THE WOMEN THAT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH

It’s my birthday. I know William will propose to me today; he is taking me to a special place for dinner.

- NANCY CHADHA

Just the two of us. A clandestine dinner. It was the word 'clandestine' that triggered thoughts of a proposal in my mind. He also said Tonight will be a night to remember. That must mean something, too.

There is another reason that makes the day all the more special. I am moving in with him today. My parents are keeping their promise.

William and I have been together for almost five months now. Just after three months into the relationship William had wanted me to move in with him.

It’s too early to take that call, my mom had said. Too early? Too early to catch on to the realness of each other, the realness that cannot stay in hiding once you move in with someone? Is that not a good thing?

Dad was totally averse to the idea. He had sneered when he heard his colleague’s daughter had moved in with her boyfriend. But I didn’t want to risk losing William. It’s not every day that a guy wants commitment so early into the relationship. Guys like William don’t come easy.

It’s been one hell of a month. Initially, there were only arguments. Some days went by with no talking at all, and that moved on to days of only grumpy faces and small talk. But Mom and Dad had to give in, eventually. What choice did they have? I could’ve run away. And had they threatened to disown me it would have only made it easier on me. Although, dad did manage to convince me to put it off till my birthday. Begin the new chapter of your life at the start of a new year of your life, he had said. The expression he was wearing on his face when he said that was what made me give in.