Falguni's POV:
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window and the faint hum of Mom humming in the kitchen. Another ordinary day, but somehow, the countdown in my head felt louder today, four days, three, two... wait, I lost count already.
I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. A quick shower later, the cool water had washed away some of the sleep and left me feeling a little fresher, a little lighter. I towel-dried my hair, ran a comb through the stubborn tangles, and dabbed on a hint of moisturizer. Nothing fancy, just the usual routine that made me feel like myself again.
Then, I slipped into my mint green kurta with tiny floral prints and beige pants. Comfortable, easy, and somehow cheerful, perfect for surviving a day without thinking too much about the impending engagement. I absolutely love wearing kurtas. Don't get me wrong, I do wear tops and dresses sometimes, but there's just something so comforting and "me" about slipping into a kurta. It feels like home, like a quiet kind of confidence.
At breakfast, Mom fussed over the placement of my plate. "Don't forget your dal today, Gunnu. You need energy for college."
Aarav, naturally, rolled his eyes and muttered something about "another lecture on ladylike eating habits," making me snort into my toast. Dad just smiled quietly, sipping his tea, listening to everything without saying a word-a calm anchor in our small chaos.
College was the usual whirl: Sanya waving frantically, friends joking loudly, the occasional sniff of samosas drifting from the canteen. But today, even amidst laughter and lectures, a small part of my mind wandered to him-Devansh Mehra, the fiancé I'd met for barely ten minutes.
Do all guys behave like this? Or is it just me? Maybe this is normal... maybe I'll figure him out. Or maybe I'll just overthink every tiny glance like always.
Lunch with friends was fun, filled with harmless teasing, gossip, and Sanya complaining about her assignments like it was a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. I laughed along, trying not to think too much about the countdown. .
After a while, Sanya leaned closer, whispering, "Gunnu, did you hear about Ananya? Her family's moving abroad next week!"
I raised my eyebrows. "Yeah... that's why she's throwing that goodbye party, right?"
Sanya nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! And guess what? Everyone's invited. You have to come. It's going to be fun. I already promised her we'll make it the best send-off ever."
I groaned playfully. "Fun, huh? More like another chance for everyone to judge my boring dance moves."
Two other classmates, Isha and Ritika , who were sitting at the same table, overheard us and joined in.
"Dance moves? Pfft, Falguni, you just need to swing a little. That's it," Isha said, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, and Sanya will cover the rest with her dramatics," Ritika added, giggling.
Sanya nudged me with a grin. "Exactly! Don't worry, Gunnu. We'll make it fun, and who knows? Maybe you'll finally get some confidence in front of everyone."
I shook my head, laughing. "Confidence, sure. Until then, I'll probably just stand in a corner hugging my drink like a proper introvert."
"Perfectly normal," Ritika said, shrugging. "We'll make you the star without you even trying."
We all came from the same school, though funny enough, we weren't as close back then. In fact, during those awkward high school years, I mostly floated around with my own little world of sketches, diaries, and daydreams, while Sanya, Isha, Ritika, and the rest formed their own little circles. Funny how life works-college somehow pulled us together like magnets.
Some friends couldn't join us in the same college for one reason or another. Ananya, for example, had to move closer to her parents' office because her father got a promotion in another city. Karan ended up in a different college because of a scholarship he couldn't refuse, and Aman, well, he just wanted to explore a specialized course that none of us were doing. Even though we weren't all in the same campus now, we kept our bond alive through calls, texts, and the occasional meet-ups whenever possible.
It's strange, really, how time and circumstances can push people apart physically, yet somehow pull hearts closer. And now, sitting here planning Ananya's farewell, it felt like school memories and college chaos had blended into one beautiful, chaotic, giggly family of friends.
The last lecture of the day finally ended, and I practically bolted from the classroom with Sanya, Isha, and Ritika trailing behind me, chattering non-stop. The topic had been some boring statistics nonsense, but nothing could kill the excitement buzzing around us-the farewell party for Ananya tonight!
As we walked, the gossip started flying immediately.
"Do you think Aman will actually cry, or just fake it for effect?" Sanya whispered, smirking.
"I swear he'll knock over something," Isha added, rolling her eyes. "He's always clumsy in front of crowds."
"Don't forget Karan," Ritika said with a grin, "probably busy taking selfies with everyone, trying to look cooler than anyone else."
I laughed, hugging myself with the thrill of it all. "And me? Probably in the corner, silently judging all of you while pretending I'm the most chill."
Sanya elbowed me. "Oh come on, Gunnu! You'll get dragged to the dance floor whether you like it or not. Admit it!"
We giggled like maniacs all the way back, throwing predictions about who would spill drinks first, who would hog the music playlist, and which group would start a mini drama in the middle of the party. By the time I reached home, my stomach started to hurt from laughing so much.
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Once home, I faced the big dilemma-what to wear. I stared at my wardrobe like it held the secrets of the universe.
"Hmm... this red dress? Too fiery. I'll scare everyone," I muttered to myself. "Blue one? Nah... feels like homework chic. Ooooh, this sleek black satin... wait, too party diva, and I'm not ready for that level of attention."
I twirled in front of the mirror, talking to myself the entire time. "Maybe something in silver? Nah, my skin will look dull. Light pink? Meh, too soft. Oooh! Champagne silk!" I gasped, hugging the fabric like I'd discovered gold. "Yes, yes, this is perfect! Sleek, classy, not too flashy, but still, 'Gunnu's here and you know it!'"
Within minutes, I was transformed. Hair loosely curled, minimal jewelry, a tiny clutch in hand, and my lucky silver bracelet snug around my wrist-my little confidence booster. Of course, I couldn't forget my favorite perfume-soft vanilla with just a whisper of woody warmth. The right fragrance always wrapped around me like a tiny hug, making me feel poised, cheerful, and completely myself. Honestly, a girl's outfit, a lucky charm, and the perfect scent could turn even the most ordinary evening into something magical-and tonight, I wanted every bit of that magic!
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By the time I stepped out, the evening sky was painted in dusky pinks and golds, and the air carried the faint sweetness of jasmine drifting from the street vendors near my house. Inside the cab, the windows framed the glowing city, the breeze slipping in with whispers of night. I leaned back against the seat, watching the lights flicker past, my mind buzzing with anticipation. Tonight wasn't just about Ananya-it was about laughter, silly games, and maybe a little chaos too. And honestly... I couldn't wait.
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