When Did It Go Wrong?

Chapter 16: Bittersweet Nostalgia

As I reflect on that summer with Jasmine, I can't help but feel a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. It was a time of pure happiness, a time when the world felt like it was ours to conquer. But now, as I try to piece together the memories of that time, I am left with a sense of hazy incompleteness. Perhaps it is the result of the many comas I have been through since then, or perhaps it is simply the passage of time eroding the edges of my memory.

But even as the details elude me, I still remember the magic of those moments with Jasmine. I remember the laughter

we shared, the adventures we embarked on, and the deep, unspoken connection we felt between us. My mother sneaking Jasmine out to the traditional flea market, my father teaching her Arabic words, and our night walks by the beach are all moments that remain vivid in my mind.

Looking back at those experiences, I find myself grasping onto the memories of a time when distance separated us. Although these recollections still hold a special place in my heart, I am unable to connect them seamlessly.

The memories linger in my mind like scattered puzzle pieces, waiting to be pieced together to form a complete picture of our time apart. As I sift through these fragmented memories, I am filled with bittersweet emotions, reminiscing on the moments we shared despite the physical distance that separated us.

However, amidst all these cherished memories, the pain of separation still lingers. The thought of Jasmine leaving at the end of that summer fills me with a sense of sadness and longing. I can't recall the exact moment when I said goodbye to her, but I know it was difficult to let her go. As we drove to the airport, there was an air of melancholy and unease in the car. Jasmine begged my uncle to turn around and take us back home, and the weight of her departure hung heavy in the air.

As I sit down to write about the journey that changed my life forever, the memories of what transpired seem to elude me. The details of the trip have faded into a hazy fog, but as I put pen to paper, the memories begin to resurface with greater clarity. What remains etched in my mind is the bittersweet memory of our farewell. The last hug we shared, the last time our bodies touched, and the final kiss

we exchanged are still vivid in my mind. I can still see the way her eyes looked at me for the last time, and feel the softness of her hair as it brushed against my fingertips for the final time. It is a moment frozen in time, forever etched in my heart, as I continue to relive it with every word I write.

A few weeks after Jasmine's departure, my world felt a little emptier. Her absence was palpable, but we had made plans to keep in touch and stay connected despite the distance. As we both embarked on our college journeys, it was inevitable that our conversations would become shorter and less frequent. However, we were determined not to let our friendship fade away.

Jasmine had her sights set on repaying her visa over the summer break, which meant she could finally gain the

independence she craved. She was excited to explore her new college in LA, while I had decided to attend a school close to my hometown.

As the weeks ticked by, I found myself eagerly anticipating our weekly Saturday catch-up calls. Even though we couldn't see each other in person, our conversations were filled with laughter and stories about our new experiences. Despite the distance between us, everything was going smoothly and better than I could have imagined. I knew that no matter where life took us, our friendship would always endure.

However, everything changed one night when I received a call from Jasmine's mother. In that one moment, my world was turned upside down. The details of that call are etched

into my memory, a painful reminder of how life can change in an instant.