Beneath her Brightest Smile

[accuscripter]

" why dont you try keeping a journal?" her psychologist said with a calm composure though she felt pretty irritated by her responses now. she was not giving her any way out to help her and it was tiring now.

" i tried writing one, but then i got scared of my thoughts, so... i burned it" she said with a pout while fidgeting with her hands unconsciously.

"you tried writing..."
"ahh.... i see" psychologist said with a confused expression and then started writing on her notepad, while mumbling what she had just heard her patient say. Honestly she was just doodling on the pages and Jay knew it too well. She had seen the psychologist stretching random lines on the page just to give the impression that she was writing.

just then the alarm went off. " OH... Jay... it seems that's it for today's session, i will see you on next Monday now" ... saying this she shook hands with jay and waved her goodbye, letting out a sigh of relief as she saw jay gone behind the door.

it was jay's 3rd session overall. she was seeking psychological help from her university's counselor, well because these days she was feeling a little too overwhelmed than before. it took her time to decide to seek help. every day she would pass by the counselor's office only to return back. she was feeling that the counselor won't be able to help her in her crying issue. but she still wanted to try. finally, the day arrived when she came to the office and with closed eyes and wavering heart, she said to herself, " I don't want to think anymore! i am going in." finally she knocked the door.

nothing happened. she knocked again and put her ear on the door to hear, if someone is asking her to come in but still, she heard nothing.
she knocked again and as she did, someone opened the door. a beautiful woman in her late twenties with dyed hair opened the door, she looked pretty irritated.

"Who is it..." she shouts as she opens the door.
"Oh ... Jay is that you? dear i have been telling you to come in, you didn't hear?" she said.

"ah... sorry maam, i didn't hear anything..."

"okay no worries come in, take a seat, sit..."

Ms Fernandez motioned jay to a seat in front of her and sat down herself. As they both sat down, Ms fernandez started with a smile, while sipping her tea, " tell me jay how can i help you?"

" maam, hmm... i wanted consultation. i need counselling..." jay said with a reluctant expression.

" Oh... well for that you have to make an appointment with me earlier... have you send me any email?"

"email? no i haven't send any email..." jay said hopelessly

"well then you have to first send me an email and then i will let you know my available time and thats when we will have the session."

"okay maam, i will see you then," saying this Jay stood up immediately and was about to went out, when ms fernandez stopped her from back, " do you have my email?"

"ah... no maam"

"here take it" ms Fernandez wrote her email on a paper and handed it over to her.

that evening, as jay sat down with her laptop on her lap trying to rack her head on what to write in the email.

she started...

Hi Ms. Fernandez...

no no

dear Ms. Fernandez...

excuse me ms fernandez...

damn... its so hard...!!! she was free, she could have held a session then... whats with this email ... its such a hassle... she felt like crying again... no no no ... i need to talk to her... i am becoming weak... saying this tied her head in a bun...

Dear Ms. fernandez,

hope you are in best of health and spirit. I am Jay and i wanted to schedule an appointment for a counselling session with you. kindly let me know your available time slot.

Thank you in anticipation.

Regards
Jay Miller

finally the sessions started... the first day

psychologist asked her, "so introduce yourself and tell me how can help you...? ms fernandez said with a smile...

"i am jay miller i am in 2nd year of university. i am an athletic person and have great leadership qualities ... i really love myself but at time, you see i can't seem to control myself. i cry too much.. as soon as someone say anything to me, that i feel is bad, insulting or harsh i start crying... uncontrollably... especially when the one who says it is a man... be it my father or any other man..."


and as the session started, jay was asked every question, that made her feel uncomfortable from every way possible ... and these questions well were least bit felt relevant to her situation but she answered them awkwardly ...

when you had your first period?

what were you feeling when you got your period?

who helped you in your period?

can you describe your emotions more at that time?

when do you cry?

how do you cry?

since when do you remember you have been crying?

and after a day of counselling she remembered that she was given a diagnosis of Pre-menstrual syndrome. to which she totally disagreed.
and after this third session today she was sure, she dont want to come to this session ever again....



This is my first time writing romance, i dont know how i got so confident so as to write on the sacred topic of love, but yeah here i am ... who knows in between writing romance i switch to thriller, but yeah for now its romance ...hahaha.... sooo... do support me and let me know what do you think , how should i continue the story, bcz you can say this idea is just freshly poured into the bowl i have to add other ingredients... we have to bake this together... so lets get set and be ready to help meee

 

[accuscripter]

"Madam... can I help you with something?"

A young man's voice called out from behind.

Jay turned her head, startled. A man in his mid-twenties stood there, wearing a white lab coat and oversized round spectacles that nearly hid the natural charisma of his sharp features. His hair was slightly messy, like he had run his hand through it too many times today.

"Ah... no, thank you. I can manage," Jay said quickly, lowering her head and moving towards another shelf.

Not this... not this... this? she thought, flipping through the boxes lined neatly in front of her. Nahh...

She was reading the labels of each medicine one by one, slowly but urgently, as if the right one might jump out if she stared hard enough.

As she tugged one box free, the others stacked beside it tilted precariously and then cascaded to the floor with a clatter. Jay gasped and immediately bent down to gather the fallen packages, her heavy backpack swinging forward awkwardly. She struggled to balance the boxes in her arms, feeling increasingly overwhelmed.

The young man had been watching from a distance, visibly anxious, and finally couldn't bear it anymore.

"Madam, please, allow me to assist you," he said, stepping closer.

Jay looked up at him, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Without a word, she simply lifted the teetering pile of boxes towards him like a silent offering.

A soft laugh escaped the man's lips as he hurriedly took them from her hands and began restoring the boxes to their shelves with surprising speed.

Once everything was back in order, Jay resumed her frantic search, but before she could wander off again, the man moved to stand in front of her.

"Madam... are you looking for something specific? Tell me—maybe I can help," he said, offering what he clearly thought was his most reassuring smile.

Jay, still frazzled, totally and clearly not impressed by his confident smile, rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'd be here if I knew what I wanted?" she snapped.

The man blinked. "...Yes?" he answered, uncertain.

Jay sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I—I don't know what I'm looking for," she admitted, her voice much softer this time.

The man tilted his head slightly, regarding her with mild suspicion. His gaze flickered over her backpack, her hunched shoulders, her obvious distress. Then he leaned down slightly, lowering his voice.

"The feminine products section is... that way," he said, pointing discreetly.

Jay stared at him, stunned—and then burst into laughter. She laughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes.

The man stepped back in shock, a bewildered smile creeping across his face despite himself.

"What??" he asked, laughing now too, confused but amused.

Jay wiped her tears with the back of her sleeve and, still chuckling, placed a hand on her stomach. "I'm not looking for that!" she said between giggles. "I want something for my stomach."

The man flushed red to his ears. "Ah! Yes, yes—stomach, of course...! Sorry—uh, anything specific?"

Jay took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She spoke more clearly this time: "I said, I don't know what specifically I want!"

"Ahh, yes, you did," he said, nodding quickly. "My bad. Okay, um... any symptoms?"

Jay frowned, thinking hard. "Symptoms..." she repeated slowly. Then, helplessly: "Whenever I'm stressed... or tense... my stomach starts hurting really badly. Then I get this... brain fog? I can't think clearly. And I just... feel horrible."

The man listened intently, nodding with genuine concern. Then, without saying anything, he gestured for her to follow him towards the pharmacy counter.

Jay followed, her steps hesitantantly after him.

From behind the counter, he picked up a small brown bottle and handed it to her.

"Peppermint oil," he said, holding it up. "It's natural. It can help relieve stress, headaches, and ease stomach discomfort."

Then he scribbled something onto a slip of paper and handed it over to her—"here this is the prescription take these medicines according to this."

Jay accepted it, blinking down at the items in her hands. "Thanks..." she murmured, feeling strangely touched by his effort.

She turned and left the store quickly, embarrassed by the scene she had caused.

Outside, she stood under the awning, staring at the bottle and the paper in her hands. The rain had started to drizzle, tiny drops speckling the pavement.

After a moment of hesitation and a few minutes already passed by, she swung the door open again and marched back inside.

The man was just rearranging some boxes behind the counter when he noticed her. He straightened up, puzzled. His expression clearly saying, what do you want now?!

"I—uh... what am I supposed to do with this?" Jay asked, holding up the peppermint oil bottle as if it were some sort of mysterious artifact.

The man smiled warmly, stepping closer. "You can inhale it to help with stress and brain fog. Just a few deep breaths. And if you get headaches or feel sinus pressure, you can apply a little to your temples. Like this."

He mimed dabbing it gently on the sides of his forehead.

Jay nodded slowly, committing the instructions to memory.

"Ahh... thanks," she said again, awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

Without waiting for further conversation, she quickly exited the store a second time.

Standing outside under the now heavier rain, Jay broke the seal on the peppermint oil bottle. She inhaled the sharp, fresh scent deeply into her lungs once... twice... three times.

Then, carefully, she dabbed a little onto her temples just like he had shown her.

The coolness sank into her skin, and for the first time that day, she felt the tightness in her chest begin to ease just a little.

She looked down at the little bottle and smiled. "Well... that'll help, I guess," she whispered to herself.

Tucking the bottle safely into her pocket, Jay slung her backpack higher on her shoulders and started walking towards the bus station, feeling lighter with every step.

 

[accuscripter]

"Aiyoo! What's that smell?!"

A middle-aged woman clamped a handkerchief over her nose and looked wildly around the crowded bus, causing heads to turn.

The rain outside was relentless, and the bus was packed full, the windows fogged with humidity and the collective body heat of too many passengers.

Jay had managed to claim a good spot by the window. She was resting her head against the glass, her earbuds in, Dandelion by Ruth B. playing softly in her ears, when the woman's loud complaint pierced the air.

Jay barely reacted, choosing instead to continue watching the raindrops race down the window, pretending not to notice the growing commotion.

"Hey, you!" the woman shouted after a few moments when no one responded to her. She flapped her handkerchief dramatically like a flag of distress. "Hye girl! I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?"

Startled, Jay pulled out one of her earbuds and turned toward the woman with wide, innocent eyes.

"Yes?" she said cautiously.

"Are you deaf?!" the woman barked again, her voice shrill.

"Auntie, I was..." Jay lifted the loose earbud for her to see, trying to explain herself with an innocent, almost pleading look.

"Hmph! Disrespectful brat," the woman muttered under her breath, glaring at her. "Because of you, all of us are suffering!"

"Because of me?" Jay repeated in confusion, glancing around. She realized, to her horror, that everyone on the bus was now watching the exchange.

"There's such a bad smell coming from you!" the woman accused, waving her handkerchief in front of her nose. "I can't even breathe here! None of us can! Am I right, everyone?!"

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the bus.

Jay felt like her soul was being ripped apart in slow motion. She stared in disbelief, her heart pounding so loudly she could hardly hear the rain anymore.

"What?!" Jay cried, utterly shocked. This wasn't just embarrassing — this was the sort of thing you remembered in flashes at 3 a.m. for the rest of your life.

"What are you talking about, Auntie?!" Jay whimpered, sniffing herself frantically. "I'm not smelling!!" she cried.

Without warning, the woman leaned in aggressively, sniffed at Jay's collar — and then recoiled so dramatically she nearly fell backward.

"Oh God!!" the woman shouted. "This girl—! She's lying through her teeth! I can smell her even from here!"

Jay's eyes filled with tears. She looked around at the bus passengers — men, women, even a few children — all staring at her like she was some foul anomaly.

"It's... it's not me," she said weakly, her voice barely carrying over the rumble of thunder outside.

But it was too late.

Before anyone could add to the humiliation, Jay jumped to her feet and slammed the stop button, even though her actual stop was still far away.

The bus screeched slightly as it pulled over. Jay, head bowed low, pushed her way through the cramped aisle and stumbled off into the torrential rain.

The bus roared away, leaving her standing alone on the side of a deserted street, drenched within seconds.

She stood there, trembling, feeling the weight of a hundred accusing stares still burning into her skin.

Suddenly, she heard the screech of brakes again.

She turned and saw the bus, now some distance away, pulling over once more. A figure hesitated at the door before stepping down carefully onto the wet pavement.

The girl looked around, squinting through the rain, spotted Jay, and began running toward her.

Jay blinked, confused, as the girl arrived and, without a word, swung open a bright blue umbrella over both of them, sheltering them from the downpour.

The girl, around Jay's age, wore a grey hoodie under a raincoat. Her face was neutral — no pity, no judgment.

Jay stared up at the umbrella, then at the stranger holding it for her.

"Thank you..." Jay mumbled, her head bowed in shame.

"Don't be," the girl said lightly. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you."

Jay looked up at her, startled.

"I should've stood up for you," the girl said seriously. "I knew it. I knew it wasn't you — it was the peppermint smell."

"What?" Jay asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and hope.

The girl nodded. "Yeah. I realized it the moment the woman started yelling. That strong minty smell... It wasn't body odor. It was peppermint."

Jay opened her mouth, but the words refused to come out.

The girl chuckled softly. "Don't worry though. I got you revenge."

Jay stared at her, wide-eyed. "You... what?"

"I poured peppermint oil on her," the girl said proudly, her voice a mischievous whisper.

Jay's mouth dropped open in horror and awe. "You poured peppermint oil... on her?!"

"Well, not a lot," she said quickly, as if to reassure her. "Just a few drops. And I gave her the bottle as a gift. Told her it's a remedy for anger and anxiety and of course of the bad smell like a wet dog that came off of her. Told her she needed it more than the rest of us."

Jay covered her mouth with her hands, shocked and struggling between laughter and tears.

"And then," the girl continued, smiling brightly, "everyone started laughing and agreeing. They all condemned her behavior. One guy even said she was being a bully. That's when I slipped out to find you."

Jay let out a choked laugh, wiping her wet cheeks.

"I talk too much, don't I?" the girl said, suddenly a bit shy.

Jay shook her head vigorously. She was overwhelmed — not just by the girl's kindness but by the absurd kindness in the middle of her worst moment.

Then, unexpectedly, Jay started laughing. Really laughing. A bright, broken sound.

But even as she laughed, tears started streaming down her face again, uncontrollably.

"Ahh! Don't cry!" the girl said, panicking. "Oh no—hey, it's okay, okay?? I didn't mean to make you cry!"

"I—I'm not—I'm just—" Jay tried to explain between gasps and giggles, wiping her face clumsily with her sleeves.

"You're happy crying? Sad crying? Which one is it?!" the girl asked, shouting in full panic.

"Both!" Jay squeaked out.


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