Friendship is precious, and so is love-but what happens when life throws unexpected challenges your way?
Shruti, Siddharth, and Mahika share a deep bond as best friends. While Mahika has loved Siddharth since childhood, fate has other plans-Siddhart...
The next morning comes with new chances. Mahika wakes up feeling fresh. However, as she wakes up, the bitter feeling that Siddharth has chosen Shruti over her pierces through her heart. Yet, the joy of joining a new job overpowers the bitterness. She quickly showers and gets dressed. As she’s setting her hair, her phone rings. She quickly disconnects her phone from the charger and answers the call — it’s Shruti.
“Mahi, are you coming to the fashion show?” she asks over the phone.
Mahika hesitates initially, “Yep, Shru! I will be coming. But I won’t stay for the prom. I got a call for the interview; I’ve got an appointment for 4 pm,” Mahika informs her friend.
“Oh! Mahi, please stay for the prom night, I’ll miss you,” Shruti says.
“I wish I could stay, Shruti, par job interview bhi important hai na. Mujhe kal hi Mr. Gautam ka email aaya tha. Toh main usey miss nahi karna chahti. Par tum miss mat karna, you might get a surprise for your lifetime,” Mahika says, her tone laced with affection for her friend.
“Yeah, okay, chalo, hum college mein milte hain. Kyunki fir exams shuru ho jayenge na, next week se, phir hum mil nahi paayenge,” Shruti says. She’s sad at the moment about not meeting her.
Mahika laughs, touched by Shruti’s genuine words, “Shru, we can meet anytime after college, don’t be sad,” she says, her tone laced with affection.
After disconnecting the call, Mahika sighs deeply. Even she will miss her friends. But hey, they’ll be meeting — in fact, they can meet whenever they want to. For now, she just wants to stay away from her friends. She’s actually super happy that Siddharth has chosen Shruti over her. He loves her, and maybe Shruti has feelings for him as well. She had seen the spark in Shruti’s eyes when Siddharth asked her to the prom night. Maybe she has some hidden feelings for Siddharth. Well, she will ask her about it.
Smiling to herself, Mahika arranges her file with her degree, certificates, and achievements. She keeps the folder in her bag and also adds some essentials that she carries daily. Then, she walks out of her room. She literally jumps down the stairs when her mother calls out to her.
“Mahi! Dheere! Aise jump karegi toh tujhe chot lagegi beta. Kitni baar bolna padega?” her mum scolds her, while she again jumps over two stairs, giggling. Her mother rolls her eyes at her.
The lady turns toward her husband, “Dekh rahe hain aap, Anoop, jo mana karo, wahi karna hota hai iss ladki ko. Seedhiyon se giregi toh chot lagegi, aap hi samjhaiye,” the lady, Naina, chides her husband.
On the other hand, Mahika again jumps on the stairs, causing her father to giggle. Ruhana walks toward her mother and hugs her, “Oh ma, don’t worry. Jab tak aap aur Papa ho na mere paas, mujhe kuch nahi hone wala,” she says affectionately.
“Tu rehne de, Mahi. Tujhe meri koi baat nahi sunni hoti. Aur ab kahan chali? Aaj toh tera interview hai na?” her mother asks affectionately.
“Yep, aur abhi fashion show hai. Shruti ne bola main jaaun, toh isliye. Fir college se hi main interview dene jaaungi,” Ruhana announces as she makes coffee for herself and her mother serves her breakfast, which includes cheese toasts.
Mahika chuckles softly, and the family of three have breakfast, after which her father offers to drop her to the college — to which she agrees.
A long day has just begun.
***** When Mahika arrives at the college, she finds Shruti waiting for her. They share a hug and soon, they’re running toward the auditorium. On their way, Mahika checks the bulletin boards to see if any competitions are happening, but there’s none of interest to her. As they enter the auditorium, they find a stall selling the college magazine, and Mahika purchases three copies — two for Shruti and herself, and one for Siddharth. Her picture is on the back of the magazine as an editor, and it makes her feel proud. They sit in the second row and start looking around.
The auditorium is chaotic with students and teachers all around. Many activity stalls are being set up, and there are some people on stage — most probably the fashion show participants. Shruti and Mahika share a glance, and at the same time, someone calls them. They look up only to find their dance teacher looking at them. They stand up, greeting her while the lady looks at them from head to toe.
“Mahi, I want you to do a Ganesh Vandana, you prepped it, right? Vishakha is unwell, so you’ll need to start the program,” she says, leaving Mahika stunned.
“Ma’am, main? I mean I haven’t practiced yet, aise kaise karun?” Mahika asks, stuttering at the moment.
“Mahika, beta, I know you. Aap sab kuch manage kar leti ho. Please, ye kaam kardo bache, I don’t have anyone else to trust. And yes, I have a recording of you, I will send it to you,” the teacher says affectionately.
Mahika looks at Shruti, who signals her to do the Vandana, assuring her that she will do well. Mahika agrees, and then the teacher turns toward Shruti, smiling kindly.
“Shruti beta, I need you for the fashion show. I know I said we’re full, but some girls have backed out. Could you help me?” the teacher asks.
Shruti smiles. She didn’t know what to say, so she agrees. She remembers the conversation with the lady from yesterday, where she was denied entry for the fashion show because she was beyond the deadline. And now, she’s here again. Shruti assures her that she’ll be there for the rehearsals.
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As the teacher leaves, Mahi and Shruti share a meaningful glance and make their way toward the rooms in the auditorium, finding an empty one to practice.
One thing is evident — what’s meant for you comes to you.
