The night of the party:

 Sonia dressed in a pink sari studded with shiny and tiny silver ornaments. She wore a diamond pendant and diamond earrings. With final touch to her make-up and red lipstick Sonia accompanied Vineet and his wife to the party. It was organized by a local Pakistani businessman and his wife. Sara introduced Sonia to everyone else and by the time dinner was served she was surrounded by a mob of rich women trying to show off in front of her.

 “Hello gorgeous!”

Sonia turned to find Enzo standing there with a brilliant smile on his face. He was dressed in formals and had the look of a young business tycoon. Sonia couldn’t help blushing. He was so handsome…

 Sonia: Oh, hi…Mr. Enzo, so good to see you.

 He took her hand and kissed it. Sonia felt her cheeks reddening. She remembered what Sara had said about him so she kept her distance.

 Enzo: Good to see you too Sonia (his pronunciation of her name was terrible). So how is it going?

 Sonia: well, I am having a wonderful evening.

 Enzo: Wonderful evenings don’t come every day. If you want we can go for a dinner tomorrow.

 Sonia: no thanks, I am shopping with Sara tomorrow.

 Enzo: when are you free then?

 Sonia: never!

 She walked away leaving him gaping at her. Enzo left the party in bad mood after being cold-shouldered by Sonia.

 Vineet: hey Sonia, meet Nazia.

 Nazia was the hostess and Sonia talked to her for some time. Then the topic shifted to relationships.

 Nazia: you know finding a loyal partner in this country is so difficult.

 Sonia: true, but India isn’t far away…especially working wives in the city are prone to cheat on their husbands with either their boss or a handsome colleague. My friends in Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore always talk of such things.

 Nazia: I know…that is why I keep a close tab on my hubby.

 They laughed and sat down on the table. Nazia ordered a drink for them.

 Nazia: but you know this Enzo. I haven’t seen a guy like this him in Australia. He is so…you know…he is like we Asians. One life one partner. Maybe associating with us had taken a toll on him.

 Sonia: that’s not true…he is a guy who uses his good looks to lure Asian women to his bedroom.

 Nazia almost spat her drink out.

 Nazia: who told you that? That’s absolute rubbish! I have known him for seven years now. He is the best foreigner I have ever met.

 Sonia: well Sara was telling that-

 Nazia: huh! Sara will definitely talk badly about him. Do you know? She was handling her husband’s business for a month when he was sick. So one day she approached Enzo for an affair. He refused rudely and the word spread like fire as some of her friends knew about it. Vineet heard it too but he did not doubt his wife. He talked to Enzo who denied the rumors and saved Sara but she could not handle the refusal so lightly, as she had become a laughing stock among her friends. So she is jealous of him and spreads wrong rumors about him.

 Sonia was shell shocked.

 *****************