“So, what happened? Why did you not find someone whom you preferred?”

“Arey, all this work. Who has the time to chill? And the people in the office… everyone is about to get each other to get ahead in the company. How can you bond with someone when you are threatened by them. And it’s not necessary, na, that whom I like will also share my preferences. In fact, working with you has been a great change. It much more relaxed and collaborative. And these outings are also the things that I have not done for a long time.”

“Oh, stop it. It’s nothing.”

“No no, you don’t understand. I am very relaxed. These coffee time and dinner outings have been a respite form all the brouhaha. And I do not think about work during these times.”

“Oh, what do you think about, then?”

“I… that…” Piyu hesitated.

“Just kidding!” Pooja said sensing her unease with facing the reality.

Hey, tell me this. How many people have you told? About your preference?”

“Rarely anyone.”

“Why?”

“Can’t tell in the office. They already think I am bossy. Then it will be like bossy lesbian. And I don’t want to talk about these things in my office. Want to keep it professional there.”

“Hmm,” Pooja muttered under her breath while scrolling something on her phone.

“Work beckons?” Piyu asked.

“Au contraire, my friend,” Pooja responded with a beaming smile. “Found this club called Sinsous. It is an LGBT-friendly bar. We are going there tomorrow night.”

“No, no, no….I have work. And why do we need to go? I will find someone.”

“Nopes. You will go with me. We will find someone to fill some colours in your life.”

“But…”

“No ‘buts’. And being your superior, I ask you to go with me to this club.”

“You know na this won’t fly as a business meeting.”

“Let’s just say it is a ‘market research’ project. Say, ‘how can we connect to different sections of the society?’”

“Okay,” Piyu agreed meekly.

“And please wear something more designer. Not your usual business outfits. If you want, I can hook you up with one of the people I know from work.”

“No, no, I will manage.”

“Cool then. I will pick you up at 7 from your place tomorrow evening.”

“Cool.”

With the plans in place, both of them headed to their homes. Pooja got back, changed into a robe and took a shower to relieve herself of all the work-related stress. The water worked like acupressure on her body. She soaped herself, giving extra attention to her boobs and her nethers.

“I actually love them,” she thought, “except for the period pain. If we can do away with that, then it would seem perfect.” She finished her shower, did her moisturising routine, and tucked herself in bed. She took her phone and started the mindless scrolling of social media. On a whim, she searched Piyu’s profile and looked through her posts. It was mostly about her awards and work-related stuff. She would always have a slight smile on her face, quite unlike the genuine laughs she would have when out with Pooja. Pooja noticed the mole on her throat from their childhood. She also noticed the curves of her body, which Piyu efficiently managed to cover in her suits. She sighed because she wanted to be with her, and yet she was arranging a date hunt for her. She did not know if she was doing right or not.

“Let’s see what happens. Destiny made me a girl. I will leave it to it to show the path.” With this, she went to sleep.

When she woke up, she found a text from Piyu. It read, “ Hey, I am visiting this home for rescued women today. It’s just something that I do every month. Do you want to join?”

She saw the message and called Piyu immediately.

“Hey”

“Hello, good morning,” Pooja said, still groggy from her sleep. “I got your message.”

“Yeah, would you like to join?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, be ready in an hour. I will pick you up.”

“An hour?!” Pooja gasped. “That would be too small a time to get ready.”

“Just be normal. No need to be dressed to the nines. We are going to a shelter. Not some flashy event.”

“Oh yes. Okay, I will be ready.”

She jumped off her bed and rushed to her bathroom. While in the shower, she shaved the slight stubble off her underarms, arms, and legs. She dried herself, got out, and did an everyday skincare routine. She just applied some kajal and a nude shade of lipstick. She picked herself a long kurta in blue with paisley print and yellow churidar. She picked the oxidised silver danglers she had borrowed from her mom and was ready. She just brushed her hair in a usual parting and finished it with a spray of her favourite perfume.

Within two minutes of her being ready, her phone buzzed.

“Hello”

“I am downstairs.”

“Coming in 2,” she said, cutting the call. “Maa, I am leaving. Don’t wait for me. I might be having food outside all day,” she screamed as she rushed out of her house and pinged the elevator.

She got in the car and said Hi to Piyu. “So this is something you regularly do?”

“Yeah.”

“Who are these women? I mean, how did you get into this?”

“Arey, remember the boy I was telling you about. He and I fought when I said women face much more hardships than men. But the same night, I realised that what I was doing was only talking. The next day, I asked my parents to help at least one of these women. So, they took me to an NGO. I started going there on the weekends. And now, I am associated with a couple of these institutions. It’s nothing. It just gives me happiness to see them happy.”

“Hmm,” Pooja could not say anything more. She realised that the conversation had a profound effect on both of their lives.

Piyu continued, “These women are from across the country. Some are victims of acid attacks, some used to beg, some had domestic violence, and some were just poor and left to fend for themselves.”

The car stopped at a big chawl-like place. They both got out. Pooja saw that there were many women over there working on different items. Some were doing handicrafts, some were painting, and some of them were stitching clothes. Although everyone seemed happy, Pooja could sense the battles they had to wade through. She stopped in her tracks, stupefied.

Sensing the unease Pooja was feeling, Piyu said, “Do one thing, you stay by the car. I will go and come in the jiffy. I have 5 minutes of work at the office. Need to discuss something with the management. And here’s the key to the car. There’s cold water in the beverage holder. I will be back soon.” Piyu smiled at her to help her ease and rushed away.

Pooja thought of waiting by the car, but her legs dragged her to the womenfolk. She could see the dichotomy of their existence and their smiles.

She retraced her steps to the car and drank some water after a couple of minutes. By the time Piyu returned.

“Sorry, was something urgent.”

They drove off in silence.

“So much pain,” Pooja exclaimed.

“Yeah, but everyone finds a way.”

It’s good that you are doing something for them.”

“Aah, it’s nothing.”

“Can I do something too?”

“Of course. We will discuss this later how you can help them.”

They stopped at the South Indian restaurant for breakfast. They ordered idli-sambar and filter kaapi. As they waited, Pooja said, "Piyu, I don’t think I can go to the club today. I am sorry.”

Piyu smiled. “I understand what you are going through. But we can’t let life stop because of hurdles. Look at those women. They are the glaring examples of this.”

“But…”

“No buts. In fact, more than me, it seems you need to unwind. I don’t know anything. You are picking me up at 7 tonight.”

They finished their breakfast in relative silence and went to their homes. Pooja just went to sleep, her mind unable to process what she saw. She thought a nap could help her.

At 5 PM, she dragged herself out of bed and showered. She rolled her hair. While doing it, she thought of keeping it simple. Just a pat of BB cream, a bit of highlighter and rouge on her cheeks. For her eyes, she applied winged eyeliner, and for her lips, she chose matt lipstick in a rich red colour. She picked a midnight blue dress with puffed sleeves that would remind anyone of the 90s. She finished the look with 2-inch heels in black. By now, it was 6.15 PM, so she got into her car and started for Piyu’s.

P.S: This story was written by Pankhuri and the storyline given to her by her friends Anupama and Shruti.