She woke up to Anu's annoyed voice.
"Sakshi! It's been thirty minutes, get up already!"
Groaning, Sakshi rubbed her eyes and stretched. "Five more minutes…"
"No! Not happening!" Anu threw a pillow at her, laughing.
Finally, after her morning routine, Sakshi got ready. They both left the apartment together, dressed neatly for college, chatting casually as they made their way through the busy Delhi streets.
Once they reached the campus, they spotted Ishu and Pihu waiting near the cafeteria. The four friends greeted each other warmly, laughter filling the air. But as they settled down for breakfast, Sakshi's expression turned serious.
"There's something I need to tell you guys," she began hesitantly.
Ishu and Pihu leaned in. "What happened?"
Sakshi sighed. "Last night… I got a message. From an unknown number. It said—" she lowered her voice, "—'Be ready tomorrow, my babygirl.' I don't know who it was. I even replied, but no one answered. I've been feeling strange since then."
For a moment, the two looked at her silently — and then burst into laughter.
Sakshi frowned. "Why are you laughing?"
Pihu held her stomach, trying to speak between giggles. "Because, Sakshi… that was us!"
"What?" Sakshi's jaw dropped.
"Yes!" Ishu said, grinning. "You were so disturbed after that hotel incident — the man who kept staring at you — so we decided to pull a harmless prank to lighten your mood."
Sakshi blinked at them, half-angry and half-relieved. "Seriously? You guys scared me!"
Ishu smirked. "Oh, come on! You should've seen your face just now."
Pihu added, "We didn't think you'd take it this seriously."
Sakshi rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing along. The tension she'd been carrying for days finally eased a little.
As they finished their conversation, Pihu suddenly clapped her hands. "By the way, I have news! Tomorrow's Kunal bhai's engagement!"
Their eyes lit up instantly.
"No way!" Anu said, excited. "You mean the Kunal bhai who's everyone's favorite?"
"The same one," Pihu replied proudly. "He's coming to pick us all up for the function tomorrow. Our families already know, and everyone's given permission."
Ishu grinned. "And our dresses?"
"Already sorted!" Pihu winked. "Everything's ready. We just need to show up looking gorgeous."
The four friends laughed, their earlier worries replaced by bubbling excitement. Kunal bhai wasn't just Pihu's brother — he was more like an elder friend to all of them, someone who always treated them with warmth and care.
The day passed in chatter and planning — colors of dresses, accessories, and endless teasing. For the first time in days, Sakshi felt light again.
Little did she know…
the real meaning of that message — "Be ready tomorrow" —
was about to unfold.
---
The rest of the day passed quickly, with classes dragging on until the final lecture ended. The girls were chatting lazily in the corridor when Pihu's phone buzzed. Her eyes lit up as she looked at the screen.
"He's here!" she exclaimed.
"Who?" Ishu asked, though she already had a guess.
"Kunal bhai!" Pihu said excitedly. "He's come to pick us up!"
The four of them — Sakshi, Anu, Ishu, and Pihu — practically ran toward the college gate, their tiredness forgotten. The moment they saw him standing near his car, smiling warmly, all four of them squealed with joy.
"Kunal bhai!" they shouted together, rushing toward him.
He opened his arms wide, laughing as the girls wrapped him in a tight group hug. "Okay, okay! I can't breathe!" he teased.
They all laughed, still refusing to let go. Kunal was not just Pihu's elder brother; he was everyone's favorite — kind, funny, and always ready with a joke or advice.
"Come on," he said, ushering them toward the car. "We're already late. The engagement's at the hotel tomorrow, but you all are staying there tonight."
Their excitement doubled as they climbed in, chatting the entire way.
After a short drive, they reached a well-known luxury hotel, beautifully lit and bustling with staff preparing for the big event. The girls were instantly awestruck by the décor — golden chandeliers, floral arrangements, and the faint scent of jasmine in the air.
Pihu's family was already there, greeting them warmly. Her parents hugged Sakshi, Anu, and Ishu like their own daughters, showering them with affection. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, conversation, and the happy chaos of wedding preparations.
Dinner was served soon after — a delicious spread that none of them could resist. Between teasing Kunal about his soon-to-be fiancée and helping with small arrangements, time passed quickly.
After dinner, everyone finally decided to rest. The four girls were given a spacious suite, and as soon as they entered, the giggles began again — pillow fights, selfies, and endless chatter. But slowly, exhaustion took over.
"Tomorrow's going to be so much fun," Ishu murmured, curling into her blanket.
"Yeah," Sakshi replied softly, lying back and staring at the ceiling. "Can't wait."
The lights dimmed. The room grew quiet.
Outside, the night deepened — silent, heavy, and calm.
But for Sakshi, that calm wouldn't last long.