Yes

I had played out the scene a million times in my head. After all, a fair dosage of British romantic comedy movies had made it easy. The cheesy commercials on American television coupled with my inexplicable desire to watch reality TV served only to add to this moment. But as I made my way to Stuttgart, on the Autobahn, doing a respectable 180 kph in my white BMW, I saw scenes only of utter clarity. 

It all happened so fast. I parked in a remarkably tight parking spot as is often the case in bigger cities in Germany. I walked through a throng of people who were gathered there for some festival and navigated myself to a Jeweler right in the middle of the city. I had made an appointment which smoothed proceedings and within minutes I sat facing a stern schwäbisch jeweler and his stunning glittering diamonds.

The flow was magical. The certainty was nauseous. She was to arrive on a Friday on a green magical bus from Munich. I left early from work to come home to clean. Romantic proposals often leave the vacuuming and mopping bits out. I carefully positioned the ring so that she would see it as soon as walked into the leaving room. I lit tea lights pointing the way. I thought carefully which song I would play. And then hoped that the candles would stay lit by the time I get her back.

It didn’t matter really. I am sure she didn’t really associate with the song. She followed the tea lights but didn’t spot the ring immediately. She then hugged me hard but not knowing why. I had to slide out of her arms to place my one knee on the floor. I asked but it was redundant at that point. Her rolling tear on her cheek glimmered yes.

It’s been a year now and plenty has transpired. We danced silently after the proposal, with ourselves, by ourselves. Our minds raced to fathom our common futures. Intertwined and destined for evenings with Chinese food, filled with deliberations over our endless travel lust and much needed sofa naps. 

Just as today, we had many questions back then. 

Yet, on that March night, we made a decision. We reached an agreement of clarity; of unmatched brilliance. Not needing any certificate of purity. The diamond just merely played witness and glittered.