Interrupted Romance Read Free Page A

doubt that they were too complacent in their relationship.   The fire had gone out of their lovemaking - at least on her side.   It was as though neither of them could think of a better alternative how to spend time together, and would simply drift into marriage.   She reached out to lift the phone, to call him back and cancel the date.   Her hand hovered over the phone, then dropped back to her side.   Maybe it would be for the best.   Settle down.   Raise a family.

    Yael and   Ilana had closed the shop for the lunch break.   They were about to leave.   Dafna waved as they went out the front door, closing it firmly behind them.   She sat behind the desk, considering what she should wear tonight.   Her thoughts kept going back to Adam.   How did he manage in between the visits of his mother and sister?   She felt responsible for his injuries.

    With a deep sigh, she picked up her bag, closed the shop and walked through the square towards the car park.  

    The rest of the day went by in a blur of activity.   She hurried home to shower and change for her dinner date with Moshe.   The table was booked for 8 p.m. at a posh restaurant in Tel Aviv.   Several sets of clothes were tried on and discarded in favour of something else.   Finally Dafna decided on the black evening pants, the matching sleeveless blouse with the low neckline that Moshe liked to see her in.   The silver thread through the bodice shimmered in the lights.   Tonight, the makeup would be applied more carefully than usual; no jewellery apart from her watch and her hair swept up.   The final result was stunningly simple, or simply stunning.   The scar along her forehead was hidden.   A last glance around the apartment, to make sure it was tidy when they came back.   The door buzzer sounded and Moshe was there.   They kissed briefly before walking arm in arm out to his car.

    He was in a chirpy mood, happy to have her company again after the panic of hearing of her injuries from the blast.   They chatted amicably all the way to Tel Aviv.   Moshe parked the car in the hotel car park and they rode the elevator up to the restaurant level.   They were shown to their table, in a quiet alcove away from the main dining area.   Dafna was surprised and delighted at the beautiful spray of flowers set into a niche just above their table.   With the mirrored wall behind it, the arrangement looked vibrant.   As she was seated by Moshe, who wouldn't allow the waiter to hold her chair, she noticed a small card tucked into the flowers.   She placed her evening bag on the table and reached out for the card.

    "Is this for me?" she asked, looking at a smiling Moshe.   He nodded.

    The card read:   Welcome home, darling.   Marry me.  

    Dafna looked up quickly, reached out to Moshe, who took her hand in his.   He waited, but she said nothing.

    "Is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?" he said.   "You know I love you, Dafna, as I have since we first met."

    "I'm not sure that I'm ready to marry yet, Moshe.   I'm sorry.   I can't answer that question now.   I have the shop to run…"   her voice trailed off.   What on earth was wrong with her?   Why couldn't she just say 'yes' and be done with it!

    He slowly let go of her hand and leaned back in his chair.   "Is there someone else?   Have you met another man?"

    "No.   Yes.   I don't know.   I'm…" she couldn't go on.   "Please, Moshe, I need more time.   The bombing, the trauma…   I can't make a decision on anything.   Could we just enjoy each other's company tonight?   I really need to just relax and forget about everything that's happened."

    The rest of the evening passed slowly for them both.   Dafna was preoccupied; Moshe trying not to show disappointment.   He'd thought she was expecting a proposal from him, but now he was uncertain.   That was a feeling he didn't welcome.   Uncertainty wasn't part of his personality.   He decided precisely, in life, and in work.   He thought