Pools of Blood

Chapter 54

The weather was beautiful. Sun was shining brightly. Birds were chirping on the tall bamboo trees. The porch of the hotel where Jasmine was residing was known for its natural beauty. Raised on a very planned basis, it was fenced all around with a beautiful iron gate for entrance and exiting the porch. Beautiful plants and creepers adorned the surroundings. The floor was covered with lush green grass with exquisite flowers all around.

A bunch of violet and poppies grew at one end perfuming the whole area with their wonderful fragrance. There were benches for comfortable seating and swings at every corner for the children to play. The small park at the porch was also equipped with a see-saw and a slippery slip. The pool was the main source of attraction. The green turquoise color water glittered like a magical emerald portal under the blazing sun. There were many pathways around it. These pathways were shut off by space with colorful wild smelling flowers. Jasmine felt like she was in heaven standing in the middle of it, letting the wild breeze kiss her hair and sun blaze down upon her moist lips.

She had been crying the whole night. Michael had left long ago and she was left behind with the task of uncovering the puzzle that his grandfather had made for him. The news of the kidnapping of her in-laws broke her heart. All these years she had known them as her very own. Never had they treated her as a stranger or a daughter-in-law. She had always been their daughter. After Amiya’s death when Michael shunned everything and went into his own tragic hibernation, it was she who kept the whole family together. She unknowingly took Amiya’s place and they too accepted it with their heart. Slowly she was easing off the pain of losing their beautiful girl when a second mishap took place. Her r**e and Alfred’s murder were the last straw in their lives. She knew they were dead from within. Losing both their children, no parents would remain in their right minds forever. But her in-laws were strong. They relied upon her. They were dependent upon Michael. If they fail in rescuing them, they would be called unworthy children by all. She couldn’t let it happen. She had full faith in Michael.

"This place is beautiful, isn’t it? ", came a voice from behind and broke her reverie.

She turned around and found herself looking into the eyes of Mr. Topaz. He was standing there with a covered plate upon his outstretched arm.

-" Hello. Good Morning, Sir. How are you? I was just about to relish my olfactory senses with the beautiful fragrance of the flowers."

He laughed and sat down on the nearest bench.

" This flowery porch has been the dream of Michael’s mom. She loved flowers and she insisted that we should make something innovative with the house. When the house was transformed into a hotel, she remodeled the whole arena. Flowers, paintings, and even statues of gypsies and angels adorned everywhere. People used to come here on different occasions. Wedding, baby shower, honeymoon, and a lot more. Even a new year".

Jasmine looked around. Surely, the beauty of the place had mesmerized her. She felt good and fresh. After a long time, her heart danced with the birds and the swaying of the flowers in the light breeze created a sensual sensation all over her body. The last time she felt like this was when Alfred and she went for their honeymoon in the valley of flowers in Paris. Same sensation. The same feeling of happiness as if the fairies had poured a bucket full of warmth upon her. She wanted to forget all the tumultuous upheaval that the gods showered her with. She wanted to forget all the griefs and tragedies that they hurled upon her. This place gave her bliss and peace.

"Michael’s mom was a genius lady. She must have been a fairy for she comprehended very well what people wanted to feel who came here."

-" Yes. So where is Michael? "

-" He has gone back to Seoul to bring some clothes of mine and some books that I want to read."

-" You could have brought all your necessities from the nearby market. Why did he go so far? "

Jasmine didn’t know how to lie. So she tried her best to outline a story of Michael’s disappearance.

-" No. Actually, I am very much possessive of my books and clothes. I naturally don’t like wasting money buying two copies of the same paperback. Moreover, he wanted to meet his boss to report him about the details of the case. So he had to go."

Mr. Topaz nodded. It seemed to Jasmine that something was going on in that bald head of his.

-"Very well, so come and have a sandwich. We are famous for our bamboo savory sandwiches."

Jasmine smiled and sat down beside him. Soon both of them were munching pieces of bread and cheese. They talked about the origins of the Ting family, Michael’s childhood, and his family stories. Mr. Topaz narrated small incidents that he remembered, stories of his family, feuds, and quarrels between his father and his grandfather. Jasmine came to know that Michael had an aunt from his father's side. She was his father’s sister. She had died long ago from pneumonia before even Michael was born. Being unmarried, her portion of the wealth too will be inherited by Michael if he could find out the clue from the book.

" Did you ever try to find the clue from the book for yourself? ", she asked.

-" No. I am a duffer in these things. And I am not that type of person to dirty my hands upon someone else property. I try to live by my meager and honest means."

Jasmine laughed silently. No honest man ever beat his own drums. The very words from his lips prove otherwise. No matter how much Michael trusted that man, she couldn’t relax her mind around him. There was something that she couldn’t figure out. But she was going to find out what it was. Before leaving, Michael had formulated a well-drafted plan with her to observe Mr. Topaz and speculate on all his words and doings.

-" How many days are you going to stay here? ", he said cleaning the last bit of sandwich from the plate.

-"Um. Well, I don’t know. This place soothes my nerves. And I feel good and refreshed here. Seoul is full of pollution. I think I will stay a bit longer until my health recovers."

Mr. Topaz's face darkened and a shadow fell upon him.