Let’s Meet For Dinner (Flash Fiction #57)

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

Cindy wonders if Amin is going to breakup with her. “Let’s meet for dinner. Our usual place.” That’s what his message says and that’s what Cindy is worried as she arrives at their usual place. The hour is early and there are not many patrons in the restaurant.

She is convinced that he has never said anything like this, at least not so affirmatively. He would usually ask for her opinion first and she would say something that would defer to his more familiar knowledge of the city. Only after such a polite exchange of pleasantries would he venture to make the decision for them. He’s exactly the nice and intelligent boy that she wants to settle down with. Now with this message, she’s afraid…. Maybe he wants to breakup with her?

A nice boy like Amin will never be without female attentions. Maybe he has met somebody new and hasn’t told her. Maybe he’s trying to design various ways of breaking up with her without infuriating her. Maybe he has nobody new, just being tired of their uneventful relationship, and wants to explore new options.

Cindy doesn’t want to explore anymore. Cindy is ready to settle down, but somehow she’s trying to get Amin to pop the question but she’s not sure how. And it is said at this crucial juncture, many men would be afraid of commitment and choose to quit, disappearing into the irresponsible bachelorhood. She is so worried that she feels that she is perspiring.

Amin arrives and he looks at her with concerned eyes and knotted brows.

“Cindy, I have something I want to tell you.” He sits down.

So he is trying to breakup with her. His serious manner and his tone of voice is a dead give away. Cindy’s mind races like wild animals and she starts to shake. Her face turns red and tears starts to circulate in her eyes.

“How do I begin this? I knew what I wanted to say but whenever I see you, my prepared speech are all forgotten.” He says. “Look at you, all flushed up and so nervous that your eyes are teary. This is exactly what I am concerned and this is exactly why I have to say this even if… I know you don’t want to hear this.”

Now Cindy is so agitated that she raises her glass and empties the whole glass of wine in one gulp.

“Look, this is exactly what I am afraid of. You are so flustered” Amin stares at her glumly.

“OK, what you want to say. Let’s face the music.” Cindy says and gets ready to pounce on his throat. She wants to make a big scene. She will not let him off the hook without a big embarrassment, if not in front of friends and relatives, at least in front of some strangers. There’s a 14 oz. Heinz ketchup on the table for people who order burgers and french fries. Cindy is planning to use it to ruin his favorite suit and shirt.

“Cindy, I know you don’t want to hear this.” Amin says and Cindy reaches out towards the ketchup and grabs it in her hands. Her bloody red weapon is ready.

“You need to stop taking those ginseng. I mean Korean ginseng or Wisconsin ginseng. Neither is suitable for you. I am concerned for your well being. I know it boosts your efficiency and mental alertness, which you need in order to work on your articles, but it is ruining your body and your nerves. You can’t go on like this.” Amin says.

This is quite unexpected and Cindy loosens her grip on the ketchup. Now her mind races back and forth and she says in her most bewitching voice, “Oh, Amin, why are you so concerned?”

“Why not? I thought about you today at work. I care about you.” Amin says.

“Why do you care about me?” Cindy leads him on.

“Why not? If anybody should care about you, it is me.” Now it is Amin’s turn to be agitated. Cindy hinted before that he’s not as mature as he thinks he is, and he wants to show her how mature he actually is.

“You look so cute when you are worried about me. I am OK. It’s not that we are going to have, you know, …” Cindy says.

“Why not?” Amin says. He’s fixated on “why not” tonight.

“We are probably not mature enough.” Cindy says and her voice comes out slow and vague.

“I am more mature than you ever give me credit for.” Amin says.

“So you are ready?” Cindy asks.

“Why not?” Amin says.

“Oh, Amin, I know you would say this. I know you are the boy for me. I know you. I know you. I want to have a baby who looks just like you.” Cindy says.

Before Amin knows whether he is happy or not, before he realizes he has just made a big decision for himself, it is decided that they will go to Las Vegas for the weekend, get married, adopt a dog, have a kid together.