Chapter 21 - Monday 10pm

Varun: Where are you man? You’ve been gone for hours!

Raj: Still at Mr Singh’s house! This is taking forever.

Raj was fed up, they had started their journey at 4pm. Bandra traffic was terrible so they hadn’t made it to the The Chauhan’s until 5.30pm. They had been seated in a plush sitting room and Raj had been subjected to a virtual interrogation. Once he had suitably impressed Dr Chauhan, Sajjal his daughter had entered the room she was tall and elegant in a yellow saree carrying a tray laden with tea and samosas. Sajjal had seemed far more traditional than Aarti, she too was becoming a doctor and had seemed nice enough, but she wasn’t Aarti. Dr Chauhan had suggested Sajjal and Raj go into the dining room and have a chat, and despite having severe reservations Raj had agreed. The chat had been stilted and awkward, so Raj tried his best to keep it brief, and once they were safely back in the living room, Raj discreetly indicated to his father that it was time to wrap up and move on.

They arrived at the Shaa’s at 7.30pm, and the interrogation began again. Nisha had been short and curvy and was studying economics and commerce. She had of course brought in the food cart with tea and samosas, and the “private chat” had been insisted on once again. Raj must have had a steep learning curve as the conversation had been a lot less awkward but none the less, she wasn’t Aarti. So as soon as he could Raj made eye contact with his father and then looked longingly at the door, at which point it was suggested that they take their leave.

At 9pm they arrived at the Singh residence. Mr Singh was perhaps the nicest father of the three, he hadn’t interrogated Raj at all but instead kept them amused with anecdotes about the gold trade and the lengths people went to in pursuit of a discount. Their home was lavish and plush. Raj had yet to see Priti as, unlike the other households, the maids were serving the food. Raj had just finished his second helping of dessert, at Mrs Singh's insistence, and but this point he was beginning to wonder if they even had a daughter. Perhaps this was just a social dinner and he had misunderstood his grandmother. 

“So Raj” Mr Singh boomed across the table, “Sorry to keep you waiting, but my Priti is still out with her friends, she should be home any minute.”

“That's quite alright uncle. Perhaps we should take leave now, and I can meet her another time” Raj suggested hopefully.

“No no baita, her mother just spoke to her, she’s at the gate, she will be home in less than two minutes. So tell me what do you do?”

Raj responded on autopilot, he had been through this conversation far too many times today.

Priti walked in just as Raj was halfway through explaining his 5 year plan and long term goals. He completely lost his train of thought, and sat there staring at her. She was stunning. Tall, slim, dressed impeccably in a white cotton Dior sundress and bright white heels, with a pair of black Gucci sunglasses perched on top of her head.

“Hi, you must be Raj.” She said in a polished British accent. “I’m Priti, sorry to have kept you waiting.” She then turned to Raj’s parents, bowed her head and touched her palms together and greeted them in perfect Hindi, apologising for being late and expressing an interest in getting to know them. She turned back to Raj, and said “Do you want to come for a quick chat in the library?”

Raj followed Priti wordlessly. He was smitten. She was everything he was attracted to, assertive, beautiful, polished. He composed himself. Now was the time to impress.

They walked into a tall round library filled with books with a ladder that could swing from left to right. In the centre of the room was a huge chandelier and a set of sofa’s arranged in a square facing inward with a low square coffee table in the middle. Priti sat on a two seater and suggested Raj sit on the sofa to her right. 

“So.” She said “Where shall we begin?”

“Perhaps you could tell me a bit about yourself, as the only thing I know at the moment is that your name is Priti, and you clearly live up to your name!” Oh dear God. I can’t believe I just said that. 

“That was hands down the worst line I’ve ever heard!” she smiled “I’m 25, I work as a party planner, mainly corporate events, but I have organised some high profile private parties. I'm going to cut to the chase here Raj. I’m not looking to get married to anyone right now. When I am ready to take that step, it's highly unlikely that I'll be marrying anyone abroad”

“Hmmm that's a shame. I'd like to get to know you. Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind?” Raj felt torn, he really liked Aarti and felt as though they had clicked, but Priti was sexy. She was assertive, bordering aggressive, and the less interested she was in him, the more interesting she was becoming.

“Realistically I’m not sure there’s any point in us starting anything.” she said apologetically.

“Fair enough. I respect your honesty.” Raj stood up and offered her his hand. Priti took Raj’s hand and shook it, he held on for a second longer than necessary. “It was nice meeting you Priti, if you’re ever in London, give me a call and I’ll show you around. Shall we head back?”

“That’s a nice thing to say…” Priti looked back over her shoulder at Raj as she walked out of the library.

“Well I’m a nice guy.” Raj said stoically.

“Nice guys finish last.” Priti countered.

“I’m beginning to see that.” Raj chuckled.

“How about a drink?” Priti suggested sheepishly.

Raj stopped walking abruptly, put his hand in his pocket, pulled out his wallet, extracted his business card  and handed it to Priti. “How about you give me a call, and let me know when and where.”

“No promises Raj. Like I said, I’m not looking for forever.” Priti warned.