Sara's Trilemma

Encounter With The Ex

Just as we entered the boutique on the seventeenth floor of Seven Empire, our excitement rose several folds, the Magenta colored dress still hung on the mannequin on the central aisle of the expensive store. Tanya almost ran forward and gripped the hand of the sales girl in a tight formal skirt.

"Is this dress in size eight?" she asked, panting.

The sales girl, who looked positively aghast at her urgent question, took a moment to register it.

"Keep it cool, Tanya!" I hissed at her, pulling her backward.

"Easy for you to say. You got an awesome dress," she hissed back, motivated enough to snatch the dress, keep the cash and run in the other direction.

Before I could give an appropriate reply, which had a mild insult and teasing included, the sales girl responded. "We do have."

"Great. Can I try it on?" Tanya stepped forward.

The sales girl had a question mark on her forehead right away. Though as I produced my exclusive card, actually Anamika's, the lines vanished. Eagerly she handed her the dress and showed the changing room.

Tanya jumped and stepped inside the booth, while I waited outside in the red and golden surrounding, smelling a good air freshener. The dress fitted her nicely and we paid the extravagant discounted amount and proceeded to the elevator.

"Did you see Kush today?" I asked while we stepped inside it.

"Surprisingly no. He was out early in the morning." She replied. "Why all the curiosity?"

"Just asking," I scowled innocently while feeling happy that Rishi agreed to come to the evening Gala, even called at last minute. And it was going to be a surprise for Tanya. Her usual bubbling-self had been clouded by her foul mood since days.

The elevator stopped at fifteenth, and to our (especially mine) surprise, Viraj stepped in, with his crisp blue shirt and black pleated pants, with a key clunking in his hands. As soon as our eyes met, he smiled fully. And the recent memory flashed before me, he hinting me about our meeting as some kind of destiny bullshit. That had made me uncomfortable for next several days.

"Hello, girls," he began, still in the way of elevator doors.

"Hi," we both replied.

"Coming from shopping?" he asked eyeing the giant bag. The doors meanwhile closed.

"Yeah. For the JP Publication Gala tonight!" added Tanya. "Where are you going?"

"For a quick bite. Want to join me?" his face lighted up with excitement. His tall figure and the leaning of his head to the right side always reminded me of George Clooney from 'One fine day.'

"Umm. Okay?" I responded, very unintelligently, one must add.

While Tanya raised her eyebrow in question and exasperation, which was unnoticed by Viraj as he pressed the desired floor button, towards the food court.

With heavy steps, we entered Courtyard restaurant. While Viraj confidently entered, talked with the waiter and ordered the food.

Just I expected, he ordered my favourite soup, one mineral water bottle, and Garlic fried rice. It again reminded me of the days, only a year and a half earlier. He had been most perfect gentleman all the time, whenever I had tried to find any fault in him, it was impossible. I remembered not having to worry about anything when we used to go out. He arranged everything as per my liking and style. There was never a time when he disappointed him.

"So how is Cara?" Tanya asked as the waiter placed the steaming soup bowls before us. She was sitting on my right side, drumming her fingers on the table, trying to fuse the subtle tension that hung between us.