Jasmine stormed into her room feeling distraught tears staining her pretty cheeks as she dropped on the bed sobbing she wasn't sure what she could do in a situation like this, her father has made a decision and his words are always final. her mind kept going in circles as her thoughts collided 'Just how can I get married to some man when my heart belongs to another perhaps letting Father know how much love I have for Jay would change his mind ' she pondered but how can she do that if Jayden hasn't confessed his feelings to her she groaned frustrated she laid on her bed with her eyes shut trying to impede her thoughts. she dozed off for some hours only to be woken up by a sound she was a light sleeper and a footstep was enough to wake her.
" am sorry did I wake you, "Emerald the owner of the footstep said placing the candlelight on a stand
"Huh...no mother " she replied rubbing her eyes as she stood up from the bed and tied her hair into a messy bun.
Emerald was always particular about discipline everything must be kept in place 'a woman's hair must not be kept to stray and she must be neat at all times her dress clean as so her room should be as well' She looked around to see if the room is left untidy or something is not kept in place she nodded in approval.
" dinner is ready "
" am not hungry " She patted her stomach in demonstration
" Why? ...are you ill" She walked up to her and placed her palm on Jasmine's forehead
"No am fine ....am just full" she said with a slight smile
"Jasmine you know you can tell me if something is bothering you right? " she said holding her hands she wasn't sure why her mother was being so warming towards her, emerald loved her a lot she knew quite well but just never made an effort to show it unlike her father she would always feel her mother loved Tatiana more.
" I prepared a warm bath for you and besides the weather seems rather cold this evening "She nodded at the thought of a warm bath with a smile on her face she had already started feeling cold anyways.
she dipped her feet into the warm water moaning at the effect it had on her skin removing the clothing wrapped around her as she soaked herself into the water this was something that relaxed her tensed body she played with the rose petals floating on the water with a smile as she allowed the nice smell of rose fill her nostrils she closed her eyes trying to zone out from the world for a second the splash of water breaking the fragile world she tried to create she opened her eyes to see a naked Tatiana in the bath with her
" ah .....what are doing " she asked frowning
"Well what do you think am doing, am taking a bath "
"wha....nono I am taking a bath right now so wait till am done "
" no! I want to now, so let's just bath together " she said smiling ear to ear
" Tatiana leave right now. I want to be alone " She tried pushing her but she kept resisting
"OK fine ...if you make me leave I will just disclose your dirty little secret" she smirked
"What secret, " Jasmine said confused
" I mean I am going to disclose to Jayden that you are in love with him" she sang a smirk forming on her face as Jasmine gasped faking a shocked expression
" do you .... think he would believe you " she said in a mocking tone
" well of course he wouldn't believe me but he just has to believe the love letters you wrote to him... but never sent " she sang
"Hmmm?"
" oh let me refresh your memory a little... Oh Jay as beautiful as a lily and as radiant as the sun if only you knew how much I love you, I worship the same ground that you walk on.....I"
" shut up!" Jasmine screamed her face reddening out of embarrassment she had written that letter since she was twelve years old and thought she had hidden it where her hands could never reach but just how did that brat get her hands on it?
" you brat! are you going through my things? .....fine you tell him then I tell Mother and Father what you have been up to these recent days" She smirked folding her arms
" face it darling you have nothing.... to use against me "
"Oh Macon I like you but the world is against us, when we grow older we will run away together and don't worry about how we will live the future will think of itself," Jasmine said shouting narrating the discussion she overheard, Tatiana was shocked on how she found out her little secret she would snick out of the house to meet macon knowing fully well of the consequences if this secret of hers is exposed she pounced on jasmine as they both sank into the water returning to the surface a moment later
" You're too little to do these things " She breathes heavily trying to recover her breath
" am fifteen "
"Still too little " she sang smiling
" Please don't tell Mother and Father " Tatiana pleaded
" please leave "
" is everything alright," a familiar voice said coming inside
" ah!!!!!" they both screamed startled at the sudden intrusion
"Mother!" They said in unison
"What?"
" some privacy Mother "Jasmine shouted embarrassed all she wanted was some peace and quiet but it seems these fellows won't allow that
" excuse me .....when you both were little I would bath both of you but it seems my children are all grown up and don't need their mother anymore" She cleaned her eyes trying to show how disheartened she was
" OK mother.... bathe us then .... like you used to do " Tatiana said smiling as she gave Jasmine a look, she had managed to show Jasmine she won and wouldn't be leaving just with that one look, Jasmine glared at her in return
"Mother tell us a story "
"Really? ....hmmm what story can I tell my little angels" she thought
"How about a story about a handsome prince named Arnold and a beautiful princess named Jasmine, they fell in love with each other at first sight and...."
"Seriously? ....mother we aren't children anymore. since you are telling stories why don't you tell me what has been happening in the village for the past few months now, people have gone missing and haven't been found "Jasmine asked worry written all over her face there were recent reports to the chief on people going missing with no one knowing the mystery behind these occurrences.
"Mother tells us you must know right?" Tatiana whose attention was on the matter said
" it is waling Mary....she is the reason for people's disappearance "
"wailing Mary ?" they both muttered
" who is she " Tatiana asked
" she was living amongst us until her tragic death... Mary the daughter of a drummer, was extremely beautiful she had beautiful dark long and thick wooly hair, caramel skin, and beautiful light brown eyes with brown lips she was beautiful. despite the fact people mocked her for her status they still couldn't deny her beauty her family was desperate to come out of their poor situation so they got her engaged to a very rich old farmer but she loved a servant boy, told her parents about her love but they wouldn't allow her to marry this servant boy so she tried eloping with him and was caught, when they found out she was already pregnant the farmer called off the wedding.... they were so angry and ashamed they stoned her to death and burnt her remains in front of everyone" everywhere fell silent as emerald narrated
"so she is back for revenge ?" Tatiana whose face had turned pale said. it had been the rumours going around in the village that the cause of people's disappearance was as a result of Mary coming back for revenge, it was something the villagers did when they couldn't explain a situation they just made up stories like when the famine began they claimed the earth was angry with them and they would kill animals to appease the earth after the famine was over they claimed the earth had given them a second chance.
Jasmine shakes her head shocked at how her mother believes this ridiculous story that has been going around lately
" seriously mother....you believe the rumours the jobless women of Haran made up "
" Then do you have an explanation for their disappearance ....no right? So shut up! " Tatiana said as Jasmine glared at her trying to stare holes through her if it were possible
"Mother, am sure Father has an idea of what is going on and Father tells you everything right?...."
"Jasmine....the issues of the community don't concern us if there were to be something wrong then the men of the village will take care of it ...hmmm?" Jasmine frowned at this, what then would be their concern
" What then concern us ....enlighten me "
"Our concern is to ...."
"Our concern is to get married, and have no responsibilities other than bear his children, the society doesn't let us live we are forced to marry a man whom we have never met and give up all our dreams for the sake of being an ideal wife! And we must do as he says whether it's right or wrong, if he says be quiet then we must stay quiet if he says sit then we must do so..... why don't women get to contribute to the important decisions in the village? why are we not allowed in the court? Mother! " she said cutting her off
"Jasmine.... what else could a woman be useful for if it is not to bear fort offsprings and serve her husband? don't you want to marry and have your own family? "
"I don't have a problem with marrying but shouldn't I love the person I am to marry?, I want a man who will respect me and my opinions not put me down because that is where he gets his power from!"
"Mother am going to be the next chief so it is my responsibility to know what is happening "
"oh this is why the villagers whisper of how unfortunate I am, I only begat females while one behaves like a lady the other wants to do duties fit for a man and who said so ....who said you are going to be the next chief hmmm? ....your father right? hahaha!" she gave a mocking laugh
" wake up from this dream of yours just because a bird flies so high doesn't mean it can reach the sun Jasmine face it, a woman has never led in the chamdragon empire much less in this village and you won't be the first, so stop this madness and grow up," she shouted. Jasmine felt a sour taste in her mouth she just didn't think her mother could demean her like that tears formed in her eyes she bit hard on her lips trying to stop her tears from falling parting her lips in a thin line and opening only but no words coming out she didn't know what to say.
" I.... l....l..am feeling tried so I will go ...to bed now " she sniffed
" jasmine ....I didn't mean to...." she tried saying but Jasmine had already left.