No Need to Grasp for Thin Air

“But I still don’t understand. I love you. What is stopping you from being with me? Is it still too early?” Satish said.1

Jane let out a large sigh. She wanted to bury her head in her hands at the table, but her body language would have felt inappropriate amid the lavish patrons. Instead she let her hands drop to her lap, took a deep breath, and looked him straight in the eyes. 2

“Satish, it’s more than that. I can’t be with you. For one thing, you’re not a Muslim. It’s only proper. My family would be against it. And, what about Annabelle? Aren’t two religions confusing enough for a young girl? I’m sorry.” she said all in one breath.3

Jane knew it was ridiculous to be bringing this up now. She had let the affair go on for years while she was married and now when they could be together as they had dreamed she was letting seemingly small things restrain her. She would have perfectly understood if he were to completely disregard her or be upset. Instead, he gazed out the window at nothing and let a small smile curl up the side of his mouth, which he immediately chuckled away as if someone off in the distance was telling only a remotely funny joke.4

Satish returned his gaze and looked her straight in the eyes in that intense way he had. It was the type of look that would be remembered as if his nostrils were flaring. Passion was leaking from every orifice.5

“Then I’ll just have to convert.” he stated casually.6

“What?” she said. She surely hadn’t expected that. “But you’re a strict vegetarian? What would your family say? Oh my god, you fought in the Indian Army!”7

“That’s not important” he said.8

“But?”9

“But, you did it for your husband, didn’t you?”10

“Yes, but…..” she tried to interject.11

“So, I’ll do it for you. It’s a good religion, I like it. Anything else?”12

“You’re crazy,” she said, smiling in disbelief. “Do you really want that?”13

“You’re beautiful and I want you,” he said as he leaned in closer to take her hand across the table. She let him stroke it lightly before pulling away again.14

“I….. I’m just not so sure.” she said looking down.15

“Just say it. It’s me, Jane. You can tell me anything. It’s just you and me.”16

“What if I….. you know...” she said as she gave a grim face and began to stroke her ring finger. “Aren’t you worried about me cheating on you?”17

“Nope.” he said, leaning back. “You won’t cheat on me.”18

“How can you be so sure? It’s kind of been the trend.”19

He again took her hand and looked hard into the palm as he massaged it. He looked a bit as if he was trying to solve a complex equation, but wasn’t actually thinking about her last statement at all. He knew she was just grasping for thin air. He was envisioning the ring he had bought skimming over her perfectly manicured nails.20

“Would you care for the desert menu?” the waiter interjected politely.21

“No, thank you.” they both responded in unison.22

Satish knew the time was now, if it was ever going to happen and he reached for the ring in the front of his jacket. He wasn’t the type of guy to make a big scene and hoped all would go smoothly.23

The bill came and was set down delicately on the table. As Satish had expected, she reached for her purse under the table. Yeah right, like he would ever let her pay. 24

“Please, let me get it this time.” she said as she cocked her head cutely to the side.25

“No.” he said with a sly grin. He reached his hand out and placed it on top of the bill. “I’d prefer you take this instead.” He turned his hand over to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. It was just like the one she had once pointed out to him in Seattle. Had he bought the ring then, or remembered the cut? At any rate, she was taken aback. Amid her shock, Satish saw a glimmer in her eye that couldn’t be mistaken for anything except pure joy, giving him the cue to continue.26

“Will you marry me?” Satish said, getting down on one knee.27

For the first time since Jane had known him, she witnessed Satish’s voice quiver just enough to reveal nervousness. He held the ring out to her. His hand shook ever so slightly. Johan had never proposed to her in this way. In fact, she never remembered him proposing at all. Everything felt right, except seeing Satish so apprehensive on the floor made her want to pick him off it. He surely didn’t need to beg. She nearly got on the floor herself to reach him and they stood up together and embraced. The restaurant gave a grand cheer and they were shocked. Neither of them had even remotely noticed the throngs of people who had witnessed their proposal. 28