Elia entered and as she expected, her dad was there, sat with Jazmin who looked like she'd been crying, hard! Something had happened, Elia wondered why no one had tried to reach her. She doubted she'd ever seen Jazmin in such a state, she was always so temperate and imperturbable. She dreaded to think what could have caused such a reaction in her sister.
"What's going on?" She demanded. Her dad looked up at her abruptly, Jazmin said something to him that was inaudible to her then he got up and lead her back into the hallway.
"Carlos" He began. "Basically he ain't coming back here, they're done." Elia's jaw dropped
"What?!" She roared. Her dad immediately put his finger to his lips
"Keep your voice down!" He hissed.
"Yeah, but." Elia began, bewildered. "What happened, and how?! Did something happen to him, or was it his choice?"
"His choice." He informed her grimly. "Claims he needs to focus on his career and get himself established and can only do that alone." She stared in horror as he explained.
"That's lame!" She fumed. "A gutless, lame, pathetic excuse!"
"Elie" Her father began. "I know, I understand but for Jazmin's sake try to stay calm, being angry is not gonna do her any good."
Elia nodded. However she was furious, she couldn't comprehend why or how this would happen. They seemed so suited, and despite her discretion, Jazmin had been happier with him than she'd ever known her to be and the feeling had been clearly mutual, or so it had appeared. Perhaps it had all been a game to him, using her to kill some time. But then why would he have arranged and paid for both of them to visit him in Paris, let them into his home, introduce them to his family. It made no sense!
"Listen" Noah continued. "I should probably head back, it's late and I got an early start tomorrow, can I leave you to take things from here?"
"Yes," Elia told him.
"You sure?" He queried. "If you need I can stay a little more."
"No, no it's fine," Elia assured him. "I promise."
"Remember." He warned. "Be gentle with her yeah? She needs that right now."
"Elia nodded and smiled. "I Promise" Noah returned the smile and kissed her forehead.
"I'll just go say goodnight to Jaz." He turned and went back into the main room, Elia could hear words exchanged as she put her bag and jacket away but could not make out what was being said. She entered the room gingerly. Her dad was sat in front of Jazmin, holding her hands and talking in a low voice. Jazmin turned and acknowledged Elia's presence as Noah kissed her goodbye.
"Stay." He told Elia. "I'll deadlock the door on my way out." Elia smiled gratefully. Their dad never misused the fact that they'd given him a spare set of keys, and he had, to their appreciation, kept them out of the reach of their mother.
Elia sat behind her sister and rested her chin on her shoulder.
"Can I get you anything?" Jazmin stayed silent and reached round to gratefully rub Elia's arm. Elia put her arms around her sister and the two sat quietly, a silence disturbed only by the occasional involuntary sniff from Jazmin.
"Sorry! Jazmin croaked, after several minutes.
"Don't be."
"It's just, it came out of nowhere, you know! There was no indication it would lead to this, nothing." Elia rubbed her arm sympathetically.
"I know." She affirmed.
"I thought I meant something to him, that we had a future together. I had such high hopes for it."
"Yes, I could tell," Elia replied sadly. " I thought so too! Ay hermanita I'm so sorry!"
"I'm the older one." Jazmin pointed out, making a weak little joke. Elia smiled and gave her a squeeze.
"I wonder though." She continued. "Perhaps I should have been the younger of us. I've got the personality of a rag doll! You've always been the bolder one, the true Latina, with fire in her soul."
" Don't say that!" Elia insisted. "That's the opposite of what's true!"
"I'm not so sure." disagreed Jazmin. "Perhaps that's why he left, he got bored of me."
"Stop!" Elia insisted, upset at her sister's words. "You are the most loving, sweet, mild, kind, generous woman to grace this planet. Don't you dare put yourself down like that! On top of that, You're smart and gorgeous." Jazmin shrugged.
"Still wasn't enough for him." She murmured. Elia sighed, she wanted nothing more than to rant and rave about what a worthless idiot Carlos was to throw away someone as sweet and honest and lovely as her sister. Her opinion of her wasn't just bias either, everyone who ever came across Jazmin found her instantly likeable. She had that about her, yes she was shy and reserved but she had such a quality of humility, kindness and sweetness that attracted people to her, yes seemed to gravitate towards her. This fool though apparently wasn't worth even to shine her shoes. How dare he treat her like this and make her feel this way, Elia felt livid, shocked and disgusted. It broke her heart to see her sister like this she wished she could get her to understand the fault was not with her.
"He must be blind." Elia muttered.
"But he's not." Jazmin objected. "He's a wonderful man. thoughtful, caring and everything good. He wouldn't even hurt a fly. How can it be his fault? It has to be me!"
"It is NOT you!" Elia insisted. "Believe me I mean every word of this. You have so much to give and to offer and you deserve all the happiness in the world, and you WILL get it! Do you understand? I've never known such goodness to exist in a person and I'm not just saying that because you're my sister I say it because it's true and everyone who's ever known you can testify to that!"
"I just wish today had never happened." Jazmin told her mournfully.
"I know!" Elia cried, embracing her weeping sister. Elia held onto her quietly until she calmed down.
"I should go to bed." Jazmin sighed after a while.
"Of course!"
"I'll use Ceci's old room if you don't mind." Jazmin continued. "I'd prefer to be alone."
"Anything you need!" Elia assured her. Jazmin wearily got up and made her way to the room.
"Goodnight."
"Sleep well," Elia responded. "Don't hesitate to come to me if you need anything." Jazmin thanked her then disappeared, shutting the door behind her.
It was a while before Elia could get herself to sleep. The events of that evening played over and over in her head and she worried over her sister, listening out for her call, ready to run to her at the slightest sign of distress, nothing. She awoke relatively early the next morning, she had a long day ahead of her. Before heading to the theatre she had a rehearsal to attend for the Nottinghill Carnival parade.
She immediately went to Jazmin, however, she found the room empty. She wandered into the main room/kitchen to see a note left for her. 'Have gone to work, see you this evening. Love Jaz' Elia shook her head when she read it. She'd mostly expected to find her sister to have stayed home today, after how she was last night. Maybe she just wanted to keep her mind busy, Elia wasn't sure, she wouldn't see her until after her show that evening though so Elia decided to cook up a dinner then put it in the fridge for her. Checking around there wasn't much available that didn't need defrosting so after getting ready Elia went to a little nearby store to get some fresh supplies. once back she set about doing the meal, steamed cabbage and saltfish with yam for Jazmin, and rice for herself. Then, after eating her own share of the meal, she left.
She didn't see Jazmin that evening however, she'd already gone to bed by the time she got home and had once again gone to sleep in Cecilia's old room. Elia fretted but left her in peace while she quietly headed to bed herself.
"Good morning!" Jazmin called out as she entered the kitchen. Elia stopped, taken aback by the cheery greeting.
"I've made breakfast." She continued. "It's not much, just taquitos, but call it a little token of gratitude for making me a dinner yesterday."
"Thank you." Elia murmured. Jazmin set a drink down in front of her
"Some juice. Food is just coming up now." She watched quietly as Jazmin finished the task then put Elia's plate in front of her before turning to complete her own.
"Are you ok?" Elia asked
"Of course!" Came the reply. Elia, however, was not convinced. She wondered what Jazmin would do now, she wished she had done something to stop her sister from revolving everything around this 'excuse' of a man! She wished she'd pushed harder to get her to accept the job offer in Durban. If it hadn't been for Carlos Jazmin would likely by now be at least preparing to make the move of her life! Instead, she was here with a broken heart and her ambitions unrealised.
"Do you want to go somewhere this morning?" Elia asked her. "I have a spare few hours before my first show of the day begins!"
"If you like". Jazmin responded, sitting down opposite her. "Did you have something in mind?"
"Well, no," Elia admitted before changing her mind. "Actually, how about wandering the market with me?" Jazmin regarded her in surprise.
"Don't you have carnival related stuff to do?" She asked. "Besides, you've seen it a thousand times already don't you ever get bored of it?"
"It never bores me," Elia admitted with a smile. "Besides it's the only thing I can think of to do with the time we have spare and don't worry, I've got no rehearsal today."
"Well anyway, I suppose It's an idea." mused Jazmin. "Just don't be dragging me around Little Kathmandu!" Elia smiled. Jazmin's smart and formal style was worlds away from the type of clothing found in this store which Elia had purchased from more than once.
"Promise!" She smirked.
An hour later they were out and heading for the market. Elia brought everything she needed for the day, she'd be heading straight to work afterwards.
"You know, I've been thinking." Jazmin began as they strolled along.
"About."
"I think I'm still gonna try to find work in Paris."
"What for?!" Elia exclaimed. Jazmin smiled, unsurprised by the reaction.
"It's
just what I want." She informed her. "It's a lovely city, I enjoy speaking French and I'd like to stay in touch with Christina."
"Christina? Really?!"
"Oh, she's not so bad." Jazmin smiled.
"Are you sane!" Commented Elia, curling her lip.
"I mean it!" Jazmin continued. ! Granted I saw she was unkind to you. But it seemed to come from her own insecurities and jealousies."
"Pfft!" Elia scoffed. "Nope, she's just una cabrona! Did you see how she looked down on my clothing and hair?!"
"Elie!" Jazmin exclaimed with a laugh.
"Yes, I did notice." She went on. "But she's a Parisian fashionista, of course, she's not gonna be into vintage, thrift and charity shops! She's all about designer labels etc."
"I'll have you know, This! Is Italian made!" Elia declared with a smirk motioning to her artisan layered lace and knit two piece outfit.
Jazmin laughed.
"Also, Elie." "Jazmin continued. "Not all of us have the nerve to rock the natural look." She motioned to her sisters long wild springy curls.
"I ain't changing them!" Elia told her proudly.
"Oh, I know that." Jazmin smiled. "I'm just pointing out that Christina, the world she lives in, it's opposite to yours. Clashes between you both are bound to happen. Doesn't make either of you a bad person. Just different, unique!"
"Ay hermana!" Elia sighed. "You always see the good in everyone! I still don't know if it's a good idea though."
"I promise it will be," Jazmin assured her. "She was kind to me and even sent me an email this morning saying how much she enjoyed spending time with me and that I was welcome to visit her any time despite all that's happened.
"She said that?!"
"Yes." Jazmin smiled reassuringly but Elia was doubtful.
"I dunno." She began. " I just don't trust her."
"Elia" Jazmin began, stopping as she spoke. "Please trust me on this. It's what I want and fulfilling this would mean a lot to me, yet to have your support in it would mean even more."
"Of course I support you" Elia affirmed. She looked at the quiet determination on Jazmin's face and decided to say no more. Still inside she fretted, fearing that somehow her kind and trusting sister would eventually get hurt.