A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Fairy Annika

Annika bustled through her morning, the sunrise a stark contrast to the nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach. After dropping Rohan off, she arrived at the office, the weight of the upcoming event settling on her shoulders. It felt surreal, like a dream on the verge of shattering. Organizing a Maha Aarti for 200 people was a massive undertaking,
an average gathering for Annika was around 80 people, a cozy, manageable affair. This, however, was more than double that, a daunting yet exhilarating prospect.

The client, she knew, must be affluent, with a venue spacious enough to accommodate such a large gathering. But what Annika didn't realize was the true extent of their wealth. The client, as it turned out, was extravagantly rich, their sprawling garden boasting the capacity to host a thousand attendees with ease. Little did she know, this seemingly daunting task was about to become an extraordinary experience.

Annika immersed herself in planning, meticulously crafting a schedule of vendors to meet and discuss decorations. The client's open budget was tempting, but Annika, ever the professional, steered clear of extravagance. Yet, amidst the meticulous planning, a detail struck her – the prasad, the sweet offering for departing guests.

Suddenly recalling the young lady she met yesterday, the one whose number she'd thoughtfully saved, Annika reached for her phone.Priyanka, on the other hand, reveled in the solitude of her home. College festivities held no allure for her, and social gatherings were a distant memory. Curled up with a book, she reveled in the peace. Suddenly, the shrill ring of her phone pierced the quiet. Assuming it was a friend cajoling her to the college fest, she dismissed the call with a flick of her wrist, not even glancing at the unfamiliar number.

Annika brow furrowed with each unanswered ring. Time was of the essence, and Priyanka's lack of response was a thorn in her meticulously crafted schedule. The prasad order, ideally the first to be placed, remained frustratingly unconfirmed. With a determined sigh, Annika tapped the redial button, hoping for a different outcome this time.

Back at home, Priyanka's initial irritation at the persistent ringing had morphed into a reluctant curiosity. The insistent phone, now buzzing in her hand, displayed an unknown number. Hesitation warred with a flicker of intrigue. Perhaps it was an important call, something more than a friend's idle chatter. Taking a deep breath, she swiped to answer, her voice guarded but polite.
"Hello," Priyanka answered. "Hi Priyanka, it's Annika, your event manager. I apologize for bothering you, but I wanted to ask you a few questions regarding the event. Is this a good time?"

"Hi Annika! It's nice to hear from you. Don't worry about interrupting,  I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the event.  I was a little surprised at first, but when you mentioned you were my event manager, it all came back to me.  You have a very bubbly personality, Annika, it's hard to forget!"  Priyanka chuckled.

Annika hesitated for a moment. "Would it be possible for you and Dadi to come to my office to discuss a few things in more detail?" she asked.

Priyanka wasn't sure how Dadi would feel about an office visit. "Hmm, let me check with Dadi first," she replied cautiously. "Can you give me a few minutes?"

Annika, understanding the situation, replied smoothly, "Absolutely, no worries. Take your time."

Priyanka excused herself and sought out Dadi to explain Annika's request. Dadi, after listening intently, surprised Priyanka with her response.

"Priyanka, my dear," Dadi said gently, "perhaps it's best if you go alone this time. My knees have been bothering me for the past two days from all our errands, and I wouldn't be much help anyway."

Priyanka's apprehension was evident. "But Dadi," she stammered, "I've never gone anywhere by myself! I've always had my brothers or Mom with me."

Dadi's eyes sparkled with understanding. "My little puttar," she said fondly, using a term of endearment, "life is full of firsts. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and meet new people. You're strong and capable, and I know you can do this."