“Well that was awkward.” Raj said as Priti and he exited the foyer of Aarti’s building “I wonder what got into her?”
“I think it’s fair to say she was jealous. Are you and Aarti a couple?” Priti asked gently, not making eye contact.
Raj didn’t know what to say, he and Aarti were definitely not a couple, but they had had a spark. He felt almost disloyal denying the statement, despite the fact that he wouldn’t be lying. “We aren’t a couple. But we have met a number of times.”
The car appeared from around the corner and Salim parked under the building’s canopy. Raj opened the car door for Priti and waited for her to climb inside before he closed the door and walked to the other side and sat beside her.
“So you’re dating?” Priti asked in a no-nonsense tone.
“No, we are not dating. We went out for coffee once, and had one chance encounter, and today has cemented the fact that her and I are not compatible.” Raj decided the best thing to do was be honest. He didn’t like being lied to and wasn’t going to lie to Priti. “So which Bollywood hero are you dating?” Raj was curious.
Priti laughed “I’m not dating anyone. The gossip columnists need to sell advertising space and my father is well known.”
Raj raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
“I was working on a party for this fairly successful actor, they took a picture of me adjusting his tie.”
Raj smiled “And then…”
“They plastered it on every gossip magazine and celebrity internet site in the country! It was soo embarrassing!” Priti’s face was bright pink, she was clearly uncomfortable with the whole thing.
“You realise there is a way to squash all that?” Raj said sitting back in his seat and smirking.
“How’s that?” she asked curiously.
“We take a picture together holding hands and you put it up on your instagram. People will like and share, and by the end of the week, the story will flip from your romance with actor boy to ‘Who’s the hot new guy?’ By which time I’ll be back in London. Simple.” Raj thought his plan was flawless, she would put an end to the rumours and he would get to be her knight in shining armour.
“Um, thanks but no… Then I’ll be the cheating slut who has way too many boyfriends. I’d rather just leave the story the way it is and hope they spot him with another girl soon.” Priti relaxed in Raj’s company. She could tell he was kind and reliable. Had he not lived soo far away she may have considered getting to know him, but right now, her business came first. She just needed to make her mum think she was giving him a chance. “Listen Raj, can I be straight with you?”
“Of course.” He could tell that whatever she was about to say was unlikely to be good news.
“I’m really focusing on growing my business right now, and I’m not really looking for a husband. Maybe in a few years time. But even then I wouldn’t want some one who lived abroad.” She took a deep breath and continued “But my mum really wanted me to give you a chance, and if I don’t, she will recommend other wedding and party planners to my dads clients”
“And so you need me to reject you?” He asked deflated. He appreciated her honesty but really thought there was something about this girl that felt so familiar and right. She was the perfect combination of smart, beautiful and elegant. She would fit in with his friends and be the perfect dinner date at a work function. Her ambition and drive were also reasons to find her attractive.
“Um, that would be helpful.” She said softly as she played with her bracelet.
“You do realise my mum will kill me. She’s in love with you.” He joked to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry Priti, I’ll tell her you aren’t my type. I’ll get Salim to drop you home.”
“Raj, don’t be hurt. It’s not you, it’s your location. Is there any chance we can be friends?”
“Of course we can be friends, but right now it’s a little bit raw. Is it ok if we start our friendship tomorrow, and tonight I go home and lick my wounds?” Raj was shocking himself with his forthrightness but he couldn’t pretend. He was tired. He hadn’t expected to like one girl let alone two. And both had treated him badly this evening. All he wanted to do was go to the gym and work off his feelings.
“I will text you tomorrow to confirm our friend status!” Priti joked to lighten the mood. “If you could drop me home, that would be awesome.”
Raj asked Salim to make his way to Priti’s home. Once they arrived, Raj, ever the gentlemen, got out of the car and went over to her side to open the door for her. He walked her to the door.
“Well Priti, I guess this is goodbye.” He nodded awkwardly.
“No Raj, we are friends, we will be seeing one another in Mumbai and London.” Priti leaned forward and gave Raj a kiss on the cheek, just as a camera flashed in the distance.
“Oh no, not again!”
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