A New Chapter
The atmosphere changed from warm and casual to an intense one right after Bella left. Julia stayed with her love interest James. He focused on the business while still spending sufficient time in figuring out his next steps, as they'll be crucial to his future.
He knew exactly what he wanted to do going forward, he just wasn't sure where he would reside. The problem was for him to choose to either continue to stay in India or move to his home country South Africa or a different country all together.
Julia was also very intentional about her next steps in life. She didn't want to do anything she'll regret in the future. After discussing about their future, Julia took a short course in education.
The course would last for just a few months, but she was happy she did it anyway. James sorted out the process and assisted her with the application. She did the course in the same school he finished his medical degree from.
"How do I look," James asked Julia, as they prepared for his graduation.
"You look like a handsome doctor that you are," she said as she walked towards him.
She planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"You look great and you smell nice too," she continued, as she raises her wrist to check the time.
"Hurry, we don't have much time left, we have to leave soon or we'll be late," she said firmly.
They rushed through what was left to do, including having breakfast. It was a lovely ceremony and none of James' family members could attend. Max, James' brother called in.
He spoke to Julia for the first time. James had already told Max about Julia but this was the first time they ever spoke. Julia went on to make videos of the ceremony and sent them all to Max, since he couldn't attend.
Max was grateful and from those videos, he could finally get a glimpse of what Julia looked like since he had never seen a picture of her. Max was the only person she knew from James' family.
After the graduation, Julia focused on her course and just like James she was doing so well and integrated so easily. James picked her up from school very frequently, sending a subtle message that she was he's.
He did that to make sure no one was trying to steal her from him. It looked childish but Julia thought it was actually really cute. Men like to assert dominance, in this case, to ward off other potential suitors.
She was already outgoing so socializing wasn't a problem for her. Apart from Zara, who had now become a very close friend of her's, she made more casual friends. This time from other countries.
As a result, James' once fading jealousy suddenly returned. He was obsessed with Julia's attention, he was addicted to it. Anything that deprived him of it became a problem.
"Why do you have so many friends, you don't need that many," he said.
"Am in school James, I don't have control over the people I meet. They're casual friends, nothing serious, I don't know why you're so bothered," she responded, rolling her eyes at him.
Instead of defending herself, Julia should have taken this issue more seriously. This was the beginning of him controlling her life. She should have found out the reason he was so uneasy about her, spending time with people, especially guys.
He was scared that what happened with Eva, his ex g would repeat itself with Julia.
If she had paid quality attention to why her being with other people is a problem for him, it wouldn't have eventually been the major reason for their divorce. This issue came up every now an then but all Julia did was defend herself and sometimes disobey him.
If they had friends night out, he would forbid her from attending but she will go ahead and disobey him. They never sat down to talk about this issue so it was never resolved. Apart from that issue, they were pretty much a happy couple.
A few months passed by like a wind, Julia had finished her course. James was proud of her just as she was of herself. She had earned an additional certificate in a space of a few months.
By this time, James had decided to go back to South Africa to establish himself there. He told Julia of his decision, and she, being more supportive than ever, gave him her support. They agreed to return home.
When Julia told Zara, emotions flew high.
"Its so sad to see you Julia, you've been more than a friend to me, you've been like a sister," Am really going to miss you my dear friend," Zara said to Julia amid tears as she leaned in for a warm embrace.
"This is also hard for me too Zara, am going to miss you. You've been so kind to me," Julia said, still embracing Zara. They cried some more and laughed too as they waled down memory lane.
They had a recap of how they met and everything that transpired. Julia even visited Zara at some point so she could see her daughter before leaving.
Julia and James started working towards their departure. They had their papers ready and every other thing they needed. He had to inform his clients that he's leaving. His friends and professors all knew. It was yet another emotional time.
On the day Julia got her certification, James told her he had a surprise for her but she never expected what happened. He had called his friends and her friends over for a friends night out. It was to be their send off party.
Julia arrived in a blindfold that was eventually taken off and indeed, she was surprised to see her friends from school including her close friend Zara. It was just like a get together for all of them.
In the midst of all their excitement, James got down on one knee.
"Our love was unexpected. We came to India at different times for different reasons and yet here we are. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Julia, will you marry me? He asked, pulling out an engagement ring.