1. Personal

Emily: Chapter Three

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A SUITABLE BOY

Mrs. Marlene Vaz clutched the large gold crucifix that dangled from the end of the rosary she was seldom seen without, said a silent prayer for her daughter, and went to answer the door. Emily was absentmindedly tracing the tiny multicoloured flowers on the course, beige sofa with her recently painted index finger. She was thinking about how one way or another, that evening would be the end of the quest for a suitable boy and was caught off guard when Mrs. Doris Mendonca bounded into the living room.

“Hello Dear!” she said in a shrill voice, pulling Emily into a hug. Now, Mrs. Mendonca was a stocky, heavy-set woman whose head barely reached Emily’s shoulders and so, it was a wonder that she was able to pin Emily’s lissome arms so tight with her own chubby ones. Emily returned the hug best she could, waited to be released and put on a smile. “Hello, Aunty. Hope you didn’t have trouble finding our place? It’s a little out-of-the-way.”

“Nonsense, Emily! With Ethan at the helm, nothing’s too difficult.” she said gesturing proudly at her son who was clearly the apple of her eye. Emily shot him a look and thought thankfully that he appeared a little embarrassed. He was almost blushing and Emily, not used to seeing boys blush, found this intriguing.

The families sat down around the old teak wood dining table where most of the important Vaz family discussions took place. Emily, who was now quite used to the drill, got up after a few minutes to ask if anyone would like something to drink or eat. Following the customary “no, thank you” from everyone and subsequent to some cajoling from her parents, it was settled that she would have to make four teas, and pour out two fruit juices. Emily made her way to the kitchen as her mother was saying, “Emily has a real passion for cooking. She’s our very own master chef at home.” Emily shook her head imperceptibly and smiled.

She emerged from the kitchen with her tray laden with goodies as Mrs. Mendonca was saying, “…natural flare for most things – including cooking! Plus, unlike most boys of his generation, he has always been very neat. I don’t remember ever having to pick up after him. He’s a good boy.”

Emily could barely suppress a wide grin. However, she wiped it clean off her face as she caught Ethan looking at her, blushed a little herself, and set down the tray that she had been carrying.

“Why don’t the two of you head over to the balcony and have a little chat?” Mrs. Vaz suggested, looking pointedly at Emily.

Emily looked at Ethan, turned her head in the direction of the balcony, sighed and rose, holding her half-finished fruit juice in her hand. She could have sworn her mother gave her a small frown as she walked past. Emily assumed it was because that sigh was audible but no doubt she would find out exactly why later. Ethan followed her outside. The two of them stood gazing at the passing traffic in silence for a few minutes before Ethan, now studying the tea dredges in his cup asked, “So, you come here often?”

Emily shook her head slightly and smiled quizzically, unsure if there was some sort of joke she was missing.

Ethan hastily ran his fingers through his hair and said, “Well…erm…we have drinks in our hands. We’re…well…it’s a pickup line men use. Not that I’ve used it before. But, well, we weren’t talking and I thought someone should. And now you’re laughing….” at that juncture Ethan stopped saying anything and smiled. That was the first time she got a glimpse of his two deep dimples. Emily, whose first crush had been on Dino Morea thanks to his dimpled smile, found that she was instantly attracted to Ethan.

Conversation flowed easily after the initial hiccup and for Emily that was a first. Out of all the boys that she had met over the years her parents had been trying to get her married, Ethan was the only one with whom she could carry on a conversation for more than three minutes, without that awful, awkward silence creeping up like an uninvited guest.

When the Mendoncas were about to leave, Emily snuck her cell phone number into Ethan’s hand. “Call me, so we can talk a little more.” she whispered. “Only if you want to that is…” she added slightly panic-stricken when Ethan looked a little blank. Right then, as if on cue, a smile along with those delicious dimples appeared on his face and all was well with the world once more.

It took only a few short phone conversations before the couple decided that they could make a match of it.

******

Please come back tomorrow to find out what happens next! You can read the previous chapter here.

Am posting everyday in an attempt to complete the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month.

Filed under: Fiction, novella, UBC October, Ultimate Blog Challenge Tagged: a suitable boy, Emily, family, fiction, love, novella, story, UBC, UBC October, ultimate blog challenge

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