Not That Interested

Chapter 50: The One Where EMV Breaks Free

"Do you believe in magic? She asked.
"I believe in you." He said, "And you're the closest thing to magic that I've found."
-- J. M. Green

"You said some people might be wearing traditional!" I fumed to Shehzer, "I feel like I'm walking under portable limelights."

Most people at the extravagant hotel ballroom were suited up, or clad in evening gowns. I felt more than a few fascinated gaze in my direction. My husband seemed absolutely nonchalant about my predicament. Typical man. Maybe some women might enjoy being the uniquely dressed ones at events, but I for one, like to blend in.

"Hey, why blend in, when you were born to stand out?" He grinned at me, eyes twinkling. This grin always gets me.

I tried to pout, "Do I look like Lady Gaga? And also; quit stealing from Dr. Suess!"

"Hey hey hey! Dr. Shazz is in the house!" A pixie-cut blonde made her way towards us. She was dressed in a beige suit and pencil skirt. Her face split into an infectious smile. Shehzer let out an exaggerated sigh when she reached us.

"Hey there George." He eyed her warily.

"Wow, Shazz boy, you're being pretty up-close and personal with the lady." She nods to his arm resting possessively on my waist, winking at me. "Your guy used to avoid females like the plague in college. You must be a special one!"

"You could say that." I chirp back, "I signed a very legal looking paper saying that I'm pretty darn special." I wink back, flitting my ring finger in her direction. Shehzer smirked at George's stunned expression.

"Ice Prince? You got hitched?" She gasps, "OMG! Congratulations you two! She's adorable! You look beautiful together."
She gives me a hug, and an air kiss, as Shehzer handles the introduction. I tease him by mouthing "Ice Prince" at him. He gives an annoyed eye roll back.

"Thanks George." He smiles back. "How's Andrew?"

"Yeah, we broke up. Like ages ago...I'm okay. Had to drown my sorrows at the pharmacy though, for a while." She smiles a fake smile. It takes me a while to catch on, that she's speaking about drug abuse. My eyes widen at that.

Shehzer frowns at her, "It's not healthy, George. Your life isn't worth losing over a relationship."

She nods seriously before pulling me along with her, "Yeah, yeah, save the lecture, kay? For now, I need to show off your wife to our classmates. This is serious gossip fodder dude, and I'm the one who got the inventory here."

My husband tries to yank me back, but George has a death grip on my arm. "Back off Romeo. She'll be safe with me."

And that's how I ended up being introduced to a wide variety of new people. I was awed by the melting pot of nationalities. I met African, Arab, Oriental, Indo-Pakistani, Scandinavian.... It was amazing! I had always loved meeting new people, and this was such a refreshing change from seeing the same old people at parties.

"I love your dress! Where'd you get it from?" Mimi, a shy Chinese girl asked me.
"Uhh, it's from Pakistan. My home." I explained. She wanted to know if she could order it online on Ebay. It was hard not to laugh. Ebay doesn't touch Pakistan, far as I know.

Shehzer would often borrow me to introduce me to other close friends of his. I loved how proud he was of me, and so possessive. He actually growled at times when his male friends tried to do more than shake my hand, "Hands off my wife!" he'd say, unmindful of the teasing grins, and heckles thrown is way.

"Mina, is he usually this charming at home?" His best friend Matt asked me.

"Usually he is too busy worshiping me, to be too charming." I tease back.