GIRL'S DAY & NIGHT OUT

Mridula's POV

10:13 AM, 12B, Antilia, Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill, South Mumbai

Diwali! Diwali (also: Deepawali) is one of India's biggest festivals. The word 'Deepawali' means rows of lighted lamps. It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people light up their houses and shops with Diyas (small cup-shaped oil lamp made of baked clay). They worship the Lord Ganesha for welfare and prosperity and Goddess Laxmi for wealth and wisdom.

This festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartikamasam which falls sometime during October or November. It is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile and his victory over the Demon Ravana In many parts of India, Deepawali is celebrated for five consecutive days. Hindus regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen relationships. In some parts of India, it marks the beginning of a new year. People clean and decorate their house before the festival. They do colorful rangoli art works on floors.

Hindus light up their homes and shops to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi and to give them good luck for the year ahead. A few days before Ravtegh, which is the day before Deepavali, houses, buildings, shops and temples are thoroughly cleaned, whitewashed and decorated with pictures, toys and flowers. On the day of Deepawali, people put on their best clothes and exchange greetings, gifts and sweets with their friends and family.

At night, buildings are illuminated with earthen lamps, candle-sticks and electric bulbs. Sweets and toy shop are decorated to attract the passers-by. The bazaars and streets are overcrowded. People buy sweets for their own families and also send them as presents to their friends and relatives. The Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped in the form of earthen images, silver rupee. Hindus believe that on this day, Lakshmi only enters houses which are neat and tidy. People offer prayers for their own health, wealth and prosperity. They leave the light on in buildings believing that Lakshmi will not have difficulty in finding her way in.

After staying three years in London, I am finally back home and I'm gonna celebrate the festivals with my family and friends after so long. I am a bit hesitant to go to Sam's home for the celebration but now I've to as she has already invited mum dad too.

I combed my hair whilst thinking of the event where almost all of the city will be present. I shook my head and cleared my head and looked at myself at mirror. I've finally showered after Sam and Armaan went back to their respective home. Currently I'm wearing camouflage tights, a black tank top and a denim shirt jacket paired with my vans shoes. 

I left my hair open and went downstairs for breakfast. I did my breakfast alone as my idiots of best friends were too hungry for the handmade food of mum to wait for me and Dad was already gone to his office. And Mum she will eat after doing her Puja. So I ate my yummy breakfast which was Radha Ballabhi.

Radha Ballabhi is a lentil stuffed poori or Indian flat bread which is deep-fried in mustard oil. The deep-fried pooris are served with aloor dum or aloor tarkari, a spicy potato curry. One can team the iconic Radha Ballabhi and aloor tarkari with Kasundi too. Kasundi is a special mustard sauce which has a strong and pungent flavour. These round and fluffy pooris are sure to make your day.

After I was done with my breakfast, I went back to my room to arrange some of my documents for my internship. Soon time passed and it was lunch time. I and mum did our lunch and waited for Sam to come. Today we are going out for a girl's day. Shopping, beauty parlour and a stroll around Mumbai is in our bucket list today. Mum is looking beautiful like always in her casuals which she rarely wears as my dad loves to see her in sarees ;)

And I was still in my morning outfit clicking selfies with mum when we heard Sam's loud annoying voice.

We turned to see Sam in a white ripped jeans and a white blue shirt pairing with white shoes.

She whistled looking at mum which caused me to roll my eyes. But smiled as I know my mum is rocking her casuals. Sam came and hugged mum whilst flirting with her. This girl starts with anyone at any moment!!

My phone rang and it brought us out of our conversation. I took out my phone from my pocket and saw Pig 🐖 name flashing on the screen. I picked up and brought it towards my ear only to take it away as I heard a loud girlish scream.

I looked at the phone in horror with my eyes wide open and then turned to mum and Sam who had the same expression as mine as they also heard the inhuman scream. We again came out of our zone when we heard that screeching voice again!

"I AM GIVING YOU ONLY TWO MINUTES! IF YOU'RE NOT HERE BY THEN I'LL DRIVE BACK TO MY HOME AND WON'T TALK TO YOU PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING ME WAIT IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE FROM 20 MINUTES!! THAT TOO AS A FREAKING DRIVER!!" Pig AKA Armaan yelled.

"Jeez! Maan calm down! What got your panties in a twist today?!" I asked.

"What did?! Ask your darling best friend about it! And come out soon!" He said and cut the call.

I looked at mum to see she was confused just like me and we turned to Sam who was smiling sheepishly. I narrowed my eyes at her and was about to ask but cut off by loud honks.

Jeez he is really pissed today!!!!!

"Let's go mum! And you! explain everything to me in the car! Do you understand?!" I asked.

"Yeah okay!" She murmured.

Them we all went out to where Armaan was waiting for us and settled in. And to my utter shock Sam sat with mum in the back seat and pleaded me to sit at the front. I raised my eyebrow but seeing her puppy eyes, I nod and went in. I fastened my seat belt and looked at Armaan to see his pissed off face. I gulped at the sight of his ticking jaws and clenched fist on steering wheel.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yeah!" "Yup!" "Sure" 

Me, mum and Sam said respectively and Armaan started the engine. After sometime in the Mumbai traffic, we finally reached at the mall, where we'll be shopping today for Diwali. We all came out of the car and went inside the mall. The mall wasn't much crowded and I wonder why?! But I shrugged it off and went to the traditional section with everyone. Why? Cause it's Diwali duh! And you can't wear shorts and tank top in this festival.

I glanced at every sarees, salwars, lehengas and gowns and they were splendid. Mum called me so I went to her.

"Yes Mum !" I asked.

"Go and try this one!" She said handing me a black pink coloured lehenga.

I nod and went to the restroom. I stripped off my clothes and wore the lehenga then glanced myself at the mirror.

It has a mustard long cape jacket embroidered with sequins and zari leaf design with black lehenga skirt and crop top embroidered with sequins and zari around neckline.

I came out of the restroom and showed mum. She looked but denied and handed me another. And at that time I knew this day is gonna be long.

I went inside and changed.

I changed almost 20 outfits and I was hella tired. Damn! Why did I agree to come with them(Sam and mum)?!

Mum finalised 5 outfits from which there were 2 lehengas, 1 shalwar, 1 saari and 1 gown. And after so many fuss she decided one lehenga for me and another for Sam as her mum was busy with the Diwali decorations for the party.

After 2hrs of the clothes shopping, we bought matching jewelleries, perfumes and footwears. We helped Armaan too in his shopping then went to the food zone cause we were starving duh lol.

We slipped in our seats and ate our McDonald's burgers and sipped coke. After sometime we went to the Beauty and hair salon. 

Armaan dropped us there and left cause he had some important work and what will he do in a lady's salon?!

We did our hands, legs, neck and shoulder massage. Removed unnecessary hairs with waxing and threading. We also did our facials. Then we did manicure and pedicure. Mum straightened her hair with L'Oreal permanent hair straightening. Sam gave her hair a slight brownish colour whilst I had a little cut with some loose curls. It took almost 4 hours and it was already 8PM. 

We three were looking so fresh and pretty that our faces glowed. 

As we've this day all to ourselves, so I called our driver to bring my fave car to the salon where we are currently waiting for him. After sometime he came with the car, handed me the keys and went back with a richshaw. I winked at mum and Sam and hopped in the driver seat of my favourite car.

It's a red-black Bugatti la voiture noire. Mum and Sam also hopped in oblivious of my plans. I drove us to ITC grand centrals.

"Where are we going Ree?"

"Yeah where are you taking us princess?"

Sam and mum asked simultaneously.

"You'll get to know soon! Just sit and relax." I said whilst putting on some songs on the radio.

I parked my car and we came out. 

"Ooh! Treat from Ree?! Awesome!" Sam exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes and we went in. We grabbed ourselves a seat and ordered the waiter for our dinner whilst we drank water. 

After 20 minutes

Someone came from behind and closed Sam's eyes making her Yelp in shock. Me and mum controlled our laugh although mum was looking surprised at first.

"Who's this!? Whoever it is you scared the living skeleton out of me!" Sam said.

The person behind giggled and a smile stretched on Sam's lips.

"SHREEEEE!" Sam squealed and turned around removing Shraddha's hands and took her into a tight hug. 

I remembered when Shri called me today in the morning.

Flashback

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I was arranging the documents when my phone rang and the picture flashing on the screen made me smile widely. It was my another bestie, Shraddha Kapoor. She is a Twenty two year old a bubbly but mature girl who's Currently handling her dad's business. She was with us in high school. And she has a boyfriend but we haven't met him before neither I remember his name.

I picked up,"Hello! Shree!!!"

She giggled and said,"Hi!Babe! How are you?"

"I'm fine but where were you? You know we're in India right?" I asked.

"Yep! I got to know from Maan and the news." She said.

"Ah cool! Where are you?" I asked.

"Mumbai girl! I am in Mumbai and was busy with a project so couldn't came to meet you guys!" She said.

"Oh okay! That's fine though!" I said.

Suddenly a idea popped into my mind.

"Hey Shree! We're (me and Sam) going for a day out today with mum. So let's surprise Sam what's say?" I asked excitedly.

"Wow! That's a great idea! Sam will be thrilled as much as I know her!" She said and giggled making me laugh too.

"True! She will be over the moon! So let's do it today?" I asked.

"Sure! But where and when to meet up?" She asked.

"Hmm! How about ITC Grand Maratha Central at 8:30PM?" I asked.

"That's okay with me! So let's meet today yeah?" She asked.

"Okay! Let's do that! Meet you there bye! Love ya!" I said.

"Sure! Love ya too!" She said and cut the call.

Flashback end

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Shraddha also did her bachelor's in business and management from KCL, London.

We sat and eat our food whilst catching up. After the dinner we sat in my car and I took the roof off. I turned my fave song on. It was Jiya Jiya Re from Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

We sang the song along and danced whilst I drived and sang too.

After sometime I parked the car middle of the road which was empty and we came out.

I took a stick from the ground and pretending it as a mic, I took it near my lips and sang along. We danced and then stood up on my car bonnet and sang.

We hopped back in the car and drove off to my home from where the driver will drop Sam and Shree.

After the driver sped up from our house with Shree and Sam, I went back to my room and changed to my night dress. Clutching my fave pillow to my chest I slowly drift off to sleep.

Tomorrow is gonna be a long day!!!!!!!