After a long and tiring two-hour drive, we finally arrived at our destination, which was now my mother's friend's house. It was Jasmine's first time feeling the refreshing breeze of my hometown, and she couldn't help but remark on how different it was from what she was used to in America. As we made our way to the door, I offered her my jacket to protect her from the chilly air, since everything was new to her.
As we walked towards the door, I couldn't help but feel self-conscious about our every move, knowing that our
neighbours were watching our every step and that they would likely gossip about us the next morning. We hugged each other tightly as my friend and uncle carried Jasmine's luggage from the back of the car.
The moment of truth had finally arrived. Jasmine was about to meet my parents, and all the teachings I had given her seemed to disappear as she tightly hugged my mother and burst into tears. Seeing her cry like that made me realize how broken she was and how much she needed a loving family to trust. My mother couldn't help but cry along with her, moved by the sight of Jasmine's tears.
Jasmine's eyes were brimming with tears, and as she lifted her hand to wipe them away, she reached out and grasped my father's hand in hers. The words that spilt forth from her lips were spoken with tender reverence, "Assalamu
alaikum." The sound of her voice, steeped in a distinct accent, was like music to my father's ears. He beamed with delight, clearly moved by the unexpected greeting. It was a simple gesture, but it held a deep significance for both of them, bridging a gap of cultural difference and connecting them in a shared moment of understanding.
As we sat down for tea and snacks in the living room, my parents forgot that Jasmine only spoke English and a little Spanish from high school, and they started speaking to her in Arabic, leaving her confused and lost. I had to step in as a translator, which took more time than I had anticipated.
Sitting with my family and Jasmine in our cosy living room, the events of the airport slowly faded away. I couldn't help but smile as I watched Jasmine devour the delicious pastry my mother had baked for her, sipping on some warm tea.
However, our joy was short-lived as we noticed Jasmine's discomfort. Her blood sugar levels had spiked, and it was clear that we needed to act fast.
Quickly excusing myself and everyone else from the room, I took Jasmine to our bedroom where I had been preparing for moments like this. After months of learning and preparing, I had recipes ready and was well-equipped to handle this situation. I gently tested her blood sugar, knowing that every moment was crucial.
As expected, her levels were high, and I knew I had to act fast to ensure that Jasmine could rest comfortably. With a steady hand, I injected her with the necessary dose of insulin, allowing her body to regulate and settle down for the night. As I watched her drift off into a peaceful rest I
knew that despite the challenges, we were ready for anything that came our way.
The evening had wounded down, my uncle entered the room with a genial smile and a warm greeting. He wished us a good night and informed us that he would be departing for home. I took the opportunity to ask him if he would kindly drop my dear friend off at his house on his way, expressing my deep appreciation for all the kindness and support they had shown me.
A few moments later, my mom appeared, concern etched upon her face. She queried whether we needed anything and expressed her concern for Jasmine's well-being. Her maternal instincts were always at the forefront, she wanted to ensure that both of us were comfortable and content before she bid us goodnight.
As we settled in for the night, Jasmine began to reveal her painful past to me. She showed me patches from her blood sugar tester and bruises from her childhood, inflicted by her parents and even her father's friends. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with anger and sadness as I gently traced my fingers over each one of them, trying to imagine the pain she had gone through. I made a silent vow to protect her from any further harm.
Placing a slow-paced song in the background, our embrace morphed into a graceful dance, with Jasmine's tears gently trickling down my bare chest. It felt like the moment from the car was rekindled, enveloping us in a sense of peace, comfort, and relief all at once. The night passed in a haze as we swayed to the music, utterly consumed by the euphoria of the moment, leaving behind all our worries
and inhibitions. It was as though time had ceased to exist, and we were suspended in a moment of pure bliss.
Drifting off to sleep, I knew that my life would never be the same. I had found someone to love, someone to protect, and someone to share my life with. And for the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy.
The next morning, as the sun rays peeked through the window, we stirred from our slumber, our bodies still entwined in a loving embrace.
YOU ARE READING
When Did It Go Wrong?
RomantikIn the midst of his teenage years, a 14-year-old high schooler found himself falling deeply in love for the very first time. However, there was a catch - his beloved was far away, and their relationship was bound by distance. Despite the odds stacke...
