Ira
4 a.m. That's how early I wake up now to wear a saree. Last night, when Mumma gave me a saree to wear for today's pooja, I couldn't sleep the entire night. The pooja wasn't until 7 yet here I was I shifted so much in sleep that even Ahaan didn't come to bed like he does after he thinks I'm asleep, which was also a big reason why I couldn't sleep. All this with Ahaan, especially since I talked to Vaani, it's been too much. Before we got married, he wasn't rude or mean, he was friendly so I thought spending a year with him won't be that hard. But boy, could I've been any more wrong? He does all the right things. He knows all the right words to say. He is slowly but oh, so easily breaking all the walls I've built around myself.
After taking a much-needed warm bath, I walk into the closet to get ready. After our marriage, Ahaan created an equal space for me to hang my clothes and shoes in. See? Another sweet gesture.
I put on the pre-stitched embroidered dark green blouse and blood-red body-hugging shapewear, matching the saree. I pull up a YouTube video on my phone and place it on the vanity table and start draping the 4-yard-long monster.
Mind you, I've put my hands inside an actual human heart and my hands didn't shiver but this is so fucking difficult. It just won't stay tucked in like it shows in the video. The woman infront of me just tucks in it's one end in her petticoat and creates some weird pattern with her hands to make the pleats, tucking them in she twirls around and throws the pallu over her shoulder and does "ta-da". The woman literally did "ta-da" when I am standing here with the saree pooled around my ankles. I don't even know what corner to start from. It's already 5 and I haven't done a single thing.
I give up and dial my sister. She wears a saree like a pro so she might help me.
"Ira? What happened? Is everything okay?" She panic whispers.
"Yeah. I'm so sorry. I thought you'd be up." I bite my tongue.
"Iru it's 5 in the morning. Why the hell would I be up this early?" She steps down from her bed and out of the room closing the door behind her. "What happened?" She tries hard to open her eyes fully but fails miserably.
"I need you to help me tie a saree," I say shamelessly.
"Are you kidding me? It's 5 a.m." She whisper yells.
"I know. Just hear me out. We have a pooja here today and Mumma asked me to wear this saree but the monster won't stay up. I tried YouTube videos but even they didn't work this time. I need a specialist and you wear a saree like a pro." Her frowny face relaxes.
"Oh. I see. But sweetheart I have never draped a saree on my own, my stylist does the work." Ugh. I should've known that. Jiju has never let her even pick up a glass of water on her own, of course, her stylist does her work. "I'm sorry baby but I have no idea how to help you here. Maybe you should ask for some help from someone there."
"Yeah, alright Di. Bye." I hang up the call and slump down on the ottoman.
How the hell do I do this?
I pull up my contacts and dial Vaani. Best friend to the rescue right?
Do I feel bad for disturbing her sleep? Yes. Will I still call her? Hell yeah. What are best friends for anyways? Besides it's only fair given she has disturbed my sleep countless times because her crush made eye contact with her for 5 seconds.
"Who died?" That's her first statement. No hello. No hi.
"Morning to you too."
"Hey, you are calling me at the break of the fucking dawn, what else should my response be?" Her voice sounds groggy with sleep.
YOU ARE READING
TO THE STARS THAT LISTEN
Romance"You know there is a reason I call you Blossom?" he says. "Yeah?" I ask. "Yeah." he meets my gaze and continues, "I picked it up from powerpuff girls. Ira, you are soo fucking independent and strong you probably don't even need me. Infact I think I...
