Chapter Two

Sanjay stood at the door, awaiting Mirasol's arrival. Over and over he brushed his hands through his white hair. He straightened his robes. He licked his lips, shuffled his feet.

One minute had passed since he last looked at the clock.

He sighed nervously, thinking back to the way she'd gone off into some sort of reverie while dancing with him. Was it good, or bad? Had she been thinking of ways to get away from him? To have Amir teach her instead?

The thought actually hurt him. That must be it… why would she go for a mere servant, when there was a prince so close by?

He stared at his feet, eyebrows knitted together.

Mirasol's knocking at the door startled him. He jolted open the door, a little too quickly, and stumbled backward a step or two. For the thousandth time, he ran his fingers through his bangs. He blushed profusely. "Hello, Miss Mirasol."

"Hi, Sanjay."

They carried on exactly as they had the day before, with the offering of anything to eat or drink, then him leading her through the mansion.

Once again, he offered her his hand. When she placed her hand in his, he hesitated a moment to draw her into him, looking her in the eye, searching for a trace of interest, revolt, anything. He just needed to know how she felt.

But she wouldn't look at him.

He pulled her close, arm around her waist, hand in hand.

"Just like yesterday, focus on what I'm doing. Just let our movements flow together."

She danced just like a new beginner, but she had potential. He felt her choppy movements, her attempted sways, and ignored it when she stepped on his foot. Today, though, he was the unfocused one. He was just so confused.

Suddenly, he stopped dancing, and dropped her hand. "Mirasol."

She looked up at him, pink in her cheeks.

"I see it in your shoulders. You're too tense. How about we have some tea?"

He took her by the wrist, leading her upstairs to the kitchen. She sat at the granite countertop. When he placed the teacup in front of her, she sipped happily, enjoying the smooth, herbal taste. She could feel it unwinding her, loosening her up. Somehow, she felt more confident.

"You're a great dancer," she said without looking at him.

He stood across from her with his hands resting against the countertop. He raised his own cup to his lips, taking a sip. "Thank you. I learned from Amir."

Mirasol chuckled at the thought of Amir holding Sanjay the way he had held her, especially because Sanjay was taller than the prince.

When they were finished with tea, he said, "Shall we try again?"

With confidence, Mirasol nodded her head.

Back in the ballroom, Sanjay and Mirasol were slowly swaying this way and that across the floor, Mirasol clumsily bumping into him only every so often. Sanjay found himself smiling, and when he glanced down to see Mirasol's face, he saw that she was wearing a content smile herself.

"You're doing much better than yesterday," he said. "You'll be passing me up soon, Miss Mirasol."

She looked up at him and happily said, "That's only because you're a good teacher."

Across the ballroom, poking his head through the door, Amir's face broke into a huge grin. They were smiling at each other! They looked like a couple already!

He was so excited, he could only stand there gripping the door handle so hard his knuckles turned white. Sanjay was his best friend, and the way he had seemed for the past few weeks… It was obvious he needed something to look forward to every day.

He thought back to when it all started.

"What's wrong, Sanjay?" Amir had asked over their traditional cup of afternoon tea.

His olive skinned friend had sighed in response, setting down his teacup. He looked downcast at his shoe. "I'm not sure, Master Amir."

Amir had tilted his head, eyeing his friend. "You seem so down. I don't like seeing you this way." After a pause, he added, "And your tea doesn't taste as good when you're upset."

Sanjay seemed as if he hadn't even heard the last remark.

What's wrong with him? Amir thought to himself. Has he lost something? Is he sick? Does he need something? Then the idea came to him. "Sanjay!"

His servant jumped, startled. "Amir! Are you alright?!"

"Sanjay! I know what you need." A mischievous grin played across his lips.

"What do I need?"

Amir stood, placing his hands on Sanjay's shoulders. "You, sir, need a girlfriend. We will begin our search tomorrow. Be up by eight."

The next morning, by eight thirty, Amir and Sanjay walked along the path, weaving in and out of the shops, strolling along through the town.

Amir gestured to Tina, to which Sanjay took a glance and shook his head.

He threw a glance at Sanjay as Felicity walked by, to which Sanjay shrugged his shoulders.

Michelle passed, twirling a pink stick in the air. The two men didn't need to say anything.

Then, walking along the path that ran through the forest, they came across a fishing Mirasol. She'd had her back turned to them, casting out a line into the stream. She was surrounded by the flowers and foliage of Spring, petals floating through the air. The scene was beautiful.

Amir stopped midsentence, and midstep, and threw out an arm to stop Sanjay from continuing. He studied the oblivious woman for a moment, then said, "It's her, Sanjay. It's got to be her."

When he looked at Sanjay, his friend was looking at her with hope and fear.

"Don't worry, Sanjay." Amir said. "I'll help you. I've been in relationships before. You'll be fine."

Sanjay couldn't be too sure.

And now here Amir stood, watching the two twirl around the ballroom, smiling, looking each other in the eyes. He might as well throw off the ball and make room for a wedding.

Although, he had did certain intentions for the ball.