Seeking Faith and Jasmine

It was one pleasant summer afternoon at a café by the beach in Casablanca, Morocco.  I was sitting with a girl who has committed her life, heart, and soul to loving me but I did not reciprocate those same feelings at the time.   I will call her Faith.  Faith is someone many dream of but I was content appreciating and respecting her.  I recall how she looked at me; a sad look that said “I am madly in love with you, why don’t you love me back?” Aware of that, and not willing to send Faith any wrong signal, I was very careful not to behave in any way that may give her the wrong impression.  As we talked and chatted, I could see that sadness in her eyes that for some reason pierced through my heart and remains engraved in my memory until today. 

A little girl, 12 years old of age or so, walked by.  She was selling roses that she carried in a basket.  I will call her Jasmine.  Jasmine walked by couples offering the man to buy a flower for the object of his affection, bringing them closer together in return for a mere 25 cents that she could use to help her family.  Ah! The power of the simple things in life. 

Usually, I would buy one and pay much more than the asking price for it.  Jasmine made her way through the tables proposing roses without persistence.  As soon as she was told no, she quietly moved on to the next.  It was our turn; she walked up to me and said: “Buy her a rose”.

I replied “We are ok; thank you.”

Until today, I am vey surprise at my reaction whenever I think about it; Very unlike me.   Even if I did not want to buy a rose, I know I would normally give some money but I was too consumed with not sending the wrong message to Faith. 

I shiver now when I think of what was going on Faith’s mind.  How desperately did she want a rose?  Could I ever realize that? I realize now that she sure deserves more than a rose; she deserves the Garden of Eden.

Expecting Jasmine to walk away as she did with every couple she approached, she proceeded by telling me: “If you love her, you would buy her a rose; love is not just talk!” 

Caught completely by surprise, not expecting that, and feeling put on the spot, I replied by raising my voice ever so slightly:

“Are you trying to start an argument or something? I said no thanks!”

Jasmine walked away and how I wish I had not let her!!  As for Faith, she just watched quietly and how I wish she had said something.  I pondered why Jasmine did not walk away just like she did with every other table.  Was there something different about us?

Some time has gone by now.  Whenever this scene plays back in my head, my heart skips a beat and I sweat.  How could I have broken two innocent hearts who had offered me nothing but love especially Faith’s?  A simple and effortless gesture from my part would have made both there days! 

What lessons can be drawn from this?!  What I dream of and long for is to marry Faith and we adopt Jasmine.