A Promise

Grandma still hugs her granddaughter tightly while crying. Jasmine struggled to calm the old woman down, like parents in general, her grandmother immediately pointed at her with so many questions.

Where has Jasmine been all this time? What does she eat? Where is she sleeping? Where did she get that much money from? And much more.

Jasmine lied to her grandmother.

She made up a story, she was an employee at a big company in Jakarta because her boss was very kind, she was allowed to borrow that much money, on the condition that he had to work overtime every weekend. Unfortunately, her grandparents just believed it.

This was the first time she had lied to them.

When they asked who Bara was, Jasmine said that Bara was a friend of hers. And, again they believe.

"Never mind, Grandma. Don't cry, make something for our guests," Grandpa pulled Grandma from Jasmine's arms.

"Y-yes. Bara, what do you want to drink?"

"No need to bother, Grandma. Just plain water is enough," answered Bara politely.

Grandma smiled kindly at Bara, she then took Jasmine into the kitchen.

"He's your lover?" asked Grandma while they were cooking.

"No, he's a friend, Grandma."

"Too bad, Bara looks very good, Grandma would be very relieved if you two go on a date. At least someone will take care of you there."

Jasmine smiled at her grandmother's words.

'Grandma should be afraid if I get close to Bara. He's a pervert, too rude.' Jasmine thought.

"Grandma doesn't worry, I have a lot of friends there. When I'm having a hard time, I can ask them for help,"

Grandma nodded weakly and smiled at Jasmine, a single tear fell from her sad eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"What's wrong, Grandma? Why thank you?"

"Grandma is grateful to have Jasmine as grandma's granddaughter. Thank you for growing well. Thank you for being a good girl. Thank you."

Jasmine put the vegetables and knife she was holding on the table and immediately rushed to hug her grandmother.

She was hurt to see her grandmother crying like that, considering that she was not a good girl like her grandmother expected. She's not a good girl.

Jasmine tightly closed her eyes, trying her best to keep the tears from falling. But she failed.

"Why are you crying? Already want to..."

"Grandma,"

"Yes, dear?"

"I might make a big mistake, I might disappoint you later. Will Grandma still love me?"

"Of course. I will always love you. Whatever happens!"

***

On the other side of the house, Bara could only remain silent in front of Grandpa Jasmine. He didn't know what to say, he remembered Sam's words the other day, his brother was right, Jasmine is a good girl. Jasmine's grandfather had just told her about their situation, and also the reason why Jasmine had to go to Jakarta.

Jasmine did that to protect her family, to save her grandfather. He was willing to take such a job for her family. She should not have looked at Jasmine with such contempt. Bara regrets ever thinking like that about Jasmine.

"Bara, can Grandpa ask something to you?"

Bara nodded slowly, then watched Grandpa in silence.

"Please take good care of Jasmine."

For the umpteenth time today, Bara felt like he had been slapped. How could the old man ask him to take care of Jasmine?

Bara, as well as his family, are jerks who dragged Grandpa's grand into trouble. They enslave Jasmine. Grandpa should hate Bara, not leave his grand to that man.

"I'll do my best to take care of her, Grandpa!" Just lying. He was fully aware that he could not possibly keep Jasmine as he promised.

"Thank you, I was very happy, Grandpa is relieved to have someone by her side. We are so old, we won't be able to take care of her, we can't always be by her side. I will entrust our Jasmine to you."

***

Bara was surprised to find himself smiling. Why is he smiling? Could it be because of the scene in front of him? It could be because Jasmine is very adorable. She was spoiling with her grandmother. The girl whined for this and that, she was very sweet.

"It's you! Aren't you ashamed of Bara? How old are you? Eat yourself!"

Grandma shook her head slowly while spooning rice onto Bara's plate, then took some side dishes for the man.

Indeed, dinner here is very simple, but for some reason, Bara feels the food tastes very delicious. Maybe because he was too bored with the chef's cooking at home, or did country food taste better? Or, Grandma's hands are so magical that they can turn simple ingredients into extraordinary foods?

"Come on, Grandma feed me! Grandma doesn't know how the food there makes my tongue numb? I miss Grandma's cooking. Especially when Grandma feeds me." Her whining was spoiled.

Grandma relented, she fed a spoonful of soup into her grand's mouth.

And so on. Grandma kept stuffing every kind of food into Jasmine's mouth. If at home, of course, Bara will immediately throw a tantrum, because he doesn't want Jasmine to become fat and fatty from eating too much. Jasmine has to take care of her body because that's what they need. But, since they were here, he left it alone. Jasmine seemed to enjoy her food. She looks very happy.

After they finished their dinner, which was so warm, Jasmine took Bara to her room.

"Sorry. It's very cramped in here and,"

"No problem. I'm not a spoiled man. I can sleep anywhere!"

Jasmine smiled and nodded slowly.

Bara blinked a few times,

Jasmine smiled, it was rare. Maybe this is the first time he's seen Jasmine smile like that.

"Oh yeah, wait a minute. why are you acting like you are older than me? I'm older than you,"

Oh, that.

Bara still has doubts about Jasmine's age. Is it true that she is the same age as Sam? Hard to believe.

"Don't expect me to treat you like an older!"

"This is a fact."

"Sleep there! It's getting late, or do you want to sleep with me, hmm?" Bara smiled coquettishly at Jasmine. He just wanted to tease the girl.

Jasmine shook her head quickly.

"I'm going to sleep with Grandma. Good night, Ra!" Jasmine exclaimed quickly and then hurriedly left Bara.

However, suddenly Jasmine came back into the room.

Jasmine briefly kissed Bara's cheek. Not because of coercion or doing her job, she kissed Bara's cheek of her own free will.

"Thanks!" said Jasmine and smiled.

Before Bara could say anything, the girl immediately walked away from him.

Alright, Bara admits, if his heart warms up, he wobbles a little, however, this won't affect anything. Jasmine is a maid. Just a maid.