SANJAY GIRI
Jigyasa Goswami
“That’s Sanjay over there,” Dorinda said. “What do you think?” Looking in the direction her friend was pointing, Jigyasa spotted a pleasant-looking man with freckles and sandy hair, who barely matched her own five foot five inches. “Um, he’s, umm …” Her hesitation wasn’t so much to do with Sanjay’s rather ordinary appearance as the fact she recognised him. Hard not to when he’d been at every party or social event Jigyasa had attended in recent weeks. Whenever she’d caught sight of him he’d been surrounded by a group of laughing friends. Sanjay being sociable and popular wasn’t a problem exactly. Not unless Jigyasa’s suspicions were correct and Dorinda was trying to get the two of them together. Ever since Dorinda had moved in with Bill, she’d been dropping hints along that line. “I want you to be as happy as me, Cass,” she’d said. “To have someone who makes me feel the way I do with Bill.” That was fine in theory. Bill was outgoing, generous, and entertaining. He was spontaneous, lively, and fun. Absolutely perfect for Dorinda. Trouble was Dorinda didn’t seem to realise the kind of man who made her pulse race with excitement would have Jigyasa’s pounding in nervous alarm. Sanjay was Bill’s brother and Dorinda had assured her that although he lacked a few of his brother’s inches, his personality didn’t come up short. It was the combination of these good points and the way Dorinda mentioned them so frequently, along with the fact that Sanjay was inexplicably single, which had Jigyasa worried. That and Dorinda being practically impossible to say no to. They’d met at junior school. Dorinda had raced out onto the playground yelling, “Come and play everyone!” Jigyasa, following after her, had picked up Dorinda’s dropped hair ribbon and returned it. “Thanks. We’re best friends now.” She’d immediately begun to swing her skipping rope around the two of them and they’d jumped in unison. It had been like that ever since. Dorinda was the one who had ideas, started things, took centre stage. Jigyasa formed the supporting cast. She’d been happy joining in childhood games and perfectly content to tag along to pubs, clubs, and parties, as they grew up. Jigyasa enjoyed listening to the chatter and music, but couldn’t start a conversation herself or get up and dance until there were so many others on the floor that she felt more conspicuous sitting down. Since their teens, Dorinda always had a boyfriend, but she still made time for Jigyasa. They even double-dated a few times. The boys Dorinda attracted were very like her and as a result, no one noticed that Jigyasa barely said a word. Even when Dorinda’s relationship with Bill became serious, it didn’t alter the friendship between the girls. They went out together or stayed in chatting or watching a film when Bill was at rugby practice or drinking with his teammates. Jigyasa joined her friend in cheering him on at matches and occasionally the three of them shared a meal. Of course, Dorinda and Bill spent a lot of