Sana

I grudgingly extended my arm to silence the incessant blaring of my phone—my sworn enemy, the alarm clock. Ah, the bane of my existence. The cruel reminder that sleep is a luxury I couldn't afford to indulge in indefinitely. As much as I detested waking up to its shrill cries, the alternative of being a bedraggled mess after a 24-hour slumber held no appeal either. 

Oh, how I yearned for a world where responsibilities didn't exist, time would stand still, and I could simply cocoon myself in a perpetual state of blissful slumber. No lectures to attend, no assignments looming threateningly on the horizon like a menacing double-edged sword. Yet, reality beckoned all too harshly as the alarm sounded again, prompting another guttural groan to escape my lips. With a reluctant sigh, I buried my head deeper into the soft embrace of my pillow, resisting the inevitable separation from its comforting warmth. Alas, the call of duty prevailed, coercing me to reluctantly abandon the sanctuary of my plush, cushiony bed. 

As my feet made contact with the frigid touch of the marble floor, a shiver raced down my spine, painting my skin with a constellation of goosebumps. The abrupt transition from the cozy cocoon of my bed to the stark reality of dawn was a jarring reminder that the world outside awaited, indifferent to my nocturnal desires for eternal repose.

I woke up to the chilly air, already questioning why it felt like the Arctic in my room. Determined to start the day right, I made my way to the bathroom for a quick pick-me-up. The sensation of warm water cascading down my body jolted me awake, as if to chase away any remnants of sleep lingering in my system—much like the dissipating vapors. Clad in a plush, ivory robe, my eyes scanned my closet for the perfect ensemble that would encapsulate my personality. The search continued until it settled on the pairing of a vibrant green blouse with a denim skirt. "Perfect," I exclaimed with a satisfied clap, swiftly donning the outfit that now adorned my frame in a harmonious blend of colors and textures. I have a soft spot for lingerie—be it cute and colorful, subtly sensual, plain and bold, or intriguingly unique—I relish trying them all on, each set different from another. It may sound peculiar, but I find joy in collecting different pieces and flaunting them on my figure, appreciating the reflection staring back at me. I take pride in nurturing my physique through regular activity and nourishing meals, a dedication that shines through in how I present myself each day.

Getting ready at my dressing table, I meticulously checked my makeup to ensure it was flawless - and indeed, it was. Radiant and luminous, just as I desired, I felt ready to conquer the day. With a swift exit, I hopped into my car and revved up the engine, eager to make my way to the esteemed college grounds.
Ah, college - a land of knowledge and growth. The fact that I successfully navigated myself to this institution fills me with a sense of accomplishment that I proudly celebrate, giving myself a figurative pat on the back for this monumental feat.

"We are in the cafeteria, on our spot." I read the message that buzzed and brought my screen to life. Not caring to reply I hastened my steps to reach the cafeteria as I was hungry too.

"Where is Sana? It is boring without her. I see nothing interesting happening around me either" I heard Elena, the one to grumble with her mouth full, classic Elena indeed. She's been by my side since the diaper days, a true friend through thick and thin. Her mere presence in the neighborhood felt like a blessing from the heavens above... until the day we packed up and moved to our new house. That's when I realized that fate has a cunning way of playing its hand, even amidst the blessings.

"She is on the way." Sia, the beacon of niceness and kindness in our group, always seemed out of place in our bunch of chaotic mess. It was like watching a serene swan gracefully navigating a pond filled with rowdy ducks. Her sweetness stood out in stark contrast to our rough edges, but we all secretly knew we needed her to anchor us when our antics threatened to spiral out of control. It may sound a tad melodramatic for a bunch of college kids, but hey, even we have our moments of seriousness, and Sia was our reliable rock in those tumultuous times.

"What did I miss?" I announced my presence as I gracefully took my seat next to Sia, who joyfully enveloped me in a warm hug before passing over a delightful sandwich and a fragrant cup of coffee. Ah, the joys of being adored by friends! Despite the tempting sight of delicious treats, I maintained my composure, for I prided myself on being the epitome of sophistication within our circle – the honorary "Princess," as Abhi playfully dubbed me. Ah, such sweet camaraderie!

Among my beloved companions, I was revered and cherished, yet there existed mysteries within me that even the closest of confidants had yet to uncover. Ah, the intrigue of human bonds! Friends, a cherished beacon of light in the tumultuous sea of existence, are indeed a gift in this topsy-turvy world. The spontaneous convergence of diverse souls, forging connections that often run deeper than family ties. Some may argue that blood is thicker than water, but I beg to differ. While blood may be denser, it is the flowing waters of friendship that sustain us in the face of life's storms. Indeed, friends are the life raft in the tempest of existence.

"What's up here?" Ray quizzed as he came sliding on the slippery floor and settled himself between Elena and Sia.

"Everything except your little soldier", Elena smirked, commenting delightfully. The table broke into laughter and Ray was quick to hold her in a choking grip which made her thrash and hit him hard on his shoulder with the things she could get her hands on.

"You need to shut that mouth of yours, and FYI it is not small, unlike your front", he commented. To a third person, it might seem a fight was to ensue but to the people that surrounded them on that table, it was a normal occurrence where they made sure no day was passed without a comment on their respective body features.

"Sure, the one who gets the chance to hold them knows what luxury they have their hands on", Elena glared, throwing a fry at his face.

"Only if they could be held"

"Guys please you both need to stop with this child play now.", Abhi tried putting an end to the quarrel only to have their middle finger flicked at him by both of them.

"Leave them", Sia added, concentrating on her food and advised Abhi to do the same. Our dynamic duo thrived on the playfulness of silly banter and goofiness, injecting a dash of joy into my already vibrant life. Ignoring the escalating argument, I sank my teeth into my sandwich and dutifully dabbed at the remnants with a tissue, sticking to the textbook etiquette. Upon raising my gaze, a bashful boy caught my eye, a shy smile playing on his lips, a rose clenched in his hand. Not this again, I thought wearily, bracing myself for the impending interaction. It irked me to play this role, to be painted as the antagonist without cause in this recurring charade.

"Hello, Sana." A young man walked up to me, stuttering as he tried to speak. It was kind of annoying, but also endearing in a way. I found it cute how shy he appeared, almost hesitant to make his intentions known. Funny enough, I had never felt that shy in my life. It made me wonder why shyness was often associated with girls when anyone could feel flustered in certain situations.

"Hello!" I responded in a sweet tone, trying to mask my slight irritation. I didn't want to be rude, but some things just got under my skin, like these silly attempts at romance from guys who probably didn't realize the impact of their actions. It bothered me to think that they might get hurt in the process. 

"I'm Nishchay," he introduced himself nervously. I nodded, encouraging him to continue. Glancing over at my friends, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their amused expressions and barely-contained giggles. They always found it entertaining to witness these moments, teasing me and poking fun at both me and the hopeful suitor standing before us with his token of affection, be it a rose, a chocolate, or a teddy bear—all in a bid to impress a girl.

"Hello Nishchay. Do you need anything?" I asked him, not holding onto the situation any longer.

"Yes...I...I wanted to say that...actually. I need to...I want to say that," he stuttered again. Instead of making fun of him, as others around him were doing, chuckling at him, I waited patiently. Those people who were now like hawks looked at Nishchay with held breaths. 

"Yes go on." I encouraged.

"I like you and I wanted to give you this. Can we go on coffee please?" he asked in a breath with a flower now extended towards me. I smiled but what would come next might make him sad. 

"Thank you so much, Nishchay, that you chose to like me. It means a lot to me. But I will have to deny you a cup of coffee. Sorry, but I am not looking forward to anything with anyone yet. But thank you for liking me." I tried to handle the situation delicately, declining his proposal with a sense of empathy. However, the reactions around me were not as understanding. Whispers of "Oh poor guy" and disapproving murmurs filled the cafeteria, causing the young man to lower his head in shame. My gaze swept across the room, silencing the chattering with a single look. I couldn't deny the satisfaction I felt at that moment, the feeling of control and influence washing over me. It was a rare display of power that I savored, although it was a rare show. 

As the atmosphere settled, Nishchay's voice cut through the tension with a simple, "It's okay." My heart weighed heavy with regret, prompting a sincere apology as the young man excused himself. 

Elena, always one to add a bit of light-hearted teasing, couldn't resist a comment. "Why would you do that, Sana? He's such a sweet boy." I playfully tossed a straw in Elena's direction, a gesture that Elena expertly dodged with a playful grin.

Meet Sana, the cheerful, happy, and sophisticated one who radiates positivity wherever she goes. With her infectious smile and lively personality, she lights up any room she enters. Always dressed in the latest fashion trends and effortlessly put together, Sana exudes sophistication and charm. Her upbeat attitude is contagious, lifting the spirits of those around her and creating an atmosphere of joy and laughter. Whether hosting a dinner party or attending a social event, her grace and elegance leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Her magnetic energy draws people to her like moths to a flame, making her the life of the party wherever she goes. With her by your side, you can't help but feel excited about what each new day will bring.