Chapter 4: Ten Years Ago- Part 1

It was the beginning of the summer holiday, and this time, summer would not be a typical summer for Jasminee. She would not be able to enjoy shopping, festivals, and receptions with her mom. She would not be able to wake up at any time as she used to and sleep at any time she wanted.

For the first time, she was leaving her family for summer training as part of her summer semester. The training was in a factory outside her town. Although Jasmine had a strong personality, she was worried about these two months in a strange town by herself without her family. In a place where no one was aware of her fine social class, and family background. Luckily, her best friend, Lilly, was with her. Having a familiar face with her was a relief.

At the same time, knowing that she would experience the work-life, prove to her surroundings how sophisticated she was, more importantly, experiencing being independent for the first time. And the fact that she would experience real life with its ups and downs without her family’s support made her eagerly wanting to start this new adventure.

"Jasmine, are you ready? Let us go; we should not be late." Lilly shouted from the entrance whole downstairs.

Inside her room, Jasmine was packing her last bag when she spoke to herself, "Ok, I know, it is nice to have her with me, but she is as annoying as she ever was."

"In a minute!" Jasmine shouted back.

Then she looked at her younger sister, "Sue, stop crying; please" She hugged her sister. "Do whatever Mom tells you to do, okay?" Then, she kissed Sue and left.

It was not the first time for Sue, though, to be away from Jasmine. But, it was her first time to stay alone with their mother, without Jasmine. It was not the perfect timing for Sue not to have Jasmine with her.

Sue followed Jasmine to the door and watched her leaving with Lilly. She kept standing outside, looking at the car, till they disappeared.

"Sue, don't stand up like this, come inside. They left." Her mom called for her.

In the back seat of the car, Lilly and Jasmine started arguing. Jasmine loved Lilly so much, but they always argued. They were not similar at all, and this had always caused issues between them. Lily spoke and acted whatever came in her mind, while Jasmine knew the proper way of everything. As she was the center of attention; she should study all her actions. For this, they were used to fighting with each other, arguing about every single issue. Even so, they would go along again, as nothing happened.

“Have you taken everything you need? Do you have… ”

Jasmine cut Lilly’s words, “For God’s sake, shut up. What documents? What else do we need? Please relax. If you are planning to keep talking like this, I will not talk to you.” She said.

“Why are you acting like this?” Lilly asked.

“Like what?” Jasmine wondered.

“So Jasmineish.” Lilly said.

“At least I am not acting childish.” Jasmine said sarcastically.

They did not feel the one-hour drive, as they spent the whole time arguing till they arrived at their new apartment.

Jasmine's family was one of the richest in town. Her father owned a big tourism company and ran a few hotels. Her mother was the daughter of an ex-mayor. Jasmine was used to a luxurious and comfortable life, and since her dad adored her and her sister more than anything in the world, he was willing to do anything to make them happy and feel comfortable. So, he purchased a small apartment for her to spend her two-month training comfortably. He also assigned a driver, and a maid to accompany her so that she would feel at home, as her mother suggested. "You know, dear; she cannot handle cleaning and cooking by herself. She is not used to it. She needs to focus on this training and relax. Remember, she is not Sue."

Jasmine's father did not like Janet's last sentence but decided to ignore it, and he said, "I have already arranged everything. I care about Jasmine too, and I know what is more suitable for her. Don't worry."

Jasmine and Lilly entered their apartment, not talking to each other. The maid, who went to the apartment two days ago, had cleaned and prepared the apartment for them. She took their bags and unpacked Jasmine's stuff.

When the maid asked Lily to unpack her stuff, Lily said, "Thanks, no need. I will manage it. Plus, I have only one bag; I did not pack my house.”

When she mentioned her one bag, she spoke louder so that Jasmine would hear. Jasmine ignored Lilly's silly comment; as she had more important things to worry about right now.

Jasmine was curious about the neighborhood. She wanted to go out to explore it. She was waiting for Lilly to finish unpacking, to go out.

“It is too early to stay at home. What do you think?” Jasmine said standing next to Lily’s room and watching Lily closing her bag, after she was done unpacking.

“Sorry. Are you talking to me?” Lilly replied without looking at Jasmine.

“Come on, don’t act silly.” Jasmine entered Lilly's room. She stood facing Lilly, and looked at her. "Stop it." She said.

“I cannot help it; I act childish. Remember.” again Lilly replied without looking at Jasmine.

“Hey, do not start again.”

“It never ended to start again.” Lilly took out her bathrobe and said, "Excuse me," requesting Jasmine to give her way, and Lilly headed to the bathroom.

“Well, fine with me. I am going out for a walk alone,” Jasmine said and walked closer to the bathroom, checking if Lily would say anything. She waited for a while, hoping Lily would change her mind.

“I came across the promenade while heading to the apartment, and I believe it is close by.” She placed her ears on the bathroom’s door, but, again, no reaction from Lily.

Jasmine then said, “Ok, as you wish. I am leaving now.” she closed the door behind her sharply and left the apartment.

Their building consisted of two floors where each floor had two apartments only, just like the whole town’s low-rise buildings. In the narrow corridor where the elevator was stood next to Jasmine, two young chaps talking to each other.

Both looked as if they were in their early twenties, a tall guy and a medium height guy. Both were good looking.

Without noticing, Jasmine was looking at the tall, handsome guy; she could not take her eyes off him. He had Adonis features, or so she thought.

He had ginger hair, a clean, soft beard, and a mustache. His eyes’ colors were a totally different story. You could not tell if they were grey or hazelnut. His body was flawless.

What drove Jasmine’s attention to him was his way of talking. He talked to his friend with a deep voice that showed how confident he was. His way of speaking, standing, and acting revealed how uniquely noble and classy he was.

Suddenly, her heart started beating fast as she noticed that the handsome guy looked at her. She realized, then, that both had stopped talking and were looking at her.