Infinite Ties

Fatima

Dinner is announced, and the soft murmur of conversation fills the air as guests begin to make their way to the elegantly set tables. Zac and I are led to our seats at the head of the grand dining hall, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm, intimate light over the room. The room is filled with a blend of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the soft hum of a live jazz band playing in the background. It’s a perfect evening, everything we envisioned for our engagement, yet as I sit beside Zac, I sense a subtle shift in his mood.

He’s still polite, still attentive, his hand resting on mine as we exchange pleasantries with those seated nearby. But there’s a distance in his eyes that wasn’t there before. It’s as if something inside him has changed, a shadow cast over his usual warmth. I glance at him, searching his face for clues, but he’s expertly masking whatever it is he’s feeling.

“Are you alright?” I ask quietly, leaning in close so that only he can hear.

He turns to me, his smile still in place, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m fine, Fatima. Don’t worry about me. Tonight’s about us, remember?”

His words should be reassuring, but they only deepen my concern. Zac isn’t the type to shut me out, especially not on a night like this. I want to press him, to ask what’s really going on, but before I can, one of his business associates approaches our table, and Zac stands to greet him.

“Just a moment,” Zac says, placing a quick kiss on my cheek before stepping away. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch him as he walks away, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach. He promised me he wouldn’t talk business tonight—that tonight was supposed to be about us, about celebrating our engagement without the usual distractions. But now he’s off to discuss business, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong.

Dinner continues, and I try to focus on the guests around me, but my mind keeps drifting back to Zac. His absence at the table feels like a void, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that his mood changed suddenly, almost as if something happened that he’s not telling me about. But what?

By the time dessert is served, Zac still hasn’t returned, and my concern has turned into a dull ache in my chest. I force myself to smile and engage in conversation, but my mind is elsewhere, my heart heavy with worry.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the band starts up again, signaling the beginning of the dance. The lights dim slightly, and couples begin to pair off, moving towards the dance floor. I’m about to stand and join them when I feel a familiar hand on my shoulder.

“May I have this dance?” Zac’s voice is soft, almost tender, and when I turn to look at him, his eyes are filled with an emotion I can’t quite place.

I nod, my heart skipping a beat as he takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. The band begins to play a slow, romantic tune, and Zac pulls me close, his arm wrapping around my waist as we sway to the music. For a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the room, the world fading away as we move together in perfect harmony.

But even in this moment of closeness, I can feel the tension in his body, the stiffness in his movements. His grip on me is firm, almost too firm as if he’s holding something back. I tilt my head up to look at him, my voice barely above a whisper. “Zac, what’s going on? You’ve been so quiet all of a sudden. Is something wrong?”

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he’s going to tell me, but then he shakes his head, his expression closing off. “Not now, Fatima. Let’s just enjoy the dance.”

His words are gentle, but there’s a finality to them that makes it clear he’s not willing to discuss whatever’s bothering him. I feel a pang of frustration, but I nod, deciding to let it go for now. This is supposed to be our night, and I don’t want to ruin it by pushing him.