One day, she would love someone; at least that was my hope-or maybe it would be me. Me? No, that couldn't be, right?. Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought.
-Him
"I thought I knew you, but now it all f...
I stepped out of the shower, feeling the cool air prickling my skin as I grabbed a towel. My muscles ached from the long night of party preparations, but I ignored the discomfort, knowing there was still so much to do. Wrapping the towel around my body, I rubbed a hand over my face and caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. Dark circles clung to my eyes like bruises, the evidence of too many sleepless nights.
"Fantastic," I muttered, dragging a brush through my damp hair. It fell loosely down my back, a tangled mess that I didn't have the energy to deal with. It was going to have to air-dry-there was no time for curling irons or fancy styles. I tossed the brush aside, sighing at the mess in front of me, but who was I kidding? I had no desire to make an impression at this party. Parties weren't my thing.
Still, there was no escaping this one. It was a welcome home party, after all. As much as I hated social gatherings, I had a duty to show up, if only for Sam and Ridhi, who had been working themselves to the bone planning this event. Besides, avoiding it wasn't an option-not when I had already gotten roped into helping with last-minute details. That, and the fact that my best friend would definitely hunt me down if I tried to disappear.
Dragging myself over to the wardrobe, I scanned the familiar row of scrubs, jeans, and casual tops. Nothing about this screamed "party," but tonight wasn't just any night. My fingers drifted toward the emerald-green palazzo suit tucked away at the back, its rich color catching my eye. It had been ages since I'd worn it, but something about it felt right. Simple, yet elegant.
I pulled it out, running my fingers over the delicate gold embroidery along the neckline and cuffs. The soft fabric shimmered in the dim light of the room, creating the perfect balance between festive and understated-exactly what I needed. After quickly drying off, I slipped into the suit. The cool fabric hugged my skin, a comforting contrast to the nerves fluttering in my stomach. The loose palazzo pants flowed as I moved, giving me the space to breathe despite the creeping anxiety. The emerald green contrasted beautifully with my skin, and the gold embroidery glimmered softly as I adjusted the dupatta over my shoulder.
Turning back to the mirror, I grabbed my brush and ran it through my hair once more, letting it dry naturally into soft waves. I left it loose, allowing it to cascade over my shoulders and frame my face. There was something about leaving my hair down that always made me feel more like myself. Simple, but comfortable.
Reaching for my makeup bag, I decided to keep it light-no point in trying too hard. I applied just enough foundation to smooth out my skin, added a touch of blush to bring some life back to my cheeks, and then a thin line of kajal to define my tired eyes. Finally, I grabbed my lipstick, opting for a nude shade. It was subtle, natural-perfect for blending into the background, which was precisely my goal.
Once I was done, I took a step back to assess myself in the mirror. The emerald-green suit draped elegantly over my frame, and the nude lipstick added just the right touch of refinement. Not bad, I thought, slipping on a pair of gold sandals. They had small heels, just enough to give me some height without sacrificing comfort.
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