Gold digger

She looked up at the group from under her lashes, a small smile playing about her mouth. This was not the time. Nevertheless, she allowed her body language to show, swaying slightly towards him to ‘display’ her special attraction. Her neat and demure demeanour gave nothing away. To the casual onlooker, nay, to her close friends even, she was this sweet, straight forward thing, intelligent and plain speaking, god fearing and family oriented. That really was her best positioning.

He turned to smile at her, his fondness showing. To him, she was special, a defenceless creature to be protected and cared for. She seemed to want nothing but his company, turning to him for every little care or bother. That was so sweet really. His heart swelled as he looked at her standing there among their group of friends, both young men and women. As she swayed slightly towards him, he automatically put his arm around her shoulder, as if to lend support and protection.

At that very moment, strategically, she lifted her lashes and gave him a really sweet smile. It had worked. Now to reel the fish in. But she hesitated… there was Shrijit as well who she knew was really, really a softie and who liked her a lot. He was there for her whenever she needed him, car and all. But the pity was… Shrijit looked a lot less nicer than the hunk by her side. Pimples where Shrijit’s bane, though his wealthy parents ensured that their only son lacked nothing.

Yet, the handsome who clearly was besotted, though of less means(his parents were working class after all); was a good back-up. Not in the very near future, she decided, turning to smile at him. She got a tender smile in return.

It was at Shrijit’s house that the decision really came to her. She sighed as she sank into the plush sofa before the home theatre. Their group of friends was meeting for a late post dinner evening, to catch a film, with snacks and drinks thrown in. Shrijit’s home was the obvious destination – it had everything other’s houses in the gang did not. It had space. They would have privacy. And best of all, Shrijit had his own den, a largish room with home theatre, music system, a mini bar and plenty of lounging space.

Handsome sank into the sofa next to her; smiling, expectant of a loving welcome. She smiled warmly, but adjusted the body language to a neutral zone. A pang shot through her: handsome was so good-looking, if only he were well endowed as well, with that one most important thing – money.

She quashed that thought: sitting next to the hunk in this luxurious entertainment zone which she knew the hunk’s apartment would never have, helped her make up her mind.

A while later, she got up and stretched, walked around a bit. Her eye was on Shrijit who was lounging on a bean bag, a Coke in hand. “Hey, get me a Fanta da!” she smiled at him. Shrijit was all attention. Drink in hand, she returned, daintly sat at the foot of the bean bag. As the film progress, she leaned slightly, further and further, till her head rested on his thigh, relaxed. She could feel him stiffen.

But a while later, he relaxed as well, and a protective palm came to rest on her head.

Bingo!