Bound To The Seduction

Chapter 6: Are You Okay?

Sarah managed to sell the ring for $3000. She went straight to the bank and settled her student loans. She had a little bit left after settling her debt and decided it would be nice to have a fancy dinner to celebrate her debt-free status.

In the evening, she dragged Emily to a fancy but affordable restaurant for dinner. As they waited for their turn to order, she noticed a couple seated on the nearby table gazing at each other like they were about to drown in their affection. She averted her eyes and still managed to see a couple hugging at the entrance.

A lump formed in her throat. She too had felt that way. She had thought everything would last forever. Well, until she was given a rude awakening. As if the universe wanted to rub it in, all she could see were happy couples in every direction she cast her eyes. She took a sip of water and forced herself to accept her new reality.

Emily shifted all her attention to the menu and ordered something for both of them after a while. She raised her head and caught sight of an old couple, perhaps in their sixties, seated two tables to the right. They seemed to be enjoying the moment. Emily's playfulness kicked in and she nudged Sarah, "Girl, don't you think that is cute?"

"More than cute." Sarah sipped her water, again, attempting to push back the lump in her throat, and continued, "Staying with your partner to old age and still loving each other is an underrated blessing."

At this moment, the waiter came back with their order. He placed them on the table and uncovered the lids, exposing a juicy roasted lamb chops with beautiful garnish. The meal beckoned enticingly from the center of the table, promising a dance of flavor. She inhaled the delicious aroma that had her salivating and she couldn't wait to dig in. They thanked the waiter politely and focused their attention on the food.

She took a bite and her eyes widened. The tantalizing lamb chops were a fiesta of tender lamb and fresh garlic, all bathed in zesty lime marinade. The dance of flavor left her craving for more. Each bite transported her to grandma's kitchen where the aroma of spice fills the air. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the burst of flavor in her mouth.

She was about to take another bite when a commotion occurred at the next table. She turned and caught sight of a couple proposing. The rest of the people cheered at the priceless moment when she accepted the ring.

"Crap! Why didn't anyone warn me about this?" Sarah muttered under her breath. "Is it 'International Couples Day' or something?" She scratched the area behind her ears, mumbling, "I clearly checked the calendar and it wasn't Valentine's Day. Why are there couples popping up wherever I go?"

She turned her attention back to her food and took another bite. This time, it tasted different; bland without any hint of seasoning. She poked her fork into the food a couple of times. "Emily, could you please pass me the chili?"

Emily paused and looked Sarah in the eye. "Girl, since when do you eat spicy food? I remember you always complained whenever there was a little more black pepper in the food." She still passed the chili to her.

"There is a first for everything," she said, looking everywhere but Emily's face. "My food suddenly tasted bland."

"Really?" Emily scooped out a spoonful of Sarah's food and tasted it. She ate it with relish, even closing her eyes to enjoy the food. "Tastes fine to me." she shrugged.

Sarah ate her food with a little bit of chili. The chili packed a powerful punch, its fiery heat unfurling in the mouth and racing up the nose, a sharp reminder of its presence. But it did a poor job of numbing her feelings. She wiped a thin layer of sweat from her forehead with a paper napkin.

Her eyes looked like they were swimming in tears. At least her eyes saved her some dignity as tears did not fall. She took a few more bites and eventually got used to the new flavor.