The great witch ushered the kids into her home. They entered the cave and their mouth opened in awe. It was an elegant house. They couldn't call it a room cause it was more like a full house, having so many rooms in it. The arrangement of the furniture was a surprise to them. And from the look, you could tell the bodies of the couches were made of expensive materials. They were neatly arranged and also in an elegant style. The television was rooted to the wall. It was so big they wondered what she needed it for. A smaller or maybe medium size would have been enough for her, they thought. The curtains were sea-blue colors with a red flower design in the middle of them, matching with the color of the chairs. The floor was tiled black with little fishes as its design. The living room was painted in sea blue. The light from the bulbs was blue too. They couldn't stop staring.
In the middle of the house, you could see the moon shining directly into the house. Giving it some brightness. The reflection of the moon could be seen on the curtains which gave them strange appealing colors.
To Jasmine, Ariana, Jabal, and Jamal, it was different from what they had seen the last time or so they thought. But to Ryan and Kelvin, who are visiting for the first time, the house was too good and beautiful to be true.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Stella said, jerking them back to reality.
"Has anything changed about the house or it's our imagination?" Jasmin asked, curiosity eating her up.
She needed to know if this was the same cave they knew.
Stella smiled and sat down. "The moon made the difference"
"Oh, I see" Ariana muttered.
"So how have you been?" Stella asked.
While Jasmine, Ariana, Jabal, and Jamal sat with Stella to chat, Ryan and Kelvin kept starting around.
The cave was bigger than it was outside, they thought. You won't have believed it could take in bed rather than a mansion.
"You should sit and stop staring that way," Stella said to Ryan and Kelvin who kept standing. She offered them a seat and then stood up.
"I will go get you cups of coffee"
She said and went in to get them cups of coffee. She was out in a few minutes with a tray, having six beautiful cups in it. She dropped the tray on the table and sat down opposite them.
"Help yourselves with a cup of coffee. It will help with the cold"
"How about the basmati rice?" Jabal asked and everyone laughed.
"When you are done with your coffee we will head to the dining to have sone," Stella said and Jabal smiled. He had been thinking about the food and was sure others wanted the food as much as he wants to.
"Can I ask a question?" Kelvin said dropping his mug on the table.
Stella nodded. "Sure"
"I am kind of curious. Why does this cafe look so small from the outside and so big from the inside?"
They stared at one then to another and busted into a series of laughter. Ryan joined the rest, leaving the surprise Kelvin.
"Did I say something funny?" He asked and there was another bust of series of laughter. He frowned. "Just say it and stop the laugh"
Ryan patted him. So funny how they tend to blend at some point. "I guess you are not used to witches' stuff"
Kelvin furrowed his brows. Realizing how confused Kelvin was, Ryan took his time to explain to him. "You see," he began. "It's called magic, spell. Do you know such things?"
Kelvin shrugged. "I heard about them before but I have not seen them in action"
Ryan smiled. "I have seen Jasmine do a few of them"
Jasmine smiled. "I did not do them alone. Ariana was of help too"
Stella who had been listening to their conversation smiled. She could sense the love triangle between the three but was sad their love might not last for as long as they wanted. And what they desired might not come to pass. She stood up.
"Enough of the chat. Come over let's eat. I am starving" Stella said gesturing to them to come with her.
"You haven't eaten?" Jamal asked and Stella nodded.
"Wanted to have a good moment with you. I miss eating with you guys"
They headed to the dining room together and sat down to eat.
**
Jasmine yawned. "I feel so tired and sleepy now," she said and Ryan poked her.
"You've always felt tired and sleepy," he said and she frowned.
"I don't always feel that way except now"
Jabal scoffed. "You are always complaining to be tired. Everyone knows that"
Jasmine glared at Jabal. "We weren't talking to you"
"Like I care" Jabal answered.
"Do you two still argue with each other?" Stella asked furrowing her brows.
"Jabal just won't let me be," Jasmine said.
"You've always been the one getting angry over nothing and taking unnecessary things to heart. So stop blaming me when it clearly shows you are at fault" Jabal defended.
Stella laughed. "I thought you both would have grown over this. I mean shouldn't you both support each other rather than fight?" Stella said and Jamal nodded.
"We've always said that to them but they would not just listen"
Jasmine pointed at Jamal. "Watch your mouth"
Stella smiled. "This is what I missed about you. Now enough of the argument. Let's go to bed. We've got a lot of things to do and a lot of places to go to"
Ariana furrowed her brows. "We have places to go?"
Stella nodded. "Many"
Jasmine yawned and everyone stared at her. "What?" She asked.
"You're so annoying" Jabal scoffed.
"You are annoying too," Jasmine replied.
"Did you not say we needed to catch some sleep so we can wake up early to visit the places we have to visit?" Ariana asked heading to the stairs.
"I think I should go and sleep too," Jamal said understanding what Ariana was trying to do.
"Me too," Ryan said and made for the stairs too. He groaned when he saw Kelvin still standing with the twins. Ryan, who also knew they had to leave to stop Jasmine and Jabal from continuing their argument, dragged the confused Kelvin up the stairs.
Jasmine furrowed her brows. "Where are you guys going?"
"To sleep of course" Ariana answered
"You should head to bed too. Like I said before, tomorrow is going to be a busy day"
"But we don't know our rooms yet," Jabal said
"Don't worry, your room will find you. Have a good nights' sleep"
Jamal groaned, dragging himself lazily up the stairs. When they got to the hallway, Jamal noticed his room first. "My room is over there," he said running towards the direction of the room
"I can see mine too," Jasmine said, yawning.
"Me too"
Everyone located their rooms and retired to bed.
**
It was a brand new day with a beautiful view to behold. The kids had woken up so early due to excitement. Stella had said they would be doing a lot and going to a lot of places. Unlike, Jasmine, Jabal, Jamal, and Ariana who remembered where they were, Kelvin and Ryan at first were confused.
Everything looked so strange but beautiful. The way the room was arranged made it difficult to believe they were not at home. The room looked exactly like this room in their various home. They were too tired to notice this or rather it wasn't like this a day before.
There do not seem to understand the misery surrounding this place. They also do not understand what this place depicts. They opened the door to their rooms and stepped out. They stared at each other.
"Have you seen Jasmine and the rest?" Ryan asked.
"No. I just stepped out of my room" Kelvin answered.
"Do you think they might be in their rooms?"
"Let's go and confirm that," Kelvin said and they made to leave when Jasmine showed up.
"I was about to come and wake you up," Jasmine said walking closer to them.
"Where is the rest?" Ryan asked.
"At dining room"
Ryan nodded. "Ok?"
"Can we go now? We have many places to go to"
They walked down the stairs to join the rest who were already seated at the dining.
They sat down to eat the bacon and eggs made for them. Stella had made coffee for some and tea for some. The kids dug in, eating so happily.
When they were done eating, Jasmine and Ariana did the dishes while the boys cleared the table up. They headed to the living room where they sat down to talk.
Stella spoke up first. "Before I start talking, is there anything you want to know? have anything to ask? Or say?"
Kelvin raised his hand, bringing out the note he had written down during their trip.
"Ok? What are your questions? I can see you have so many of them"
"Can I know why I had to come here with them?" Kelvin asked. "No. I will like to know what this place is, first"
Stella smiled. "You have so many questions and you don't know where to start from. Don't worry I will help you out. I know all your questions and answer them one after the other from the most important one to the least important"
Kelvin smiled. "I will appreciate that"
"Well like you know" Stella began. "You know me to be Stella. I am the great which of Alaska. Well, I manage the physical realm while my sister Rachael manages the spiritual realm"
Kelvin furrowed his brows. "There is a spiritual realm?"
Jasmine spoke. "Yes. I heard it look just like this and we will have to pass through a series of tests to get there"
"Is that right?" Kelvin asked, directing his question to Stella who answered him.
"Yes. She is right"
"It's been a while. How is Rachael?" Ariana asked
"She's good. We will be going to her place later" Stella said and the girls chuckled. They have so many questions they would like to ask Rachael.
"To your next question. You want to know why you're here right?. One of the reasons you are here is because you are Jasmine's mate. For the rest of the reasons, you will have to find out"
Kelvin furrowed his brows. "Can't you just tell me?"
"No. It's a test. You have to pass them and find the reason out yourself"
He shrugged. "Ok"
"To your next question. Do you want me to say it? In front of the rest?" Stella asked and Kelvin furrowed his brow. "Check out the next question you have written in your notebook. Do you want me to give you the answer now?"
Kelvin stared at the book in his hand and then groaned. He had been curious to know if Jasmine will accept him and had unconsciously written this question down. That was before he knew that she loves Ryan.
"N-no". He stuttered. "I think I have already gotten my answer," he said sadly.
"I don't think you have. This life is a mystery. You can't say what next will happen. You can only ruminate on the past but the future will always remain as a mystery"
"Really?" Kelvin asked and Stella nodded.
"The rest of your questions can not be answered now. You will find out the answer one after the other in your stay here. Any other questions?" Stella asked
"I don't think I have any question," Jasmine said
Stella stared at Ryan. "Don't you have any questions, Ryan?" She asked.
He shrugged. "I would rather not ask," he said and everyone turn to look at home.
"You don't want to ask?" Stella asked and he nodded.
"I think I already know the answer"
Stella smiled. "You are smarter than I thought, Ryan". She stood up. "With no question left, can we move to the schedule for the day?"
They nodded with excitement written all over their faces. Stella smiled. "Let's head to the training room," she said and the kids yelled in happiness.