Tara walked home quickly because she needed to get ready.She didn't know why her heart was racing this fast.
"This isn't my first date ,so why am I this nervous?" She said,calming herself before entering the house."Hey,mum" She waved to her mum who was on the couch watching TV.
"Hey,Tara,how was school?"
"It was alright" She replied before turning to the staircase.
"Isn't your date today?"
"Damn,how did she remember?" Tara muttered."Yes,but he moved the time"
"Why?"
"Well..he got detention for coming late to class, so he had to stay in school for two more hours"
"Aww,so you waited for him"
"Nope" Tara shook her head vehemently."I was tired,so I took a short nap before heading home"
"Sure" Joyce beamed.
"This is pointless" Tara said after catching the smirk on her mother's face.
"Want sone help getting dressed" Joyce said to her daughter.
"Nope,I'm fine" Tara said,heading to her room.She stood in front of her large closet and traced her fingers on a pink flowery dress.
It was simple and not as elegant as a long gown ,but
she was going for it.
"Kinda brings out my eyes" She muttered before heading to the bathroom.
Daniel,on the other hand, didn't have such luck or knowledge when it came to choosing clothes.He had been staring at different suits for a while and didn't know which to buy.
"Sir,if I may suggest the black one" The attendant said.
"What do you think,Jason?" Daniel asked,turning the phone so he could see the suit.
"Nah,I'd rather go for the red one"
"Isn't it too bright"
"We have different shades here ,so you would certainly find the one that suits you" The attendant said before leaving to get the suits.
Thirty minutes went by before Daniel settled on a deep red suit,and another thirty minutes passed before he was finally ready.
"Dude,you suck at time management" Jason voiced as Daniel was waiting for the Uber.
"Yeah,talk about my problems later" Daniel said restlessly.He couldn't afford to ruin this night.
"There he is" He muttered as he entered the car before it even parked."Hurry" He said to the driver before glancing at his watch—7:56
He got there in a short amount of time with his heart beating louder than ever.
Daniel straightened his suit before stepping out of the car.He walked to their front door rather awkwardly and knocked.
"Who is it?" Joyce asked
"Daniel" He said.
"Look at you in your little suit" Joyce marvelled as she let him in."You clean up really nicely"
"Thank you ma'am.Uhm,is Tara ready?"
"Tara? Your date's here"
"You can just call him by his name" Tara shouted before coming down the stairs to face Daniel.
He was lost for words as he stared at Tara.She went for a simple short dress ,yet she was absolutely stunning. Her black hair was tied into a bun which revealed her pale slender neck as the long diamond earrings she wore accentuated her dress.
"You look amazing" Daniel said after a while.
"Thanks,you also look amazing" She replied,staring into his eyes while he stared back.
They were both lost for words as everything seemed to revolve around them.
A clicking sound broke their staring contest.
"Mum!" Tara said to her mum who was holding a camera.
"Don't judge me, dear. I want to show it to my grandkids" She said,smirking at Daniel.
Daniel's cheeks exploded in red as he tried to control himself."Uhm,we have to go" He said to Joyce.
"Alright darling" Joyce said as she hugged both Tara and Daniel."Please use protection" she whispered to Tara
"Mum! That's it , we're outta here" Tara said, leaving the house with Daniel.
Daniel walked ahead of her to open the door of the car.
"Aren't you sweet" Tara muttered,entering the car." Where are we going?" She asked.
"On a date" He replied.
"I know that.I meant where are we going exactly?"
"Oh,that's a secret" Daniel smirked.He was proud of his control ,but inwardly, he was nervous as hell.As they got closer and closer,his heartbeat doubled in pace.
"I remember this place" Tara said,looking around.
*Yeah,I brought you here the day you kissed me"
"So you remember" Tara turned to him with a wry smile.
"Yes" Daniel said quickly before exiting the car and walking forward."Watch your step" He warned as they neared the huge trees.
"Woah" Tara exclaimed.Thousands of what appeared to be fireflies were flying above the still lake.She looked down and saw scented candles lining the path to the lake.
Daniel took a huge breath before leading her to the lake.
"Don't tell me we're gonna have a swim or something"
"Nope,were gonna dine" Daniel said as they arrived at a small table.
On either side of the table was a Japanese cushion and way above the table,lining the trees, was a ton of small decoration lights that illuminated the entire area.
"I wanted to take you on a normal date in a restaurant, but this came to my mind instead.I hope I surpassed the standard" He said wryly.
"Yes" Tara said,staring around her."This is beautiful.Of course you surpassed the standard and by a wide margin infact"
"That's a relief" Daniel said, motioning for Tara to seat.
"Your first time?" He said,watching her seat with difficulty.
"Yes,I didn't expect a cushion as my seat"
"Sorry,It was kind of anime inspired"
"Nah, it's okay.This is a new experience but Damn!" Tara said,looking around.She was stunned by how beautiful the place was.The moon reflected of off the still lake ,contributing to the overall ambience of the place.The small scented candles and decoration lights above them made night feel like a bright beach day.
"Where's the food?" She said,looking at the small table with only glasses of water.
"Right here" Daniel whistled before a man dressed in white came to their table." We're ready, Frederick"
"Very well" The man said before leaving.
"Who is he?"
"Our waiter" Daniel replied.
"How long has he been there?"
Before Daniel could reply, Frederick arrived with their food.
" Stir fry pasta made with the finest vegetables harvested locally" He said before placing the plates gently.
"Thanks" They chorused.