Jasmine

13. 'Meeting Mum'

"Oh that's alright dear, you're here now," Mrs Daniels says giving Brandon a hug.

"Jasmine," Brandon's mother then utters standing before her with an arm outstretched, her hand in front of Jasmine for her to shake.

"Mrs. Daniels," Jasmine says taking her hand.

"Please call me Gina", is Brandon's mother's response.

"Its good to- It's good to meet you G-Gina," Jasmine speaks uncomfortably.

"Hang in there, one of these days you'll get to call her mom too," Brandon whispers into Jasmine's ears making her giddy with laughter.

"Brandon, gossiping about your mother right in front of her?" Says Gina ironic.

"Wouldn't dream of it mom. I was just telling Jasmine one of these days she'll get to call you mom too."

"What? You're too young to be married Brandon. I hope that's not what you're implying..."

"It is."

"Brandon!"

"You and dad got married round about my age," Brandon reminds a hostile Mrs Daniels.

"Yes but that doesn't mean it was the best thing to do. In fact we regretted me walking down the aisle so soon. If we could do it again we would have waited at least seven years."

"Seven years! And where would Calvin, Edward and Malcolm be?

"They'd be as young as you."

"And Edwin and I even younger? Mom, I am who I am. Born later I wouldn't be myself anymore. So in essence you're not happy with the children God gave you."

"Oh Brandon, you're being very difficult."

"Because I'm right."

"What you are is stubborn," Gina relays upset at Brandon.

"No I'm right," Brandon insists. So its either you regret having us, or you realise getting married when you did was actually the best decision you could have made at that point."

"You're being unfair."

"Which one is it mom?"

"Brandon you're upsetting your mother", Rori chips in."

"Then tell her to answer," Brandon spills audaciously.

"Brandon!" Roars his mother.

"Which one mom?" Brandon persists.

"The latter! I don't regret it as much as I made out," Gina relays exasperated.

"So you can't tell me I'm too young to be married. Wouldn't that be, hypocritical?" Brandon poses carefully.

"Brandon," cautions Rori. "That's no way to speak to your mother. She only has your best interests at heart."

"That's true. Thank you Rori," expresses Gina warmheartedly.

"Alright," expresses Brandon, "I'm sorry I went a little overboard there. And it's not like Jasmine and I are about to get hitched. I was only joking earlier."

"Well that's a relief," Gina releases and Jasmine gasps softly.

"Okay, easy there mom," says Brandon picking up on Jasmine's reaction. Gina's eyes wander and fall on Jasmine's hand and she lashes: "You don't just walk into a marriage like you do inside a room Brandon. A lot of thought goes into it! It's seven years or not at all!"

"What! You're being ridiculous!" Brandon explodes.

"It's a promise ring Mrs Daniels," Jasmine implores.

"A promise ring? A promise to what!" Is her heated reply.

"Stay pure as long as we need to," barges Brandon.

"That's an engagement ring!"

"It isn't. It could be years before we do anything about it. Also, a promise ring doesn't even have to have marriage in the cards" Brandon finishes and Jasmine puffs.

"Yes, which is my point exactly," Gina intercedes her face brightening up.

"I need some air," Brandon curtly announces before grabbing a sulky Jasmine's hand, pacing out.

"I'm so sorry Jasmine," Brandon pleads when they exit the patio entering the expansive yard. 

"About what? You don't need to apologise. That was all her - your mom."

"It was. I don't know what has gotten into her. It's not like we're affianced for goodness' sake!"

"Okay, you're right, but please don't put it like that. It's almost as if you're saying we never will."

"What I meant was we're not planning on getting married anytime soon. We just haven't thought that far."

"Well, I have?" Jasmine expresses cautiously. 

"You have?" Brandon expresses eyes popped out. 

"Well, I wouldn't have intercourse out of wedlock," Jasmine expresses facing the floor.

"Oh," Jasmine hears Brandon emit. "Then I've considered it too." Jasmine blushes unable to look up at Brandon. "But," Brandon starts, "it's more like a fantasy."

"Oh?" Jasmine asks looking at him grumpily. He wants to be with her idealistically not realistically. Jasmine doesn't understand him. 

"I didn't mean it like that Brandon says taking her hand, it's just that I know I would need to have finished my studies and gotten a job before that can happen."

"Oh. Then I get it," Jasmine says consoled but deflated. "That's years from now Brandon."

"4 years to be exact."

"Not 3?"

"I want at least an honours qualification."

"Okay."

"You seem so disappointed. We at least have you working next year so maybe we don't have to wait that long. Plus I know I have to pay a bride price to be with you, but I can get that money from my parents."

"This doesn't sound right to me," Jasmine expresses tentatively.

"Why? Brandon almost snaps. "You want to wait till I earn my own money for us to pay for lobola? Can you wait 4 years? I know I can't."

"Well, the thing is: I'm going to be a housewife, so no, we won't have an income next year. I also plan on getting my masters before I get married."