The Proposal

‘ Where are we going?’ she asked.
‘Just hold on. You will come to know in another hour.’

He had been like this for some days now. No matter how she prodded him, she just couldn’t get him to tell her their destination. It was her 24th birthday and he had planned a surprise that she had no clue about. But no matter what it was, she was sure she was going to love it.

‘I love you!’
’I love you too.’

Barely four months had passed since they had met for the first time. Yet tonight she couldn't imagine how she could have spent so many years of her life without him. They had met each other and within hours she had known that they shared the same opinions, likes, dislikes, tastes. And within a few meetings she knew she had found the man she would like to share the rest of her life with. Sitting there beside him, she couldn’t recollect another time when she was as happy and so at peace with the world. But there was something that cast a small shadow on her happiness.

‘What are you thinking?’ he spoke up suddenly, almost as if he could read her mind.

‘Nothing! Just that how upset you were when you heard that my friend is also coming today.’

‘Yeah I was. Actually, I wanted this night to be very special with just you and me. An alien with us would have been a major upset. But I'm glad you came up with such a good excuse to get rid of him.’

‘I had to. I wanted just you to be the first one to wish me Happy Birthday and no one else.’

‘I know.’

It had been a close call. Her friend had insisted on coming to visit her for her birthday. Although she was happy because of it, it was rapidly turning into a nightmare with him insisting to be at her side as the clock struck midnight. She didn’t know what she wanted as her birthday gift but she sure knew she didn’t want her private moments with Him to be intruded upon.
The excuse had come just at the nick of time and here they were, just the two of them, heading out of the city.

They crossed the toll plaza and out of the city limits.

He turned towards her, ’Haven't you guessed yet?’

‘No. May be if we go a little farther… ‘

’This damn traffic is slowing us down’ he groused, ‘I wanted to reach there before the clock struck twelve but it seems like we will have to celebrate your birthday on the way.’

‘Doesn't matter. All that matters is that we will be together.’

And that was all that really mattered. As they sped down the road, she kept looking back to past four months and realized anew what he had come to mean to her in such a short time.
As she came back to the present and looked out ahead, a sneaking suspicion as to their destination goal came to her mind.

‘Are we going to Lonavala?’

They had just left the highway and got on the expressway. This was a straight hint to her.

’Yes we are. I thought it would be perfect place for your birthday celebrations. I know a spot over there, which will be totally surrounded by clouds in this season. And with the town lights shining below.
It is a beautiful sight.’

She couldn’t believe it!!!

’WOW! Now I'm excited to reach there.’

’Just sit back, relax and listen to this good music while I drive you there.’

***

They were still quite a long way from Lonavala when she turned 24. Calls started coming in to wish her. She switched off her phone because she wanted him to wish her first. They stopped on the way side and he turned towards her
‘Happy Birthday Darling!’

’Thank you so much my love.’

They hugged and kissed each other.

‘So what is the plan once we reach there?’

‘My plan was to wish you and kiss you up at that romantic spot. But doing it on expressway with vehicles speeding past was no less thrilling. We will go there anyway. We have got the full night to kill. Haven't we?’

‘Of course and after that the full day too.’

‘Yes!’

By the time they reached Lonavala, she was wondering what did he have planned for her. He had told her earlier that he had plans for a cake and drinks too, but the arrival of her friend and the subsequent traffic on the roads had made it fly out of his mind. Not that she minded of course. They could always have that later.

‘That spot is another half-an-hour uphill drive from here. You will love it.’
‘Hmmm…’

But halfway up the hill, dense fog defeated their aim. They were both leaning out of the windows to see the road, it was that bad. They finally had to turn back. She was quite upset now. It had promised to be a nice view from the top and knowing the time of the day she knew they would have had all the chance to have a private celebration, just the two of them. But what bothered her more was that He was even more disturbed.

‘Now what?’ she asked.

‘Did you notice that small bridge while coming?’

‘Yeah. The bridge that had glowing reflectors in the middle of the road giving it the appearance of an airport runway.’

‘We will go there. What do you say?’

‘Perfect!’

‘Then you can change in the car and show me the new dress that you have bought?’

‘Absolutely perfect!’

When they did reach the bridge she could see that it was actually a beautiful spot for them to celebrate her birthday. She still didn’t know what was the plan, but with vehicles passing them rarely, it was quite secluded .

‘Now, you go outside and wait for me while I change into my new dress.’

‘Okie Dokie. Make it fast.’

‘No peeking allowed. And don’t you dare turn around until I tell you so.’

‘Okay okay... ‘

While she changed in the back of the car, she wondered what his reaction would be. She had chosen the outfit carefully and it was the first time she was wearing something like this. He had come into her world and made her feel beautiful. She just hoped that he would find her beautiful in this.

She got out and started walking towards him. She halted a few feet away from him and struck a pose.

‘Okay, you can turn around now.’

‘WoW! Someone is looking hot!’

She could see the admiration in his eyes. And it made her feel desirable.

‘Thank you. Now come here and give me a kiss.’

‘I will. But first …’

And then he was getting down to his knees in front of her...


***


She instantly felt that she knew what he was up to but somehow it seemed too good to be true. She started panicking.

‘Oh my God! Oh my God! Darling, no, no please...’

‘Will you marry this idiot?’

Oh my God, she thought, he is actually doing this. They had been talking about this for some time now but never in her wildest dreams had she thought that he would actually go through with it. Sometimes, she even thought that it might not happen at all.

An overwhelming joy filled her heart and tears came into her eyes.

‘Yes Yes Yes’
And she kissed him, kissed him, kissed him ............