Daniel and I went to the mall one Saturday evening, kids were dragging their parents to ice cream stands, couples were doing their window-shopping, and music was floating from the electronics store. In the middle of all that chaos, Daniel’s eyes was locked on one lady.
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‎She wasn’t the flashiest lady there, but something about her struck like thunder. Tall, caramel skin, eyes that seemed to speak louder than words, and a confidence that made every other woman around look like background noise.
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‎Daniel froze with his shopping bag in hand. He had always dreamed of a woman exactly like this, simple, graceful, and elegant. His heartbeat drummed louder than the mall music as he thought, “If I don’t walk up to her now, I’ll regret this forever.”
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‎He approached her. She looked up, her lips curved in a polite smile.
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‎“Hi… I’m Daniel,” he said, trying not to sound nervous.
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‎“I’m Amanda,” she replied, adjusting her handbag strap.
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‎That was the beginning.
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‎But Amanda didn’t waste time with pleasantries.
He invited her for coffee that very day, she dropped her bombshell.
‎“I’m not here to play, Daniel. I’m thirty already. I don’t want to waste time with men who are just here to date for fun. If you’re not ready for marriage, please let’s not waste each other’s time.”
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‎Daniel blinked, surprised at her bluntness. Most women played coy, danced around the truth but Amanda laid it bare. He studied her face. She was serious.
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‎Funny enough, he didn’t even need to think too long. He was already drowning in her presence. Besides, he was thirty-one, age wasn’t on his side either.
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‎“I’m not here to play either,” Daniel said with fire in his eyes. “I know what I want, and… honestly, Amanda, you’re exactly what I’ve been waiting for.”
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‎Amanda smiled faintly. “Then let’s see how this goes. But let me be clear, no intimacy until marriage. I mean it.”
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‎Daniel laughed softly, reaching across the table to hold her hand. “Deal.”
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‎What started as “hi” in the mall then to coffee turned into dates at restaurants, long late-night calls, prayers together, and whispered promises under city lights. People who saw them swore they were the perfect couple, two puzzle pieces that fit so well.
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‎Five months later, Daniel was on one knee in front of Amanda with a diamond ring, and she said “Yes” with tears running down her cheeks.
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‎The wedding was magical, families danced, friends cheered at them wishing they were the ones wedding instead and even the pastor said during his sermon, “These two are an example of God’s perfect timing.”
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‎But beneath all the glamour and celebration, destiny was hiding its sharp edges.
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‎Because on their wedding night, Daniel would discover something that would test not just his love, but his entire belief about marriage