Chapter 21: Long Distance
Jasmine
A broad smile spread across his mother’s lips as she reached across the table and squeezed Jasmine’s hand. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” She looked proudly at her son and then back at her. “I know you have my son’s best interests at heart, and that’s what counts. I’d hate to see him come all this way in his career, and then something happen to ruin it all.”
Jasmine was almost tempted to tell her that she was on birth control, even though she wasn’t, just to see her reaction. But she didn’t want to give his mother a heart attack. Instead, she took the high road and replied, “Neither would I.”
Maria nodded her approval.
Zain slid out of the seat and kissed the top of Jasmine’s head. “You ladies play nice now. I’ll be right back.” Then he walked to the other side of the table and kissed his mother’s head, too. She leaned into him and placed her hand on his. “Be nice, Madre.”
She scoffed, pushing him away. “I’m always nice.” But despite their playful banter, it was clear that Zain and his mother were close. Although Jasmine and her parents were close, it wasn’t like this. Zain and his family were much more affectionate than her family. Not that it wasn’t better or worse; it was just different. But Jasmine liked it.
As soon as Zain disappeared around the corner, Maria turned to Jasmine. “I’m so glad I got to meet you, Jasmine. Zain has told me so much about you.”
She smiled. “It was nice to meet you, too.”
Then Maria leaned in conspiratorially. “Just promise me one thing.”
Jasmine’s heart sank as she waited for the bomb to drop. “And what’s that?”
“Just don’t hurt him.” Her eyes never wavered, the intensity of her gaze surprising her.
“I assure you, I’ll probably be the one who gets hurt. Not Zain.”
Maria sighed, patting her hand. “My dear, if Zain hurts you, it won’t be intentional. He would never hurt you on purpose.”
“Oh? How do you know?” Jasmine pulled her hand back, suddenly not comfortable with the way the conversation was going.
“Because you’re the first girl that Zain’s ever brought home to meet me.”
Jasmine’s mouth fell. “Seriously?”
A smile lit Maria’s lips. “Yes.”
Just then, Zain walked outside, dressed and ready to go in a clean pair of shorts and a white shirt that showed off his tan. “Jasmine, are you ready?”
She nodded, suddenly feeling underdressed as she slid out of the picnic table.
“Madre, we’re going out for lunch,” he replied, squeezing Jasmine’s hand. “I’ll be back later.”
Maria nodded, sliding out of the picnic table, too. “Have fun.” Then she turned to Jasmine and took her hands, surprising her by giving her a kiss on the cheek. “It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope I get to see you again soon.”
Jasmine nodded, smiling. “I’m looking forward to it.” Now that they were on the same page, his mother seemed to relax a bit.
Now, the only thing left to do was for Zain to win over her parents. But something told her that it would be much more difficult than this had been. But time would tell.
“So, what did you think?” Zain asked as he pulled out of the driveway a moment later.
Jasmine waved at his mother, standing on the front porch as they pulled out. “She’s very nice, but intense.”
His head snapped up as made a right turn, headed toward the beach. “Intense?”
“Yes.” Jasmine snuggled onto his arm, smiling up at him. “She loves you very much, though.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “What did she say to you while I was inside?”
Jasmine let out a deep breath, watching the scenery pass. “Nothing, really. She just doesn’t want you to get hurt.” She looked into his eyes, her smile gone. “But I told her that I was probably going to be the one to get hurt.”
He shook his head, a crease between his eyes. “I’d never hurt you.”
“That’s what she said.” Jasmine sighed. “She said that you would never hurt me intentionally.”
“I wouldn’t.” The look in his eyes was fierce, determined.
She leaned against his shoulder, looking out the front windshield. “Zain, how is this going to work out?”
He leaned his head against hers. “Do you want it to?”
Jasmine nodded, looking up and meeting his eyes. “I want it to—”
“Then that’s all that matters.” He leaned his head against hers again. “The rest, we’ll work out.”
She nodded, thinking. “What if I transfer to USC? Then we can be together.”
His head snapped up. “But we’ll only be together for a year. Then I’ll have to leave you there alone. It’d kill me, but I’d have to do it.”
She nodded as tears came into her eyes, but she turned away so he wouldn’t see. “How are we going to do this, then?”
He bit his lower lip and released it as he pulled into the parking lot of a pizza place. “Raphael had this idea, but it’s crazy.” He laughed without humor, shaking his head. “I wasn’t even going to consider it, but the more I think of it—”
“The more you like it,” Jasmine finished. She placed her hand on his cheek, looking into his eyes. “Tell me.”
He let out a deep breath and then held her hand as he looked into her eyes. “He suggested that we get married in Las Vegas on Friday, have the time of our lives over the weekend, and then get a divorce Monday.” He shrugged. “We’ll be married, and you can keep your promise to your mother.”
Jasmine laughed, her eyes wide in disbelief. “That’s crazy!”
He nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “But at least we’d have that. Even if it is just one weekend.”
She nodded. “Zain, there’s something you should know.”
His head snapped up. “What is it?”
“I’m not on birth control,” she replied. “But I can get on birth control before I leave for college.”
He looked intently into her eyes. “Are you seriously considering this? Going to Las Vegas with me before we head off to college?”
She let out a deep breath and then nodded. “If that’s all we can have, then yes. Zain, I want you... all of you... for as long as I can have you.”
He nodded. “We can do the long-distance relationship thing,” he replied, thinking. “I can fly out over the weekend when I can, and you can do the same.”
“Do you really think that’ll work?”
He let out a deep breath. “I’m not sure, but I’m willing to try if you are.”
“Me, too.”