Hello, guys. It's been a while. I finally finished my semester, and now I'm super free. I might return with another batch of graphic requests if I'm done refining my PS skills. A lot has happened, but one thing for sure, I need some advice or a second opinion on this matter: a relationship matter.

Read on if you are interested, it will be long because I won't want anyone to be confused. I'll try and explain as much as I can.

Three years ago I met a fellow senior who was super friendly and approachable. We became friends in an instant, reason was because we had so many preferences which were similar. We had same morales, and our conversations were always so engaging. We would complain about school together and talk about music (since that's what we major in). There are times which just makes us feel like we have been friends for a long time. I admired him greatly that time. He was like my teacher. 

I did not develope any attachment to him (as a love interest or anything to that matter) at that time because he had a girlfriend. I'm the type of girl who respects the other party who is in a relationship. He treated me as a good friend as I did to him. Our friendship lasted for three years. When he graduated degree we still kept in touch because we have projects that we were doing together. Professionally as comrades in the same line of work. Once in a while, we would keep in touch and talk about the days we used to enjoy lunch together and mentioned some silly stuff about our lecturers. I'd update him about what's happening in uni, while he would teach me a thing or two about the world outside. Those were good times.

Then, you know how sometimes friendships are? - there's just times when you're too busy to keep in touch with your friends and such. So, during that period, we just got on with life and lost touch. Eventually, on the year when I was mostly occupied with events and projects in school, he told me he broke up with his girlfriend. He didn't purposely tell me about the matter though, we were just talking since it's been a while, I was wishing him a good Christmas (like, as a friend, asking if you're celebrating Christmas with your girlfriend and stuff.) when then the topic appeared, and he told me about his break up. I emphatised him, yes, but it didn't bother me much as I was too occupied with work and exams. We just updated each and other about our schedules and life-changing stories.

Life went on.

Then 2017 came, I was pretty occupied with my final year project. We still send each other text messages on Facebook like good old friends, and I invited him to my event (22 May 2017). He promised to come to support since he owed me a favour when I last helped him for his very own final year project. We met during my concert and we talked like old friends. All my friends and families saw him and they were curious about him. Seemingly how he was the only senior who I know of and could come to my concert, I introduced him to my friends and families. Some thought he was my friend's boyfriend. It was very awkward.

Then, after that night, we kept in touch again, we slowly got to know each other more and talked about the good old days again. I even noticed that he has been texting me rather frequently. Eventually, he asked me out on Sunday for a walk and a movie (28 May 2017). I was fine with it of course, since we've already been friends and we've always liked Hans Zimmer's music. So, we decided to go for Pirates and the Carribean. During the week while awaiting for the weekend to arrive, I noticed that I have started to like him more than a friend. From the feeling of admiration to the feeling of attachment and love. So, when Sunday came, I asked him if he liked me. It was pretty obvious because he was giving signs of attachment to me, and I wanted to know where my heart lies. He said yes (more than a friend).

One question I asked; when has he started to like me, and then he said, ever since 5 days ago after my concert. I was a bit insecure of course since my feelings developed from admiration to love and I'm unsure if his was the same. But thinking back right now, we were great friends at first and him liking me after he had ended a relationship, isn't a suprise at all. I wanted to make sure if he was ready for a relationship, so I asked him. He said yes, since he is all over his ex-girlfriend (a nine months break-up). This I am certain because he was confident and talking pretty openly about his past relationship. He took it as a lesson and to never be one-sided again. Since he was the only person who was giving his all in the relationship before this. He asked me the same question if I was ready for a relationship, and I told him I am. So, we agreed on moving on slowly to understand each and other more.

He did admit to me that he was chasing after me which gave me the confidence to commit to him. We continued our days as friends with mutual feelings for each and other.

Then, the second week came (29 May - 2 June), we started having phone calls in the middle of the night during the weekdays to talk about random stuffs. The way we settle issues and misunderstandings are like how friends talk. This gave me a clearance to how I am happy that we aren't weirdly flirting with each and other. The way we convey our feelings are simple, we don't spin around to make each and other confused. We would resolve to one of us asking a question, and the other would try their best to answer it without hiding anything.

Then, yesterday (4 June 2017), I asked him to come over to my house, which is 40 minutes drive from his work place. I was hesitant at first, but since he said he missed me, and so did I, I suggested we meet. I thought he won't come, but he said he was okay to come. I wanted to go out and have a dinner with him, but he was okay with having dinner with my family. It wasn't weird of course, since he had already met my parents on the day of the concert, and my parents were okay with him. He appeared.

From this point on out, I would like to know if we're moving too fast in your opinion? I discussed this matter with him last night, he said it was a okay-pace. I agreed with him because we admit that we have already known each and other for 3 years. We aren't like the other couples who just met, and only started to develop feelings for each and other. We were already friends and we already know each and others dislikes. Moreover, the reason why we clicked is because we had the same morale together. We preferred talking things through and less on the bickering if ever there would be a misunderstanding (or fight) between us.

My close friends all told me that we were moving too fast. But I don't think that is the case, not to mention, they don't know what we've been through to became this close. They are all worried that the both of us are too quick on liking each and other. Since he just broke up a year ago and stuff. But, yeah, not everyone is like a kid who just won't let the pass go. My friends are all that kind of people, unlike me who can let go of an uneventful relationship in a blink of an eye. I don't let stupid relationships effect me to the point which I'll always complain about it. I let things go easily to move on with life - the same as him. (That's why I say; we have the same mindset and morale towards life.) We move on, and grow up.

So, are my friends to childish and overly-protective? My parents were fine and they didn't tell me what I should do. My mom just specifically mentioned to befriend with that guy first in which I'm already doing. For three years!

On one note, we held hands for the first time yesterday. He even gave me a peck on the cheek when we were together. I didn't have to ask him why, coz I know he missed me. When he went home I gave him a thank you hug and he thanked me for the dinner with a kiss on the forehead. These little gestures might look to aggressive and fast in a building relationship. But I think those are just the way he wants to show me how important I am to him. My friends were saying the kiss was too fast, altogether with meeting the parents and stuff. What do you guys think?

One thing for certain, I think he just wants to show me that he is confident in me and ready for the next step. But he knows that I am not ready because of what my friends said. So he is respecting my speed.

I will tell you this, to make things clearer, because to some people, holding-hands on the first date is ok and stuff, but when you're from an asian-friends-and-family-circle, things like hand-holding and a-kiss-on-the-forehead-or-cheek are considered too fast for a regular asian couple. My friends all said those should only be done after a few months of being together. I do agree on that, but do keep in mind we both started off as best friends, I guess that the probation period should already be over.

Are my friends too paranoid? Or did I not explain things properly to them? Well, coz in this two weeks me and him were both occupied with each and other, I didn't bother explaining things in details for my friends to understand. I'm just worried that what they say might be true, like we're moving too fast and stuff, and so we need to slow down. 

In the end, I think we're in a okay-pace. What do you guys think?

Do I need to slow it down with him? - he doesn't mind. He said he will be okay with anything as long as I am comfortable.

Should I try and explain everything to my friends?

Or should I talk this out to my parents?

In the midst of confusion...
Sincerely, Jas.