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Lost this Time

The midnight mass finished without Yasmine noticing. She was looking down from the choir loft hoping to see Paul. But Paul kept himself hidden and secretly sneaked a glance at Yasmine.

When she arrived home, she went to her room saying she was not feeling well and did not join her family in their Christmas dinner. She secretly cried when the maid entered her room.

"Ms. Yasmine, your father is looking for you" the maid said.

"Tell them I'm asleep already" Yasmine told the maid without looking at her.

But instead of leaving, the maid lingered.

When Yasmine realized she hasn't left, she turned around and asked "what's the matter? I told you to tell them..."

Before Yasmine was able to finish what she was saying, the maid took out the package... it was the gift that Paul threw in the garbage.

"What's this?" Yasmine looked at the maid in a puzzled face.

"What's this?" Yasmine asked the maid.

"Paul came while you were asleep and the madam spoke to him and after that, he left crying and threw this gift in the trash before leaving." The maid spoke in a whisper.

Yasmine took the box an opened it. It was her favorite perfume. He must have spent a fortune on this. She knew it was expensive because everytime they would go to the mall, all she could do was ask for a sample strip which she would carry in her purse until the smell fades.

After staring at the perfume, she tucked it under her pillow and resolved she would have to find Paul after the Christmas break.

First week of January

It was the first Friday of the new year. Yasmine had to return to school. She knew Paul would start work at the parish grounds, so she decided to see him. She was prepared to elope with him.

Yasmine walked determinedly until she reached the parish office. She saw Frankie, the parish administrator and asked him "Do you know where Paul is? Can I speak with him?

Frankie who knows about their relationship looked at Yasmine with strange eyes and pointed to a corner with his lips and said "Are you the reason why he is pouting all day?"

Yasmine did not answer. Instead she walked staight to where Frankie was pointing at.

Paul was sitting in the dark corner of the storeroom. Yasmine entered the room but did not approach him immediately. Instead she called out softly..."Paul..."

Paul looked up at her and then turned his head away..."what are you doing here?"

There seemed to be anger in his voice. "Have you not insulted me enough?"

"What do you mean?" Yasmine asked confusedly.

"Please, don't insult my intelligence. You asked me to meet your parents and yet you did not show up and allowed your mother to belittle me?" Paul said with gritted teeth.

"But, you..." Yasmine wanted to explain but Paul did not allow her to finish her sentence.

"You don't need to say anything more, you better leave... now!" Paul emphasized each word.

"Are you really not going to allow me to explain?" Yasmine did not expect this reaction from Paul.

"What's there to explain. Your mother said it all. I'm not worthy of you. I will just ruin your future. Go home! Go to school! Don't bother me anymore!" Paul stood up and walked pass her. Yasmine grabbed Paul's arm as he passed and said "Are you really not going to listen to what I have to say?"

Paul just looked at her with sad eyes.

Feeling that nothing will change Paul's mind, Yasmine did not want to beg, so she finally let go of his arm and said "if you allow me to walk out of this place, you cannot come back to me ever again."

Paul hesitated for a few second, let out a sigh and left.

Yasmine was left with so much pain in her heart that she had to ran and get out of that place. She ran until finally she could no longer hold back her tears. She knew she already lost her first love and she was lost in time...

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