PUT A RING ON IT
Ethan was an extremely busy junior general surgeon in another city but he always made time, even if it was only a few minutes a day, to talk to Emily. On some wonderful nights, the young lovebirds talked of nothing and everything for hours, only stopping when one of them had fallen asleep at the phone. Emily found herself dreaming of a future with the two of them sipping on hot tea, looking out on a garden teeming with all sorts of flowering plants, discussing life while their pet dog Rufus chased after passing butterflies and their children ran laughing loudly across their lawn. Even the silence that crept up every now and then had become comfortable. When Ethan talked about his work, his passion and ambition were so evident that Emily could almost see his name up in lights. She felt proud of the man who would soon become her husband and looked forward to being the woman on his arm when he achieved what he was setting out to accomplish.
It amazed Ethan and Emily how quickly things moved forward after they agreed to be married. Before they knew it, collectively, they had spent about forty manic hours shopping for clothes for their engagement and family and friends had been personally called and invited – it marked the beginning of the last of the functions in the Vaz family and the first ones in the Mendoncas. All of them promised to be grand events.
“Which tailor, of some quality, would have been able to give us a blouse in five days during wedding season? Thank the Lord that someone thought about producing ready-made blouses!” Emily said as her mother helped drape her rich emerald coloured saree for the engagement.
Mrs. Vaz nodded her head in agreement as she concentrated her efforts in pinning the heavy saree in place. When she was done, she sighed in satisfaction. “A professional might have done a better job. But, I still think you look pretty, baby girl.” She planted a kiss on Emily’s forehead before leaving her to her own devices.
Emily looked at herself in the mirror and giggled at nothing in particular. She was getting engaged! Less than a fortnight earlier, she had lost hope of that ever happening. She looked at her hand and then her ring finger, picturing her engagement ring there. She clasped her hands together and giggled again.
At the engagement function, Emily was asked to wait in the dressing room until her father came to collect her when the Master of Ceremonies called for her.
“I hate that it’s always the father’s job to give his girls away…” Mr. Vaz said wistfully as he held her hand. Of the strong and silent class of men, Mr. Vaz seldom let his emotions show and Emily had not expected to hear him say something like that with a voice so heavy with sadness. Emily had always been her father’s pet and in his eyes, she had been able to do no wrong. She was at a loss for words. She rested her head on her father’s broad chest until he reluctantly reminded her that people were waiting for them outside.
On the dais, when her father placed her hand in Ethan’s as a show of trust, he held onto her hand a little longer than needed. Emily had to give him a reassuring squeeze before he finally let go. Emily, caught up in all the emotion, felt her eyes fill.
“Don’t make those brown eyes blue” Ethan whispered melodiously into her ear, paraphrasing an old Crystal Gayle song when he saw her eyes. Emily laughed softly and felt the threat of tears pass. “Thanks, E…” she whispered back, leaning her head against his shoulder.
As the night ended and it was time for the two families to go their separate ways, Ethan said, “I’ve got to back tomorrow Emily. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer. Getting leave from the hospital is quite difficult even for special occasions such as these.”
Emily frowned a little at her fiancé and said, “It’s alright. Go save lives. Don’t forget to call me! You know I wait for those calls don’t you?” she ended shyly.
Ethan gently stroked her cheek and smiled, showing off his yummy dimples, “Of course I will…”
As she sat in the car on the drive back home, Emily looked at the small diamond ring that adorned her finger. It was delicate, elegant and perfect. She loved everything that it symbolized. After three long difficult years, she was finally engaged to be married.
******
Please come back tomorrow to see what happens next! To catch up on the previous chapters, click here.
Am posting everyday in an attempt to complete the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Wish me luck!
Filed under: Fiction, novella, UBC October, Ultimate Blog Challenge Tagged: Emily, fiction, love, novella, put a ring on it, story, UBC, UBC October, ultimate blog challenge 
