Accidental "I Do"

Episode 004

Ring Shopping Blues

The next evening, after work, Jasmine leaned against the glossy counter of a jewelry store, her dark brown eyes scanning rows of glittering engagement rings. Her reflection in the display case revealed her careful expression — a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

Beside her, Maya stood with her arms crossed, her jet-black bob framing her curious gaze. Maya was always the voice of reason in Jasmine’s life, and tonight, her subtle skepticism lingered beneath her cheerful exterior.

“What about this one?” Jasmine asked, pointing to a delicate ring with a single diamond framed by a halo of smaller stones. Its simplicity matched her tastes perfectly.

Maya leaned closer, tilting her head. “It’s pretty, but are you sure Tristan would want you to choose something so understated? He strikes me as someone who’d go for flashier.”

Jasmine laughed lightly. “He knows me well enough to trust my taste. Plus, this isn’t just about him. It’s our engagement ring, and I want something timeless.”

The store clerk approached with a polite smile. “Would you like to try it on?”

Jasmine nodded eagerly, slipping the ring onto her finger. The cool metal felt foreign yet thrilling against her skin. She held her hand out to Maya, her smile widening. “What do you think?”

Maya studied the ring, her lips pressing into a thin line. “It’s beautiful,” she admitted, though her tone lacked the enthusiasm Jasmine had hoped for.

---

The pair exited the store a few minutes later, Jasmine cradling a small velvet box in her hands. It wasn’t a purchase, just a placeholder until she could finalize her choice.

As they walked down the bustling street, Maya looped her arm through Jasmine’s, her skepticism softening into concern.

“I still don’t get why you’re the one picking the ring. Isn’t that usually the guy’s job?”

Jasmine shrugged, brushing a strand of her chestnut-brown hair behind her ear. “Tristan’s just been so busy with work lately. He trusts me to choose something we’ll both love. Besides, it’s supposed to be a surprise."

Maya gave her a sidelong glance. “Yeah, but it’s supposed to be a big moment — something romantic, you know? You deserve that.”

Jasmine smiled wistfully. “He’s romantic in his own way. Remember how he surprised me with that weekend trip to Vermont last year? And the handwritten letter he gave me on our anniversary?”

Maya nodded, but her expression remained thoughtful. “True. I just think…” She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I think you deserve the kind of love story that doesn’t feel rushed or… practical.”

The comment hung in the air as they ducked into the next jewelry store. This one was more upscale, its marble floors gleaming under soft, warm lights.

Jasmine’s eyes wandered over the extravagant displays, but her mind was elsewhere, drifting to memories of Tristan. They had met three years ago at an office Christmas party. She had just started working, and he was already a rising star in the marketing department.

The memory played vividly in her mind: the way he had approached her by the punch bowl, his confident smile breaking the ice instantly.

“I don’t think we’ve met yet,” he had said, his deep voice cutting through the noise of the party. “I’m Tristan. And you’re the only person here who doesn’t look bored out of their mind.”

Jasmine had laughed, charmed by his easy confidence. They had spent the rest of the night talking about everything from their favorite movies to their career aspirations. By the time the clock struck midnight, she’d known he was someone special.

---

“Jasmine,” Maya’s voice snapped her back to the present. She turned to see her friend holding up another ring, this one larger and flashier than the last.

“What do you think about this one? It definitely screams ‘Jasmine picked this out.’”

Jasmine chuckled, shaking her head. “Too flashy for me. I’m sticking to something classic.”

Maya set the ring back down, her skepticism resurfacing. “Speaking of Tristan, how’s he handling all those late nights at work? You’ve barely seen him lately even though you work in the same company.”

Jasmine’s smile faltered for a moment before she forced it back into place. “He’s fine. Just swamped with some big project. You know how it is. Again, we work in different teams. We aren't supposed to cross paths that easily.”

Maya raised an eyebrow, her tone turning cautious. “You sure everything’s okay? It just seems like he’s been absent a lot lately.”

Jasmine waved off the concern, her voice light. “He’s committed to his career, and I respect that. Besides, it’s temporary. Once this project is done, things will go back to normal.”

Maya’s expression softened, but the worry in her eyes didn’t fade completely. “I just want to make sure you’re happy, Jaz. You deserve someone who makes time for you, no matter how busy they are.”

“I am happy,” Jasmine insisted, though her voice carried a defensive edge. “Tristan loves me, and I love him. That’s all that matters.”

---

The conversation shifted as they moved to another display case, Jasmine trying on more rings. Still, Maya’s words lingered in the back of her mind.

Tristan’s late nights had become more frequent in recent months, but she had never doubted his commitment to their relationship. He was ambitious, driven, and passionate about his work — qualities she admired.

But Maya’s subtle concerns planted a small seed of doubt, one Jasmine quickly dismissed.

As they left the final store of the evening, Jasmine held up her phone, scrolling through the photos she took.

“I think this one’s my favorite,” she said, showing Maya an elegant ring with a pear-shaped diamond.

“It’s beautiful,” Maya agreed, though her tone was softer this time, almost cautious. “I just hope Tristan realizes how lucky he is to have you.”

Jasmine smiled, her confidence returning. “He does. Trust me.”

But as they walked toward the subway, Maya’s lingering worry was impossible to ignore. She hoped against all doubts that Jasmine's decision would be the best.