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Moving On

Yasmine recalled how she cried all the way home. She recalled how she was hospitalized because she would not wake up after falling asleep. She woke up eventually after staying two days in the hospital. When she saw her parents all worried about her, she decided to forget about Paul and move on with her life. Yasmine vowed that she would do whatever it takes to start a new life.

Three months later...

Finally, graduation! Yasmine managed to graduate top of her class. She also managed acceptance in Country P's top university. Her father wanted her to study medicine, but she refused. Instead she studied Business Management.

During this time many guys chased after Yasmine but she was really not interested in having any relationship until she met Daniel.

Daniel was the third son of Yasmine's grandfather's friend and business partner. He was sent to study abroad as he is the most promising of the brothers. He was then hired by an internationally-known company and is the number one ranking officer of the local company in Country P.

Although Yasmine and Daniel knew of each other it was not until they met again in a family gathering that they became close. They enjoyed each other's company and although Daniel has a girlfriend they often went out as companions in events that required them to bring along partners.

They became regular "dates" that people around them thought that they were more than friends.

One night after Daniel left Yasmine's house, her mother called her in the living room and asked "Yasmine, is Daniel your boyfriend?"

Yasmine was startled and vehemently answered "Of course not!"

"Then how come he is always here and with you?" Yasmine's mother retorted.

"I don't know mom! We just enjoy each other's company." Yasmine tried to explain.

"Well, people around town and especially our relatives are starting to talk. They think that the two of you are in a romantic relationship." Yasmine's mother continued..."if this goes on, who do you think will dare court you?"

Yasmine was dumbfounded with her mother's statement, so she said "and what's wrong with no one courting me?" rolling her eyes at her mother.

Yasmine was not afraid of having no suitors, she was more afraid of repeating what happened to her and Paul.

Next day, Daniel called her and asked her if she was going to church as it was a Saturday, she said yes and they agreed to meet there.

Yasmine's mother overheard her conversation and said "Is that Daniel on the phone again?"

"Yup!" Yasmine did not bother to deny.

"Can you please control your rendezvous? I'm serious. I want you to find a proper husband. If he is not interested in you then he should stop fencing you!"

Yasmine paused and processed her mother's statement. She then asked "You mean to say, if Daniel is interested in me and wants to be my boyfriend, you won't mind?"

"Well if he truly likes you, I have no objection. After all he is good looking, intelligent, has a good job and comes from a good family background!" Yasmine's mother nodded her head as she spoke.

After hearing her mother's words, Yasmine decided, it was time to clarify this thing with Daniel.

At the church...

"Hey Yas!" Daniel waved his hand as he saw Yasmine approaching.

When Yasmine saw him, she can't decide whether or not to avoid him. However, thinking that it would be akward to avoid him, without so much as an explanation as to why, Yasmine decided to just go with the flow until such time they can have a chance to talk.

After the mass...

"Yas, are we going to your house for dinner?" Daniel asked while walking side by side with Yasmine.

Yasmine paused and looked at Daniel and asked "why?"

Daniel was shocked. Yasmine never questioned requests by Daniel to do anything together.

"Is something wrong?" Daniel paused and then continued "is there a problem?"

Yasmine also paused and stared into Daniel's eyes. It was the first time Yasmine noticed how beautiful and expressive Daniel's eyes were. For a moment, Yasmine's mind went blank. When she recovered, she stammered "never mind, let's go home for dinner and talk later."

After dinner...

Yasmine asked her parents to be excused from the table after she saw Daniel was finished eating. She then asked him to take a walk with her to the garden.

Yasmine sat on the garden bench snd Daniel sat beside her. They both remained silent for a while until Yasmine broke the silence.

"Daniel, what am I to you?" Yasmine asked without looking at Daniel.

Daniel did not know how to respond. Instead he said "what kind of question is that? Are we putting labels on our relationship now?"

Yasmine turned towards Daniel facing him and looking straight into his eyes "Don't you think it's about time? People around us are talking already and questioning my relationship with you. You also have a girlfriend. So, do you think it's appropriate for you to be spending so much time with me instead of her?"

Daniel was caught off guard that he could not respond.

So, instead of waiting for Daniel to respond Yasmine continued "If I am your girlfriend I would be angry or probably break up with you especially if I learn that you are spending more time with another woman other than me. So, I suggest that starting today you should avoid coming here or going out with me."

Then Yasmine stood up and said "Good night Daniel, you don't need to go back inside. I'll just tell Mom and Dad you already left." Then Yasmine turned around and walked inside the house.

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