In search of healing

It wasn't long ago that David proposed to Janet. He had invited her to dinner. She initially thought it was just one of their usual dinner dates. She arrived at the restaurant with nothing in mind. Midway into the date, David brought out the ring, and bent the knee. Janet was in shock as her mouth was wide open. She couldn't believe it. It was finally happening. The love of her life was finally about to ask her to be his wife.

"Will you marry me, Janet?" David asked, while on one knee.
"Yes I will" Janet replied without hesitation. She was so excited.

That same night, Janet informed all her friends and family about her engagement.
Photos of the engagement had gone viral online. Everyone was waiting for the wedding next.

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Three weeks later. David told Janet that they needed to talk. He sounded so serious that it made Janet worried. They met at their usual restaurant.

"I know we have been through a lot together. That's why it's difficult for me to tell you this. It breaks my heart" David said.

"Tell me what? You're scaring me David" she said with concern on her face.

"I can't get married to you. The engagement is off. I'm sorry" he said.

"What do you mean by the engagement is off? Please I don't like this type of joke. Stop it" she replied.

"I'm serious. I can't marry you. We're not compatible. I'm really sorry"

It was now clear to Janet that David was serious. Her heart was broken to uncountable pieces.

"You can't call off this engagement David. My entire family knows I'm engaged. All of my friends know. The internet knows. I've been showing off my ring. Everyone is expecting a wedding next. I will become a laughing stock. Please don't do this to me" she cried

"I'm sorry but we just don't work. We're not compatible" David replied.

"We're not compatible? You didn't figure that out all these years? You didn't know that before you proposed?" Janet asked in anger.

David stayed silent. He didn't know what to say. Janet was already fuming and sad at the same time.

"I'm really sorry about all this" David said as he stood up and left.

Janet stood there still in shock. She was struggling to believe that this was really happening. Her whole world was crumbling. Tears rolled down her cheeks like a dam had been opened. She managed to get herself home and she cried herself to sleep.

Janet was down for days trying to recover from what happened. News had spread that the engagement was called off. Her close friends and family tried to be there for her. However, there were those who mocked her, especially those who didn't like her.

Two weeks passed and one day, while Janet opened her favourite social media app just to distract herself, she saw a wedding poster of David getting married to another woman. It all made sense to her now. He had someone else he wanted to marry, and it was obvious that David was with her while he was still with Janet.
Janet felt betrayed. She burst into tears again. All her time with David was just a waste. She gave him everything, she loved him totally, and he went ahead to do that to her.

Her mother walked into her room.

"Janet, I have been discussing with your father and we think you should go on Vacation. You need a break from everything that has happened. You need some time away to heal properly" her mother said.

Janet thought about what her mother said and saw sense in it.

"You're right mom. I think that's what I'll do. I could use one right now" Janet replied.

"Our hometown is a good place for a vacation. It has great places you can have fun, you would love the feel of nature. There's even a beach" her mother said.

The next day, Janet made her way to her hometown to begin her vacation. She loved the vicinity. It was surrounded by nature and the weather was perfect. It was her quiet place. Janet badly needed that peace and quiet. She needed to do things that she enjoyed again.

Janet began to get herself occupied more. She went out more. Her hometown usually had local sports competitions. Janet enjoyed going to watch those. She loved the thrill. It took her mind away from her ordeal with David. She made more friends. She found a new hobby in painting. Eventually, Janet was better and ready to love again.