Ambience really makes or breaks the mood. Fine bone china with fine handcrafts and that reflective sheen, the music being played also matters. This reminded me of my spa visits and the waterfall artefacts. Is there a rule book where they make it a mandate to have these things to make our experience oriental? I could do without the dragon faces staring at me. And oh, that cat who can’t get over waving.

Gosh! Talk of mood spoilers. But you know I can assure you, they make a diligent effort with fragrance. That part I love.

It is away from the hustle bustle of the city, the poisonous air that we inhale. The lightly scented air freshener with aromatic fragrances, it is so soothing. It’s not a very spacious eatery, the one I am talking about now. I mean I am forced to eavesdrop on the conversation going on in the neighbouring table, the seating is such. A while back I heard them complain about the chairs. They have the same opinion as mine. That’s so reassuring. The menu is so elaborate. They have a great variety to choose from. I usually order the same thing every time, apart from a couple of times when I had a chat with the hostess and she made some suggestions. They were good. Here she is. “Ma'am, would you like your usual wine or would like to try something from our new bar menu?”

Tempted as I was, I immediately clasped the bar menu like a child does when they get a balloon at an eatery. But then this voice interrupted my exploration spree. “No she will have her usual white wine and I’ll have a beer and that's it for now”.

I glared at my oh-so-super imposing boyfriend and asked him why did he order for me? “You woke up this morning and grumbled about me calling you up so early. We made a deal in your deep slumber that I’ll make it up to you by treating you with your favourite wine at your favourite place”, he said in a rather soft and assuring voice. God, was I being ignorant? I could appreciate the fine bone china but not the shirt he wore. It’s the same one I gave him last month. I could not care about the special effort he made to shave on a weekend because I like it and I am appreciating the scented aroma at the restaurant.

I am complaining about the waving cat and annoying dragon faces and I didn’t even look at this man who is sitting here so patiently without batting his eyelid staring at me, trying to catch my attention. I couldn't help eavesdropping on our neighbours’ conversation but did not bother having one with him. We are so engrossed in the big things of life that we forget to appreciate the little things. We are constantly striving to acquire what we don’t have, ignoring the possessions we do have. It’s the little happiness that will bring me up when I fall, not the crockery and cutlery or tablecloth. Why do I forget that?

Anyway, I’m taking him out and going at it again. I’m doing this because I need to hear it from the hostess again. I need to hear what I didn’t realize or appreciate a while ago. And there she comes. “A table for two?”

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