Falguni's POV:
"Five days. Just five days left."
I muttered the words to myself while staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Not like I had won a lottery or was about to go on a Europe trip. Nope. Five days left for my engagement. My engagement.
I pulled my hair back into a messy bun and sighed. Do girls really glow before engagement? Or is that just Instagram filters? Because all I see is stress pimples about to throw a party on my forehead.
A quick shower seemed like the only way to feel human again. The warm water splashed over me, washing away the remnants of sleep and half-formed worries. Emerging refreshed, I toweled off and glanced at what I had picked for college today: a light peach kurta with delicate white embroidery, paired with cream-colored straight pants and simple sandals.
Comfortable, simple... perfect for surviving lectures without looking like a total mess. I twirled in front of the mirror. "Not bad, Falguni. At least no one can accuse you of looking like a zombie today."
I grabbed my college bag and rushed out of my room. Maa was already yelling from the kitchen.
"Falguni! Eat something before you leave!"
But of course, her "something" meant a plate loaded like it was Diwali feast.. I shoved a thought into my head: Another day of lectures on marketing strategies, finance basics, and all that business-management jargon...
"Ma, I'm going to college, not to fight a war!" I shouted back, stuffing one paratha anyway because-well, moms always win.
As I slipped on my sandals, my eyes met with my older brother's across the living room. Aarav Rathore. Older brother. Ever since childhood, we've been like India and Pakistan-same roots, different territories, and constant clashes. He gave me one of his trademark sarcastic looks.
"Counting days, huh? Someone's about to be trapped in tradition," he said, smirking.
I rolled my eyes. This guy, seriously. If sarcasm was an Olympic sport, he'd bring home gold for India.
But as always, I ignored him and walked out. Silence was my best revenge.
Falguni's house stood at the end of a quiet lane, its faded beige walls and slightly rusted gate giving it a modest, lived-in charm. A small courtyard at the front held a few struggling plants, while the smell of damp earth lingered after the rains. Her college was about 3 kilometers away, and every morning she either walked along the narrow streets, her bag bouncing with each step, or caught the occasional shared auto, exchanging brief smiles and nods with familiar faces on the way. The journey was routine, yet each day it gave her a few moments to observe the world outside her small, quiet home.
College was its usual chaos. Friends waving, laughter echoing in the corridors, and the smell of samosas ruling the canteen. My only true partner-in-crime, Sanya Verma, spotted me and pulled me aside.
"Gunnu! Only five days left, huh? Are you excited?"
I groaned. "Like I'm about to sit for board exams all over again."
She laughed so loud the whole corridor turned.
I whispered, "Shut up, people are staring!"
She winked. "Let them. You'll officially meet the world in a few days... and it's going to be interesting."
In class, I tried focusing on lectures but my mind wandered-engagement rituals, my mother-in-law-to-be's obsession with making everything perfect, and the looming countdown. Do I even have the energy for all this drama?
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By the time I returned home in the evening, I kicked off my sandals and sighed in relief. Finally, some peace. I changed into my favorite white cotton kurta, the one that always made me feel calm and a little invisible in the best way. White had always been my color-soft, simple, clean... like a fresh start. Maybe that's why I loved it so much.
I wandered into the kitchen, where Mom had already set dinner. A simple yet comforting spread-steaming rice, dal, aloo sabzi, and freshly made chapatis. I grabbed a plate and joined my family at the table.
"Gunnu, did you finish your assignments?" Mom asked, adjusting her saree as she served herself.
I nodded. "Yes, Ma. Only a few pages left for tomorrow's submission."
Raghav rolled his eyes dramatically. "Finally! I thought you'd be buried in college gossip instead."
I shot him a look. "As if you weren't gossiping with your friends all day."
Dad, calm as always, smiled quietly and said, "So, Gunnu, did Sanya manage to make you laugh at college today?"
I laughed, nodding. "Of course, Dad. She's impossible sometimes, but I like it."
We talked about small things-Mom's plans for the weekend, Aarav blabbering about my obsession with stationery, Dad mentioning a new book he wanted me to read. It felt... normal. Comfortable. Like nothing else mattered for a moment.
After dinner, I cleared my plate quickly and tiptoed to my room, escaping into the sanctuary of my bed. I hugged Coco (my littlestuffed bunny), whispering a tiny "good night" before letting my thoughts drift.
And that's when my mind wandered back to him-Devansh Mehra, my fiancé. That brief ten-minute meeting at our house... how polite, how calm, how strangely serious he had been. I twirled a strand of hair around my finger. Was he always this serious? Or am I imagining things? Maybe he's just cautious. Maybe this is normal... or maybe I just have no clue what to expect from him.
I giggled softly to myself. Classic me. Overthinking everything as usual. But I guess that's who I am. Always questioning, always wondering, always talking to myself...
Snuggled under my blanket, Coco tucked under my arm, I felt the soft evening light through my window. My eyes fluttered shut, the questions and curiosity swirling gently in my head. Somehow, drifting off to sleep felt like the only thing I could do while everything else in life... waited.
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