Chapter 11: Holiday!

Holiday!

The awaited continuous assessment was finally here. Due to some delay, it was followed by the end of semester exam. They were to write for one month and after that, they were to go for break where they had to carry a two month internship. After the last paper, Candy, Daniel and Claris decided to go have a meal and some drinks to celebrate their friendship and also say goodbye to one another. Claris: "so where do we start? Ohh I just got a brilliant idea. Why don't we go home and dress-up then meet at 7pm in a classic restaurant" Candy was still hesitating when Daniel quickly concurred: "Brilliant idea." Claris immediately call her driver to come pick her up then she took-off. Candy turned to Daniel and asked "Why did you agree to such a stupid idea? You know fully well I won't go. Anyways, you guys go and have fun without me." Daniel: "You know you are going right? So you think I'll go out with Claris without you? No way! You are definitely coming with me or better still call Claris by yourself and tell her we aren't coming." Candy's mind is now in chaos. She doesn't know what to do. Daniel: "Let's go or we're going to be late." Candy: "But I don't know what to wear. I don't even have a dress for a classic outing." Daniel: "Relax. I am won't let you stress. Just trust me. Let's go" Candy: "Where to?" Daniel: "We have to get ready remember?" Candy: "I haven't informed my mom yet. Just give me a moment." Daniel: "I already did. Can we now leave?" Candy: "Wait, Wait. What? How? Since when do you talk with my mom?" Daniel: "Since the day she asked to see me and trust me we are getting along pretty well and by the way she knows we are dating." Candy: "and I wasn't aware of this?" Daniel: "I'll explain to you later. Can we go get ready? We're going to be late." Candy reluctantly entered the car but didn't say a word to Daniel. Daniel: "Don't be angry at me. Besides it's not even a big deal. I'll explain to you on our way. Cheer up." They arrived at Daniel's house. Candy: "Why are we at your place? Didn't you say we were going to get ready?" Daniel: "Just follow me. I've already gotten everything we need." Candy: "Why do I feel you guys have been planning this for a while now?" Daniel: "It's already 6pm. If we don't hurry up we are going to be late." Candy: "Where's my dress?" Daniel: "It's in the room." Candy: "By room you mean your room?" Daniel: "Yes my room. Hurry up"

Room!

Candy: "Why do you keep following me?" Daniel: "I am going to change too." Candy Said helplessly: "Can't you do that when I'm done? Stop tormenting me." Daniel: "Or we could change together. I promise I won't peep. I'll face the opposite direction." Candy: "DANIEL!!!!!" Daniel: "ok ok. I'll wait for you in the bedroom." Candy finished changing and walked out of the walk-in closet. Daniel was stupefied by her beauty. He had never seen her dressed like that. He was in awe to the point where he didn't respond when Candy spoke to him. Candy: "hey, hey. Hurry up and go dress we're almost late. Daniel! Daniel! Daniel!" Daniel: "yes yes." Candy: "What's wrong with you? Hurry up if not we'll be late." Daniel: "Ok ok I'll go dress up." Daniel later on came out and they took a couple of pictures and selfies. Their faces were so close to each other but they didn't notice. Daniel turned to admire Candy's beauty while she was busy ogling at the pictures. Wanting to get Daniel's attention, she turned to face him and they both stared at each other for about thirty seconds before Daniel bottled up his courage, bowed down and kissed her on the lips. Candy realizing what just happened immediately ran out of the room and almost sprained her legs since she was putting on heels. It was just a peck on the lip and also the first one since they started dating. Daniel chuckled and followed her down stairs. They both got into the car and drove off. During the whole journey, they never said a word. They were five minutes late by the time they got there. Claris, who was already helping herself, notice the mood surrounding them and asked; "What's wrong again?" Daniel: "Lovers quarrel." Claris rolled her eyes and turned to Candy; "why is your face like that? Is it hot in here? But I doubt since I don't feel any." Candy: "I'm fine." Daniel cheekily asked: "Are you sure?" Candy: "Am I not?" Daniel: "If you say so." Claris was just observing and didn't say a word. When they were done talking, she asked if they could sit down and enjoy as they planned. Candy forgot about what just happened and decided on having fun. They took a lot of pictures with Daniel being their photographer. They ate and drank a lot except Candy who was warned by Daniel not to overdo it since she easily gets drunk but she was still a little bit tipsy. Claris opted for them to play truth or dare and they all willingly accepted. They spun a bottle and it pointed towards Claris. Candy: "Truth or dare?" Claris: "Truth." Candy: "Is there someone you like?" Claris: "Yes." They all cheered for her and continued with the game. The bottle was spun again and it points towards Candy. Claris: "Truth or dare?" Candy: "Truth." Claris: "Have you and Daniel kissed before?" candy immediately became sober with her face hot. Claris: "Have you?" Candy: "…" Claris giggles: "Its fine I already got my answer." The bottle is spun again and points towards Daniel. Claris: "Truth or dare?" Daniel: "Dare." Claris: "I dare you to kiss Candy for thirty seconds." Daniel smiles then approaches Candy. Candy on the other hand slowly retreats. Claris: "Candy stop being shy. Not like it's the first time." If stares could kill, then Claris must have been dead by now. Candy: "I'm tired. I want to go back home." Daniel interjected: "Yeah true. I still have some unfinished business." They bade goodbye and left. On their way home, candy said: "We still need to talk. You promised you will give me answers. How come you now speak with my mom? And why does she know we are dating?" Daniel: "the day she invited me over to your house was not only to thank me for bringing you home but also to ask about my intentions towards you which I honestly told her. We also shared contacts should incase anything happens to you then I could contact her. I also informed her the day I asked you out and she said she wouldn't ask you about it until you decide to tell her." Candy was trying to arrange her thoughts. Daniel: "I told you I was serious about you and I meant it. I would love to marry you even if it's now." Candy: "whoa, that's a lot. Thank you for being honest with me. I don't know how I'm going to face my mom during this holiday. Luckily I will be on internship." Daniel: "is that all we were to talk about? Aren't you forgetting something?" Candy: "I am not." Daniel: "What about the kiss? Don't tell me you forgot about that. I know you didn't. You are just trying to evade the topic." Candy: "Well..." Daniel: "I know it's a sensitive topic but we still need to address it. You do know it's normal for couples to kiss right? I know you aren't used to but we can't just date without even kissing. It happened and will be happening so stop running when it does or better still don't act as if it didn't happen." Candy: "I am just being shy. Don't mount pressure on me please. I haven't kissed anyone before so I am still adapting." She bows her head and keeps quiet. Daniel: "Sorry babe I am not mounting pressure on you and will never. I love you." Candy hesitated before shyly replying: "I… love… you… too." They arrived at Candy's place. She gave Daniel a peck on the lip and dashed out of the car. Daniel smiled and returned home.