•Ridhima's pov
Some nights feel longer than they actually are
Tonight was one of those nights.
I sat by my bedroom's window with my earphones plugged in, staring at the moon as if it had answers to all the questions buried inside me. The soft music playing in my ears wasn't enough to quiet the noise in my mind.
I don't know why but sleep and I have never been good friends and thank God my parents don't know because yeah...I act like sleeping in front of them. Every single night, I close my eyes hoping... I'll fall asleep within minutes. Instead, I end up lying awake for hours, listening to the ticking of the clock while my thoughts refuse to stop.
Maybe that's just how my life is now...Lost somewhere between overthinking and sleepless nights.
Just then, my phone vibrates
'Pakki belan❤️' calling
A small smile found its way to my lips because yes, She was the one person I could tell everything to -every happiness, every heartbreak, every fear I never had the courage to share with anyone else. She was the girl who could see the sadness hidden behind my smile even when the rest of the world believed I was perfectly fine. No matter how heavy my heart felt, she always knew how to make me laugh until, I forgot every worry for a while. We've been together since childhood and I truly believe no one knows me the way she does. Sometimes, I feel like she understands me even better than my own parents. With her, I don't have to pretend. I can laugh as loudly as I want, be my real self, and forget every tension life throws at me. She isn't just my best friend. She is my safe place and, She is 'MUSKAN SANDHU'
Answering her call...
"Haan" I said playfully
(Yes)
"Madam, kal university da pehla din aa. Main phone krdu swere uth jayi t haan, soo jayi yaar'
(" Madam, Tomorrow is your first day at university. I'll call you tomorrow morning, So make sure you wake up. And yes go to sleep now.)
I let out a tired sigh
"yaar...maan nai mera jaan da"
("Yaar...my heart just doesn't want to")
"Chal chal munde vekhnage."
(Come on, come on, we will get to see some boys)
Both of us burst into laughter, our smiles blending effortlessly as the sound of our laughter filled the silence between us.
"Chawal ji" I muttered under my breath, unable to hide my smile tugging at my lips.
(You idiot)
"Acha, chal mazak apni jagah. Par kal teyar ryi tenu main dasta, chup krke bahar aji, aju main len.
("Alright, jokes aside. Be ready tomorrow, okay? Don't argue- just quietly come outside. I'll be there to pick you up)
"Theek aa"
(Okay)
The call ended
The smile on my face slowly disappeared as I placed my phone beside me.
I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
Tonight I would finally sleep.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Half an hour.
Nothing.
I kept changing sides, staring at the ceiling, forcing my eyes to stay shut, but sleep never came.
I could've taken sleeping pills...
But tomorrow was my first day at university.
What if I overslept?
So I didn't
Instead, I stayed awake the entire night listening to the silence around me and wondering why something as simple as sleeping felt impossible for me.
By the time, the clock showed five in the morning, I gave up.
"Chal Ridhima...hun uth hi ja."
("Come on, Ridhima...get up now")
I got out of bed with heavy eyes, took a deep breath, and walked towards my wardrobe.
If I couldn't sleep...
At least I could try looking okay.
I grabbed a towel and quietly walked into the bathroom. The warm water from the shower cascaded over my skin, washing away the sleep but not the strange heaviness settled inside me.
Today was supposed to be a fresh start. Yet, my heart refused to believe it.
After drying my hair and slipping into my room, I walked towards my wardrobe.
For a few silent seconds, I simply stood there, my eyes scanning the rows of clothes hanging in front of me.
First day...
Most people are excited for this day.
I wasn't one of them. It was just my dream to study BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration.)
After changing into two or three different outfits, I finally settled on a white top, dark bootcut jeans, and white sneakers.
Nothing too fancy.
Nothing that would make me stand out.
I just wanted to feel comfortable.
I wasn't someone who enjoyed spending hours getting ready. Moisturizer, foundation, concealer...none of it had ever interested me. I hate them, it gives me a ugh feel. I only use them when necessary like parties and all. A little lip gloss was more than enough for me. It was the only thing I genuinely liked wearing. After applying a thin layer of my favourite lip gloss it was chocolate flavoured.
I took one last glance at myself in the mirror grabbed my bag and walked out of my room.
"Gudiya!" Mumma's voice echoed through the house.
'Nashta kar la" I walked into the kitchen.
("Have breakfast" )
Papa standing beside mumma, making tea while the aroma of fresh parantha filled the room.
" Amma...mera maan nai."
("Amma...I don't want to")
Before mumma could say anything,
Papa looked at me.
" Khaali pet university nai jana")
("Don't go to university on an empty stomach")
I made a small face.
" Papa..."
"Bas ik parantha."
(Only one)
I knew arguing with him was pointless.
With a helpless smile. I quietly sat down and somehow finished one parantha.
Just then my phone started ringing.
'Pakki belan❤️' calling...
"Haan?"
("Yes?")
"Main gharon nikal gayi aa. Tu teyar aa na?"
(I've just left home. You're ready, right?)
"Haan, bilkul"
("Yes, of course")
"Theek aa, Das minutes"
("Okay, just ten minutes ")
As soon as I disconnected the call, Papa looked at me.
" Time te ghar wapas aa jayi"
("Make sure you are back home on time")
" Haan ji, Papa."
(" Yes papa")
A smile escaped my lips.
Yesterday, convincing him had felt more difficult than passing an exam. He had refused again and again to let me go with Muskan. It was my mumma who finally convinced him after almost an hour.
Sometimes...mothers really do have magic.
A few minutes later, the loud noise of muskan's Activa echoed outside our house.
I quickly picked up my bag.
" By mumma...by Papa."
" Apna khayal rakhi," Mumma smiled
(" Take care of yourself ")
Papa simply nodded before saying,
" Kisi vi cheez di lod hove taan phone kar lyi."
(" If you need anything at all, just call me.)
" Hmm"
Stepped outside
Muskan was already waiting for me with her usual bright smile.
" Oye hoye...pehle din t badi sohni lgn d aa."
(Ohi... someone's looking beautiful for her first day.)
I rolled my eyes.
"Pagal"
(Idiot)
She laughed.
"Chal hun"
(Let's go now)
I sat behind her, and within seconds the activa disappeared onto the road.
The morning breeze gently brushed against my face.
For a few minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then as expected...
Muskan broke the silence.
"Ni...sach sach das,"
("Hey...tell me the truth,")
"Raati fer nai sutti na?"
("You didn't sleep again last night, did you?")
Oh no why is she asking this, she will again scold me.
"Nhi t .... sutti c"
(" No i was sleeping")
It was a lie.
A very obvious one.
She sighed dramatically.
"Bas kar-bas kar, Ridhima. mainu pta tera."
("Enough - enough Ridhima, I know you")
I looked away
"I'll be okay."
"You always say that"
I quickly changed the topic with some random things.
There was disappointment in her voice. She never forced me to tell her everything.
But somehow, She always knew when something wasn't right.
The rest of the journey passed with random conversation, silly jokes, and our non-stop bak bak. I never got tired of listening to her
Almost half an hour later...
.
.
.
To be continued...
Ridhima's and Muskan's outfit<3
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