Jasmine's P.o.v

"Good morning, sunshine," a familiar voice called out as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, trying to focus on the figure before me. "Morning, mum." 

"How was your night?" she inquired, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

Great! And yours, mother? Aunt Mary's expression turned solemn. " I have told you umpteen times, Jasmine; please refrain from calling me mother. I am your aunt, not your mother. "

I smiled, knowing this familiar conversation. "Technically, if my mother is my mother, and you are her sister, you are my mother too." I embraced Aunt Mary in a comforting bear hug. " I understand. Please, don't cry. " 

" It's just too painful for me. Every time you say it, it brings back memories of her, and it overwhelms me, " she confessed. Wiping her tears, she murmured, "Oh, Rita, Andrew, Lucas - may your souls rest in perfect peace." 

Amen! I prayed.

"Now, hurry up, your breakfast will get cold," she said, her demeanor shifting as she guided me toward the dining area. "How was it?" she asked as I took a bite, responding with a mouthful, "As always, you never disappoint!" 

After finishing my meal swiftly, I took a bath to get ready for the day. I then took my finely knitted handbag made by my aunt and head-out. While on the bus on my way to the launderette, Aunt Mary's call interrupted my thoughts.

Poor Aunt Mary! I could feel the weight of her request; it pained me that she felt compelled to ask for help with the deliveries. I hate it when she feels the need to persuade me to make some deliveries, not now that I am a co-worker at least. She is my Aunt, the only remaining family I have left, and I've seen how the tragic loss of my parents has affected her. Despite everything she has gone through, she has never for once made me feel like an orphan or that I lack anything.

I was just nine on that fateful day when both my parents, aunt Mary and Lucas, who was her husband, had planned a family outing to see the" Titanic" movie at the cinema one Saturday evening. The Friday before the planned event, my mum couldn't make it to my school to come and pick me up and reached out to Aunt Mary instead. Coincidentally, she was somewhere around my school area at that time with the conclusion that I would return to my parents when we met at the cinema the day after.

As a child, I was pretty excited, having spent time with Aunt Mary before. In fact, I have always enjoyed my stay with her, but to think that would be the last time I would see or hear from my parents was just an utter shock for me. The shock was profound, yet somehow, I managed to cope, aware that the situation could have been far worse.

We relocated to the neighborhood a few years later and, according to Aunt Mary, she wanted to start anew and distance ourselves from our past- a desire I understood. She soon opened a laundry business, working diligently to make sure I was well taken care of. She did everything possible to make sure I studied and graduated from university and never for once did she make me feel sad, unhappy or lack anything. Taking or making deliveries for her is the least I could do to show my gratitude.

I arrived at the launderette shortly thereafter, greeted by my other co-workers-Steve, Marylene, Sarah and Timothy, who are coincidentally our distant neighbors. They had come for a job opportunity. However, with aunt Mary's declining health, her approval of their assistance was swift. Besides, I can't handle the laundry work all by myself. Managing the laundry operations single-handedly became untenable after a previous attempt left me unwell.

In our operational structure, Sarah and Marylene oversee the sorting and washing processes, while Steve and Timothy handle ironing, preparing and boxing the garments for delivery. I manage the dispatch aspect. Occasionally, Aunt Mary helps input orders from home through calls or texts, although the majority of our clientele is composed of walk-in customers.

Hey, team! What's on the agenda? I inquired cheerfully.

Marylene cheerfully proclaimed, twirling with a cloth in hand, eliciting a chuckle from me. " Work! Work!! Work!!!"

"Hey, Jasmine," the others chimed in.

Excellent job, everyone! Now, that's quite a collection of garments ready for dispatch, I noted, glancing at the completed items on the table. 

"It's a prosperous day for us. Business is thriving," Steve commented with a wink.

Indeed, I said, promptly collecting the completed garments for delivery.

Once I completed the deliveries for the day, I gathered my belongings and began to exit. "Oh my, how could I have almost overlooked this?" I exclaimed as I approached the parcel Aunt Mary instructed me to deliver earlier.

Guys, kindly don't wait for me tonight; I have a delivery to make, and it will take a while. I notified my colleagues before finally heading out. I got to the bus stop only to be greeted by a fagged-out Tina. I asked my best friend, guessing she had just returned from her demanding shift at La Grande Hospital. "What a coincidence! Are you alright?"

 Yeah, I'm fine. How's everything on your end? And where are you off to?

" I need to quickly make a delivery to the urban area. This is like our inaugural order from there, and I can't afford any missteps, " I replied excitedly.

That is fantastic, Jasmine, but have you considered the timing? It's getting dark, Jaz. Are you sure about this?

Yes, absolutely. I'll catch up with you later.

Don't you think it's high time you told her? I'm afraid for you Jaz. Perhaps letting her know will stop these night deliveries.

No, Tina. The truth will only crush her. The guilt and pain from that night would be too much for her to bear, and it could destroy her, especially with her current state of health. I've already lost so much: I can't bear the thought of losing anyone else. "No matter what, we have to keep this secret."