Ramiro's POV
I wake up in the morning feeling blissful and full of determination. Last week I finally came up with a plan now that I have graduated from high school. I want to build hotels, make them better. Ever since the environment disaster of 2030 hotel business took a hit and they have never been the same. No one is travelling much nowadays. I want to be the one to bring hotels back and get people travelling to places. Finding a university with a good business program is hard in. Living in a third world country has never been easy especially after 2030. As soon as I have finish university, I plan on marring Aisha the love of my life. I want to buy us a small house and start a family. A couple days ago I had gone to the market to sell my chickens for extra cash. By taking extra shifts at Sayda, I had enough money to cover the first two years of university. I need to start applying soon to secure my future and get my bride.
By our laws and our traditions Aisha is not allowed to wed until her twenty first birthday, but she can be engaged when she is sixteen. All I need to do is ask her father and get his permission. On the same day as I sold my chicken, I found a perfect engagement ring. One I knew Aisha would love. The ring is a blue sapphire, with two gold leaves. I ask the owner at the store if I could look at it closer and he handed it over. Before I knew it, I am handing the owner the money. I watch as the guy places the ring in a red velvet box and hands it over to me. "Good Luck," he says as I pocket the ring and walk out.
The sounds of chickens bring me back to the present. I finish up my work, lock the gate and head back inside. I grew up in a one storey house, with two bedrooms and one bathroom, slowly everything is falling apart. My mother is a baker, and my father lost his job working at the paper mill and now he works at the airport. Whenever I had the time, I fix up the house. I am a quick learner; I hire someone to show me how to get things done and then I do it. The only thing I did not do is electrical. My parents did their best to make sure I have all the essentials and that I never went hungry. We were not super poor since we still had our farm, which is enough to survive on.
My parents walk into the kitchen at nine as I am in the middle of cooking Spanish rice. My father doesn't say a word as he walks to the front door to get the paper.
"You should not be cooking," My mother says hugging me from behind.
"I am more than happy to cook for you mom."
"I raised a good son," my mother says letting me go. I stir the rice as I add chicken and chopped onion.
"Let me take over. You have to go and get ready for your meeting with Mr. Cruzo," My mother says grabbing plates from the cupboard.
"I still have time," I say turning the stove off.
"Go and get ready; do not worry, I will clean everything up."
"Thanks," I say giving my mother a quick kiss on her left cheek.
Five minutes later I have on dark jeans and a light blue button up collar shirt. I fix my hair, trying to style it to make me look older.
"You look handsome," My mother says once I step out of my room.
"Thank you."
"You should eat something before you go." When I enter the kitchen, I spot a hot bun on a plate, I pick it up and take a bite.
"Good luck son," my father says coming and placing his right hand on my shoulder. I smile and thank him.
Fifteen minutes later, I am pulling my car into the Cruzo's driveway. I suddenly start to feel nervous. I know Aisha would not be home, but at the market with her mother and sisters. Before I got out, I send a quick prayer to Xotiqutal our goddess, for strength and for the meeting to go well.
I get out and make my way to the front door. With every step I take my heart speeds up. My throat becomes dry, and my legs start to feel heavy. I reach the door after what feels like eternity, I took a deep breathe in and hold for thirty seconds before letting it out. I raise my fist and knock. To my surprise the door opens and Mr. Cruzo's voice echoes out.
"Come in."
I wipe my shoes on the mat and step through the door.
"In the living room," Mr. Cruzo's voice rings out. When I enter the room Mr. Cruzo is sitting in a black armchair with Jesús standing to his right.
"Good morning Mr. Cruzo, Jesús," I say giving a slight nod to each of them. Jesús nods back as a sign of respect.
"What did you want to talk about?" Mr. Cruzo asks. I suddenly lost everything I practiced. I swallow, clear my throat, take several deep breathes. I start rationing about the past, the first time I saw Aisha. About how she wants to see the world, her hopes, and dreams. I talk about how I love Aisha before I even knew what love is. I talk about how we did not have any problems and when we did, we work through it together.
"I pledge my whole heart to your daughter, and I will do everything in my power to love, support and provide for her, giving her the best life, I can." I say taking a deep breath before asking the biggest question of my life.
"I would like your approval to marry Aisha." Silence fills the air and I start to get nervous as I wait for an answer.
"How do you plan to financially support my daughter?" Mr. Cruzo asks picking up his pipe.
"I have recently sold my price chickens and cows; my horses are up for sale and—" I am cut off before I can continue.
"You said you want to go to University."
"Yes."
"What if your plan does not work. What then?" Shit, I have not prepared myself for this question, I hated to think of something on the spot, but I need to do it and I need to do it now. I thought as I breathe in and out through my nose.
"I still have a farm and I will take more jobs," I say in a rush.
"Look Ramiro. I have always thought of you as a nice boy. It is clear my daughter has a crush on you." It is more then a crush, I think.
"You have nothing to offer me or her." He pauses before continuing. "Aisha is arranged to be married to someone of our class. He will be able to provide and take care of her." My heart sank. Anger and jealously started to bubble up deep inside me.
"Aisha will marry him." I can tell Mr. Cruzo is waiting to see if I am going to react to this news.
"You need to stay away from my daughter." I nod my head hoping he sees that I will do as he says.
"I will kill you myself if I catch you with my daughter." It is common to have an overly protective father threaten you.
"Understood," I manage to say as my throat feels like it is closing.
"Jesús will show you to the door." I am dismissed.
"Thank you for your time," I manage to say before turning on my heels and walking down the hall towards the front door. At the door I pause and turn to look at Jesús.
"I am sorry this happen, but we only want what is best for our sister. You will move on and in time find someone else to marry." I do not say anything to Jesús. I get in my car.
As I am driving down the highway at full speed tears stream down my cheeks, surprising me because I have not cried since I was little. I angrily wipe them away, I continue driving until I reach Mando Maya Flores International airport, I pull the car into the parking lot, shut the car off. My phone beeps in my pocket, without looking at it, I know who it is. I get out of the car, replaying what just happened. Aisha is arranged to be married to someone rich and no doubt famous.
Inside the airport I find an empty spot and sit down. After a while I glance at my phone seeing it is three; in a couple of hours my father's shift will come to an end. I text my father, letting him know I am waiting for him. I also see I have five messages and three missed calls from Aisha. I ignore them, get out of my seat, walk to the garbage. My phone starts to vibrate in my hand, I take a quick glance to make sure it is not my father. I open my fingers and let my phone fall. I go back to my seat and watch as people walk by.
At some point, I get up and walk around the airport, looking at all the flights leaving and coming. One catches my eye. A direct flight to Vancouver, Canada. The longer I stare at the different flights makes me wish I could go to a new place and start over. I walk down the rows of seats and till I find a piece of paper. I find myself picking it up, I turn it over and see it is a brochure to a university. I sit down and open it. Simon Fraser University, Engaging the world through Education. There is a list of the few programs to take. Business is one of the main programs along with Education and others. Registration starts at the end of the summer. Maybe this is the answer to everything. I need to be able to leave soon. I hope it would be enough time to apply for a student visa and getting everything in order assuming my parents let me go. I think as I fold the brochure and put it in my chest pocket.
During dinner I didn't say much, I pushed my food around on my plate. My parents did not ask what happened, they know from my reaction. I put my fork down, take a few deep breathes.
"I want to go to a university. One far away from here." I say in a rush.
"How far are you thinking of going?" my mother asks putting her cutlery down. I don't know how to answer her.
"Please try to understand. I need to get away from everything." I make eye contact with my father first and then my mother.
"You have money," My father says as he continues eating.
"Are you thinking of applying to somewhere in America?" my mother asks trying to make eye contact.
"No," I say avoiding her stare.
"Where?" My mother's voice is barely above a whisper. I take more deep breaths and meet her eyes.
"Canada…. more specifically to one of the best business schools in British Columbia."
"It looks like your mind is already made up," my mother says blinking away any tears threatening to fall.
"I will not apply unless I have your permission."
"As long as you do not forget about us and come to visit us when you can. I do not see why you can't go," My father says finishing his meal.
"Thank you, dad. Mom?" My mother does not reply right away. After a few minutes she lets out a sigh. "Are you sure?"
"Yes mom. I will try my best to come back and visit."
"Then you have our permission," My mother and father say at the same time.
"Thank you."
"I trust you will stay focused on your goals and not get caught up in drugs and alcohol.
"I give you, my word."
In my room, I boot up my seven-year-old laptop. I need to apply tonight, as I am waiting, I check my messages on my old phone. I have a strong need to message Aisha and tell her the good news, but her father's warning rings in my head. For the second time this day, my heart breaks. Not only had I lost the love of my life but my best friend too.
I apply for scholarships and look for accommodation nearby. I needed something comfortable and looks decent. My mother comes into my room around midnight.
"I have something to show you," she says, standing by the door. I save the essay I have and turn to my mother.
"I applied in your name a working visa, a student visa in both America and Canada."
"You knew?"
"I knew you and Aisha were in love. I applied for these in case the two of you needed to flee the country," she says handing over the papers.
My full name Ramiro Vazquez, with my ID and work visa which is good for a couple of years.
"If we did run, we would have gone to Mexico," I say putting the papers down and looking at my mother who is sitting on the bed.
"There are not a lot of opportunities in Mexico."
"I know, but I wanted to be closer so we could come back." We both fall silent.
"Thank you, mom; these will help me apply to get one for Canada." I say at last. My mother smiles at me.
"I need a favour," I say, before my mother walks out of the room.
"What is it?"
"Don't tell Aisha anything when you see her tomorrow."
"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"
"Her father told me to stay away… You know… Since she is engaged," the words sound stiff when I say them.
"Would it be better if we didn't go?"
"Maybe," I say, moving my eyes to the floor. My mother leaves after saying good night and I send my student application. I hope I get in because I want to be able to leave the country right away and have a couple of weeks exploring my new city before the classes start. Plus, I would need to find myself a job to help me pay for any other expenses. I open my messenger and block Aisha. I sent a message to Elena explain my plans and why I wasn't going to be showing up to Aisha's Quinceañera tomorrow. I hope she would understand and be there for Aisha since I no longer could.
In the morning, I clean out our barn. Over lunch I tell my plans to my mother, she is still struggling with my choice, but she understands I have been heart broken. In my room I change my clothes and get clean up, there is a light ping from my laptop letting me know I received a new email. I walk over to see if it is my acceptance letter for Simon Fraser University.
Yes, I got in, but I am still waiting to hear from the dorms. In the main time I look for cheap hotels and bought the first plane ticket I see. I will be leaving here at midnight and will be arriving 7am Vancouver time.
I print out my ticket and go to the living room to tell my mother. She has tears in her eyes as I told her the good news, I feel a little bad that I would be leaving tonight, I was hoping to be able to get more done on the barn.
"Go pack, I will take you to the airport. Your father would meet us at security once his shift is over."
Back in my room I sent another quick email to Elena telling her I got accepted into the university and I am leaving tonight. I tell her I would get a new phone and send her my number when I can. My mother walks into the room carrying a large suitcase.
"Thank you, mom."
"Of course."
I went to my closet and start packing my clothes. I pack my laptop into my backpack and packed a couple of clothes in as well. I took one last look around at my old life, I grab my suitcase and close my bedroom door. The ride to the airport is a quite one, when we arrive, I take my bags and my mother, and I walk to the airport. I check my suitcase in. My father is waiting at security.
"Be safe, stay warm and don't forget to call us," my mother says handing me my passport.
"Don't worry about me," I say taking my passport from her and giving her a hug.
"He will be fine, my love." My father tells my mother who let's go of me. I gave my father a nod and walk-through security.
At nine in the morning, I land at YVR airport. As I stretch my legs, I pull out my phone to confirm my booking at the hostel. I hail a taxi and give the address to the Hostel in downtown Vancouver, I want to be able to get a couple of hours rest before my appointment with the dorm person. I am too sleepy to be paying attention to the sights. When we arrive, I paid the taxi and get out and walk to the information desk. The guy checks me in.
"How long will you be staying?" he asks.
"Just for the night for now, I will let you know if I need more time."
"Here is your room and the wifi password is on the back if you need it."
"Thanks." The guys smiles and turns his attention to the computer. As soon as I open the door, I regret not getting a single room. The room is stuffy, there are two bunk beds. The top beds have bags on them. There are lockers in the far corner all of them with locks except one. I put my laptop inside and lock it up. I find an empty bed and lay down. I kick my shoes off. The bed feels gross, and I do not bother pulling the blanket up because from the looks of it I know it is scratchy. Luckily nobody comes in, and I get a couple of hours of undisturbed sleep.
In the evening I am on the bus heading to the university dorms. The women who meets me is shorter than I am, an Asian beauty with a heavy accent.
"The other students will be arriving next week, but you got single room." We go into the elevator and get off on the seventh floor. We walk down to the end of the hall until we reach seven-twelve. The lady unlocks the door and I walk in. There is a queen size bed with a new mattress, it still had the plastic cover on it. The windows have blinds, even though they are closed the light comes through from the street below.
"Feel free to walk around." The lady says.
"Can put up curtains?"
"Yes, you are allowed to do anything you want except for painting it and destroying the room." She says smiling. I walk towards the kitchen; I am surprised to see I get a full-size fridge and four element stove.
"Your current rent is already paid in full by the university. Rent is due in full by September first and ever month after that."
"I would have money by then."
"Here are your keys," she says giving me the key card.
"You have your own private bathroom, but if for some reason you don't want it. There are common showers on every floor."
"Thank you," I say smiling. As soon as she leaves, I put my bags down. I take out some paper and start making a list of things I need to buy. My wristwatch beeps and I look down to see it is still on my time zone, it is an alarm to say it is Aisha Quinceañera. "Happy Birthday, my love and goodbye," I whisper.