TARMAH pushed open the door, her face aglow with the warm light spilling from the kitchen. The savory aroma of simmering spices and roasting meat wafted into the living room, filling it with a comforting sense of home.
Wiping her hands on the napkin she was with, she took the stairs and headed for the master bedroom. She got to the door, opened it and let herself in.
She smiled at Jasira, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, her brow furrowed in concentration over an ancient tome.
“I’m almost done cooking,” Tarmah announced, her voice a soothing balm in the dimly lit space. She walked over to the bed and sank down beside Jasira, her movements graceful and deliberate. “But there is something important we need to discuss.”
Jasira closed the book and turned to face her friend, her eyes wide with curiosity.
“What is it?”
Her smiles deepened.
“Firstly I want to say I’m impressed, seeing you already moving on, reading a book to get your mind off the present issue is impressive,” she said.
Jasira scoffed.
“You think it is easy, I’m going through a lot here,” she said.
“Still, you are impressing me,” she said.
Jasira laughed weakly.
“What is it you want to discuss?” Se digressed.
Tarmah took a deep breath, steadying herself.
“I’m going to meet Jeremy tomorrow morning.”
Jasira’s heart skipped a beat. “Jeremy? Why?”
“He needs to grant you audience and listen to you, hear you out, he needs to know the truth as well,” Tarmah said softly, reaching out to take Jasira’s hand.
“About everything. About how you have been the one protecting him from those attacks, without his knowledge.”
A look of alarm crossed Jasira’s face. “Do you think it is going to work? Will he believe you?” She asked.
Tarmah squeezed Jasira’s hand reassuringly.
“I know it is a lot to take in, but he needs to hear it. And he needs to understand how much you have risked to keep him safe.”
Jasira sighed, her shoulders slumping.
“I’m not sure he will listen, he was so mad at me yesterday. He has always been so stubborn, so convinced that he can handle everything on his own.”
Tarmah smiled gently.
“That is why it is important that I’m the one to tell him. He trusts me, you know it, and I will make him see reason. I promise you, Jasira, he will listen. He has to.”
Jasira looked into Tarmah’s eyes, finding a well of determination and strength there. She nodded slowly, a flicker of hope igniting within her. “Alright. I trust you.”
Tarmah pulled Jasira into a hug, holding her tightly.
“It’s going to be okay. We will make him understand.”
“It’s fine, but please, can I ask for something?” She pleaded.
Tarmah looked at her.
“What sis?”
“Can you hold on a little bit? Do not talk to him tomorrow, let’s have a little patience and I will keep trying, then when he still doesn’t want to give me audience, you can go on and talk to him,” she said.
“Brilliant!” Tarmah exclaimed, nodding her head, “it’s fine sis, anything for you,” she said smiling.
Jasira forced a smile. As they sat together on the bed, the bond between them strengthened by shared secrets and unspoken vows, the world outside their small room seemed to shrink away, leaving only the certainty of their friendship and the promise of truth.
When Tarmah finally stood to return to the kitchen, she cast a final glance back at Jasira.
“I will be back soon. And when I am, we will figure out the next step together. Besides, dinner would soon be set,” she winked and Jasira laughed weakly.
She watched her go, a mix of anxiety and anticipation churning within her. She could only hope that Tarmah’s words would pierce through Jeremy’s stubbornness and that he would finally see the truth.
***
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the city as Jasira made her way to her boutique the very next morning.
The streets were already bustling with activity, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby market stalls.
She soon got there and screeched to a halt at the parking lot, then alighted. Smoothening her royal blue knee length gown, she took out her blue purse and walked up to the building, her blue stilettoes making a ‘clunk clunk’ sound on the gravelled floor.
It was a very nice tall building made of glass casing as its walls, Jeremy had helped her with the design and architecture. It was also located at a very strategic position, overlooking the main road.
As she stepped into the boutique, a sense of pride washed over her. The elegant displays of dresses, the carefully curated accessories, and the polished wooden floors all reflected her dedication and hard work. Jasira greeted her employees with a warm smile, ready to oversee the day’s operations.
“Good morning, everyone,” she called out, her voice bright and cheerful.
“Good morning, Ms. Jasira,” they chorused back, their faces lighting up at her presence.
Jasira moved from one section to another, offering guidance and feedback. She stopped by the register where Layla, one of the sales representatives, was helping a customer.
“How is everything going, Layla?” Jasira asked, her eyes scanning the area.
“Great, Ms. Jasira,” Layla replied, her smile genuine. “We had a lot of new customers this morning.”
Jasira nodded approvingly.
“That is wonderful. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you ma’am,” Layla greeted.
She continued her rounds, stopping to chat with the staff, ensuring everything was running smoothly, and even smiling at the customers.
Her attention to detail and personal touch had always set her boutique apart. As she walked past the glass walls, something caught her eye.
Jeremy’s convoy was driving past, the sleek black cars moving swiftly down the street, she knew it even though awaken from a deep sleep, she could still point out his convoy.
Her heart tightened, and she felt a pang of sadness. She stood there, watching the convoy disappear around the corner, the weight of unspoken words and unacknowledged efforts pressing down on her.
Jasira turned away, her chest heavy with emotion, and retreated to her office. She closed the door behind her and sank into her chair, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she let them fall freely, the frustration and heartache of being unseen and unappreciated overwhelming her.
She thought of all the times she had put herself at risk for Jeremy, protecting him from the shadows, never seeking recognition. The memory of Tarmah’s promise echoed in her mind, but in this moment, the loneliness and sorrow were too much to bear.
Even with everything, the way she had pleaded and pleaded, countless missed calls, thousands of texts which there was no reply, yet he still was in full blood, driving past her place of work. Really?
She buried her face in her hands, her sobs muffled by the silence of the room. She cried for the love she had given freely, for the sacrifices made in vain, and for the hope that maybe, just maybe, one day Jeremy would see her for who she truly was his silent guardian, his unseen savior.
She was still whimpering silently when immediately, a knock came on her door, and a voice followed.
“Ms. Jasira,” the owner of the voice called.
Quickly she picked up her face napkin and began dabbing her eyes with it, wiping out the streaks of years that had formed.
“Can I come in please?” The voice asked again.
“I’m… will you please just hold on,” she said as she got up and ran into the restroom.