dinner tonight

I looked at Karim, searching for the amusement in his eyes, but there wasn't any. I tried to process his words, how easily he said that. Panic started kicking in my brain. It wasn't because I was scared of him or felt uncomfortable; I had just gotten out of a relationship, and I didn't think of Karim romantically, at least not yet. I didn't want to get into another relationship so soon. It felt a bit weird.

I shook my head. "Don't scare me."

Karim just looked at me silently. I looked back at him silently. He laughed. "Okay, I was just kidding."

I was still shocked and recovering from the jolt he gave me. He held my hand, and I looked at our intertwined fingers. He continued, "I am sorry, I just wanted to ask for dinner tonight."

I sighed. "Oh, dinner."

Karim nodded. "Yes."

I nodded. "Fine."