Chapter Twenty-One Complete Relationship Bliss
The next three weeks go by in a blur because we’re incredibly busy with the festival preparations.
Vendors are approved, rentals finalized, and entertainment is lined up.
After the logo is approved, April and Julie do an amazing job on all the marketing assets, signage, and pole banners.
We did have to pay for rush printing in order to get the items on time, but Ajit has an uncle with a print shop, so we still got a deal.
We partner with Ali, that guy I met at Riverdale Park, to get official T-shirts made, and I put up notices at my school asking for volunteers for the day of the festival, so we have plenty of teens looking to get the community service hours they need to graduate lined up.
The park installation preparations are going well, too.
Mom bought the eight-foot, heart-shaped floral frame, and ordered flowers in pink, red, and white with a few accents of yellow and purple.
We decided to focus on inexpensive “filler” flowers to keep the cost down, but I have no doubt that we can make them into something spectacular.
I do a digital painting of the planned sculpture and upload it to the Love on Love Street social media channels, which are already buzzing with excitement from so many Toronto bloggers and influencers.
Somewhere in those chaotic three weeks, I had my high school graduation, which felt weird.
Anytime Mom and Dad are in the same room ends up feeling like that.
They sat together, maybe to make a show of putting their dislike of each other aside for my benefit, but honestly, their tight smiles and fake civility were so transparent.
Noureen’s fakeness was particularly nauseating.
I honestly cannot be expected to live in the same house with her in September.
Miles and I have also officially been a couple for three weeks. He wanted to come to my graduation too, but it seemed too soon to have him at a family event, and I didn’t want to subject him to the awkward tension in my family, especially when he’s got his own to deal with.
We see each other at the festival meetings, of course.
And we squeeze time alone whenever we can, usually after work.
We spend a lot of time hanging out on my balcony drinking tea at night.
I wish we could be alone somewhere indoors , since Mom is usually waiting inside when we’re out there, but for now the balcony will have to do.
Despite the hectic few weeks, I don’t remember ever being happier.
“I can’t believe the festival is in four days,” I say. We’re sitting on the wood floor of my balcony, with him against the brick wall next to the door and me between his legs, leaning on his chest. I’m so content that I’m practically purring like Zuri.
“I know,” he says. “I think a part of me never thought we could pull it off.”
“Of course we could pull it off,” I say, grinning. “We’ve worked our asses off and have a great committee.” I’m super proud of what we’ve done. “It’s funny, my dad used to say I was an idea person, not an execution person. It feels good to be executing my vision.”
“What was he talking about? Like what kind of ideas didn’t you execute?”
“Oh, tons of stuff. Like in grade six I wanted to start my own business selling hand-painted press-on nails and bought a bunch of stuff for it, but then school got busy and I had to help my mom with a few big orders in the flower shop. Oh, and before that it was friendship bracelets, dog walking, and cat sitting. Big ideas, no follow-through.”
“Sana, you were like, what, twelve or younger for any of those. You were a kid.”
“I’m still a kid. I’m only seventeen.” I know Miles is only a year older, but it feels like there’s a world of difference in that year. He’s living on his own and working to pay his rent. I just graduated from high school and live with my mom.
“Yeah, but you work two jobs. You were the chair of your school’s prom committee and the festival committee. Don’t believe your father—you’re one of the most driven and responsible people I know.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I’m not sure anyone has ever said it to me.
“Seriously, Sana,” he says. “People assume you’re shallow or flighty because you dress girlie and talk about romance all the time, but you’re not.”
“ You thought that about me,” I say.
Miles exhales, then tightens his arms around me. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how much I like being in his arms. When we’re connected like this, it feels like the whole world around us disappears. “I was wrong,” he says. “There’s nothing shallow about you, Sana.”
I turn so he can kiss me then, and it’s as good as it always is. Better. I’m in so deep with this guy. Deeper than I thought was possible.
I’m smiling when we break free. “You’re the sweetest person I’ve ever met,” I say.
He’s smiling too. “I meant it,” he says.
“I also made assumptions,” I say. “I thought you were stuck-up and smug. I’m glad I was wrong.”
He shrugs. “I was a little smug when we met. But… you shouldn’t believe all these things people—especially your father—say about you.”
“I’m working on it.” I exhale. “You know my father’s not even coming to the festival? I told him about it. I don’t even know if he’s proud of me for this.”
Miles kisses my cheek. “I’m proud of you.”
I smile. “I’m proud of us both. We did this.”
He responds to that by kissing me. And then kissing me again. And I completely forget what we were talking about because there’s nothing more important than getting lost in Miles Desai’s kiss right now.
When I finally go into the apartment, Mom is on the couch surrounded by scissors, twine, glue, and other craft supplies. “Oh, you finally came inside.”
What’s that about? “Yeah, Miles and I were out back. What are you doing?”
“I’m trying, and failing, to make rustic-chic vases for a barn wedding.” She’s still fiddling with the twine and isn’t looking at me. “You’re seeing a lot of him, aren’t you?”
I raise a brow. A few weeks ago she was convinced that Miles would be good for me, and now she has an issue with me spending time with him? “I mean, that’s kind of the point of dating someone, isn’t it? Seeing them?” I sit on the armchair. Zuri immediately climbs into my lap and starts purring.
“Do I need to talk to you about preventing pregnancy?”
I roll my eyes. What exactly is Mom’s problem tonight?
“Mother, first of all, you know I’m not a virgin, and you know I know how to prevent pregnancy, considering you explained it to me when I was, what, eleven?
And second, where and when do you think Miles and I are potentially making babies?
Considering we’re both working long hours and planning a festival, the balcony is the only place we’ve been anywhere near alone in weeks.
And neither of us is an exhibitionist.” I’m hoping to rectify the fact that we’re never alone as soon as the festival ends, but I’m not about to tell my mother that.
Mom sighs and starts wrapping the twine around a mason jar. “Just… be smart. I see a bit of my relationship with your father in you two.”
I scowl at her. So that’s what’s on her mind. “Miles is nothing like Dad. He likes and respects me for who I am. Don’t project your relationship mistakes on me.”
Mom puts her jar down and turns to face me. “That’s not fair, Sana. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“And Miles won’t hurt me. He’s honest.”
“I’m not saying he would hurt you,” Mom says.
“But you think because he’s more introverted and academic, he won’t appreciate me the way Dad didn’t appreciate you.” I did worry weeks ago that Miles was too stuffy for me, but those doubts are long gone. “Miles is attentive, generous, and he likes my… positivity. He supports me the way I am.”
Mom sighs. “I don’t think Miles doesn’t support you because I don’t really know him.
But I do know you, Sana, and I know you see things through rose-colored glasses, especially about relationships.
That’s not a bad thing. The rest of us could learn to be more optimistic.
But I’ve seen more of the world than you.
I don’t want you to miss red flags because of those rosy glasses you wear. ”
“I’m not a naive child,” I say. I’m totally capable of seeing issues in my own relationship. After all, I’m the one who broke up with Priya when we weren’t working anymore.
“I know you’re not a child.” Mom smiles. “Hell, sometimes I think you’re wiser than me. You’re an idealist, and look what that idealism has accomplished this summer! I’m so proud of all you’ve done to make this festival happen.”
“All Miles and I have done. We complement each other.”
Mom nods. “You’re right. You’re a great pair. But remember, there’s nothing wrong with being cautious with your heart. To protect it a little bit.”
I don’t respond to that because I don’t know what to say.
Mom’s wrong. I know I can be a little wide-eyed, and I know I wanted a relationship so much a few months ago that I would have settled for less, but that doesn’t mean my eyes aren’t open to any issues that might be here now.
Miles and I are great together. But I also know that arguing with my mother won’t get me anywhere. Not when we’re both stubborn.
Mom picks up her jar and paints some glue onto it. “The flowers for the heart sculpture will be in on Friday. I’ve set aside the morning to build it. We’re both going to have a busy weekend—I also have a wedding on Saturday night. Thankfully, it’s pretty small.”
I nod.
“Sana, after the festival, on Sunday, how about you and I go for brunch? Just us.”
Brunch is really more a Noureen thing, but I don’t have plans with Dad on Sunday. “Why?”
“Why not? We’ve both been so busy. I think we deserve a treat.”
I shrug. “Okay. Let’s do brunch.”
Mom smiles as she wraps twine on the jar. “Good. Everything is falling into place. By the way, I have a meeting up north after the store closes tomorrow, and I’ll be home late. I’ll eat at my parents’.”