The Event Day♡

The long-awaited event day had finally dawned, and the sprawling grounds of the Army Medical Institute thrummed with vibrant energy. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the scene, illuminating rows of neatly arranged chairs and the crisp uniforms of army personnel bustling about. Their movements were precise yet infused with a quiet excitement, as they double-checked every detail with the pride of soldiers accustomed to perfection. The faint clink of metal and the rustle of fabric mingled with the hum of anticipation in the air.

In one corner of the grounds, a makeshift kitchen buzzed with. Chefs in white aprons worked over steaming pots, the rich, savory aroma of biryani and roasted kebabs drifting across the field. The scent was irresistible, tugging at the senses of attendees who stole glances toward the food stalls, their stomachs rumbling in eager anticipation. A young soldier, his face flushed with the heat of the day, grinned as he handed out plates, exchanging lighthearted banter with a group of children who hovered nearby, eyes wide with delight.

At the heart of the grounds stood the stage, a vision of understated grandeur. Its wooden platform gleamed under the sunlight, framed by cascading maroon and gold drapes that swayed gently in the breeze. A massive backdrop, emblazoned with the institute’s emblem and the words “Honor and Valor,” loomed proudly, its bold letters catching the eye of every guest. The stage was more than a structure—it was a symbol of the day’s purpose, a tribute to the five awardees whose names were whispered with reverence among the crowd.

The atmosphere pulsed with a kaleidoscope of emotions. Guests milled about, their voices a lively symphony of laughter, greetings, and hushed admiration. Elderly veterans, their chests adorned with medals, shared stories of past glories, their eyes misty with nostalgia. Families of the awardees sat in the front rows, their faces a mix of pride and nervous anticipation, clutching each other’s hands as they awaited the ceremony. A young girl in a bright red dress twirled in the grass, oblivious to the formality, her giggles adding a touch of innocence to the scene.

Despite the crowd, there was an unmistakable sense of discipline woven into the chaos. Soldiers stood at attention near the stage, their postures rigid but their expressions warm, reflecting the camaraderie that bound them. Every element— from the perfectly aligned chairs to the polished brass of the ceremonial bugle—spoke of meticulous care. The grounds seemed to breathe with a collective heartbeat, each person connected by a shared sense of purpose.

Meanwhile,

In the stuffy hostel room, tension crackled. Niyati pounded on the washroom door, her voice sharp with frustration. "Vaishnavi, jaldi nikal....Kitna time lagayegi?" The words echoed off the cluttered walls. The hostel room strewn with books and tangled chargers, a chaotic contrast to the polished event venue she was desperate to reach.

Her phone flashed 7:45 AM— already. Her Night dress clung to her, her foot tapping furiously as the seconds slipped away.

Inside, Vaishnavi’s carefree humming mingled with the sound of running water, oblivious to Niyati’s plight.The air heavy with Niyati’s impatience. "Vaishnavi, we are already getting Late!" she hissed, picturing the event’s gleaming stage and savory aromas, her anticipation curdling into panic.

The lock clicked.

Vaishnavi stepped out, towel-wrapped and grinning. "Chill,I was taking my Everything shower,Time toh lagega na...."

Niyati groaned,"Tere Everything  Shower keh chakkar meh aaj event mein hi nhi ja payenge...phir mil lena apne Annirudh ji seh....hatt yaha seh abbb!!..."

shoving past to grab her towel, her heart racing to make up lost time. The room’s chaos mirrored her urgency, worlds apart from the celebration awaiting—if she could just get there.

After ten agonizing minutes, Niyati emerged from the steamy washroom, towel-draped and still damp, expecting to rush out the door. Her heart sank as her eyes landed on Vaishnavi, sprawled on the bed, engrossed in a YouTube tutorial on draping a saree. The silk fabric was a tangled mess across her lap and then

Vaishnavi stood up and her fingers fumbling as she mimicked the video—folding, draping, then yanking it apart with a frustrated grunt, only to try again. Her face was a mask of stubborn focus, completely unaware of the ticking clock.

Niyati’s stomach twisted, a wave of disbelief and fury surging through her. Her phone glared 7:57 AM— The cramped room, strewn with books, a wilting jasmine garland, and the sharp scent of vaishnavi's hastily applying perfume, felt like a pressure cooker. She pictured the event’s gleaming stage, the proud awardees, the savory food aromas she’d been craving—all fading with every second Vaishnavi squandered.

“Vaishnavi, kya kar rahi haiiiiii?!” Niyati’s voice exploded, raw with exasperation and panic. “Hum late ho rahe hain!” Her hands trembled, caught between tearing the phone away and bolting alone.

Vaishnavi looked up, startled, her eyes wide with innocent surprise. “Arre, bas  saree perfect drape ho isliye tutorial dekh rhi hu,” she mumbled, flashing a sheepish grin.

The casualness in her voice was a dagger to Niyati’s fraying nerves, her desperation clawing at her chest as the dream of the day slipped further out of reach.

In a swift motion, Niyati snatched the laptop from Vaishnavi's hands and shut it down. "I know how to drape a saree," she said firmly, taking charge.

Niyati quickly helped Vaishnavi into her saree, expertly draping the fabric around her.

As soon as Vaishnavi's saree was perfectly draped, she turned to Niyati with sparkling eyes and exclaimed,"Bhayyyy itni gracefully kaise saree drape kar li...kaam ki toh tu haiiii..manna padega!!.."

Her face lit up with genuine admiration and surprise.

Niyati smiled slightly, her earlier frustration momentarily forgotten in the face of Vaishnavi's praise. "Let's just go, we're already running late," she said, though a hint of pride crept into her voice.

As soon as Vaishnavi was set, Niyati hastily began draping her own saree, her hands moving rapidly as she tried to beat the clock. The rush was palpable, with both girls aware they were running perilously close to being late.

The moment Niyati finished draping her own saree, she turned to Vaishnavi and was about to say something, but her eyes landed on Vaishnavi's struggles. Vaishnavi was sitting in front of the mirror, attempting to apply eyeliner. However, she seemed to be having a tough time – applying it, wiping it off, reapplying, and wiping it off again.

With a frustrated sigh, Vaishnavi threw her hands up in the air after another failed attempt. "Ye ho hi nahi raha mujhse! Ab mai sundar kaise lagungi,kaise Annirudh ji mere pyar mein padenge...Kaiseeee humari shaadi hogi....aur humare baacheeee.....hey bhagwan mere sapne tootte hue dikh rahe haiiiiii...."

she exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation. She put down the eyeliner and looked at Niyati with a worried expression, "Ab main sundar kaise dikhoongi? Kaise Annirudh ji....."

Just as Vaishnavi was about to launch into a full-blown rant,

Niyati swiftly intervened. "Bas, chup ho ja, yahin ruk ja, yahin ruk ja,Main kar rahi hoon help...okayyy,Just keep quiet." she said firmly but gently, her hands already reaching out to take the eyeliner from Vaishnavi's hand.

Niyati's calm and confident demeanor seemed to reassure Vaishnavi, who reluctantly fell silent, allowing Niyati to take over and work her magic with the eyeliner.

With one swift and confident motion, Niyati applied the eyeliner on Vaishnavi's eyes. The precision and speed with which she worked was impressive. After just two minutes, Vaishnavi gently blinked her eyes open, allowing the eyeliner to dry.

As she gazed into the mirror, Vaishnavi's eyes widened in delight. She was thoroughly amused and pleased with how perfectly Niyati had applied the eyeliner. A bright smile spread across her face, "Wow, Niyati, you're a pro!" she exclaimed, her admiration evident in her voice.

Vaishnavi's amusement turned into a warm smile as she gazed at her reflection, the perfectly applied eyeliner boosting her confidence. "Chalo, ek to achievement hai... meri inn paanch saalon mein....tere jaisi introvert hi sahi but talented dost bana li"she said with a playful glint in her eyes, teasing Niyati about her reserved nature.

Niyati chuckled, shaking her head good-naturedly, "Haan, haan, ab chalo jaldi se... hum late ho rahe hain,"she said, ushering Vaishnavi towards the door.

.........................................................................

The moment they reached the grounds where the event was taking place, Vaishnavi and Niyati were taken aback by the stunning decorations. They were astonished, their eyes wide with admiration as they took in the elegant setup. Vaishnavi turned to Niyati, her voice barely above a whisper, "Wow, the decorations are absolutely breathtaking!"

As they made their way towards the sitting area where the families were seated, Vaishnavi couldn't help but continue to express her amazement. "I have never seen anything like this before. The organizers have really outdone themselves," she said, her eyes scanning the beautifully arranged seating and decor.

Vaishnavi's gaze wandered to the side of the family sitting area, where a row of mirrors was set up for the cadets and officers to see and adjust their uniforms.

She tugged gently on Niyati's arm, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come, let's go... check ourselves out," she said, leading Niyati to the mirrors.

In front of the mirrors, Vaishnavi positioned Niyati and stood in front of her. "Just let me look at myself," Vaishnavi said with a grin, smoothing out her saree and adjusting her hair.

She struck a pose, admiring her reflection in the mirror,"Tumhe koi haq nhi ki tum itni sundar Lago....hayeeeee!!!Kya lag rhi hu aaj mai....Annirudh ji toh dekhte hi pagal ho jayenge mere peeche...honge bhi kyu nhi ab itni sundar...pari jaisi ladki koh dekh keh koi kaise na lattu ho....aur fir one day he will propose me....fir humari shaadiii hogi and fir..."

The moment she was about to again start her rant...Niyati intervened,"basss chup ho ja..bilkul chuppp....plsss dubara mat shuru hona...mere shubh din ka satyanash Mat kar...meri maaaa!!!"

Vaishnavi made a face at Niyati and said with a playful tone, "Chal aaj baksh diya tujhe...you have helped me to get ready so aaj keh liye baba Niyati ji Maharaj joh kahyegi wo unki sakhi karengi"

Niyati smiled warmly at Vaishnavi's comment, appreciating her friend's gratitude. "Bass Bass meri nautanki!!!!ab chup ho jaaaa!!!," 

As Vaishnavi's gaze fell upon the families seated in the designated area, a sudden spark of excitement lit up her face. An idea seemed to strike her, and she turned to Niyati with an eager expression. "Niyati, when are your family members coming? When will I get to meet them?" she asked, her voice bubbling with anticipation.

Vaishnavi's eyes shone with excitement, her enthusiasm infectious. She seemed to be looking forward to meeting Niyati's family, and her curiosity about them was palpable.

As soon as Vaishnavi mentioned Niyati's family, Niyati's smile vanished, and a pang of pain resurfaced in her heart. She felt a familiar ache, reminiscent of the sorrow she associated with. Her expression subtly shifted, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to cloud over with memories and emotions.

The mention of family had stirred up feelings Niyati hadn't anticipated, and she stood there for a moment, lost in thought.

Seeing Niyati lost in her thoughts Vaishnavi again asked her," kaha kho gyiiii.....bol naaaa kaha hai aunty,uncle mereko milna hai unse!!!"

Despite the pain and heavy heart, Niyati looked at Vaishnavi with a forced smile, trying to hide her emotions.With a deliberate effort she said, "Th------They are no--not Com--ing."

The moment Niyati mentioned that her parents weren't coming, Vaishnavi's smile faltered, and her expression turned concerned. "What? Why aren't they coming?" Vaishnavi asked, her curiosity and worry evident in her voice.

She bombarded Niyati with a series of questions, each one tumbling out rapidly. "What happened? Why can't they attend this session? Is everything okay?" Vaishnavi's eyes were filled with empathy and concern for her friend, and she seemed determined to understand the situation.

Niyati tried to control her emotions, taking a deep breath before responding to Vaishnavi's barrage of questions. With a measured tone, she said, "Actually..." Her voice trailed off slightly as she struggled to find the right words.

Vaishnavi's concerned expression seemed to make Niyati more aware of her own emotions, and she paused for a moment before continuing, trying to compose herself.

𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ

what was the reason behind Niyati's emotional response? Was it the mention of her family that made her lose herself, or was it something specific about her parents not attending the session?

The truth will unfold as the story progresses... so keep reading and keep showing love🎀

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