32. Miley
“ R ight this way please,” the host says, leading us to our table. Rohit puts his hand on the small of my back and I feel the warmth of his touch. He is close enough for me to inhale his signature scent of cedar and sandalwood. He picked me up like he always does, but this time he brought me flowers and kissed me the second he arrived.
Finally able to act on all the attraction and feelings we’ve been hiding for weeks, we made out like teenagers in my doorway. The only reason we stopped is because we had to make our reservation and neither of us like to be late.
When we came up for air, he had said, “I know you can buy yourself flowers,” and I knew then that he understood me. The nerdy, goofball side of me I don’t often share.
For our first real date, Rohit picked a trendy Mexican restaurant in Flatiron.
Rohit and our host reach for my chair at the same time to pull it out. There is a second of confusion and awkward movements, but she soon concedes and lets Rohit do it, allowing him to be a gentleman. She hands us the menus and says, “Your server will be with you soon.”
The decor is minimalist with beautiful wood top tables. The chairs are sleek and black with high backs. On top of each table sits a succulent. Larger pots of plants are on a work surface for the servers in the middle of the room. A back wall is lined with bottles, but without a bar blocking the space.
Our server stops at our table before I even have a chance to look at my menu. “I’m Amanda and I’ll be your server tonight. I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu, but I can start you off with a margarita,” she says warmly.
“That sounds great,” I reply. I look at the drink list and order the Mezcal margarita.
“I’ll have the spicy margarita please,” Rohit says, looking at me, and cocks his eyebrow.
I blush and this date has barely started.
“Have you been here before?” I ask.
“I haven’t,” Rohit replies. “David recommended it. His exact words were ‘It’s not Spanish, so it’s not as good, but I know you and Miley will love it.’”
“I bet he uses that line on all his dates,” I chuckle.
I take a look at the menu. On the front is a description of the restaurant and the chef. I read the story.
“Oh my god, I love this place,” I murmur as I peruse the blurb on the menu regarding the executive chef.
“We haven’t even ordered yet!” Rohit exclaims. “Just because David likes it doesn’t mean you have to agree.”
“Just read the blurb on the front, Rohit,” I say.
“I can’t believe I’m dating a person who reads the restaurant blurbs.”
I laugh because I am one hundred percent that person. “Chef Gustavo donates part of his profits to a children’s orchestra in his hometown of Mexico City, to buy musical instruments for the children!” My voice cracks as I swallow down the emotion.
“Actually, I read that blurb already on the website when checking out the place after David recommended it. That’s what sold me. I knew you’d love it,” Rohit confesses with a bashful smile on his face. I reach out my hand and he takes it across the table. “Nothing feels better than giving back. No wonder David brings all his dates here. They probably melt on the spot and throw their panties at him.”
“Is that what you want me to do?” I ask, miming shimmying my panties off.
“Am I allowed to say yes?” Rohit lobs the question back. His eyes are full of mischief as he looks at me and smiles his bright, panty dropping smile.
I don’t have a chance for a flirty reply, because just then our server comes by and gently interrupts.
“Are you ready to order?”
“I haven’t even looked at the menu yet! I have been too busy reading the menu cover,” Rohit fake complains.
I quickly turn my menu over and make some on-the-fly decisions.
“Let’s start with the guacamole, and then I’ll have the Dungeness crab chile relleno,” I order and then hand my menu to Amanda.
“Oh, good choice!” Rohit comments. “Okay, I’ll have the duck carnitas,” he says with finality.
When our food arrives, we dig in. The conversation is easy and flowing as we discuss work, tennis, and how amazing the food is.
Chewing, I glance at Rohit, who straightens, rolling his shoulders back, as if gearing up for something.
“Can I ask you a question, Miley?” he asks, not using his nickname for me, which he so often does now. The seriousness of his face, and using my name, makes me wonder what he’s going to ask.
“Of course,” I say, but I’m nervous. Thoughts flash through my head. Has he reconsidered? Is he going to break up with me? Is he going to ask more about physical intimacy? I don’t know how I’d handle any of those scenarios, especially in public.
“So… I’m thinking about applying for a grant through the Impact Tennis Foundation. It would pay for a 22 month MBA program at NYU,” he says hesitantly.
“Rohit, I think that’s a fantastic idea! Why do you look so nervous?” I ask.
“Well, first of all, I don’t think I’ll get it. And even if I do, it’ll mean taking time away from us. It starts in January and I would have to take classes every Friday and every other Saturday. Do you think it’s a good idea?”
I can’t believe he is even asking me. He certainly doesn’t need my permission for anything, but I would love to support him.
“You want to know if I think it’s a good idea?” I ask, still confused as to why he would ask me.
Rohit replies, “Yeah, it’s a big time commitment, and I want you to be okay with it, because I care about you and your opinion. Our relationship is so new, so I don’t want to jeopardize it.”
Our server takes this opportunity to come by and see how we’re doing. We murmur our thanks and our yes this is delicious, and our no we don’t need anything right now. Our quick replies imply the only thing we need is for privacy to finish our conversation.
“Rohit, if you’re doing this for yourself, because you want to, then you should absolutely do it. If it’s because of some kind of pressure, for your career path, like from your parents or your community, then you should know that you have nothing to prove. You are already perfect the way you are.” I take a sip of my water.
“My parents don’t know I’m thinking about it. I want to do it to further my career. I like the career paths I’ve chosen, but I still want to grow within them, to help influence on a larger scale at the hospital and at the ITF.”
“Then I think it’s an excellent idea, and you should know that I will support you through it all. Even if we don’t see each other as often, we can make it work. I have erratic hours too. I’m not above a breakfast date on Tuesday mornings, if that’s the only time we have.” I beam, so proud of this step he wants to take.
“Well, I still have to apply first.”
“Of course you’re going to get it. They’d be idiots not to accept you,” I say with confidence that I absolutely feel.
Rohit’s smile warms my heart.