A Journey to Us (eBook)

Lady B (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2024 | 1. Auflage
300 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
9780000569738 (ISBN)

Infos

Jasmine believed she found her anchor in the charismatic and mysterious Daniel. As the glimmering facade begins to crumble at a friend's wedding, she is thrust into a heart-wrenching revelation of betrayal. Shattered illusions, stolen glances, and a web of emotions unravel in a tale of love, trust, and the haunting echoes of a broken promise. Will she rise from the ruins, or will the shadows of the past forever eclipse the chance for a new dawn?

Years later, as Jasmine walks down the aisle, the Best Man standing tall beside the groom locks eyes with her - Daniel, the man who once ignited a flame in her heart. In that fleeting gaze, buried emotions resurface, unveiling a tumultuous journey of love and loss.

The haunting question lingers: Can the heart mend when the very person who broke it stands at the precipice of her forever?

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Textauszug

Chapter 3: Fragrance of Fate

Slowly opening his eyes, Daniel winched against the brightness of the hospital room and the harsh scent of antiseptic. Shifting in the bed, he groaned as memories of last night’s accident came flooding through his mind.

The lights, the sirens… and that woman. She was so intriguing as she came running to his aid, her voice, a tender lifeline keeping him alert.

Daniel, usually a man of many words, found himself momentarily silenced in the presence of her. The way she handled the mayhem, her beautiful eyes that kept looking up at him as she was doing her own examinations.

She unbuttoned his shirt, fingers so gentle while checking his injuries, urging him to hold on. Her expressions, her smile… and his own loss of speech during their brief interactions seemed almost funny at hindsight.

A soft knock at the door pulled Daniel from his thoughts. A nurse entered with a chart.

“Good morning, Mr. Nawab! Let me check your vitals here… You seem to be healing up nicely. If all looks well today, we should be able to discharge you home later this afternoon.”

Daniel nodded, “Thank you, I’ll be happy to get home. My head is still pounding though… could I get something a bit stronger for the migraine, please?”

“Of course, I’ll see what I can get you to help with that,” the nurse replied as she made a note on his chart. “Oh, and a police officer called this morning wanting to come by later today to take your statement on the accident. Procedure, you know.”

At the mention of the accident, Daniel’s thoughts wandered again to the mystery woman. He wondered if he would ever get the chance to properly thank her for coming to his aid. Maybe he could get her name or number from the police when they come to take his statement. There has to be some record of who she is.

Daniel sighed and closed his eyes, images of the woman still clear in his mind as the pain medication slowly started to kick in. He thought he recalled her having kind, beautiful eyes… He hoped they would meet again someday, if only so he could express his boundless gratitude for her act of kindness last night. For now, he rested and gathered his strength for the questions soon to come about the fateful accident along that isolated stretch of road.

Daniel sunk back into his pillows, closing his eyes for some much needed rest after the long night. His peace was short-lived though, as he soon heard the click-clack of heels entering his hospital room. He opened his eyes to see an unwelcome visitor sashaying towards his bed, a coy smile on her lips.

“Daniel! I came as soon as I heard about your accident from Rick. You poor thing, are you alright?” she asked with faux concern, looking at him up and down.

Daniel suppressed an eye roll. Anna had been pursuing him for a long time despite his repeated rejections. She may be an attractive woman to many, but he never thought of her that way, and never will.

“I’m doing fine, Anna, just very tired,” he responded. “I appreciate you coming by, but I was just trying to get some rest before the police come for my statement.”

“Oh, I won’t stay long, I just had to see for myself that you were okay,” she said, perching on the edge of his bed.

Daniel shifted uncomfortably. “I’m good. Now, as I said, I really need to res-”

“Oh Daniel, you’re so serious all the time, I can be quite therapeutic you know.” Anna cut him off. Her perfume was overpowering, as she was getting closer. “But don’t you worry, when they spring you from this place I’ll come take care of you.”

Daniel clenched his jaw, exasperated. “No thanks Anna. I am sure you have better things to attend to. Please just let me rest.”

Anna finally took the hint, standing with a dramatic sigh.

“Oh alright! But my offer stands. Feel better Daniel!” She gave an overly sweet smile before exiting the room with a sour pout on her face.

Daniel sank back into his bed, rubbing his temples. That woman was exhausting. His thoughts, however, shifted back to the impending duty, thanking the mystery woman.

Later that day, after giving his statement, Daniel seized the opportunity and asked the officer.

“By the way, I feel awful that I didn’t get the name of the Good Samaritan who helped me last night. Is there any chance you have her contact information so I can properly thank her?”

The officer flipped through his notes, “Ah yes, a Miss Jasmine Khalil.” He then provided her phone number. Daniel quickly added the number to his phone, thinking he owed this Jasmine more gratitude than she realised for coming to his aid.

Soon after, the nurse returned, carrying a small cup of pills.

“Good news Mr. Nawab! The doctor has signed your discharge papers, so as soon as you take these last pain meds and grab your things, you are free to head home.”

Daniel smiled, “Thank you, I’ll be glad to finally relax in my own place.”

“Oh, by the way…” the nurse added, “The receptionist informed me a young woman is here asking to visit you. Shall I send her back?”

Daniel’s smile faded. Surely not Anna again.

“Please apologise but I do not want to see any more visitors today, especially if it is who I think it is,” he said with a shake of his head.

“Of course, I understand!” The nurse patted his shoulder sympathetically before leaving.

As the door opened, Daniel saw the nurse talking to a woman who was waiting outside, he didn’t recognise her at first.

“I’m so sorry Miss, but the patient does not…”

“Ah, I apologise.” the woman replies as she quickly turns to leave. Her voice faded down the hall.

Daniel suddenly panicked - it was Jasmine! Before he could respond the door shut with a soft thug.

“No wait.” He called out.

But it was too late. Sighing, he felt like an idiot. Why hadn’t he asked who it was first?

Shaking his head, Daniel gathered his belongings. He paused when he noticed the cardigan folded neatly on the chair. Daniel picked it up gently. He would make sure to return it to her at some point. Still kicking himself for the missed opportunity, he walked out into the chill air, holding her cardigan tightly, his touch warmed the delicate fabric.

Intent on uncovering the mystery surrounding the aroma that seemed to have captivated him, Daniel waved down a black taxi.

Hopefully, he could reconnect with his mysterious saviour and find out which perfume she favoured. Again, feeling foolish at his own thoughts, he got inside the awaiting cab.

*****

Over the next few days, Daniel managed to get back into the swing of things, juggling work and business meetings. Thoughts of the accident, and of Jasmine, kept distracting him. He typed out messages to her dozens of times but could never quite press ‘send’. He struggled with a mix of foolishness and unintentional misunderstanding he may have caused. His phone rang as he lay on his sofa, Rick’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hi Rick!”

“Hey Daniel, how are you holding up?” Rick had a happy tone to his voice. He laughed over the phone, teasing Daniel about how he heard that Anna was going to visit him.

“Yeah, I’m alright.” Daniel said. “Yes, sadly, she seemed intent on making my recovery into a romantic drama! I’m not sure how long I can put up with her, or how to handle it.” He said, letting out a deep sigh.

After ribbing Daniel over Anna’s hospital visit, Rick’s tone turned more serious. “By the way, it turns out I know exactly who came to your dramatic rescue that night.”

“You do? Really? Who?” Daniel sat up straighter. His heart quickened.

“None other than Ruby’s best friend Jasmine! Small world huh?” Rick chuckled. “Ruby tells me Jasmine is still a little worried for you, she has no way to make sure you are okay.”

“Yes, Jasmine…” Daniel murmured. “Rick, I really need to speak to her. Can you ask Ruby if that will be okay?”

“Even better! Jasmine is joining Ruby and I for dinner on Saturday. You should come. I’m sure Ruby would love to formally introduce you two,” Rick said slyly.

Daniel laughed, the first real laugh in a while. “I’ll be there! Thanks Rick.”

After ending the call, Daniel sat back grinning. Maybe he hadn’t bungled things too badly after all. This dinner would be his chance to clear the air with Jasmine. The prospect of seeing her kind, concerned eyes again quickened his pulse. He also marvelled at the revelation, how come he had never seen her before? If she was Ruby’s friend, then she should have been at the engagement party? But then again, he was only in and out, he was just there to congratulate the couple that night as he had just returned from his business trip. A myriad of questions ran through his mind.

Daniel showered and got ready for bed. He sighed as he reached for the medication on the counter. A cocktail of painkillers he has been taking for almost a year now for his recurring migraines. He was forced to face the fact that he had to take control of the situation. Like unwanted visitors, it invaded his life, the normalcy he once took for granted. The migraine clawed at Daniel’s mind as he tossed and turned, unable to find relief in sleep. It felt like an ice pick was being driven into his temple, the pain sharp and unrelenting. He rubbed at his forehead, but nothing could abate this beast that had embedded itself into his life.

Sitting up with a stifled groan, Daniel blinked...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 10.5.2024
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• Themenwelt: Kinder- / Jugendbuch
• ISBN-13: 9780000569738 / 9780000569738