Chapter 43: Flight
*Zain*
After Zain left the room, he headed downstairs and slid into a cab that was waiting for him. “To the airport, please.”
“You got it, bub,” the driver replied, chomping down on a thick cigar between his teeth.
Zain stared out the window at the palm trees swaying in the breeze as they passed, thinking of his family and Jasmine. Then again, he considered Jasmine to be a part of his family now, too. Although he knew his sister and mother would be alright without him, he couldn’t help but worry. But when they pulled into the drive leading to the airport, his heart pounded as he thought of Jasmine, pushing everything else from his mind.
He just hoped she didn’t leave him standing in the airport waiting for her, alone. He checked his phone and there was still no messages from her. But when the cab driver pulled to a stop, he quickly pushed the thought aside as he paid the paid him.
“Thanks, man,” the driver said as he took the money.
Zain nodded as he slid out of the cab and checked his suitcases with the skycap. Then he slid a small duffle bag carry-on over his shoulder and headed into the terminal, his heart pounding in anticipation.
After checking in, Zain stood alone in the middle of the bustling airport as the hum of conversations and movement filled the space around him, becoming a dull murmur. As he looked around, it felt like he had been here for an eternity looking for her, but in reality, it had only been a few minutes. His eyes scanned the crowd, darting in and out of the sea of faces, searching for one particular face he longed to see—Jasmine.
The more he looked, the farther his heart began to sink. He had been so sure she would be there, even though he hadn’t heard from her since he took her to her parents’ condo the night before.
As he waited, he couldn’t help but think that maybe something was wrong. Maybe her father had come back. Maybe she had changed her mind. But he wasn’t going to think like that. He couldn’t. Jasmine would be here. He just knew it. Zain sucked in a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he pushed the negative thoughts from his mind.
“Last call for Flight 429 to Las Vegas,” the attendant announced over the loudspeaker as his heart plummeted into his stomach. But he wasn’t going to give up on Jasmine. Not yet. He scanned the crowd one more time, desperate to find her.
And then, there she was, and his heart leaped. Strolling toward him through the crowd, her eyes shone with the same anticipation he felt. Zain couldn’t help but smile, his heart swelling with joy in that moment. When she drew near, he reached for her, and she walked into his open arms.
“I was worried about you,” he said as he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
“Yeah, sorry I’m late, but I had to wait for Mom to leave before I could come down here.” Her hands slipped around his waist as he tightened his arms around her.
“We have to go.” He took her hand. “They just announced the last call.”
A nervous smile lit Jasmine’s lips. “Then what are we waiting for?”
His eyebrows rose in concern. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She nodded, her smile fading. “Yes, of course I do. Do you?”
“More than anything.” Zain smiled as he gently squeezed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go.” He motioned with his head as headed toward the attendant and handed her their boarding passes.
“You’d better hurry.” The woman quickly stamped their passes. “They’re about to leave, but I’ll call down and let them know you’re coming.” She motioned with her head toward the open door.
They both ran down the jetway hand in hand, laughing. A flight attendant greeted them when they stepped onto the plane. “Go ahead and find your seats. We’ll take off shortly.”
“Thank you.” A wave of relief washed over Zain as they headed down the aisle and found their seats in coach. Zain stashed their bags in the overhead compartment as Jasmine took the window seat, her dark brown hair falling like a curtain around her angelic face. Jasmine was really here, and she would soon be his wife... even if only for the weekend.
After Zain took his seat, he slid his arm protectively around her. Relief washed over him as they taxied down the runway, ready to take off. He held her hand, tracing lazy circles over the back with his thumb as they waited.
Jasmine leaned her head against his shoulder, and he softly kissed her head. A moment later, the plane took off, the force pushing them back against their seats.
When the plane leveled off, they looked out the window, watching as the sun began to set on the horizon. As orange, pink, and yellow streaks shot across the darkening blue sky, Zain’s eyes met Jasmine’s, and he realized what a lucky man he was.
“We’re really doing this.” She smiled up at him, her eyes filled with excitement and adventure.
“Yes, we are.”
***
A few hours later, the pilot flashed the FASTEN SEATBELT sign, and his soothing voice came across the intercom. “Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll be landing in Las Vegas shortly.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked again, gently squeezing her hand. Even though they had to get their marriage certificate, seeing the Las Vegas lights below made this real.
“Stop asking me that,” she replied, taking a deep breath. Then her head snapped up. “Unless you don’t want to.”
He shook his head. “No, I want to. I just don’t want to force you into anything—”
“You’re not.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “I want you more than anything, Zain.”
He nodded and kissed the side of her head as he pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Jasmine.”
“I love you, too.” She smiled as she snuggled against his shoulder.
Jasmine had promised her mother that she would wait to have sex until she was married, and he was going to make sure she kept that promise. He just couldn’t imagine divorcing her on Monday morning. But he would deal with that when he had to. Right now, they were together, and he would do his best to make sure she didn’t have any regrets about their weekend together when it was over.
Soon, the plane began its descent as the pressure pushed them back in their seats again. Immediately, the pilot threw the engines into reverse, and they coasted down the runway and came to an abrupt stop.
“Well, it looks like we’re here.” He smiled as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“Yes, we are.”
He stood in the aisle, removed their carry-ons from the overhead compartment, and slid both over his shoulder. “Ready?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
A nervous smile spread across her lips. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He held her hand as they walked down the aisle, down the jetway, and into the terminal. “Let’s check into the hotel tonight, and we can get our marriage certificate tomorrow. If that’s okay.”
She nodded, giving him a nervous smile.
“Or we don’t have to,” he quickly added.
“Zain, don’t you want me?”
He burst out laughing at the serious expression on her face. “What do you think?”
“Then let’s go.”
After collecting their luggage, they headed outside, hailed a cab, and he held the door open for her. “Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, please.”
“Right away, sir!” After they were safely inside, the driver pulled away from the curb, and Zain knew he would never forget this moment for as long as he lived.