Sara's Trilemma

Prologue

Despite the uncomfortable heat in the large party hall of Purple magazine charity banquet, I was upbeat and conveniently happy. Today was the day. My eyes scanned the ever growing crowd of people, all dressed in their best. However, right then, I was in a very formal conversation with Mr. Dasgupta who was the head of JP Publications India. He asked me about my stay in Mumbai and if I required anything else. I politely declined his generous offers as I was not to flaunt my position to my counterparts here. 

"Thank you, Mr. Dasgupta. I can't wait to start my assignment," I said and excused myself as our conversation made some people turn their heads.

I glanced towards Anamika Vora past few groups to my left, where she closely conversed with two other CEOs Indian Publications. She stood in her bottle green satin gown, with her hair cascaded down to her shoulders. She didn't look like the mother of a kid as she tipped her head back to laugh softly. She caught my gaze and nodded, raising the glass her in hand. She was crucial for my second mission, but now I was in search for another girl in the crowd.

I strode towards the bar at the corner of the large ballroom, through eddies and swirls of women glancing and pointing at me. Frankly, I should have asked Rishi to fix up a date with one of his friends. So that I would have been spared. I ignored the interested glances and sat near the shadowy corner of the bar.

I took a long sip of the martini. I looked at the mix of crowd appreciating their sense of style. Of course, the event was organized by Purple. It was highest selling fashion magazine in South Asia. From what I heard, Anamika was responsible for all the success of Purple. She was definitely something.

Although, there was somebody else on my mind. A picture in my head. She ought to be here. I scanned the crowd and finally settling on a girl with a sky blue gown. She had her back to me, her dark brown hair was set into a bun leaving her enticing nape and a small of her back on display. The gown was simple, yet she stood out in the crowd of expensive gowns. She wore silver hoops in her ears, with no other accessory visible. Now I wished to see her face. Inside my head, I could hear the drum rolls as she finally turned and walked up to the bar and asked for a Cosmo.

She was the one I was looking for!

Sara Anand looked bored. She sipped her drink in leisure and glanced at her cell phone. After a minute or two, a boy of her age asked her for a dance. He wore an ill-fitting blazer and dark gray shirt underneath. She can do better than that!

She smiled forcefully and took his hand. I watched them dance on two songs with unpleasant feelings stirring inside me. She then excused herself and to my astonishment, walked towards me. I could hear my heart rate escalate as she turned to sit at the table near me. Calm down. She doesn't know you.

I watched her hungrily as she rested her chin on her palms, looking extremely bored and slightly annoyed. Up close, I could study her profile. She looked more beautiful than her pictures. How was I not to look disinterested in her? Sitting before me was a young woman with promising beauty and intriguing eyes. Was I staring at her? Shit!

She pressed her cell phone and called somebody. Her face lighted up as she hung up. Probably, she heard some good news. Soon, she was joined by another man and a woman, who looked like her friends. She immediately seemed at ease in their company. The woman was short and a little curvy. Although, she looked beautiful in her magenta dress. Her straight hair was tied up in a ponytail. What made the vein in my temple throb was the man by Sara's side. I did not like the way he looked at her. I didn't like how he snaked his hand around her waist. He was about her height with geeky glasses. Well, it was certain that it was her boyfriend.

I was forcing myself to feel some relief, as now the plan to befriend her became simple. No expectations as she was committed. It would make my job easier. Instead, I was uneasy, suffocated. Maybe I should leave and sleep. The jet lag still made me tired. Rishi would be at the apartment by now. He had made me so comfortable at his house that it didn't seem like my third visit to India.