Sonali's Suitors by Bharati Rose (books for new readers .TXT) 📖

of the side window. I was riding shotgun which made things more uncomfortable. The silence in the car hung like a heavy cloud in the compacted space. I glanced up at Gautham who concentrated his attention on the road ahead. Gautham was a nice guy, someone I could see as a long-time friend, but could I ever consider marrying him. As if the power of my gaze drew his attention his head turned to face me. He smiled warmly. Just as quickly we arrived at Gerard Street and stepped out into the throng of people walking about.

Gautham led me into a jewellery store that I had never seen in the bazaar before. Perhaps it was new. It was likely, as I had not been here is years. The owner was a chubby, bald man who greeted us fondly. It amazed me that Gautham’s family got such a welcome every time they came here. He seated us near a display that show-cased that most luxurious rings. There were couple rings for events like engagements and anniversaries, mood rings, gemstone rings. Gautham asked him to show us the latest models of couple rings. Gautham listened attentively to the owner and told him to take out a pair that caught his eye. The ring meant for the female was breathtaking. It was simple yet elegant, like the one I dreamt of wearing when I found the one. It had a cluster of tiny white diamonds in a circle, in the midst of which lay an exquisite pearl. The ring for the man was similar but less detailed. Both rings were of 24 carat gold, but the man’s ring had no crystals, just the pearl embedded in the centre of an engraved outline of a circle. Circle represented unity, the endless cycle of life. The pearl represented beauty, tranquillity and genuineness. I was surprised at his choice. I turned the ring to see the price tag attached at the bottom that read: $350 dollars. His was less, $250.

“Do you like them?”asked Gautham.

“Can we a moment of privacy to decide?” I asked the owner. He moved to help some new customers who had just arrived.

“So?” urged Gautham.

“Gautham they’re beautiful, but don’t you think their rather pricey for a fake engagement?”
“Only you and I know that. Let me remind you that this all has to seem completely real. I don’t mind spending the money, so don’t worry so much. Take it easy Sonali.”

Before I could say another word, he gestured for the owner and he had come between us once more.

“We’ll take these,” he said to the owner. He told me to go wait in the car, as he had other personal affairs to attend to with the owner for his family. I didn’t argue. The drive home was silent as well. The honourable individual he was, Gautham came into the house to leave me. He engaged in brief chat with his dad and excused himself on the grounds that he had to prepare for the engagement tomorrow. Tomorrow was Saturday. It was the day that I would have had to go to Samantha’s play in downtown. I had called her that night to tell her I couldn’t make it. She was disappointed but calmed down after I promised to be there on the last day of the play’s launch. She had always been a passionate actor, perhaps I needed tips from her now to get through this charade. That night I couldn’t sleep. Images of my mother, father, and Gautham’s mother looking devastated flickered through my mind. I tossed and turned. I would have dark circles under my eyes on the day of the engagement. Needless to say that once my crazy mother caught sight of my blotchy, red eyes in the morning, she launch into a lecture.

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Publication Date: 11-20-2011

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Dedication:
To all friends who aspire to be authors...