Chapter 13

It irritated the hell out of me that I let his words get to me. What was his name again? I recall Gautham mentioning it at some point. Ah right, Vijay! Vijay meant victory. He seemed more like a pompous asshole to me! My name on the other hand meant golden girl. I doubt that my personality or my nature complemented the name, but my father adored the name. To him I was Sonu Kutty, and that was that.

Gautham, on the other hand, was named after Siddhartha Gautama, who devoted his life to Buddhism. I let out a sigh. Even Gautham’s name was linked to a great personality. Too bad his friend had the manners of an ogre. You would think that the friends who surrounded you would help communicate your own nature to others. That saying was certainly wrong. Ha! Vijay and Gautham were complete opposites. One was sweet and considerate, the other abrupt and insensitive. They couldn’t be further apart. That thought brought back the memory of his rude comment. Some nerve that guy had. He obviously didn't know how to speak to women, or complete strangers for that matter. It really didn’t matter though, just as long as Gautham didn’t bring him to one of our meetings. I didn’t need the embarrassment of seeing him in person as well.

I shook my head to shake off all thoughts of that despicable young man. Nonetheless, sleep evaded me. My cell started vibrating underneath my pillow. It was a message from Gautham.

It read, “Hey Sonali! Are you free tomorrow evening? I was hoping we could meet up for coffee and chat.”

I responded by telling him that I was free to meet him at Timothy’s around 4:00 p.m. after class. He replied in minutes, saying he’d be there with coffee ready.Smiling thoughtfully, I returned the blackberry phone to its place beneath my pillow and attempted to go to sleep.

It was raining hard as I came out of class. It reminded me of the monsoon seasons in India. Lucky me! I had no umbrella, and hadn’t had the foresight to wear a hooded jacket. My hair started to curl into ringlets at the ends. I hated when that happened, because in its aftermath I’d have frizzy hair. Fortunately, I had a spray for frizz control in my Guess bag. Sighng, I walked the two miles in the rain to Timothy’s. I glanced briefly at the cafe entrance.

The chilly air caused goosebumps to appear along my arms. I shivered involuntarily. I wrapped my leather jacket around me more closely and adjusted the scarf around my neck. In the process, being the clumsy idiot I was, I bumped into something hard. I glanced up to look into the pitch dark eyes of Vijay. I mumbled an apology that was barely audible, even to me. Yet he had managed to hear my indiscernible words.

“Perhaps actually watching where you are going could save you the extra effort of apologizing so often. It seems every time we meet you use that word.”

I gave him a blank stare, excused myself and walked past him into Timothy’s. Out of the corner of my eye I watched him take out a cigarette and light the end. The cigarette sat snugly between his fingers, as he inhaled the smoke and then blew it out. I grimaced at the scene. I absolutely hated smokers. They didn't care about the harmful effects smoking caused them, but were even more inconsiderate to the fact that second-hand smoking affected those around them. His eyes met mine momentarily. I looked away and made my way to the back of the coffee shop, where Gautham sat on a couch. I sat across from him in another smaller couch. He hadn't notice my arrival.

I watched him, as he stared intently at a newspaper. His brows were scrunched together as if questioning something he read. I almost felt as though I'd regret not marrying Gautham. He seemed to embody everything significant.

I remember reading on his Facebook profile that he aspired to join lawyers-without-borders at some point in his life. He volunteered his time intermittently at non-profit law firms.

I wasn’t a stranger to helping community organizations or fighting for causes I believed in. I was the founder of a women's group at my high school that focused on being a safe haven for women. It was somewhere girls at school who faced issues of abuse and neglect could come for comfort and a solution to their problems. I participated in clubs at school that fundraised food or funds for a variety of humantitarian causes. Yet my involvement in all these causes came to an abrupt end after high school. I felt like a sell out at times for abandoning the causes I had so faithfully fought for before. Somehow I thought being Gautham could reintroduce that side of me to this world.

While I lost myself in past recollections, Gautham had finally spotted me. He waved his hand before my face with the most charming smile. I blinked like a person awakening from a trance. I smiled at him warmly.

“Good to have you back,” laughed Gautham.

“Sorry,” I mouthed self-consciously.

“No worries!”

“So.....”

“So... I think we should get this show on the road, don’t you?”

“How exactly do we do that?” I asked, disconcerted about possible consequences if our plans failed.

“We give our parents the green signal to get started on the arrangements for our engagement.”

“You mean today?”

“The earlier we get them convinced that both us are willing and ready to marry one another, the sooner they’ll open up to the idea of us having a longer engagement.”

“Ok. So you want me to go tell my mom later tonight that I’m ready to get married to you?”

“Not later, now, that way you can tell me what she says and I can help you if you get cold feet.”

Just as Gautham was about to utter his next words observing my silence, someone cleared their throat behind me. Gautham glanced up, and smiled. I turned to see, and glanced up at my worst nightmare. It was bad enough that I had a run-in with before I entered the cafe, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for more humiliation. I made a mental note to ask Gautham to change our meeting spot. This guy better not turn up there as well.

“Hey, you remember Sonali, right Vijay?” asked Gautham.

“How can I forget your fake fiancé?” smirked Vijay.

In my mind, I pictured throwing darts at his photograph. Gautham patted the seat on the couch beside him. Vijay reclined on the couch, making himself more comfortable. He placed one leg over the other with abandon, while clasping his hands behind his head. I refused to look at him again. I kept my gaze focused on Gautham’s face.

“Good that you came with me. I was just telling Sonali that we had to inform our parents about our consent. What do you think about all this?”

“I don’t know if your charade is going to work. You might be juggling more than you can handle. What if you end up having to marrying her?” asked Vijay.

“That won’t happen. Sonali and I don’t want to be married. If the plan fails, we’ll just tell our parents the truth.”

“Well I’ve given you my two cents Gautham, but it’s ultimately to you.”

Gautham turned his attention to me.

“Sonali please call your mom for me right now, and tell her you agree to this proposal.”

I nodded and took out my cell and hit speed dial. My mother was the first person on my contact list. Gautham and Vijay kept silent, observing me, while I pressed the receiver closer.

“Hello,” came my mom’s shrill voice from the other end.

“Hey mom! It’s Sona. I just wanted to tell you that......” I paused midsentence.

“Tell me child. What’s on your mind?”

“Well I was thinking about what you and dad said last week about wanting me to settle down and...”

“Yes, go on!”

“Vaani auntie seems like a nice person, and so does her family. I’ve also had the chance to talk to Gautham. Maybe it might not be such a bad match. What do you think mom?”

“That’s wonderful honey! I’m so happy you’ve come to your senses.”

I heard her excited voice convey the news to my father in the background. He seemed surprised.

“Your father is so happy. Let me call Vaani and make the necessary arrangements.”

“Ok mom. I’ll see you at home.”

I let out the breath I had been holding in. Vijay gave me a strange look.

“You ok,” he asked.”

“Yeah, it’s just that she seemed so happy. I hope we’re not doing something wrong.”

For the first time since meeting him, Vijay looked almost sympathetic to my plight. Gautham smiled reassuringly.

“Everything will go smoothly Sonali. Just watch, no one will get hurt.”

I wished I had his confidence. I just wasn’t sure I believed him. I put on a brave smile.

“You’re right of course. Silly me. I’m always worried for no reason. Thanks!”

“Well it’s my turn now,” said Gautham.

He was interrupted by a phone call. It was none other than Vaani Auntie. My mom works fast. Vaani auntie first asked for Gautham’s consent for marriage, which he gave her. After a couple of minutes of holding the cell to his ear, Gautham disconnected the line.

“We’re getting engaged this Saturday.”

“That quick,” I exclaimed!

“Yes! Apparently they had all the arrangements done already. All that was pending was our consent. Our families really like each other. I hope we can all part as friends.”

“Isn’t there any possible way we can postpone the engagement?”

“It’s better for the both of us if we get it out of the way at the earliest. Besides the engagement period will be a long one, so no worries, relax. Oh and by the way, my mom is picking you up on Friday to select the engagement sari and accessories.”

“I’m guessing you won’t be coming along?”

It wasn’t common to see men in jewellery or Indian garment stores. They always felt under the weather in the time it took for women to shop. I shared their discontent because I rarely went shopping for traditional Indian garb. My mom had to twist my arm to get me to go anywhere near them. That's why she usually made the purchases herself. Someone shook their hand in front of my face. I looked up into Gautham's inquisitive eyes.

“I’m starting to get the feeling that you’re not entirely with me. You seem lost in your own world, in your own thoughts. What were you thinking about, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Uhm sorry! I was just thinking about going shopping."

“What about shopping? The best sari color for this bogus occasion?” he winked.

“About how boring it’s going to be to sit through shopping for saris. I absolutely hate shopping.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve never heard of even a single girl who doesn’t love shopping! Especially if they’ve got a sacrificial lamb in tow to foot the bill,” scoffed Vijay.

I almost forgot that he was there. I glared daggers at him. Gautham’s face lit up, and it was apparent he worked really hard at stiffling a laugh. He nudged Vijay, signalling him to remain quiet. Vijay had a smug look plastered on his face.

“Yeah well, you’d have known that all girls aren’t shopaholics if you’d actually taken the time to get to know them as friends. Sadly you probably only ever focus your attention on zero IQ, cleavage-flaunting bimbos.”

“You already know my type, and we’ve just met.”

I turned my attention to Gautham.

“I've got to run and finish some assignments. I’ll catch up with you later. Text me or call me if you need to talk about anything. Tell Vaani auntie that I’ll see her on Friday.”

“Bye Sonali!”

“Catch you later Sonali,” called Vijay as I got up to leave. I nodded my head in acknowledgement reluctantly and left the cafe. I didn’t trust myself to stay in Vijay’s company for too long. Who knew? I might end up strangling him to death with my own bare hands. The guy practically oozed of haughtiness. I had the feeling that I’d end up seeing him quite often though.

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Publication Date: 11-12-2011

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