Capítulo 52: Rafael’s Lies
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One week passed after Rafael's death. Jasmine was still daydreaming and sometimes sighed. Sometimes she cries in distress. The longing made the pain worse. Her mother and sister were determined to take Jasmine back to the village alone. Maybe that is the best way Jasmine could forget her memories of her late husband, Rafael.
"Follow us back to the village, Dear. Forget everything. Start a new life."
"That's right, Sis. Start a new page." Ameera also encouraged Jasmine.
Jasmine smiled. She nodded in understanding. Jasmine was determined to return to the village. After all, she had no job at this moment, and there were many installments that she had to pay off. Jasmine will sell her house, pay off all her banking debts and return to the village. Of course, she'll use the left money from selling this house to open a grocery store or small Florist.
"I will return to the village when this house sold, Mom. You go back to the village first. Mera has to go to school. It's not good to be absent for so long." Jasmine smiled a forced smile. Ameera has also been absent for a week. She can't miss her lessons even though she will graduate soon.
"Are you going to be okay here alone, kid? You're not going to do anything bad, are you?!" Jasmine's mother is worried that Jasmine will do something reckless.
"Jasmine is indeed distressed by Rafael's death, Mom. But Jasmine has no intention of leaving Mother and Mera." Jasmine kissed the back of her mother's hand, the only oasis in Jasmine's dry heart.
"Well, I believe in you, Jasmine. You are an adult. You are also independent and full of enthusiasm. Go back to smiling like before. Let the past become memories, take the lessons, throw the painful ones into lessons."
"Yes, Mom." Jasmine hugged her mother, crying again, but this time the tears were sincere. It was such a relief when Jasmine decided to let go of all the memories she was holding.
— MI VOLAS VIN —
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[BACK TO LEON ...]
Leonardo slumped back against the back of his work chair. He compresses his bruised face from Rafael's blow with ice. It has been 24 hours since Rafael was declared dead by the hospital.
"Young Master, the tea." Carl handed a cup of earl gray in front of Leonardo.
The man inhaled the fragrant aroma of the tea before taking a sip, a soothing aroma.
"Is Jasmine awake?" Leonardo asked his secretary.
"Not yet, Mr. Leon," answered Kesya.
Leonardo grabbed her hair roughly. He never thought that Jasmine loved Rafael so much. Even to the point of fainting and unconscious after hearing the sad news.
Now Leonardo feels guilty. What's the point of him doing all this if Jasmine goes crazy, gets sick, or even dies?! What was the fact of him doing all this if Jasmine couldn't be his?
Well, but Leonardo is still Leonardo. The lion doesn't give up easily. He can't stop trying to get what he wants. With power and money, he would do anything to make Jasmine fall in his arms, become his wife. Only his mine.
And so, for a whole month, Leonardo followed Jasmine. He was watching Jasmine's mental development from a distance. Leonardo did not immediately pick the flower that was almost withered. He let the flower get water and air to bloom again. After the flowers bloom again, then Leonardo will come back to her. Enjoy the aroma that comes out of each sheet of the flower petals.
"Bloom, Baby. Bloom beautifully." Leonardo rubbed his lips lightly as he followed Jasmine this morning. He stopped the car not far from Jasmine's house. The woman had just returned from the market. She bought some used cardboard to clean up the rest of her goods. She still has a lot to pack. There are already several buyers who bid on the tiny house.
Jasmine just needed to sell the house, then move back to the village. She was taking care of her mother and sister by opening a little shop, forgetting all the bitterness and fond memories of her late husband.
Jasmine took care of all the furniture as well as her belongings. Jasmine sends it off little by little. Send it gradually to the village. There are only a few large pieces of furniture that Jasmine will carry once the house is sold. Also the clothes in the closet
"Oh my, it turns out that Rafael doesn't have many clothes. Ah, I will donate all his clothes to the orphanage." Jasmine mumbled to herself. She kept two of Rafael's clothes in the suitcase and wrapped the other clothes in a cardboard box.
Jasmine rummaging through the wardrobe finds the lingerie that Leonardo gave her the other day. Jasmine suddenly shuddered in horror. She began to think back to the figure of Leonardo. The last thing she remembered was the man forcing her to have sex in the car—one day before Rafael's death.
[Hey, what is this?] Jasmine thought when she noticed a small gap in the cupboard.
[Sliding door??] Jasmine was startled. There was a sliding door inside her closet. Jasmine quickly opened the door. With a slight bow, the woman entered the secret room behind the wardrobe.
"What's this??" shrieked Jasmine.
The room was smelly and damp, had not been open for a long time because the owner had indeed left and could not come back again. Jasmine stared in disbelief at what she found. A cramped space with a shelf full of bullets. Also, several bottles containing vitamins that Rafael exchanged for abortion drugs.
Jasmine covered her mouth, which was on the verge of squealing. Bullets of various sizes and shapes. Rafael arranged several expensive shots neatly in a steel case. In the other corner was a table with a steel press, empty iron tube neatly lined up. The gunpowder was still a little splattered. The faint scent of gunpowder tickled Jasmine's nose. It seems that Rafael also sometimes makes his bullets.
"What's all this for, El?" Jasmine's eyes filled with tears. She increasingly felt that she did not recognize her husband's figure.
Jasmine's eyes widened when she saw a photo, Rafael and a man. They looked dashing in the typical army uniforms of this country's elite soldiers. Rafael had a long-barreled rifle on his shoulder, while the man beside him smiled happily. Rafael attached the photo along with a chain necklace that reads Light and Shadow.
[Who are you, El??] Jasmine thought, her heart sinking. After everything they had been through together, Jasmine had never even known a bit about Rafael. Jasmine doesn't know anything about her husband's past, work, or life. Jasmine only knows that Rafael is an orphan, a street artist, living from painting and painting decorative walls in homes and cafes.
[How long have you been lying to me?! ] Jasmine sobbed, tears streaming down the photo of Rafael. Shocked? Maybe that's what can be painted on Jasmine's face right now. she shook her head. Even after his death, Rafael never told her the truth.
CRASH!!
Jasmine threw the vitamin bottles against the wall. The bottles shattered, the contents scattering. The pills were spreading on the floor. Jasmine cried, slumped down. She grabbed her hair as she sat curled up.
[Was the birth control pill also because of this? Did you never love me, El?]
Jasmine sobbed for a moment….
"WHEN I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!" screamed Jasmine. It's disgusting. It feels so sickening. Jasmine was nauseous and felt like throwing up. Jasmine was fed up with all of Rafael's lies.
But Jasmine is still Jasmine. She loved him too much. Jasmine has a million reasons to forgive her husband's mistakes.
Jasmine quickly got up. She packed all the bullets in the cupboard. Put everything in a cardboard box. No one can see this. No one should know who her husband is. Rafael must have a reason why he hides all about his past. Let that secret also be buried with his death.
PRANG!! [The sound of glass objects falling]
Jasmine flinched. Who entered her house without permission?? His round eyes widened in surprise.
[Who?]
— MI VOLAS VIN —
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