We all are clowns dancing on the whims and fancies of the society

Ananya

The next morning, I woke up early, knowing that Bhai and I had to head to the airport to pick up Georgia and brief her on our plan.

After a quick shower, I dressed in a white short kurti and blue parallel jeans, pairing the outfit with blue canvas shoes. I tied my hair into a neat fishtail braid, feeling comfortable and ready for the day.
By 7 o'clock, I was already prepared to leave. Georgia's flight was scheduled to land at 9, giving us plenty of time to reach the airport. I headed to Bhai’s room and found him on the phone, deep in conversation. After a few minutes, he noticed me standing by the door.

"Good morning, Anu," he greeted with a smile.

"Morning, Bhai. Let's go, or we’ll be late," I urged.

As we walked downstairs, I noticed Mom and Dad sitting in the garden, enjoying their morning tea. I approached them with a smile and greeted them warmly. "Mom, we're heading to the airport to pick up my friend."

"Of course, go pick her up on time. I'll tell the maids to prepare the guest room and make sure she enjoys her stay," Mom replied, her excitement evident.

Mom has always loved hosting guests and basking in the compliments she receives for her hospitality. While I don’t always appreciate that part of her personality, I’ve learned to accept it and play along. I gave her a small smile and got into the car.

As we started driving, Bhai couldn’t resist commenting, "Just wait and see how Mom starts showing off when Georgia arrives."

We both burst out laughing, knowing exactly how our mother would behave.

We reached the airport on time, and as we approached the terminal, we spotted Georgia waiting for us. Her blonde hair was swaying in the breeze, and her light blue eyes were hidden behind stylish shades. She looked effortlessly chic, as always, and radiated the kind of warmth that made her so easy to like.

"Hi, Ananya!" Georgia greeted me with her thick Italian accent, flashing a bright smile.

"Hi!" I replied, giving her a side hug. I glanced at my brother, who was gazing at Georgia with dreamy eyes, completely smitten. I couldn’t help but clear my throat to snap him out of it, shooting him a teasing smile when he finally noticed.

"Let’s go," I said, leading the way to the car.

On the way home, we grabbed a quick breakfast, and as we ate, I filled Georgia in on the plan. I stressed the importance of maintaining a low profile and keeping her distance from Bhai, so no one would suspect their relationship. My relatives are notorious for their sharp eyes and sharper tongues—a single misstep could stir up unnecessary drama.

When we got home, I led Georgia to the guest room. "Thanks, Ananya, for letting me stay here and for supporting me and Prateek," she said, her gratitude evident.

"It's okay, you don't need to thank me," I replied with a smile. Georgia really was a sweet person. Despite being Italian, her parents had settled in Boston, while she lived in New York because of her career. It was easy to see why Bhai was so taken with her.

Today was my cousin brother's engagement, and with the event taking place at our house, the entire place was buzzing with activity. Everyone was busy with preparations, and the atmosphere was lively. I spotted Bhai and his friends in the living room, engrossed in an intense game of Xbox. My eyes met Aakash's briefly, but he quickly looked away, giving me the cold shoulder. I couldn't help but wonder why he was suddenly so distant.

"Ananya, come downstairs and help me in the kitchen!" Mom’s voice rang out, cutting through my thoughts.

"I'm coming, Mom," I called back.
I headed to the kitchen to assist her. Our kitchen was sleek and modern, all in white, equipped with every luxury imaginable. It was the kind of space that made cooking feel like less of a chore, though today, the hustle and bustle made it more chaotic than usual.

After everyone had lunch, I decided to steal a quick nap. I woke up about an hour later and went downstairs to lend a hand with the preparations. The hall was buzzing with activity as the servants worked tirelessly to decorate for the engagement. I took charge of organizing the food for the guests, making sure everything was in place.

The guests were set to arrive at 8 o’clock, and with the clock showing 3, we had only five hours left to get everything done. I rolled up my sleeves and joined in the final preparations, making sure every detail was perfect. By 6 o’clock, everything was ready, and the house was transformed into a stunning venue for the evening’s celebration.

I went to Georgia's room to help her get ready, excited to see how she’d look in Indian attire. This was her first time wearing a saree, and she was understandably a bit nervous. She had chosen a striking black saree adorned with intricate silver embroidery, complemented by matching silver earrings. Her hair was styled in a chic, elegant bun, adding a touch of sophistication to her look.

I guided her through the process of draping the saree, making sure every pleat and fold was perfectly in place. As she twirled in the mirror, the saree flowed gracefully, and she looked absolutely stunning. I could already picture how my brother would be captivated by her appearance.
After helping Georgia, I went back to my room to prepare. I took a quick shower, then chose a vibrant blue lehenga, which I paired with silver heels and matching earrings.

I was not particularly fond of heavy makeup, but Georgia insisted on doing it, and her persistence paid off. She styled my hair elegantly and applied makeup with a deft touch, enhancing my features while keeping it natural.

Once we were both ready, we descended the stairs together. The transformation of the house was nothing short of breathtaking. The hall had been transformed into a dazzling spectacle, with elegant decorations that created an enchanting ambiance. Twinkling lights, lush floral arrangements, and shimmering fabrics adorned every corner, setting the perfect tone for the evening.

The beauty of the decorations was stunning, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. I hoped that tonight’s event would be as memorable as it was beautiful.