The faintest rays of sunlight were touching the tops of the packed clay roofs as the warmth of the day could already be felt on her skin. Excitement was brimming on the surface, barely contained by her radiant smile. She tried to walk calmly, but her feet moved forward with an eagerness she'd never felt before. The sudden realization that she could go anywhere, proved to be a constant ebb and flow of exhilaration and panic.
She clutched the small piece of parchment like a lifeline in her hand, recalling the memorized directions carefully in her head as she moved throughout the maze of streets and identical towering homes. The walls were high, but she felt none of the stuffiness that surrounded the palace. A warm breeze traveled playfully through the tunnels and alleys, brightening her steps as she drew closer to her destination.
Jasmine halted before a particularly indistinguishable two-story clay building squashed between two other indistinguishable two-story clay buildings, and if it weren't for Rajah's explicit instructions, she would have surely passed by in a haze. But as she studied the forward façade, she noticed little details that brought a calm to her heart. There was a worn woven mat outside of the front door. A small stool sat to one side with small etchings in the dirt in front of it: as if a child had recently played there. Sun-faded curtains made of garments beyond repair blocked the tall, thin windows. And as she neared the door, she noticed the small etchings in the wood; the casually carved seal of her head of security. With only slight hesitation, Jasmine knocked.
A sudden tumult erupted inside and Jasmine's breath hitched in panic. Had she knocked on the wrong door? Was she about to find herself in a dangerous position? A dog was howling and an infant was screaming, but a strong female voice rose over the commotion beyond the door and Jasmine's fear settled. She steeled her breathing and smiled genuinely when the door was flung open unceremoniously.
Jasmine opened her mouth to greet the woman, but was stopped short as Rajah's wife exclaimed, "You're here!" Her smile twinkled into her high cheekbones as she quickly ushered Jasmine inside the door, closing it swiftly behind her. There was a flourish of activity as Jasmine found herself seated at a large table: petting a rather large dog with one hand, a hot cup of tea forced into her other. Without warning, the woman scurried from the room, returning a few moments later with a baby cradled to her bosom and another small child clutching her skirts, hiding from view.
Jasmine, again, had no time to begin her greeting. "My dear, welcome. Rajah has told me so much and of course, I was eager to assist in any way possible. I'm Lira, of course, as you well know, I'm sure." Her free hand gestured to the toddler on her hip. "This is Mala, who is not yet one. And Yusaf," the small boy's eyes were wide as he peeked around at the sound of his name. He looked no more than four years of age to Jasmine's untrained eye. "He is still shy, but very bright. And quite the troublemaker!" she finished, turning in a circle to chase the small boy. He giggled in glee and ran back through the door he was shepherded from moments ago.
Jasmine stifled a laugh as Lira drew a deep breath, calming her own chuckle. "My eldest, Kare, should be playing with friends. I'm sure they will be around later when their bellies are crying out in midday hunger." Her smile, once again, lit up her cheeks; her blue eyes sparkled vibrantly. Jasmine sat in silence, stunned; her hand still absentmindedly stroking the ears of the gray shaggy pup. "An of course!" Lira cried, causing Jasmine to jump. The dog seemed unperturbed by his landlady's constant and sudden exclamations. "That's Juni. Just a street mutt, but the children have taken a fondness for him."
There was a moment of silence. Lira seemed to be reading Jasmine's entire being and she felt as if she were a specimen to be studied. Jasmine was thrown off guard again when Lira's next words to her were spoken in a calm, motherly fashion. "So, my dear, how are you this morning?"
Jasmine exhaled audibly and cleared her throat. "Overwhelmed," she said truthfully.
"Understandable, of course. You've been caught in a whirlwind since the day you were born. And now you're daring to venture into the unknown. Broaden your horizons. Extremely admirable, if not slightly foolish, of course. But do not worry. My husband would not have consented to this if he did not deem it safe and worthy."
Jasmine flushed with embarrassment. "I'm afraid I did not give him much choice in the matter."
Lira grinned cheekily. "My dear, your stubbornness may have helped convince him, but do not pretend to believe he could not have stopped you if you had forced his hand. My husband is a reasonable man, but duty and honor burden him above all else. I believe he wanted you to have this opportunity, despite his fears of the city's dangers."
She let the older woman's words sink in and knew she was right. This was her chance and Rajah had graciously allowed it. Jasmine vowed at that moment, not to disappoint him.
It was at that moment, she remembered the note crumbled in her hand. It had been smashed against the ceramic mug filled with piping hot tea Jasmine had yet to touch. "I believe this is for you," she said softly, reaching forward to hand the parchment to Lira, who was now seated across from her at the table.
Carefully unfolding the sheet, Lira read the words quickly. Jasmine wasn't as surprised as she should've been by the woman's literacy. Her heart warmed at the thought of her mother teaching Rajah to read, and by default, his family. Lira smiled lovingly at her husband's handwriting and folded the paper, handing it quietly back to her.
Jasmine frowned. "My dear, that is for you. I should've known," Lira said, laughing quietly, bouncing the baby gently on her knee. Jasmine quickly looked at the parchment herself, echoing the light laughter when she read the words. It was a short list of rules; Rajah's insurance she wouldn't forget.
"Well!" Lira brightly exclaimed. "We really should get down to business." Jasmine perked up. "While you are outside the walls of the palace, you will not be royal. Therefore, I will not treat you as such. You will have chores within this household and a curfew, as I would expect any member of my family. I believe you and Rajah have settled on Mina as a name, yes?" Jasmine nodded, eagerly. Lira returned the nod. "Then that is how I shall address you, as will my children. You are my younger sister, who was recently widowed. I am your only living relative and you have traveled from Basra to help me care for my children. Any questions so far?" Jasmine shook her head. "Good. Let's continue."
Jasmine's head was spinning. Lira had spent the morning showing her around the small house, her bedroom, her expected chores, how to boil water for tea, and explaining the rules she must follow to be safe in the city. She was absorbing the details of her pretend life like a sponge so as not to make a mistake and give herself away in conversation. An arranged marriage to a soldier, his sudden death during a battle, no time to grieve… To Jasmine, it seemed well-rehearsed with little to no loopholes. Anyone she was to encounter with her false identity, would not have the power nor the interest to seek out its validity.
She silently sliced a loaf of warm bread for lunch, while Lira addressed the baby's cleanliness. Jasmine was pulled abruptly from her thoughts when the front door flung open wide, a gaggle of young boys filling the frame. Jasmine instantly smiled, her chance to showcase her story and her charm was here. She scanned the boys faces, quickly finding Kare at the front of the group, his facial features identical to Rajah's.
"Kare!" Jasmine called out. "I can't believe how big you've gotten. So like your father. You might not remember me. Why, you were hardly walking last time I was here. I'm your mother's sister, in case you forgot her mentioning I was coming to stay with you. Your Aunt Mina, of course! Surely she's mentioned me. Although I can tell by your confusion that she didn't. Oh well, she's got her hands full, so I can't blame her. Of course, that's why I am here!" Jasmine's nervousness did well to pace her cadence to match Lira's bubbly excitement. The boy's confusion didn't show any fear; rather, he simply looked annoyed. "Don't worry, young man, your momma is simply helping the baby. She'll be out in a minute. And lunch, of course! As I'm sure that's why you're all here!"
As if on cue, Lira sprung from the back room, a freshly swaddled Mala bundled to her bosom. "Kare, you're home! I'm sure you and your friends are starving. Wash your hands and find a seat. And I'll expect some decent manners towards your aunt. This cold attitude will not fly under this roof, of course."
Kare's annoyance didn't seem to go away, but he did obey his mother without argument and lunch passed almost seamlessly as Lira and Jasmine casually explained the circumstances to which brought his long-lost aunt to Agrabah so suddenly; as well as could be explained to an extremely indifferent seven-year old.
The rest of the day passed in a haze of household chores: sweeping, washing, bathing the children, cooking, and washing dishes. Jasmine's delicate hands were raw from use and her body sore from lifting and moving in ways she never had. But as she laid down on her straw bed, the glow of the moon drifting over her face, she reveled in the array of new experiences. Her cheeks warmed as she remembered the kiss Lira had placed there before bed. As sleep overtook her, Jasmine's brain posed a dreamy question; Was this what having a normal family felt like?