When Did It Go Wrong?

Chapter 11: Long-distance Love

As I reminisce on our final year in high school and the highly anticipated graduation ceremony, a sense of pride and accomplishment swells within me, knowing that Jasmine and I successfully navigated the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship throughout our high school years.

To be honest, our relationship was far from perfect. We faced numerous obstacles and challenges that constantly tested our bond. One of the most significant challenges was the distance between us, which made it challenging to see each other as often as we would have liked. As a result,

we often found ourselves yearning for those simple yet meaningful moments of physical affection such as hugs, kisses, and the simple touch of each other's hands.

However, despite the challenges, we were determined to make it work. We had countless conversations about our future, including when we would finally be able to reunite in person. These conversations were often filled with a tinge of sadness and despair, knowing that the odds were against us.

The situation that Jasmine and I found ourselves in was undoubtedly complex and challenging, especially since we were in a long-distance relationship. Going to America was something that I had been dreaming of for years, but it proved to be quite difficult for me to achieve. And,

unfortunately, Jasmine's age made it even more complicated for her to travel alone.

Jasmine's mother had custody over her and her younger sister, and they lived in a very traditional household. They were not open to the idea of Jasmine dating anyone, let alone a Muslim boy like me. I was a secret from her family, and only her closest friends knew about our relationship. This added an extra layer of secrecy and complexity to our already challenging situation.

Being from different religions also added to the complexity of our situation. As a Muslim boy dating a Christian girl, we were acutely aware of the potential difficulties that could arise from our religious differences. It was something that we both had to navigate carefully, especially since we did not want to upset either of our families.

Despite these obstacles, Jasmine and I were determined to make our relationship work. We knew that it would not be easy, but we were willing to put in the effort and overcome any challenges that came our way.

As the end of our high school years drew near, my best friend Jasmine and I started to feel a sense of uncertainty about the future. We were both excited about the prospect of attending college, but we also knew that this meant our lives were about to change significantly. We would be going to different schools, and we were worried about losing touch with each other.

It was then that we decided to spend the summer together before heading off to college. We wanted to make the most of our time together and create memories that would last a lifetime. But before we could finalize our plans, I knew

that I needed to seek Jasmine's mother's consent, and that wasn't an easy task.

I remember feeling incredibly nervous as I dialled her number, my heart racing with anticipation. I was worried that she would say no and crush our plans. However, to my surprise, Jasmine's mom was willing to speak with me and hear us out.

Speaking with her on the phone, I could feel my nerves starting to ease. Jasmine's mom was friendly and understanding, and she seemed genuinely interested in our plans. She asked me about our itinerary and how we planned to spend our time, and I could tell that she was considering our proposal.

After our conversation, Jasmine's mom agreed to meet with me and my parents in a video call to discuss the

matter further. I remember feeling a sense of relief and excitement as we arranged the details of the meeting. We met with her later that week, and we were able to lay out our plans in more detail.

The thought of speaking to Jasmine's mom and then having my parents meet her and her parents was daunting. However, I took the initiative and spoke to my parents about Jasmine and our plans. My mom was cool with the idea, but my dad was hesitant, fearing what our family might say. I asked my mom to speak to my dad, and a little later, they agreed to meet with Jasmine's mom and her parents.

One way to make this chapter longer would be to add more details about the video call and the emotions

experienced by Jasmine and the narrator. Here is one possible way to expand on the existing paragraph:

During the video call, Jasmine and I nervously waited for our parents to meet each other virtually for the first time. We had been dating long-distance for a long time, and this was a crucial moment in our relationship. I couldn't help but feel anxious about the outcome of the call and whether our parents would approve of our plans to spend the summer together.

To my relief, the call started on a positive note. Jasmine's mom greeted my parents warmly and expressed her excitement to finally meet us. We exchanged small talk for a few minutes, and then Jasmine's mom took the lead and started discussing the logistics of our summer plans. She assured my parents that she would take care of all the

travel arrangements for Jasmine and that she wouldn't have to worry about anything. My mom, who had been concerned about the cost of the trip, seemed visibly relieved and grateful for the offer.

As the conversation progressed, I noticed that Jasmine and I were barely speaking. We were both too afraid to interrupt the adults and risk derailing the conversation. But our hearts were pounding with anticipation as we waited for the verdict. When Jasmine's mom finally announced that they had agreed to let us spend the summer together, we couldn't contain our excitement. We clasped hands tightly and grinned at each other, hardly believing our luck.

But as the call drew to a close, our elation was tinged with a hint of sadness. We knew that the summer would eventually come to an end, and we would have to go back

to our respective cities. The thought of being separated again made us both feel a lump in our throats. We didn't want to think about it, but we knew we had to prepare ourselves for the possibility of drifting apart.

As we said our goodbyes, Jasmine and I exchanged a long, meaningful look. We didn't need to say anything - we both knew that this summer would be a defining moment in our relationship. We were determined to make the most of it and create memories that would last a lifetime.