INVISIBLE STRINGS // SARAJ

The girls' laughter echoed in Priyanka's bathroom as Savi leaned forward, squinting into the mirror. Priyanka stood behind her, meticulously lining Savi's eyes with kajal.

 "Hold still!" Priyanka scolded, but she was grinning.

"I am holding still! You're just poking my eye out," Savi shot back, trying not to blink.

"Beauty is pain," Priyanka teased, pressing her lips together as she carefully finished one eye. "There. Perfect. Bollywood herione ki tara dikh rhe"

Savi pulled back and examined herself in the mirror. The dark kajal highlighted her eyes, making them appear larger and more striking. She glanced down at her outfit: a short pink halter dress that clung to her figure, flattering her light skin. Her usually wild hair was straightened, sleekly falling up till her shoulders, the highlights in her more visible. 

Priyanka held her shoulders looking into the mirror with her," You look hot, and you're going to have fun tonight. Don't stress"

 Plus, you worked hard for this. You told me you did extra cleaning just to keep your Badi Ajji in a good mood."

"Yeah Definitely, especially since I had to do extra cleaning, and scrub the floors twice and make sure the house was spotless. Just so she'd let me go to a study session"  She air-quoted, and both of them burst out laughing.

Priyanka turned away to grab her lipstick, shaking her head. "You've got the strictest family I know. My mom doesn't even check in half the time."

Savi's smile faltered slightly as she watched Priyanka apply a bright red lipstick. It was hard not to compare their lives sometimes. Priyanka's parents were relaxed, trusting her with freedom and independence. Meanwhile, Savi's Badi Ajji was always on her case, pushing her to be the 'perfect girl' who could manage both studies and housework without complaint.

"Your mom's pretty cool," Savi said quietly.

Priyanka shrugged, but her face softened. "She is. But I don't know how you do it, Sav. Balancing everything."

Savi forced a smile, shrugging it off. "You just... do it. There's no other choice."

Priyanka leaned over and hugged her from the side. "Well, tonight, we're forgetting all of that. It's just you, me, and some good music. Ready?"

"Ready," Savi agreed, taking a deep breath.

***

The beat of the music pulsed through the floor, making it impossible not to move. Savi and Priyanka found their group of friends quickly, and within minutes, they were in the middle of the dance floor, laughing and twirling each other. The lights were dim, but the energy was electric, and Savi felt herself let go of the tension she'd been carrying.

"Isn't this the best?" Priyanka shouted over the music, her smile wide.

Savi nodded, spinning her friend around. "It really is!"

They danced together, completely caught up in the rhythm. At some point, Savi felt a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to see Siddharth grinning at her. "Savi Chavan at a party?!! Is the world ending soon?"

"Chup kar" Savi shoved him with a grin, Priyanka moved over to give him a hug as a greeting and a moment later he pointed over to a corner where Arjun stood, laughing with a few people near the bar area. They made their way over to him quickly, and his eyes lit up looking at them. 

Arjun teased Priyanka as a greeting, "Looking good Priya, all for me I assume?"

"Don't be presumptuous, it's definitely not for you" Priyanka stated, but she was fighting a smile.