The Three Threads

Girls

Saachi glanced at Samaira, who was bouncing on her toes like an over-caffeinated grasshopper.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, fiddling with the edge of her shirt as we stood in front of our apartment, the sound of Bangalore's bustling life humming in the background.

"What if Maaya finds out?".

Relax, Saachi! This is a surprise.

A big one!

Besides, it’s Maaya’s anniversary. She deserves this,” Samaira replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“And Aarav has given us the perfect plan. We can do this!”

“You mean *you* can do this,” I muttered, thinking of how I was more of a spectator in all this than a participant. “I’m just here to keep Maaya from finding out.”

“Exactly! And that’s why I need you.” Samaira winked, pushing me toward the door.

“Now, let’s go get Maaya!”

With a resigned sigh,  knocked on our other roommate’s door.

“Maaya, you ready?”

“Coming!” she called, her voice muffled as she shuffled around.

We could practically hear her rummaging through her closet, which was a monstrous chaos of colors and styles.

When the door swung open, Maaya stood there with a messy bun and a T-shirt that read “I’m not a morning person.”

“What’s up?” she asked, squinting at the sunlight streaming in.

“Surprise! We’re taking you shopping!” Samaira declared, throwing her arms in the air.

Maaya frowned, clearly not grasping the excitement. “Shopping? For what?”
Plus you want to go shopping, like seriously you who hates shopping 😂😂.

“Just... for fun! You know, new clothes, fresh looks,” sam added, desperately trying to mask the fact that this was all part of a larger scheme.

“You’ve been wearing the same outfits every day. Let’s change that!”

She raised an eyebrow, skepticism radiating from her. “But I like my outfits...” plus you also wear the same outfit for years and never had an issue.Suddenly, why are you interested in my wardrobe.

Think of this as a fashion intervention! Samaira exclaimed. “You need to treat yourself, and we’re here to help!”

Maaya opened her mouth to protest, but we were already steering her out the door.

“Come on! The car’s waiting.”

As we piled into Samaira’s little hatchback, I couldn’t help but notice Maaya’s expression morph from confusion to mild horror. “Wait... you guys didn’t plan something crazy, did you?”

Something is fishy and out of blue you both are interested and excited for shopping.
Normally I have to drag you both out to go for shopping and you Sam me and saachi basically choose your wardrobe and today you are behaving like a fashion expert.

All of these are extremely suspicious and I don't believe a word you girls say.

“Crazy? Us?” saachi feigned innocence, trying to suppress a grin.

“Never! We just want to indulge you today. Right, Samaira?”

Absolutely!” Samaira chirped, her eyes darting to mine, a silent agreement passing between us.

The drive was filled with Maaya’s good-natured grumbles as we navigated the morning traffic.

“I swear, if you make me wear something ridiculous, I will never forgive you,” she warned, crossing her arms as if to ward off any potential fashion faux pas.

“Ridiculous? Never! We are professionals,” Samaira said, her voice a melodic hum that blended with the sounds of honking horns and engines revving.

Seriously you both are professionals who are you kidding and let me get this straight I can even trust saachi advice on clothes but never your Sam.

“Let’s just get you something that makes you feel fabulous!”
Or at least something that doesn’t make you look like you just rolled out of bed,”  added with a playful nudge.

Maaya shot me a mock glare. “Very funny, Saachi.”