"Oh my G.o.d! Fred, are you insane? " Tina was nervous, she was utterly perplexed.. she couldn"t understand this sudden proposal.. what was happening.. why was everything rushing so fast.. Fred said, "I understand you are nervous, but you love me and I love you... what more we want.. let"s get married.. " Tina said, "Fred, please.. let"s not rush.. this is the most important thing in our lives.. let"s wait for some more time.. please.. " Fred looked at her crest fallen.. he was disappointed.. but he was still on his knees.. he said, "Tina, do you think that I will not support you in your career? " she said, "nothing like that.. I know you understand that career is very important for me.. but you are more important.. so is marriage.. I want to be prepared before walking down the aisle.. " Fred said, "then let"s get engaged.. we will marry later.. " Tina raised an eyebrow and said, "are we not engaged now? " Fred said, "but let"s put a ring on it.. " she smiled naughtily and said, "let me see the ring first.. " she was joking,she thought that Fred wasn not having a ring.., but Fred took out a tiny box and opened it, sitting on a blue cushion was a beautiful ring.. a two carot round sapphire surrounded by twelve tiny diamonds.. it was the most beautiful ring ever.. Tina gasped.. she never saw something so pretty.. she said, "that"s the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.. " he said, "this belonged to my Granny.. now it"s yours.. shall we get engaged? " Tina nodded and said, "Fred, get up and give me a hug.. " he got up and hugged Tina... then he kissed her on her lips.. he said, "with this ring, I have half claim on you".. Tina had tears of joy in her eyes... this was the most beautiful moment in her life.. the ring fit her perfectly..They both went inside the house.. their parents were overjoyed.. Tina"s mom brought out some deserts to celebrate their engagement.. Fred"s mom said, "so, when is the date? " Fred said, "not yet.. I still need some time...to settle down in my new role.." she didn"t push.. Tina loved his answer, instead of saying that Tina was not ready.. he took it upon himself.. what else does she need.. for a moment she felt like marrying him immediately.. but again she came back to her senses.. she got this new role as a marketing head very recently... she felt that she needs to learn a lot to settle down before committing herself to marriage..
Tina"s mom said, "let"s throw an engagement party to all our friends and relatives.. what do you both feel? " she asked Fred"s parents.. they looked at each other and Fred"s mom said, "it"s a good idea.. but once we announce, everyone will chase for the wedding date.. " Fred"s Dad said, "why don"t we plan a small party for our close circles.. " Tina"s Dad looked at her.. Tina smiled, she understood the pressure her parents were having.. every one of her cousins of her age group got married.. her mom was enduring snide remarks from relatives.. Tina too wanted to show off Fred to everyone.. he was so tall, handsome and well mannered.. no one in her family could reach to his level.. Tina said, "yes, but as uncle said, the party should only have limited guests.. and we also must invite our office people.. " Fred said, "yes, we must.. let"s give them the good news.. "Tina sensed double meaning in his words.. she knows that he is dying to give this news especially to "one person" in the office.....