Dilemma.....

She was all dressed up for her College Annual day function in a sky blue chiffon sari. She always looked stunning in the national costume of India. More than the fact that it looked elegant on her slender frame, it was the grace with which she carried it off. She felt like a 'diva' each time she draped a sari and it showed.

She walked into the hall amidst innumerable admiring glances being cast her way. She quickly found her spot amidst friends and started chatting away. The dance floor was swarming with couples dancing to a soft romantic number. Gary who was her senior walked up to her and held out his hand. She took it in a firm clasp and shook hands with him. 'You look spectacular' he said. 'And i am not gonna be washing this hand in a million years'. She laughed. 'How gullible', she thought. 'May I have the honor of a dance with you?' was his next question. She wasn't prepared for this one. But before she could respond, Sam showed up and mentioned something about her being wanted in the library where the participants for the fashion show were lined up. Sam had overheard the conversation for sure and didn't seem pleased. He was her buddy and an over-protective one at that. But he was generally discreet too. One could never tell from his expressions or gestures. So, his apparent disapproval puzzled her. He kept avoiding her the rest of the day.

Towards the end of the day when she about to leave she spotted him playing the guitar and humming a tune. She walked up to him and sat beside him. 'That is a lovely note. But what's with you ? Am i invisible or are you having problems with your eye-sight?'
'Neither' he said. 'I thought you had an overdose of attention for one day and i should spare you the honor'. She didn't quite comprehend what he meant but didn't intend to push it. 'Is something wrong?' she asked. 'Or are you practicing to be petulant?' He didn't respond. She thought she was being persistent and left it at that. 'I gotto go' she said. 'Its pretty late. Allow me to drive you home', he requested. Her Dad had dropped her off and she intended to take a cab back home. But Sam was insistent that he'd drop her off in his brand new Wagon R. As she slid into the passenger seat he said 'That's the first time any girl has occupied the front seat'. She smiled. 'That is a cliche` Sam. Also a pretty overused line in Hindi movies. Moreover, its hardly been a month that you've had this car. So, stop acting like its a big deal'. He didn't reply to that.

'There's something on my mind that I need to discuss with you', he said. 'Now we're talking. Go on', she said.

To be continued.............