Moving On For Good

Our eyes lock in a fierce stare, the intensity burning my eyes. I haven't blinked, and the wind exacerbates the stinging sensation.

My braids whip around my face, forcing me to squint. But Avin's sudden whimper breaks the spell, and I blink rapidly as I gaze at Daniel, who seems reluctant to release me from his hold.

I wriggle free, frowning in confusion. Why was he staring so intensely?

Daniel chuckles, and I cross my arms, still frowning. "Do you think we're in some Bollywood movie, where the actors freezes in this kind of situation forever?" I ask.

"You watch that?" Daniel asks with a chuckle, and I roll my eyes, my brow arching in annoyance.

"Used to, but now it's just annoying."

Daniel's grin widens, "Ooh, so you did watch it before?"

I shoot him a skeptical look, my lips pursing. "Why the curiosity?"

"Well, most females devour that stuff, including my mom. And you mentioned Bollywood earlier, so I figured you might be a fan."

I snort, my shoulders shrugging. "Used to be, but not anymore."

Daniel nods, his head bobbing up and down as a sly smirk spreads across his face.

His attention shifts to Avin in his arms, and he pats the pup's head affectionately.

"He's a really cute pup, Avin," he says, glancing at me briefly. "Did you name him?"

I shake my head quickly, "No, my brothers did. They thought it suited him perfectly, so we went with it."

He nods thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he smirks, making my heart skip a beat.

I open my mouth to respond, but my mind goes blank, and I struggle to find words.

Just as I'm about to force a conversation, my mom's voice interrupts us. "Sorry I took so long!" she calls out, approaching us with a smile as the wind blows her dress to the side, accompanied by the sound of jingling keys she's holding.

I wonder if she took her time on purpose, giving me space to apologize.

I shrug off the thought and unfold my arms, feeling a sense of relief at the interruption.

My mom finally reaches us, standing beside me and darting gazes between Daniel and me, likely checking if I made amends.

I shake my head and place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my palm.

A gentle smile spreads across my lips as I say, "I already apologized."

She nods, "hmm," her smile mirroring mine,"That's really good, dear."

I remove my hand from my mom's shoulder and turn to face Daniel, a hint of a smile still on my lips.

He's been quietly observing our exchange, his gaze fixed on us with interest.

I glance at Avin, who's still snuggled in Daniel's arms, and Daniel raises an eyebrow, looking slightly perplexed but still smiling.

"My pup, I'm going in," I say, and Daniel's eyes widen in response.

"Oh!" he exclaims, carefully handing Avin back to me.

Did he actually forget who the owner of the pup is? Or did he forget he was still carrying Avin?

Well...whatever.

I cradle Avin in my arms, holding him close to my chest as a warm shield against the wind. Then I tear my gaze away from Daniel's as I turn to leave, but not before giving my mom a warm smile.

As I walk, I can't shake the feeling that Daniel's eyes are still on me, and I sense a connection.

I pause, turn back, and meet his gaze. My mom's back is to me, her attention focused on Daniel, who's watching me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.

He waves at me with a warm smile, and I'm momentarily frozen, but then I smile back and return the gesture, my hand moving slowly as if in a dream.

However, he shifts his attention to my mom, leaving me puzzled. Why did he do that?

"Ma'am, my dad wanted me to get your husband's number," he says to my mom.

"Okay, no problem," she responds, then suddenly turns to me with an inscrutable expression.

"What?" I ask, my brow furrowed in confusion as I drop my hand.

"Get a book and jot down the number while we get the cage in," she says.

"Add yours too!" Daniel exclaims.

His boldness makes my eyes widen in surprise. Doesn't he feel intimidated with my mom standing right here? And why is my mom so calm, just smiling away?

We're meeting him for the first time, and she's not even batting an eye at him asking for my number.

"Mum," I call out, seeking guidance. "Mum, is this okay?" I ask, gauging her reaction.

She nods, still smiling. "Of course, dear. It's nice to meet new people."

I'm taken aback, wondering if she's serious. My gaze flickers continuously between the two of them, finally landing on Daniel, who waits patiently for me to write down my number.

His smile and interested eyes make my heart race, and I instinctively turn around and clutch my chest, feeling my pounding heart beneath my palm.

It's a sensation I've only experienced with Kendrick before, and now it's happening with Daniel.

A smile tugs at my lips as I realize this, and a lump forms in my throat. Is this really happening? It's all moving too fast if it's what I think it is.

I shake my head, attempting to dismiss the thought, but it lingers. I begin taking slow, deliberate steps forward, as if my legs are moving of their own accord.

As I head to my room, I make a quick stop in the entrance hall to deposit Avin in his plush bed, where he promptly snuggles in, looking adorable and sleepy - a typical state for pups, who seem to always be ready for a snooze.

I step aside and approach the living room entrance, where I sweep open the curtain and step into the radiant living room, bathing in its warmth.

Minutes later, I emerge from my room and into the corridor with a paper and pen. Suddenly, the corridor is plunged into darkness, and the loud thunder sound from the incoming rain fills the air.

The sudden darkness reminds me of the message my dad asked me to relay to my mom about the NEPA bill. I'll take care of that soon.

I make my way back to the entrance hall despite the dimness and lean against the wall, beginning to write down my number along with my dad's in clear, legible writing.

It's not like I have bad writing, but I just want to refine my skills to make my writing even more pretty for some reason. And I find myself smiling as I write.

After jotting down the numbers, I step out into the stormy weather, where the sky is a deep, foreboding grey, and lightning crackles across it like a canvas of electric paint.

"Wow!" I exclaim.

The compound is dim and empty, but the gate creaks open, and my mom and Daniel enter, lifting the cage together.

I smile, admiring the cage's sturdy bars and cube-shaped design. Avin would love it.

I glance over at Daniel, who grunts with effort, his face scrunched in concentration. I'm impressed.

As they approach the entrance hall, I move aside and let them pass.

My mom's gentle voice echoes off the walls, followed by Daniel's murmurs and laughter. Their voices grow louder, and soon they emerge from the entrance hall.

My mom's breathing is labored, as Daniel is breathing normally, his eyes fixed on the paper in my hands.

I hand it to him and then walk into the entrance hall, ignoring any further conversations from Daniel.

"I'll text soon!" he calls out, but I continue walking, ignoring him, and my lips curve into a smile at his words.

I think Daniel would do.

As soon as I reach my room, I collapse onto the bed, and as I surrender to its comfort, the dimness of my room envelops me like a warm embrace, my mind replaying today's events with a surprising smile.

But who cares? I'm finally moving on, and I'm happy!

The incoming rain only adds to my joy - I love heavy downpours.

The sound of the howling wind outside, accompanied by rustling leaves and the sweet scent of wet dust, fills my senses. I take a deep breath, letting the air flood in and then release.

My hands tap a gentle drum rhythm on the bed until I find my phone. I sit up, grab my earbuds from the bedside table, and plug them in.

What's more beautiful than a rainy day paired with Lana Del Rey, Faouzia, and my favorite artists?

I soon hear the gate shutting, Daniel must have left, and then the soft patter of rain.

With a deep breath, I fall back onto the bed, ready to indulge in some Spotify.

My only hope is that I don't get hurt again.