Chahat and Tia stepped into a bustling shopping district, eager to refresh Chahat's dorm room with new decor. Their first stop was a home essentials store, where Chahat carefully browsed through a variety of curtains. After much deliberation, she selected a soft pastel shade that would brighten her space. Next, they moved to the bedding section, where she ran her fingers over plush fabrics before choosing a set of pink and purple bedspreads, their smooth texture promising a cozy sleep.
She added a matching pillow and three sets of pillow covers to her cart, along with two sets of towels. As they continued exploring the store, a pair of adorable pom-pom slippers caught her eye—perfect for lounging in the dorm. Pleased with her purchases, she and Tia left the store, bags in hand, and wandered through the lively streets.
The market was alive with vibrant colors and the aroma of street food filling the air. They walked leisurely, letting their eyes scan the stalls and shop windows for anything interesting. Just as Chahat turned a corner, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, stepping back quickly.
The woman she had collided with smiled gently. "That's fine, no harm done."
But Chahat stood frozen, staring at her as if she had seen a ghost.
The older woman frowned slightly, sensing something was off. "Beta, are you alright? Did you get hurt?" she asked with concern.
Chahat blinked a few times, shaking herself out of her daze. "No, no, I'm fine," she assured hurriedly.
Tia, sensing the tension, spoke up. "Good thing no one got hurt." She exchanged a quick glance with Chahat before they both bowed their heads slightly in apology and continued on their way.
Trying to shake off the strange encounter, they resumed shopping. Tia picked out a few stylish tops, while Chahat's eyes landed on a soft, fluffy scarf in pastel yellow and pink. She smiled as she ran her fingers over it and decided to buy it.
After a long day of shopping, they returned to the dorm. While one of them played a game to unwind, the other was engrossed in selecting a topic for an upcoming economics assignment. Later, they sat together, sipping warm coffee, the evening air carrying a sense of quiet companionship between them.
As they chatted, Tia casually mentioned, "My father's collection of books is far better than our college library's. If you're interested, you can borrow some."
Chahat's eyes lit up at the offer. "Really? That would be amazing. Thank you!"
Without wasting time, they decided to head over to Tia's house. To Chahat's surprise, instead of calling a cab or taking a rickshaw, Tia confidently straddled her Royal Enfield Bullet. "Hop on!" she grinned.
Chahat hesitated for a moment, then climbed on behind her. The ride was exhilarating—the cool evening breeze rushed past them as they weaved through the streets. In just ten minutes, they pulled up in front of an enormous bungalow.
Tia smiled playfully. "Cutie pie, welcome to my house."
The grand iron gates swung open as a security guard stepped aside, and Chahat's eyes widened in awe. An immaculately maintained garden stretched out before them, its lush greenery and blooming flowers making the entrance feel almost like a fairy tale.