The rain came down in torrents and drenched it's helpless prey who was already shivering with clattering teeth from the excessive cold.
The ringing of her phone brought her back to the conscious world. It was her mum. Poor woman, no doubt she would be worried since she had no idea of where her only daughter was.
A car passed by, flashing it's headlights and passed again in opposite directions. She looked at her phone. It was past seven in the evening. How would she get a cab home? No cab driver in his right senses would take a passenger that drenched as she was and she of all people was never a fan of motorists. It was at times like this that she regretted not going out with her car.
Heavens' gate smiled a wary smile as the heavy downpour was suddenly brought to a standstill. The drenched lady smiled warily too. At least, all she now had to do was to get a cab home.
The car that passed earlier on was approaching again. She held out her hand and motioned the driver to stop, even though she knew her chances were slim. She closed her eyes and said a short prayer.
When she opened her eyes, the car had stopped some few metres away from her. She heaved a sigh of relief as the driver came out.
"My goodness! You are shivering," he said as he walked towards her. He held her as he led the way to the passenger's seat. He opened the door in his most gentlemanly manner ever and she sat down. He then drove away to a boutique and paid for her to have a change of clothes. It was then she felt better.
"Thanks," she muttered dryly while he nodded.
They got into the car again and he made to drive away to a cafeteria so that they could go have tea to calm the cold in her but when he mentioned it, she objected politely.
"Why?" He asked with a rare infectious smile." Are you thinking I'm going to gobble you up?"
"Oh, not that," she smiled back." It's just that I should have been home hours ago and my mum would be worried dead about me right now and besides, you have done more than enough for me."
"Why not call her? I'm sure she wouldn't object…"
"Excuse me," she said as her phone rang. She picked up the call. It was her mum." Hello mum… I'm sorry…Mum, I've always told you not to worry too much about me…Come on, I ain't your little girl anymore…Fine,fine…I'll see you in an hour… Bye." She ended the call and smiled before turning to the kind gentleman sitting before her.
"I'm sorry."
"That was your mum, right?"
"Yes."
"So, is my proposal a yes?"
"Umm…yes."
He drove away to a cafeteria and they had tea and some snacks. The light was bright enough to illuminate their faces.
"So, beautiful lady, would you give me the pleasure of knowing your name?"He asked, sipping from his cup of tea.
"I'm Jasmine. Jasmine Ferguson."
"Davidson Bryan is pleased to meet your acquaintance."
"Oh, thanks for today. I mean, you did your best for me even though I was a total stranger. I didn't know that angels still existed and in this city of all the places in this damn country," she said with a smile.
Davidson looked at her. He had lost count of how many times she had smiled. She looked extremely beautiful doing that.
Done with tea, he settled the bills and they left.
"Can I have the pleasure of taking you out for lunch tomorrow?"
"Well,I don't think I have any engagements that can't wait," she replied and smiled again.
She gave him directions and he dropped her off at her place and left immediately after bidding her good night.
Jasmine smiled to herself as she watched him drive away and then walked inside.
"Mum? I'm home," she called, immediately she slumped onto the warm sofa.
"Really?You could haven't bothered coming home since you are no longer a little girl."
"Come on, mum. I'm sorry."
"You know you are all I've got. I don't want to fall prey to these blood thirsty scavengers roaming the city day and night."
"I won't, Mum," Jasmine said and went to give her a warm hug." You know I love you so much."
"I know," her mum agreed.
" I'll go freshen up," she stood up and turned in the direction of her bedroom.
"Hurry up, Jasmine. I cooked your favorite."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later on, they sat down to dinner. The meal was Jasmine's favorite and her mum had spiced it up just the way she loved it.
"So tell me, do you like it?"
"Why not, mum? You are the best," she said admist mouthfuls.
"Then why have you decide to deny me by right by not bringing home my son-in-law and grandchildren? I want to cook delicious meals for them too." She complained.
"Come on, Mum. I'm just twenty six. Ther is still plenty of time for me to get married and have children. Stop making it seem as if I'm a month away to menopause."
"When are you bringing a husband home?"
Jasmine chuckled slightly." Mum, can we not have this conversation?"
"No, Jasmine. Even if it's a boyfriend, just bring someone home."
"Fine."
"Good. I want to make sure I see my grandchildren before going to join your father."
"You aren't going anywhere, Mum." Jasmine sighed.
Just fifty. It was hard to imagine that her mum was just fifty and yet she was always talking about death as though she was a centurian. She knew for a fact that her mother was going to die at a ripe old age and oh well, getting married and having kids is the least of her problems. All she wants is to weave her career pursuit higher as she dreamt of being a worldwide acclaimed cook.