The 3G Life

December 5 Monday 2018

All eyes lock into me as I enter the restaurant. But this time, it does not feel weird or uncomfortable. I know I look different and maybe beautiful. All of them are seeing me the first time in sari. Yes, I wear my grandma's wedding sari and simple jewelries that goes with it.

"You know how to wear sari?" asks Aadil.

"Well. My mother draped it for me," I reply.

"You look older, different, maybe elegant is the right word."

"Thank you. You look great in Panjabi too."

"But all the spotlights are on you."

I look over Aadil's shoulder and Aayan is staring at me. Not for once his eyes move from me. I go over to him and stand as close as I can to him. He takes a deep breath. He looks like a king in his maroon sherwani. And his familiar fragrance makes me fall in love with him a third time.

But I cannot be with him for much long. Hadi comes striding and showers me with compliments on my appearance. I smile and thank him. He asks once how was I feeling about the farewell? I just reply that it is an amazing arrangement but I feel a bit sad because I have to leave so many people.

"Oh my God, Amber. You look beautiful," Mohammed sir tells me.

"Thank you so much sir," I reply curtsying.

"I never thought you wore sari."

"Well. I am a Bengali girl."

"Girls always look beautiful in traditional attires."

Zara comes running and hugs me. She wears a beautiful navy blue gown and is in her usual glamour. She asks me where I buy the jewelries from and a bunch of other thing. She also tells me that she is afraid of o'levels but I reassure her that she is going to be just fine. She still does not let go off my hands.

Saeed appears out of nowhere and squeezes my shoulders from behind. I turn and see him in a black suit and he is looking strikingly hot. I wonder how Zara is keeping herself away from him. I sort of side-hugged him and compliment him on his looks. And of course he returns my compliments.

I see Uncle Sahib in a distance and walk over to say hello. He is supervising the food arrangement and seems quite busy. He returns my greetings with a smile and says I look good in sari. I ask him what the menu is for tonight. And he informs that it is fried rice, fried chicken, vegetable, prawn, and ice-cream for dessert.

At this point I miss Rihana. She is my closest friend and she cannot be with me on such a glamorous night. I just wish she will be here by a miracle but know it is vain. If Rihana is here, she will have probably been fixing my hijab and brooches and I can have cuddled her.

And then it is the fun part. Mohammed sir has arranged for a dance. I never think that he can be so liberal minded as for arranging something like this. But I guess fairytales happen once or twice in our lives. And for the better part, dancing is one of my vital qualities.

Aadil decides to be the DJ. And I have to give him credit for what he does. No sooner we are all on the dance floor and our hands are in the air. There are many people and I find myself inside a huge crowd. Of course I sway but cannot get entirely comfortable without my friends around.

"Hey. You would mind if I join you?" asks Aayan.

"No. I think I would be saved," I reply.

"You dance too. And in sari."

"I can dance in anything. Want to see?"

"I had already been noticing before coming along."

And then Aayan starts dancing, matching my steps. I think the only thing I feel at the moment is LOVE. I notice Hadi from the corner of my eyes as he starts dancing with a junior girl. And then my attention returns to my angel. Suddenly Aadil starts a slow-motioned love song.

Everyone gathers themselves in couples except Mohammed sir. Of course he is our mentor, who is going to dance with him. Aayan hesitates of how to hold me for the slow-motioned waltz. I place one hand on his shoulder and he finally eases and wraps his hand around my waist. I feel alternate electricity.

This is the first time we ever touch each other voluntarily and it feels just the exact thing we want to do for a really long time. Zara's eyes meet mine and she winks at me. I just blush and look again at Aayan. He gives his knife-through-the-heart smile and I pull myself closer to him.

"Maybe we could dance too?" Saeed asks Zara.

"I don't think I have an excuse," Zara replies curtly.

"Just a clean yes or no would be enough."

"Yes. But you know I love Farhan."

"Don't worry. I know my limits."

The dance ends and dinner comes along. Aayan and I sit together. Thank God we have a table all to ourselves. Uncle Sahib efficiently supervises the serving. Zara and Saeed also sit together but I know they are just telling the final goodbyes. And together, we all finish our dinner.

My father comes to take me home, though Saeed and Aayan both propose to drop me home. But of course, my father is more important to me. And so we part. The 3G is everywhere and not just in that red-brick building. And I get so many things, love, rejection, appreciation, apologies, but most importantly entwined FRIENDSHIP.