_*Where the Jasmine Petals Burn*_

Some roads are never abandoned. They simply wait for the footsteps that once escaped them.

The heat outside was unbearable. Silence blanketed everything like a graveyard. A gentle breeze whispered through the air with a soft suu... suu... The harsh rays of the sun fell directly on Aleeza’s cheeks, making them burn. Once, those cheeks had been as soft as jasmine petals. Now, they were lined with wrinkles.

Tik... tik... tik...

The sound of a walking stick echoed through the grand house as Aleeza entered. The mansion looked luxurious, glittering beneath crystal lights, yet it felt empty—beautiful but soulless. Despite its brightness, an unsettling darkness lingered in every corner.

With quiet grace, Aleeza settled onto the couch. Mrs. Marine, her loyal maid, placed a steaming cup of milk before her. The warmth of the cup soothed her hands, but nothing could melt the cold that had lived inside her heart for decades.

Aleeza took a slow sip before glancing at Marine.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Y-Yes, Mrs. Aleeza... there is.”

“Calm down. What’s the matter?” Aleeza asked gently, offering her a warm smile.

“A-Actually...”

“Hmm? Don’t get stuck. Go on,” Aleeza encouraged softly.

Marine hesitated before blurting out, “Madam... it’s so hot outside, and you’re drinking hot milk?”

Aleeza’s smile lingered, but her eyes wandered somewhere far away.

“Some habits aren’t meant to comfort us,” she whispered. “They’re meant to remind us.”

For a moment, Aleeza stared at her. Then she burst into heartfelt laughter.

“It’s been a long time since someone asked me that question.”

Still smiling, she placed the cup on the table and slowly walked toward the staircase. She climbed the steps.She paused at the bedroom door, her fingers resting on the old brass handle for a long moment. As the lock clicked behind her, the silence of the room wrapped around her like an old wound.

Every night, the room welcomed her like an old accomplice, silently guarding the secrets buried within its walls.

Marine remained standing in the living room, frozen in place. Her face showed no emotion, but confusion clouded her eyes. She continued staring at the closed bedroom door until, with a small sigh, she whispered to herself,

“Hush... that’s strange.”

Sleep had never been a refuge for Aleeza. It was merely another road leading back to the same dreadful night.

“La la la la...”

A young girl walked along a lonely road, humming cheerfully.

It was night.

Darkness surrounded her from every side.

“I’m not scared of anyone,” she declared, trying to sound brave. “Even if a monster appears, I’ll face it!”

Not far away stood another girl, silently watching her. A faint smile appeared on her lips. She knew the singing girl was only pretending to be fearless.

The girl kept walking.

She reached a sharp turn.

Suddenly...

She stopped.

Someone was standing in the middle of the road.

Something horrifying stood before her.

A blood-curdling scream tore through the silence.

Without thinking, she turned and ran as fast as she could. Her heart pounded wildly.

She wanted to scream, but fear stitched her lips together. Sometimes silence becomes the loudest cry.

The murderer had seen her.

He sprinted after her.

The road stretched endlessly beneath the moonlight, as though it had no beginning and no end. Every step echoed with memories that refused to die.

The girl who had been watching from afar froze in terror. She didn’t understand what had happened, but deep inside, she knew something terrible was unfolding.

She forced herself to run.

Then she saw it.

The lifeless body of an old woman lay on the ground.

Goosebumps raced across her skin.

Fear rooted her to the spot.

Nearby, the murderer caught the singing girl.

She cried.She begged.She pleaded for her life.

But mercy never crossed his heart.

With chilling brutality, he killed her.

The silent witness couldn’t believe what she had seen. It was like watching a horrifying crime film—except this was real.

She turned and ran.

She ran farther than she ever thought possible.

She didn’t dare look back.

Her vision blurred.

Everything went black.

Aleeza clutched her chest. “Aah!”

Aleeza jolted awake, her scream echoing through the bedroom.

She sat upright, breathing heavily as tears streamed down her face.

“It... it was only a nightmare...”

Yet her trembling hands and shattered expression suggested otherwise.

Some dreams are not merely dreams.Some nightmares fade with the sunrise.

Others wait patiently... until you remember every detail...

Marine hurried into the living room.

“Mrs. Aleeza, Mr. Harry has arrived.”

Mr. Harry was Aleeza’s lawyer.

Aleeza nodded calmly.

“Send him in.”

A few moments later, Mr. Harry entered. He greeted her politely before taking a seat across from her. The room fell silent. Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Breaking the silence, Mr. Harry opened the file in his hands.

“Mrs. Aleeza... are you absolutely certain? You wish to donate your entire estate to an orphanage after your death?”

“Yes,” Aleeza replied without hesitation. “There is nothing left for me to think about. The time has come. I cannot carry my wealth into the grave.”

Mr. Harry gave a small nod.

“You’re right. Money has no value once life is over.”

After noting a few details, he looked up again.

“If you don’t mind me asking... do you have any family?”

Aleeza froze.

Her fingers tightened around the armrest as she stared silently at Mr. Harry’s face.

After a long pause, she answered softly,

“Yes... I do.”

“In that case,” Mr. Harry said gently, “I strongly recommend that a family member or someone you deeply trust be present when the will is finalized.”

Aleeza lowered her eyes.

“Of course. I’ll let you know when everything is ready.”

Mr. Harry stood, gathered his documents, and bowed respectfully.

“Very well. I’ll wait for your call.”

As soon as he left, Marine muttered under her breath,

“So she really has a family... Hush... rich people always hide the biggest secrets.”

Aleeza remained seated on the couch.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably.

For years, she had convinced herself never to make this call.

But today...

She picked up her phone.

With shaking fingers, she dialed a number she knew by heart.

Afeef.

The call connected.

“Hello... Mom?”

His voice was older now, yet painfully familiar.

“Mom... are you alright?”

Aleeza opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“Mom?” he asked again. “Can I come and see you... please?”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Then another.Soon, she was crying silently.

Hearing her sobs through the phone, Afeef’s voice broke as well.

He, too, began to cry. “I’m in pain, Mom...” he whispered. “I’ve missed you every single day.”

Aleeza closed her eyes.

Gathering every ounce of strength she had left, she finally spoke.

“There is... something that must be done.”

Her voice trembled.

“Come as soon as you can.”

She ended the call before either of them could say another word.

Beep... Beep... Beep...

On the other end, Afeef stood motionless.

The phone remained pressed against his ear long after the line had gone dead.

His eyes stayed fixed on the dark screen.

It was the first call from his mother in years.

And somehow...

It felt like the beginning of something far more terrifying than a reunion.