Tasha confirmed. Punctuality accentuated her personality. She defined herself as an “eternally punctual person”. Tino found that somewhat hilarious. Is not being born prematurely and living a sinless life until an early death not the ultimate punctuality for eternity? The philosophy of time and death has always been Tino’s primal interest in life.

Anyway…

The date went really well. The food was delicious! At least Tino’s money was not charred in the kitchen (oh yes, Tino paid for the entire shin-ding like the proper gentleman he was pretending to be). Or was he really a gentleman? Well, at least there was no improper touching involved throughout the evening. There were no physical advances or even sexual innuendos. It was a real tête-à-tête of like minds. 

Tino and Tasha were surprised when they realised that only a few minutes remained till midnight. It was just good food, mature wine and even more mature conversation. Clearly, the wine also matured the conversation. 

“There’s something about an expensive and old bottle of wine that makes a conversation deeply philosophical and intellectual. A post-doc research topic for you, perhaps?” Tino remarked.

 “Maybe. We’ll see.” Tasha replied

They decided to call it a night. Such a beautiful night it was, indeed!

Tino drove Tasha to her apartment in his raspy Toyota. He hoped to one day trade it in for a Tesla.

“Only time (and less of the expensive dinners) will make that happen”, he told himself.

 No comment was made to Tasha about how much was spent that night. Tino found it ungentlemanly to utter such nonsensicals. He wanted to handle all the finances in the relationship. 

Wait, are Tasha and Tino now in a relationship? What? Already?