Dakshina woke up at 4 a.m., her mind still fuzzy with sleep but her body already in motion. The hostel corridor was a ghost town, with only the faint hum of a distant fan breaking the silence. She shuffled to the common kitchen, eyes half-shut, and quickly made herself a hot cup of instant coffee. The steam rose lazily from her mug as she settled into a corner of the lounge, flipping open her book of practicals. The quiet hours passed as she sipped her now-cold coffee, trying to focus on the dense text in front of her.
As the clock struck 6 a.m., Dakshina finished up her coffee and tucked her book away, heading back to her room. She was met with a sight that made her pause. Madhu was already dressed in a stunning lehenga, the vibrant colors of her outfit practically glowing in the morning light. The lehenga’s intricate patterns and shimmering fabric were a stark contrast to Dakshina’s more casual attire.
Madhu glanced up from her phone, her eyes wide with excitement. “Dakshina! You’re up early! Look at this lehenga! Isn’t it fabulous? I swear, I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous. I heard Lekha’s fiancé is so handsome—everyone's been talking about how he's basically a Bollywood star!”
Dakshina, barely awake and already overwhelmed by the flurry of Madhu’s enthusiasm, managed a sleepy smile. “Yeah, it looks beautiful, Madhu.”
Madhu twirled around, her lehenga flaring out in a swirl of colors. “And guess what? I overheard from a friend that Lekha’s engagement party is going to be like one of those extravagant events from movies. I’m talking about a live band, a whole buffet of exotic dishes, and even a fireworks display!”
Dakshina tried to stay focused, but the early hour and Madhu’s relentless chatter were beginning to wear on her. “That sounds… exciting,” she said, hoping to steer the conversation away.
Madhu wasn’t deterred. “Oh, and the guest list! Apparently, there are some big names attending. I heard someone say that the Chief Minister’s daughter is coming. Can you believe it?”
Dakshina nodded absently, her mind already drifting to the quieter moments she hoped for today. “That’s really interesting, Madhu.”
By now, Madhu seemed to be on a roll. “And did you hear about the bridal outfit? It’s designed by this famous designer from Mumbai. I saw a picture of it, and it’s supposed to be this incredible mix of traditional and modern. You know how we all struggle with finding the perfect balance?”
Dakshina forced a smile, her patience wearing thin. “Sounds like Lekha’s really pulled out all the stops.”
The conversation paused as the two of them left the hostel and took an auto rickshaw to Lekha’s house. The fresh morning breeze rushed against their faces, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers and the promise of a new day. Madhu continued to chat animatedly about various details of the upcoming event, but Dakshina remained mostly quiet, her gaze drifting to the passing scenery.
Within minutes, the auto pulled up to Lekha’s house. It was an impressive sight, with elegant decorations and a welcoming air. The excitement of the engagement party was palpable, and Dakshina could see why Madhu was so enthusiastic. She took a deep breath, shaking off her earlier weariness, and followed Madhu up the steps into the bustling house, ready to immerse herself in the festivities.
As they entered, the sight of familiar faces and the soft hum of conversations filled the space. Dakshina glanced at Madhu, who was already deep in conversation with a group of friends, and decided to find a quiet corner where she could enjoy the party at her own pace.
Dr Dear
As the clock struck 6 a.m., Dakshina finished up her coffee and tucked her book away, heading back to her room. She was met with a sight that made her pause. Madhu was already dressed in a stunning lehenga, the vibrant colors of her outfit practically glowing in the morning light. The lehenga’s intricate patterns and shimmering fabric were a stark contrast to Dakshina’s more casual attire.
Madhu glanced up from her phone, her eyes wide with excitement. “Dakshina! You’re up early! Look at this lehenga! Isn’t it fabulous? I swear, I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous. I heard Lekha’s fiancé is so handsome—everyone's been talking about how he's basically a Bollywood star!”
Dakshina, barely awake and already overwhelmed by the flurry of Madhu’s enthusiasm, managed a sleepy smile. “Yeah, it looks beautiful, Madhu.”
Madhu twirled around, her lehenga flaring out in a swirl of colors. “And guess what? I overheard from a friend that Lekha’s engagement party is going to be like one of those extravagant events from movies. I’m talking about a live band, a whole buffet of exotic dishes, and even a fireworks display!”
Dakshina tried to stay focused, but the early hour and Madhu’s relentless chatter were beginning to wear on her. “That sounds… exciting,” she said, hoping to steer the conversation away.
Madhu wasn’t deterred. “Oh, and the guest list! Apparently, there are some big names attending. I heard someone say that the Chief Minister’s daughter is coming. Can you believe it?”
Dakshina nodded absently, her mind already drifting to the quieter moments she hoped for today. “That’s really interesting, Madhu.”
By now, Madhu seemed to be on a roll. “And did you hear about the bridal outfit? It’s designed by this famous designer from Mumbai. I saw a picture of it, and it’s supposed to be this incredible mix of traditional and modern. You know how we all struggle with finding the perfect balance?”
Dakshina forced a smile, her patience wearing thin. “Sounds like Lekha’s really pulled out all the stops.”
The conversation paused as the two of them left the hostel and took an auto rickshaw to Lekha’s house. The fresh morning breeze rushed against their faces, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers and the promise of a new day. Madhu continued to chat animatedly about various details of the upcoming event, but Dakshina remained mostly quiet, her gaze drifting to the passing scenery.
Within minutes, the auto pulled up to Lekha’s house. It was an impressive sight, with elegant decorations and a welcoming air. The excitement of the engagement party was palpable, and Dakshina could see why Madhu was so enthusiastic. She took a deep breath, shaking off her earlier weariness, and followed Madhu up the steps into the bustling house, ready to immerse herself in the festivities.
As they entered, the sight of familiar faces and the soft hum of conversations filled the space. Dakshina glanced at Madhu, who was already deep in conversation with a group of friends, and decided to find a quiet corner where she could enjoy the party at her own pace.
Dr Dear
