Jasmine stood by the window staring at the sky ignoring the clattering of plates behind her it was the end of summer the weather was getting cooler, and the sky was deep blue yet sunny and cool she smiled brightly unsure of what amused her was it the group of boys who were playing the game of chess or the indecision of the weather?, her eyes would dart around occasionally landing on them.
she stared intensely at a man a smile finding its way to her lips
"You know when you told Aunty Mariya we would do the dishes I thought you meant the both of us not I alone " Anastasia voiced her face forming a frown she cleaned her wet hands on the towel before walking to her
"Jasmine when will you tell him, tell him how you feel and stop gazing at him like a lion would stare at its prey" she added turning Jasmine around to face her
" I am not staring at them am....ah studying... the sky" Jasmine replied biting hard on her lower lips and avoiding Anastasia's eyes
"Sure you are. is it fear or pride although am almost sure fear is not an attribute you possess" she sighs walking away from the window
" Of course not fear it is just what if he doesn't feel the same, now that would be a great embarrassment " Jasmine replied her face gloom
" And who in their right senses wouldn't love Jasmine the enchantress," Ana said smiling widely Jasmine rolled her eyes, she knew how much she hated that name but Ana won't stop trying to irritate her sure she was beautiful but the name enchantress was just too much
"Really Enchantress? " Jasmine replied her face void of expressions, Ana smiled coyly at her and grabbed Jasmine's hands as she led the way pulling her to where the boys were. the two girls stood quietly beside one of the boys who wasn't playing
"Check and mate better luck next time, "Jayden one of the boys playing said smiling brightly he had won yet again, when it came to the game of chess no one in Haran village could beat him, Telem the loser stood still clenching his fist looking disheartened as he reluctantly handed Jayden some coins
" nonono....we agreed on nothing less than twenty gold coins. I warned you didn't I?, you can never win in a game of chess with Jay "Athens one of the boys praised, though he was just a spectator to this game he was sure he made the right choice on betting on Jayden. he stretched his hands toward Telem as jasmine scoffed interrupting their conversation.
" why do I see disapproval in your face " Athens said now turning to Jasmine, staring down at her, she smirked in reply stepping closer to him standing on her tippy toes so they could be face to face with each other he was quite tall and bulky and hence very intimidating she would often feel small under his gaze.
" I just don't agree with you, Jayden can't be better than I in this game," she said confidently flinging the stray hair behind her
"Oh! really" the three boys mocked
"What better way to confirm than to play? how about another bet hmm?, if you think no one can beat Jayden then both I and jasmine would give something valuable but if she wins... all three of you will give us fifty gold coins.... each. deal?" Ana said with a smirk folding her arms across her chest, Jasmine smiling beside her
" fine deal but mind you am not good at wiping girl's tears " Jayden replied narrowing his eyes at them.
She tied her hair into a bun before sitting down next to her opponent they began to play, Jayden sure he had played his best move while the three others watched in anticipation
"Jasmine I told you, your no match for me " he said with a smirk the rays of light reflecting on his perfectly styled dark hair, he was quite spunky with catchy hazel eyes and well-structured jaws which fit his features quite well in addition to the fact that every girl in the village found him attractive.
" you shouldn't count your eggs before they hatch, check ..... and mate " Jasmine said with a wide smile slapping away the proud smile he possessed she stood from where she sat and began to jump her long blonde hair bouncing along with her. the name Jasmine sat well with her features, she was just as beautiful as the flower jasmine, her smooth and soft heart-shaped face which held mysteries no one knew with an adorable button nose, beautiful sapphire eyes enough to Pierce through a man's soul complemented with her lips which were cherry red, and her perfect curves which weren't obvious through her long flowing gown she was regarded as the most beautiful in the village of Haran often called an enchantress. she ran to Anastasia holding her hand as they both jumped for joy, Telem and Athens were utterly confused given no one had ever won Jayden before.
" Anastasia I won " she shouted, Ana laughing and making mockery faces at Jayden, he was the best when it came to the game of chess well at least that's what he thought until he was defeated by a girl
"This is what happens when you're just so full of yourself you were whipped by a girl, my cousin whipped you hard," Ana said with a smirk, Ana was also quite the beauty as well she had chestnut hair and, an oval face which gave her a sense of elegance coupled with an upturned nose, beautiful pale silky skin with her nude brown lips which suits her perfectly well though her beauty was no match for her cousin's.
Jasmine and Anastasia were not only cousins but friends they would do literally everything together since they were little girls they kept following each other everywhere and nothing could separate these two.
" oh shut up I was obviously
distracted " he replied with a frown his friends nodding in approval
" I mean how can't I, jasmine's beauty is way too distracting " he winked as she blushed Ana rolled her eyes staring at them with a bored expression
"Is that your excuse? tch" she scoffed
" your just jealous I don't find you pretty " he replied unlike Jasmine who was his friend, he found Ana quite hasselsome and enjoyed irritating her.
" you need not make excuses I won this game fair and square " Jasmine said with a smile " Me money " The two boys reluctantly released fifty gold coins their eyes already teary just how could they release sure money just because of a stupid game
" your turn Jay" Jasmine chipped he pouted holding Jasmine's hands
" Why don't we make this all in the past hmmm you do not need such money your a chief's daughter " he pleaded hoping she would reconsider had poor Jayden known there was someone out there better than him he wouldn't have taken up the challenge but she smiled unmoved he sighed deciding to try the method that would always work given his pretty face
" you know your smile is beautiful," he said with a smirk which made her cheeks turn red, jasmine was in love with Jayden and felt he loved her as well but might be frightened to tell her at least that is what she tells herself
" you know you might not be the moon but your smile shines brighter than the moon, the moon's beauty doesn't hold a candle to yours " he added hoping that she would be too distracted by his sweet words and forget about the money surely he had other things to do with money than spend it on a stupid bet. Ana who had been standing there all this time groaned, she didn't understand what it was the ladies loved about him she didn't find him as impressive as they all claimed and his mouth was filled with lies whereas the others found him attractive she found him annoying.
" Is this your attempt to get out of a debt?" she said raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms around her chest
"try using a better poem poet because this one isn't working on us " she added dragging Jasmine, causing her to look away from his hazel eyes
" Are you disheartened that I am not interested in you?.... forget me no man in his right senses will like you, just look at your scary face" he mocked with his chin held high in pride
" I would give anything for me to never see your disgusting face again" she shot back her face red from anger
"Enough of your argument, Jay she's right you can't distract me be a good boy like your friends and hand me our money " she said as she walked up to him stretching her hand towards him.
" you want the money? ....." she nodded
" come get it " he said as he began to run Anastasia and Jasmine chased him from behind, Ana out ran her caught up with Jayden and pounced on him collecting the clothe containing money and tossing it to Jasmine who had stopped some inches away trying to catch her breath. Ana was more of a runner than Jasmine since her father was a farmer she had to chase some animals that posed a threat to her crops
" your no match for us "Jasmine said with a smirk as she caught the clothe.
" Ana here is your share, Okay I have to head home father must be anticipating my return" Jasmine said handing fifty pieces of coin to Ana before she began to leave waving to the sulking boys who were still trying to understand just how they lost such money
" tell Alexa I came " Ana added with a wide smile, she also left Jayden's house.
Jasmine walked home a little disturbed she wasn't sure what her father's reaction would be she had been instructed to head home before noon but now is passed noon.
her home was visible from where she stood as she hurried to enter
"Why did you take so long? " her mother's voice stopped her, she had a stern expression of anger written all over her face, jasmine stopped in her track biting hard on her lips before slowly turning to face her mother
" Ah...ah...I was helping Uncle Avery and Aunty Mariya with some things " she stuttered fondling with her hair, she wasn't entirely lying she did go to their house but ended up winning a bet. her eyes roamed Jasmine's body a furrow finding its place on her face
"Why is your hair scattered " she said pushing the locks of Jasmine's hair behind her with a little stick she held, jasmine touched her hair which had been let down due to her running she quickly tied it into a bun giving a soft smile. her mother Emerald was quite strict and would not tolerate any misconduct.
"Why do you even try Mother, you know she never listens to you, " a soft voice coming from the house said, it was Jasmine's little sister Tatiana she was oiling her beautiful long brown hair massaging each section from her scalp to the ends of her strands if there was anyone emerald was proud of it was her. she was trained to be a real lady with beauty and delicacy, unlike jasmine who would run all around the village coming home afterwards looking like a vagabond.
" bless me, Mother," she said bowing her head
" your blessed " she replied touching her hair, she entered the house walked up to her sister
" good day to you too," she said with a blank expression as she gave her sister a peck
" ewww....." Tatiana crunched her face in disgust as she used the back of her hands to wipe the kiss off her face
" what is wrong with you .....how many times have I told you not to kiss me " she said with a frown, jasmine replied with a gasp faking a shocked expression
" oh my...I didn't know that " she said as her sister rolled her eyes, she enjoyed irritating Tatiana and Tatiana enjoyed doing the same it was more like a sibling way to show that they loved each other
"Why did you come back? ....why don't you just go live with your lover Jayden"
" oh shut up " she replied
" both of you enough. Jasmine the chief wants you in his room "It was a habit for Emerald to call her husband by his title it was either a sign of respect or just something she was used to
" OK Mother" she replied as she went to her father's room placing a soft knock on his door
" come in! " she heard a deep voice answer
"Father...." she said entering the room
" your late ...."
"Father bless me " she said cutting him off she bowed her head as he touched it with his hands.
" am sor...."
" pass me the ink " he said cutting her off she did as he said.
she stood next to him fondling with her dress her eyes roaming the room like it was her first time there since the entire room was silent she needed to keep her hands and mind busy
"The provisions sent by the King have been missing along with twenty-four carats of gold a member of the council is accused of such atrocity and It is my responsibility to punish him," he said finally breaking the awkward silence, he kept writing on a scroll his eyes fixed on what he was doing not sparing her a glance
" Hmmm...." she hummed her gaze drifting from the paintings on the wall to her father's face
" what do you think should be his punishment ?" he added
" if I may father .....he should be stripped of his title and made to pay double of what the king sent. Father in the time of famine the king sent us some provisions to stop the starvation but he was blinded by his greed and selfishness, and because of him, your position was put in jeopardy! the whole blame would have been on you because you are the chief and they are your responsibility " she said with so much confidence, her voice echoing in the room
" you have grown up to be a very wise young lady my lovely flower" he said his eyes filled with so many emotions
" All praise to you Father" she replied with a slight bow smiling
" you will make a very good chief someday "Those were words she was dying to hear, she wanted to be like her father, to take care of the village like he had been doing as her ancestors had done
" Really ?.....thank you, Father"
" And which is why I came to the decision ....that"
" What father ?" excitement visible in her eyes she thought to herself 'is he about to give me a title perhaps as his right hand or he will allow me to join the court, I will sit among the council members and make decisions'
" you are to be a bride "
" What?! " she shouted unsure of what she heard
"Jasmine another marriage proposal has been sent and you are of age," he said holding her hands, she scoffed removing her hands from his.
" that is not a problem Father... I have been getting proposals like these since I was twelve years old. but you refused right? .... right father?" she questioned as she managed to send a smile.
eligible bachelors in Haran would send their marriage proposals only to be disappointed by the reply but back then she was still regarded as a child now she is eighteen a grown woman she ought to be happy like every other girl in her shoes would be but she is not in the least happy. how can she be she has been in love with her childhood friend Jayden since she was just ten years old and is sure he feels the same just waiting to hear the words slip out of his lips.
"Jasmine....you know I love you and want what is best for you. no, I did not refuse the proposal you will be meeting with the groom and his family "
"What...why....bu...t," she said breathless her eyes watering
'no! I can't get married' she told herself
"And what about me making a good chief .what ....about what you just said huh?"
"Father I have my dreams and they surely do not include getting married to a man whom I know nothing of and just being nothing but his wife serving and doing everything he instructs for the rest of my life," She said raising her voice
"Young lady you will not raise your voice at me and you will have to do as I say ! ."
"Jasmine I am not getting any younger and I truly believe that you will make a good chief .....but Jasmine they are my views, not the people's You know what the people feel about a woman ruling and making important decisions and you and I know that you have no chance at being the next chief " he was stern and at that moment she knew she would never be able to change his decision, she knew her father quite well she clenched her fists her knuckles turning white as tears rolled down her cheeks
"Father I beg to differ," she said sobbing he looked away avoiding her gaze
" get ready, soon you will be meeting them " she sniffed
"Fine you have made your decision .....now here is mine, Father you know... you have trained me to never give up and now... am telling you that it is not in my nature to lose. I WILL NOT GET MARRIED " she said as she cleaned her tears and dashed out of the room.