There was a long pause. Neither of us spoke. Tenel Ka gazed at the ring with her hand against her chest, eyes and mouth open with surprise. I realized all of the pressure I had put on to her at ounce.
"You know, you do not have to say yes…" I slowly began to close the chest. Disappointment swelled up within me. "It's OK, I…"
Then, Tenel Ka placed her finger on my lips, shushing me. A smile crossed her ever serious face.
Then, she said the word that is ringing through my head as I lay here tonight. The word that elevated our relationship to a whole new level. The word that guarantees mine and Tenel Ka's happiness. Forever.
"Yes."
My heart did a flip. The disappointment that had earlier swelled within me turned to sheer joy. I had to hold back a stupid lopsided grin within me to savor the moment. I reopened the chest and took out the ring. I slid it onto Tenel Ka's ring finger. I stood up and took her hands into my grasp. I looked up into Tenel Ka's granite gray eyes. She stared back into my brandy brown eyes. We leaned towards each other. I have to admit, I kind of had to tip toe a bit. Our lips grew closer, closer.
Finally, they touched. Tenel Ka and I shared our first kiss. The kiss that I will never forget. As I lay here tonight, I still feel the taste of Tenel Ka's lips against my own. The kiss began passionately. But it grew rougher. And rougher. I pulled myself away from Tenel Ka. "This is the best thing that has ever happened to me." I said. She nodded. I grabbed her hand and ran to my bedroom. We went inside and locked the door. The rest, as they say, is history.