A journey towards Independent

Hidden Past

The white envelope was on the kitchen table. The beautiful handwriting of the words on the front made her spine tangle. And it was from Aunt Clara whom she had not seen for over a decade. “My dearest Jashmin,” the letter began, “I know it has been a long time but I believe there are some things that you should know, things that may bring light to things that have kept you in the dark for so long."

Jashmin was feeling the palpitations in her chest. Finally, the darkness the letter referred to was the fact that her sister Gemma had gone missing ten years ago. The mere thought of her sister being on her own, so vulnerable somewhere gave her a burden that she never thought she could carry. The letter went on, describing a secret room, a chest which lies deep within the family’s estate that contained memories, hopes, dreams, and truth. The box was said to have holds of clues of Gemma’s life leads to her disappearance. Jashmin hesitated. It was history of a kind; it was history that was left open like a sore that never had time to heal. However, the fact that the letter contained riddles and the hope of getting explanations awakened in her a desire to be close to her sister, and a family which she avoided. Jasmine put some clothes in a bag. It was a blur of memories and anxiety to get to the estate.

Clara who was now old and had a sad look in her eyes hugged Jashmin softly. She looked hopeless and regretful despite the words that she has said since she has deep unspoken words in her eyes. Clara recounted the events that led to Gemma’s disappearance including family conflict and feud with an estranged uncle who had always been an antagonist to Gemma and her free-spirited soul. The words that came out of Clara’s mouth were painful and cut through the veneer of calm that Jashmin had erected for herself. The years of anger and frustration for her came back, along with realization of the evil that possessed her family.

Jashmin started to trace the clues given in the letter which led her through the narrow corridors and through the old dusty attics, and each room seemed to her as if it had never been used. The box, nestled in a secret alcove behind a family portrait, showed a collection of Gemma's personal belongings: a used up diary, a photograph that has faded with time and a small box made of wood which had been carved in detail. Gemma’s diary which was full of bright ideas and colourful dreams gave a clue to her spirit, her adventurous nature which had led her to the unknown.

The photograph which was in a coastal line indicated the last known location of Gemma. And inside the wooden box Jashmin found several notes written by Gemma that revealed a secret she had been hiding that changed everything Jashmin had ever thought regarding her sister’s disappearing.

The journey was interested in solving the mystery, had just started. Jashmin was set on getting some answers on finding her sister. The memories of the past were slowly fading out, there was at least the light at the end of the tunnel. The past they prayed in hushed tones and cried was now the rallying cry to look for the truth and embrace the light. And Jashmin, with a heart that is broken by loss but determined by love was prepared for that call.