Aarti was exhausted, she’d spent the majority of her day in lectures. At 4pm she had rushed to the salon and had the works. Her hair, nails, eyelashes and make up all looked amazing, but she just felt worn out. She was not in the mood to mingle, all she wanted to do was curl up in bed with a good book.
Raj’s family were due to arrive shortly, and although Aarti was eager to see him she couldn’t help but feel irritated that he hadn’t contacted her since Sunday night. He had her number and yet had chosen not to use it. All day Monday she had kept the phone close just in case, but there had been nothing, no call, no text, no whatsapp, no snapchat, no smoke signal, no nothing and Aarti was livid.
How could he expect them to have a relationship if he wasn’t capable of keeping in touch?
Sunday evening at Ming Yang had gone very well, they had shared food and chatted. Raj had been his usual flirty self and had tried to hold her hand under the table. He had insisted on paying the bill and had been disappointed when Aarti and Jas had had to rush off. When she had explained that she had a curfew, and that 'good girls’ didn’t stay out too late, he had leaned into her and whispered in her ear “Tussi jaareho? Tussi naa jao!” (Are you leaving? Please don’t go!) Aarti couldn’t believe that he was quoting lines from KKHH. She loved that movie, and loved even more that he was willing to make a fool of himself to make her laugh. It had been the first time she felt that him being the one might be a probability rather than a possibility.
Aarti looked in the mirror surveying herself, not bad she thought as she adjusted her blue satin saree. Her mum had insisted she wear a traditional outfit, as after all, this was a formal occasion, Raj’s parents and grandparents would be in attendance as well as other family friends.
Jas knocked on Aarti’s door and walked in as soon as Aarti called her in. She was dressed in a pair of acid jeans and a supergirl t shirt. She sat down on the edge of Aarti’s bed and crossed her legs under herself. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks, but why aren’t you dressed?” Aarti asked.
“I couldn’t find a thing to wear. Have you got anything for me?”
Aarti laughed “Go look in my closet, I’m sure you will find something. Trying to impress Varun are we?”
Jasmin went into Aarti’s walk in wardrobe. Rails of clothing were organised into subsections and hung in colour order against each of the three walls. There was a freestanding mirror in the centre of the room beside a waist high square cabinet that showcased shoes along the sides and a glass casing at the top that held all of Aarti’s jewellery.
“What would you recommend?” Jas called out. She was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothing.
Aarti walked into the room “Pick something from the saree section, I don’t want to be the only one wearing one.” as she placed a number of options onto the island.
Jas chose a midnight black velvet waist length blouse and paired it with a navy netted saree, “What about this?” she asked.
“I never thought of putting them together before but I think it’s a match! I’m sure he’ll love it!” she said, winking suggestively.
Jas began getting changed “He seems nice but I’m not really looking for anything permanent. Not like you and Raj.”
Aarti sighed “Raj hasn’t called or texted since Sunday night. I don’t know whether I should be offended or not?”
“I’d be pissed.” Jas said repositioning her outfit.
“It’s not like I’m his girlfriend, I have no right. He doesn’t owe me anything.” Aarti felt the need to protect Raj despite Jas’s poignant response.
“Whatever Aarti, you always do this, you’re a doormat.” Jas inspected herself in the mirror.
“Whats that supposed to mean?” Aarti responded while handing Jas a pair of earrings from the glass cabinet.
Aarti had never lacked male attention, but there had been two “ex’s” and both had taken advantage of her easy going nature. The first had cheated on her constantly, and Aarti had chosen to believe his stories regardless of how farfetched the lies were. They had only broken up because Jas had dumped him for her. The second had been controlling, he had wanted to track her every move and had questioned her relentlessly if ever she was late. He had felt that Jas was a bad influence and had issued an ultimatum, at which point Aarti had told him where to go and precisely what to do when he got there
Jas placed the earrings on her ears. “I’m just saying that you should start as you mean to continue. You teach people how to treat you. So if you want to be dismissed and forever chasing him, then accept his behaviour. Alternatively have a conversation and express yourself. Tell him you expected him to call, and the fact that he hadn’t, without prompting, is a red flag for you. His reaction to this conversation should give you an indication of whether he’s interested or not.”
“But how do I even start that conversation? ‘Hi, why haven’t you called me?’ I’ll sound super desperate!” Aarti picked out a pair of black open toe heels and passed them to Jas. “I’m better off, just keeping quiet. If he’s into me he will make an effort, if he’s not, he won’t. It’s that simple.”
Jas inspected herself in the mirror “Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made. If you want a different result, make a different choice.”
“You’re obsessed. Stop quoting Dr Phil!” Aarti held a gold clutch in her right hand and a black shoulder bag in her left “Which one?”
“I can’t! That man’s a genius!” Jas reached out and took the gold clutch “I’m ready, lets go impress some people!”
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