The anniversary of her father's death was a day she dreaded every year. While he had been a cold and harsh man, she had looked up to him and had worked so hard for his love. Even now, eleven years later, this day haunted her. Fighting the tightening of her chest, she made her way to work.
Upon entering the office she was overcome with the smell of jasmine. A wave of nostalgia crashed over her, carrying her back to that musky kitchen all those years ago. She looked around quickly for the source and saw a small cup of jasmine tea on her desk. No one else was around for her to determine who the culprit was, but she couldn't deny that she felt better than she had earlier. Sitting down she pulled the cup to her, took a deep breath, and breathed in the sweet floral scent. Chills ran down her spine as once again she was reminded of that night in the kitchen.
"I thought I smelled something heavenly." She commented, poking her head into the kitchen. A musky, floral scent had wafted its way through the floorboards to her bedroom and had lured her down to find the origin.
"I find it helps me relax and calm down before I retire for the night." Her father's live-in student, Roy, replied. He smiled at her and beckoned for her to sit next to him.
"I didn't know you drank tea. That's my jasmine tea you know." She pointed out, still feeling shy around him. This was the most they had spoken other than casual pleasantries when they passed each other throughout the house.
"You'd be right. I'm a coffee drinker, but the smell of the jasmine takes my mind away from the stress of all the studying your father makes me do. It helps to clear my mind before bed."
"What a waste of tea." She replied matter of factly. He had piqued her curiosity though. She took another whiff and understood why he felt calm after smelling the exotic aroma.
"It's not a waste if it helps, even if I don't end up drinking it." He smiled again at her and closed his eyes as if meditating.
"So says the boy who will still have something to drink in the morning after he's thrown someone else's morning drink away!" She exclaimed. He smiled again in response.
Despite her protests, she found herself coming back to the jasmine-filled kitchen every night to talk with him as he unwound from the day. She slept peacefully on those nights.
"How's your tea today, Lieutenant?" She was pulled back to the present by the sound of a familiar voice.
"Fine, thank you."
"I've always found jasmine to be good for the mind, body and soul, don't you? Very relaxing and soothing, you just have to take the time to enjoy it."
She smiled, realizing what he'd done. Of course he would know what today was.
Sly as ever, Roy.
(A/N Done for the weekly prompt in a new writer's group I joined. I'll start posting the entries inspired by Royai :) The prompt was: in no more than 500 words, describe a scene with a scent. Ta-da!)