The Proposal - 700 Words

Nervously I checked the time on my digital Sekonda watch. It was 6:55pm. I felt nauseous from the butterflies in my stomach. The waft of barbecued burgers filled my lungs from a family get together 30 metres to my left in the park. Ironically 'Under Pressure' from Queen blasted from their stereo system.

Beside me on the ground, was a small hiking back pack and two portable camping chairs. From the outside pocket of my backpack I withdrew a bottle of Poland still water and took a swig of the warm water caused by the temperature in the late twenties. My attention is drawn to a group of 5 teenage skateboarders challenging each other to stunts around the paved monument of some military leader on horse back. To the left of them a Bootcamp warm up was taking place.

I was removed from my trance by the slight blast of a car horn. I turned towards the direction of the sound. It was Vanessa. I watched her as she reverse parked her red mini cooper between a Black Dodge Caravan and a grey Lincoln Towncar.

I placed the hiking bag on my back and carried both portable camping chairs in my left hand. She alighted her car. Her plump five foot two frame, dressed in a grey two piece business suit. She removed her jacket revealing the matching pinafore. A pair of black ray bans, would deny me admiring her twinkly brown eyes. We proceeded to walk towards each other. Her broad smile stretched out her chubby cheeks, oh that smile gets me every time.

I offload a kiss on her left cheek, working my way towards her moist wide lips.

I placed my right hand in her soft left hand and proceeded to lead her up the trail on the steep eighty metre hill climb. I grinded my teeth in annoyance, I overlooked the high pollen count. Her breathing laboured from the steep gradient and poor air quality. I was outraged with myself!! She was no athlete but a smart successful banker. I loved her smile, her infectious laugh like that of Muttley from the cartoon Dastardly and Muttley. I loved her generosity towards those not so fortunate. I loved her business brain and the way she waved her hands as she expressed herself.

Halfway we stopped. I removed my bag from my back and handed her a bottle of her favourite Dasani sparkling water. She took several swigs between catching her breath. I caressed her back. She was a businesswoman, that worked long days with little time for exercise. Her problematic Thyroid didn't help either.

I regretted this, I could have brought her to McDonalds or Burger King and the answer would be the same, maybe a nice hotel would have been better. She deserved something special and I wanted to give her something special.

It was a moment of relief when we made it to the summit. Vanessa's fatigue justified from the panoramic view surrounding us. Beneath us the far side of the summit was a golden sandy beach. We held hands tightly as we watched from afar a mixed game of volley ball. Out on the water, music pumped from a yacht, it was party season. To the left of us we could see the distant city skyline, lit up by the bright yellow ball in the sky.

I placed the bag on the ground, opened up one of the camping chairs and assisted Vanessa as she gingerly sat down. I felt queasy, the moment of truth had arrived. I withdrew a non alcohol bottle of bubbly and two champagne glasses, filled them and handed one to her. I removed her ray bans and stared into her lustful brown eyes. My hands shook, she sandwiched my right hand between hers and gave me a reassuring stare. She knew it was time. Slowly I withdrew my hand from hers and fumbled in my bag until I felt the small square box. I looked upwards, she gave a smile, tears streamed down her cheeks.

I removed the small black box from the bag and got on bended knee. I opened the box and presented the diamond ring.