WHO: Ernie and Padma WHERE The Taj Mahal, Agra, India WHEN: Sunrise, 20 March WHAT: A lifelong dream comes true COMPLETE
The noted Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj Mahal as 'a teardrop on the face of eternity' and it was famous for being one of the ultimate monuments to love, but mere words were hardly enough to describe the sublime beauty of the mausoleum built to commemorate Shah Jahan's most beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was beautiful at all times, but sunrise was considered the most magical and romantic time when the rising sun turned the white marble a dusky pink and then glorious gold, so it was only natural that Padma insisted on seeing it then. Even if she didn't expect Ernie to fulfill her romantic dream by proposing to her there and then, she was still happy to share the experience of being there with him.
The air was cool, but not chilly as the cycle rickshaw took the couple along the streets of Agra. A few people were already around and the distinctive, pungent scents of India filled the air. Padma was glad she was more used to the mingling smells now, some of which were quite bad, so she barely thought about them as they reached their destination.
Lifting her head off Ernie's shoulder, Padma gazed at him with a smile. She was still careful of how much she spoke and therefore just used her expression to ask if he was ready. The plan was to walk around to the lotus pond and admire the monument from that famous spot, so she was careful not to look too much at it so as to get the full impact.
Watching Padma as she stared breathlessly at the sights around her, Ernie felt the nervous twinge in his stomach intensify and twist. He had been worried that he'd be unable to eat breakfast and raise questions, but luckily Padma had insisted upon seeing the Taj Mahal for Sunrise and Ernie's own penchant for being early to everything had them leaving the house well before breakfast with the promise that they would stop to eat after they were done admiring.
Ernie, needless to say, couldn't think about food right now. He had even took Vijay aside before leaving and explained to him what he was planning. Which only led to him having to explain what a Promise ring was and why it was different from an engagement ring. Finally he'd settled the matter by telling the other man that a Promise ring was a prelude to an engagement ring when marriage wasn't a possibility at the time but one wanted to give a symbol of their love and a promise that they'd marry as soon as they were able. Once Vijay had understood he agreed to stand out of sight of the couple when the sun began to rise in order to give them privacy.
But now the tell tale signs that dawn was approaching were beginning and his heart started thudding in his chest as he slipped his hand into Padma's. "It's so much more beautiful than in in the pictures," he said, struggling to keep his voice even and nonchalant as he gazed over the reflection pound and towards the structure.
The first fingers of light touched the Taj Mahal just as Padma looked properly at it. Her hand tightened on Ernie's as her breath caught and tears welled in her eyes. "Pictures don't do it justice," she agreed in a thick tone, completely swept away by the beauty and the history of the monument. "It really is a testament to great love," unconsciously she stepped closer to Ernie, her shoulder bumping gently against his arm. If she heard the quaver in his own voice, she only thought he was as moved by the sight as she was.
Taking a deep breath, Ernie's fingers found the box in his pocket and gripped it tight as he turned to face her. "As beautiful as it is, it pales in comparison to you," he told her, his lips shaking as he forced them into a semblance of a smile. "Padma... if I were older and had a better position in the Ministry and could afford to buy you the house of your dreams right now, then I would propose to you this second. Even though we haven't been dating that long, I just know. I know. You're the one I'm supposed to be with forever. I can't give you an engagement ring and ask you to be my wife until I can provide for you in the way that I feel you deserve and your family can approve of, though. I still live with my parents, that isn't... that isn't the life I want us to start off with."
He squeezed her left hand tighter as he took the ring box from his pocket and kept his closed hand at his side, struggling to remember the way he'd written and rehearsed this moment. "But I think we're past the boyfriend-girlfriend stage of our relationship, even if we aren't at the marriage stage. Which is why I have found a solution between those that... well, that I think is perfect for us."
Ernie lifted the box, opening it to reveal the ring he'd been labouring over, the diamonds catching the light of the rising sun. "This is a promise ring, Padma. And it symbolizes the promise I am making to you that one day, I will give you an engagement ring and we will be married, and have children and grow old together. I hope... I hope that you want to promise the same, and will let me put this ring upon your finger," he finished, raising her left hand to his lips and kissing where her ring finger was.
When he said she was more beautiful than the Taj Mahal, Padma opened her mouth to object with a blush and a smile, but then she was rendered mute as he continued. Her lips parted and eyes widening, Padma listened to him, barely breathing. Surely this was a dream and any moment now the alarm would ring, shattering the moment! His hand squeezed hers tight and she gasped. Not a dream!
Breathing again, but shallow quick breaths, Padma's gaze left his to focus on the box he displayed and the exquisite ring inside. Tears prickled her eyes again and her lips trembled, opening and closing, and then stretching to a smile that wobbled but was formed from pure happiness. Ernie's words about their future brought images to her mind that caused a couple of tears to spill down her cheeks as her smile broadened and Padma knew she could no longer imagine a future that didn't hold him and the life he described. His lips seemed to sear her skin and she made a little gasping sound before swallowing and nodding. "Y-yes, oh yes!" the words were small compared to the wonderful things he'd just said, but the emotion behind them spoke volumes.
Grin spreading across his face, Ernie released her hand for a moment in order to pluck the ring from the small velvet box and slip it onto her finger. It fit perfectly, and Ernie was again amazed at the thorough job the jewelery boutique took in finding and confirming her ring size. "Do you like it?" he found himself asking nervously. "Parvati went with me to pick it out, and Hannah assured me you'd love it, but... do you?"
Padma's cheeks were covered in a blush as he slid the ring on and she admired how well it looked on her hand. "It's perfect," she breathed, lifting her gaze to meet his eyes. "I love it... I love you, and I'm so glad I can say those words," she leaned in and brushed her lips against his. Kissing in public might be frowned on, but right now she didn't care and besides, wasn't this the perfect place to express affection?
"And I love hearing you say them!" he exclaimed, his usual decorum crumbling in the face of Padma's smile and the sun rising behind the Taj Mahal. Over her shoulder he could see the face of her cousin peeking out at them. Giving a resigned sigh, he reluctantly pulled himself away from her. "I think Vijay is growing impatient with us."
Padma was almost tempted to say she didn't give a stuff about Vijay, but squashed the impulse and nodded. "One day we won't have to worry about chaperones," she murmured, looking down at her ring with a little smile. By that she meant when they were married, or at least officially engaged, although Padma suspected that the promise ring would allow more freedom and the thought sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.
"Then I'll await that day eagerly. But until then, I should probably follow custom," Ernie said with a grin, his hand dropping to hers and letting their fingers tangle. "Now. Let's go find something to eat. I'm starving."