Chapter 1-The dream in the water

The Jasmine Journals Series

Alina walked into her apartment feeling frustrated and exhausted. She threw herself on the sofa, and sat there, her eyes looking blankly at the ceiling. There was this gnawing feeling inside her that would just not leave her alone.She could not name it , much less understand it. True, it had been a hectic couple of weeks with deadlines. As a translator,and a skillful one at that, her daily schedule was brimming with projects that demanded attention and skill, and time. She had not been able to relax much or prioritise her own needs.Sighing wearily, she heaved herself from the sofa and dragged her worn-out body to the bathroom. She needed a bath.

Soaking in the bathtub, she sighed with relief. This was exactly what she needed.Her favourite vanilla-scented candle lit, casting mysterious shadows on the wall. The silence was reassuring and calming.Before she knew it, she had fallen into deep sleep.

She was walking under the moonlit sky. She was alone.The full moon, with its mysterious light, cast shadows on the path she was walking on. She was enjoying the wistful serenity of the garden around her, relishing in the fact that she was alone at last. The wind was playing around her feet, with her long, curly hair as if inviting her to play, to be free.It made her giddy and she giggled happily. It brought the scent of jasmine and roses with it, and she almost felt as if she were a princess in a fairytale.Then, she saw him. He was standing at the end of the path, as if waiting.She stopped in her tracks and stood there, staring at him, in surprise but also in awe. He was gorgeous, to put it mildly. Tall, slender, muscular. A smile that could kill and eyes that sparkled with anticipation and joy. Just as she was about to walk toward him, it all went dark.

Alina opened her eyes with a jolt.Her heart was racing and she was sweating even though she was in the water. She put a hand on her chest and started breathing, to calm herself. Her heart was galloping like a wild stallion being chased. What was this all about? It took her a while but she managed to collect her feelings and rogue thoughts. She wrapped herself in her favourite fluffy bath towel and stepped out of the bath.

A bit later, she sat cross-legged on her apartment floor, incense curling beside her, the mat beneath her already wrinkled from shifting weight. Her roommate had suggested she try meditating and journaling, to bring some peace to her constantly alert brain.After today’s dream, she decided to give it another try, to settle her feelings and chattering mind.So far things did not look too hopeful. Her phone, silent for once, sat face-down beside a dog-eared journal. Another unfinished page. Another meditation she couldn’t sit through. She didn’t know what she was waiting for. A spark? A sign? Or maybe for the noise inside her to quiet down long enough to hear that soft voice she knew was buried somewhere deep.The one that whispered, “You are not who you think you are. You were made for more than this.”

More chapters will follow every Friday. I hope you will join me in watching Jasmine’s story unfold . I hope this be a time for you to slow down, listen, and bloom.

Thank you for reading…

If this quiet little story brought you a moment of stillness, I’m glad.
I believe silence is a kind of grace, and that stories, too, can offer us rest.

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And if you’re already here, Ithank you. Truly.
You make this quiet corner of the internet feel like home.

With ink and light and, maybe an essence of vanilla,

Lia