Out on the water, one of the best things to do is have a nice dinner, so, when I decided to propose to my Sweets, that's what I decided to do.
So on our inayofuata interaction with civilization, I dropped kwa a gourmet chakula place, picked up some amazing salmon, salmoni fillets, Tony Chachres seasoning, which I had always loved, and some fresh mchicha leaves, tomatoes, garlic, and gouda cheese. The other stop I made was to a jewelery store.
When I explained that the girl I loved wasn't much of a ring wearer(wink), he showed me a mkufu on a thin dhahabu chain. The pendant was a white dhahabu moyo with a large, two-caret, heart-shaped diamond placement. I got that upgraded with a thicker chain, and I was set. It's never a good idea to disclose the price of an engagement piece of jewelery, so I won't do that...
Sweets, Jenna, and Kodiak had stayed on the mashua while I had ventured ashore, so they knew not of my plans.
After hiding the mkufu in an undisclosed location in the master stateroom that Sweets couldn't even reach, I brought the groceries into the galley and fired up the grill on the aft deck. Soon, the forty five foot fishing boat, named The Following Sea, was filled with the aromas of grilling salmon, baking garlic bread, and the tart tang of balsamic vinaigrette.
At about seven thirty our time, chajio, chakula cha jioni was served and Sweets, Kodiak, Jenna, and I sat down to eat at the meza, jedwali on the transom.
The water was as flat as I had ever seen it. Maybe the gods wanted me to marry her as much as I did.
After the saladi and garlic bread, which I had slightly scorched, I served the salmon, salmoni main course. The Tonys spices gave the samaki a decent kick of heat, and rosemary and cilantro added that perfect hint of sweetness to a recipe that my father had taught me.
Everyone finished their meal in time, and we all fell to small talk, including but not limited to, me, Sweets, me and Sweets, Kodi, food, movies, and music.
At an appropriate lull in the conversation, I snuck away from the meza, jedwali and retrieved the necklace. When I got back, I sat down as if nothing was going on, then abruptly started stroking Sweets' paw, which was lying on the table. My mouth went dry when she looked over at me, a smile on her face from the wonderful night that was about to get way better in her eyes.
Around my cotton-mouth, I said, "Sweets?"
She locked eyes with me, liquid pools of blue that drew me in.
"Yeah?" she alisema inquisitively, her eyes exploring my expression.
I upendo you. The expression that I was feeling at that moment.
"I upendo you, Sweets," I alisema tenderly.
"Aww! I upendo wewe too!" she beamed.
I took her paw in my hands and alisema it again.
"Sweets, I upendo you. I upendo wewe like-like... I can't even find an expression that fits!"
She looked at me funny, like she expected me to just up and start dancing.
I did get up, but it wasn't for that.
"Sweets, wewe are the kindest, sweetest, most gentle mbwa mwitu I've ever laid eyes on. You're smart, and funny, and a gem to have around."
Her tail started thumping against the chair back.
"You're a gem to have around as a friend, but I'd like to be zaidi than that," I said, reaching into my pocket.
Her blue eyes followed my hand as it gripped something.
I brought the small blue velvet box out of my pocket and opened it, revealing the necklace.
"Sweets?" I asked, swallowing.
"Yeah?" she alisema uncertainly.
"Will wewe do me the honor of marrying me?"
A moment of stunned silence followed these words. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jenna make a discreet gesture of approval.
"Yes! Yes, I will marry you!" she exclaimed, launching herself off her chair and colliding with my chest. I fell over and she wound up sitting on me. I took the chain out of the box and she turned so I could put it on her. After I had fastened the clasp, she turned around. The expression on her face at that moment is one moment that will stay with my life forever, a look of pure happiness.
While the two of us hugged, Kodiak and Jenna howled happily at the moon, commemorating this moment.
At my request, the two canines went inside, leaving me and Sweets out on the transom.
We didn't say au do much that night. Every time I looked at her, I saw the moonlight glinting off the mkufu and the words just died in my throat.
We sat there that night for god knows how long, just enjoying each others company.