem finally looked at her with trembling lips, unable to speak, her heart broke all over again. But, she knew she’d take the bullet all over again.Rosalie summoned every ounce of strength in her body to lift and hold his face between her cold hands. “Hakeem, I love you much, more than you could ever know. I want you to remember that.”“I love you, Rose.” He cried, “I can’t lose you, plea … please don’t leave me.”Rosalie wanted to bawl, but she had to be strong for him. She refused to believe this was the end of them. They didn’t get to visit the beach or go to his Homeland, Africa. Or find h
Scarlett was gone for 5 good years, but everything still felt and looked the same.After all those years of traveling around the world, the sense of nostalgia She felt was truly overwhelming. The bad memories she’d run from also scraped the surface. But now she was a different person, and bad memories wouldn’t make her crumble anymore.Astrid had been horrified at her plan to stay in a hotel for the first few weeks, a traveling habit Scarlett didn’t think much of. It was weird that her online psychologist recommended her an apartment that was available on short notice, but Astrid was fast becoming a friend, something Scarlett lacked.The building in front of her reflected how much Astrid had come to know her. An apartment near the sea, with the most beautiful blend of calming colors, nothing like her own life, which wasn’t calm or colorful. Scarlett took a deep breath and listened for the distant, but serene sound of the beach behind her new apartment, the cool breeze ruffled her lusc