Chapter 6 — The First Outing
771 Words
Saturdays were supposed to be peaceful.
But not for Daniel.
Not when he had planned his first outing with Amelia.
He stood in front of his mirror, spraying cheap perfume like it was holy water.
“Ah, if I don’t smell nice today, my enemies will laugh,” he said, fanning himself with a magazine.
He wore his best shirt — the blue one with a missing button that he carefully hid with his jacket.
His father walked past the door, sniffed, and said,
“Daniel, are you going for a wedding or applying for visa?”
Daniel smiled nervously. “Just... meeting a friend, Papa.”
“Friend?” His father squinted. “Is this friend male or female?”
Daniel froze. “...human.”
“Be careful,” his father said. “That’s how I met your mother — she borrowed my pen, and now she owns the whole house.”
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Amelia was getting ready.
Aunt Brenda was sitting on her bed, eating chin-chin and acting like an FBI agent.
“So, you’re going out?” Aunt Brenda asked.
“Yes, Auntie.”
“With who?”
“Just… a friend.”
“A friend with muscles or a friend with Bible?”
Amelia sighed. “Aunty, please.”
Brenda leaned closer. “Hmm. Is it that ‘Bread Guy’? The one that smells like fresh oven?”
Amelia tried not to laugh. “Auntie, you’re unbelievable.”
Brenda dropped the chin-chin. “I’m coming with you.”
“What?!”
“Yes! Any man that wants to take my niece out must pass through Brenda International Security Limited!”
Amelia almost fainted. “Auntie, please no! He’ll run away!”
“Good!” Brenda said, tying her scarf. “Let’s see how fast he can run!”
---
At exactly 3:00 p.m., Daniel arrived at the ice cream spot.
He saw Amelia coming — wearing a simple yellow dress that made his brain forget how to breathe.
“Wow,” he whispered, “God really took His time on this one.”
But just behind her…
Aunt Brenda was following like a backup generator.
Daniel blinked. “Wait… is that—”
Amelia smiled awkwardly. “Uh… Daniel, this is my Aunt Brenda.”
Brenda extended her hand dramatically. “So this is the famous Bread Guy. Hmm. You smell nice. Is that flour or perfume?”
Daniel swallowed. “Perfume, ma.”
Brenda sniffed him again. “Okay, good. We don’t want my niece smelling like bakery smoke.”
Amelia covered her face, whispering, “Auntie, please stop.”
They sat down. Daniel tried to make conversation.
“So… Amelia, I ordered vanilla for you.”
Before she could answer, Brenda said,
“Vanilla? Is that the only flavor? What if she likes chocolate? Young man, do you even know her love language?”
Daniel almost dropped his spoon. “Love language?”
Brenda nodded proudly. “Yes. My love language is food. What’s yours?”
Daniel scratched his head. “Uh… peace?”
“Good,” Brenda said. “Then don’t stress my niece.”
---
Just when Daniel thought it couldn’t get worse, his phone rang.
It was his father. Loud speaker.
“Daniel! Did you carry my brown shoe out of the house again?”
Everyone in the ice cream shop turned to look.
Daniel whispered, “Papa please, not now.”
His father continued, “I’m asking because last time you borrowed it, you returned it with church dust!”
Amelia was laughing so hard she almost spilled her ice cream.
Aunt Brenda said, “You borrowed your father’s shoe for a date? Hmm. Family of sharing indeed.”
Daniel’s soul quietly left his body.
---
When they finally left the shop, Brenda walked ahead, humming.
Amelia touched Daniel’s hand gently. “I’m so sorry for today.”
He smiled shyly. “Don’t be. It was… unforgettable.”
She laughed. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’ve never been interrogated over ice cream before.”
They both laughed, standing at the junction as the evening breeze danced around them.
Then, slowly, Daniel said,
“I know your aunt made it crazy… but I really enjoyed being with you.”
Amelia’s smile softened. “Me too.”
Their eyes met.
It wasn’t a kiss — not yet — but something about that moment felt special.
Simple. Pure.
Like a promise that tomorrow would bring more laughter… and maybe, a little heartbreak too.
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To be continued… 💞😂🍦
Next Chapter (7): The Unexpected Gift
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