The Rules Of Pursuit

61. Union Ball

I went shopping with the girls, to buy something inexpensive for the Union Ball. Mia and I had decided to wear traditional attire, while Olivia chose a beautiful glittery strapless mauve gown, for her Cinderella. Natasha decided to stick to her navy blue high neck sheath dress that highlighted her hips.

"That is how modern Elizabeth Bennett is supposed to look like." Mia had commented taking note of Natasha's attire, while Olivia and I nodded appreciatively.

"Naxi, PLEASE try the sleeveless blouse!" Mia thrust the blouse frustratedly. We were at the a traditional attire store in Dehradun. Fatima had lent me her gold bordered red chiffon sari for the Union ball. But I needed to find a matching petticoat and blouse. Though the petticoat was easy to choose, the blouses however were all a little tacky.

"My arms will look hideous in this." I continued rejecting her choice of blouse.

"Listen girl," Natasha said sternly, "the Union Ball is all about letting your hair loose, so try the sleeveless one."

"The sleeveless one will let my flabs loose, not my hair." I grimaced.

"Oh come on Naxi, just try it." Fatima egged on.

Grudgingly I went to the trial room and put on the red sleeveless satin blouse, wrapping the Sari loosely around me. It didn't look that hideous.

One of the benefits of wearing a sari, was that it hid all your bodily flaws, highlighting only your assets. I wondered how I would manage to drape the sari. For all the occasions I had wore a sari, my mother had draped it for me.

I took off the blouse and folded the sari back neatly. Putting on my woolen baggy top I finally stepped out of the trial room, only to be greeted by four expectant pairs of eyes.

"Ummm...it's not bad." I said sounding a little unsure. "I will buy it."

Thanks to the Subhash Chakra, Avinash and I had received a cash sum of Rupees Ten Thousand each. The remaining amount of ninety nine thousand was stored in some bank accounts in our name, which were maintained by the R&AW. We were to receive it once we passed out.

Though I had used half of my cash prize on Avinash's birthday plan, I still had a lot left. For a change, I decided to buy two golden earrings to pair with my attire for the Union Ball.

"That's my girl," Mia gave me a tight hug.

"I thought I was your girl." Fatima pretended to look hurt.

"You are my love," Mia pulled away from me and tenderly kissed Fatima on her cheek.

"No coochie-cooing today." Olivia fake scowled.

We had lunch together before biding Fatima goodbye and taking a shuttle to Auli. Mia and I kept our shopping bags in our room before joining the rest of our gang at the cafeteria.

"Can you believe this is Nuts first Union ball?" Mandy asked incredulously.

"You didn't go last time?"I asked a little surprised.

"Balls are not really my scene." Natasha said smiling. "If it hadn't been for Mandy, I wouldn't have gone this time either."

"That would have made two of us." I said rolling my eyes. "I may still decide to sleep in."

"I wouldn't let you bail out." Avinash said smugly.

"So are you going shirtless,." I asked him eagerly. "I mean Shiva is supposed to be shirtless."

"Nope!" He grinned looking at me incredulously. "Stop being so greedy."

"What are you going to wear then?" I asked curiously.