As Saavi stepped out of the cab, the enchanting charm of Udaipur enveloped her. The sun cast a golden hue over the city, where majestic palaces rose above shimmering lakes, and the air was filled with the scent of marigolds. She adjusted her oversized sunglasses and took a moment to soak it all in, but instead of excitement, a knot formed in her stomach.

"Just another wedding," she muttered under her breath, smoothing down the fabric of her floral dress. It was cute, she thought—a perfect blend of fun and casual—but it felt like a costume for the drama of Indian wedding that awaited her inside the grand venue. She had attended so many weddings lately, each one more extravagant than the last, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being a spectator in a game she had no interest in playing.

As she walked toward the entrance, she watched couples pose for pictures against the backdrop of the iconic Lake Pichola, their faces radiant with joy. "Look at us, we're so happy!" the unspoken message seemed to scream. But were they really?  Saavi knew better. Behind those perfect smiles and coordinated outfits often lurked the stress of planning, the weight of expectations, the load of compromise and the fear of the future. Marriage, she believed, was more of a performance than a fairytale—a carefully curated façade that many wore like a mask.

Her thoughts drifted to her friends, all blissfully in relationships, pushing their own narratives of happily-ever-afters onto her. Saavi had a group of strong friends who had been together through thick and thin since their first year of engineering, supporting each other as they navigated careers, love, and life's unexpected twists.

They proudly called themselves the S.T.A.R.S

1. Shweta - The nurturing one, Shweta was a new mom to a spirited three-year-old. Her ability to juggle parenting with a demanding job in tech was admirable, though her frequent anecdotes about toddler tantrums often had the group rolling their eyes. Her soft heart and endless patience made her the group's emotional anchor. She had been the first among them to fall in love and get married.

2. Tanya - The free spirit, Tanya recently got married and was still basking in the honeymoon glow. She was the queen of spontaneous adventures and carried a zest for life that inspired everyone around her. Her tales of newlywed bliss and romantic getaways kept the group entertained, though her giddy excitement got be a bit overwhelming for the others at times.

3. Alia - The Instagrammer, Alia was currently pregnant and meticulously preparing for the new arrival. She was known for her networking and social-networking skills, she was the one who always has an agenda for their meetups. She's the one they all go to for make-up tips and good photographs.

4. Richa - The career-driven, Richa was focused on climbing the corporate ladder(and becoming rich!) and rarely missed a chance to share her latest achievements. Her ambition was admirable, but her relentless pursuit of success sometimes left her out of touch with the romantic side of life. Still, her sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude keep the group grounded. Despite her serious looking face, she had a quirky sense of humor that happened to surface at the most unexpected times, often leading to hilarious moments.

And then there was her, the last S of STARS, Saavi Goel, the independent thinker, the feminist, the one who was always late. Her feminist ideals and sarcastic humor often sparked lively debates among her friends. She was the only single one in the group, navigating the complexities of life without a partner, given that now Richa would be married too.

"There she is!" She heard Shweta's loud voice.

"Oh la la! Look at Miss Sexy-and-Single-and-Ready-to-Mingle!" Alia exclaimed, striding over with Shweta at her side.

"Definitely not ready to mingle!" Saavi muttered, sliding off her sunglasses to take in her friends, both adorned in stunning Indian attire. Shweta wore an elegant pink anarkali, her hair stylishly half-clipped, while Alia flaunted a beautiful green ankle-length anarkali that highlighted her pregnancy bump, her hair swept up and her cheeks fuller than the last time.

"Oh come on, you're next, Saavi! You can hardly runaway from it." Came a third voice came from her left and she turned just in time to notice the tallest among them and Tanya walk up to her, dressed in a chic long floral kurti paired with pink leggings.

"Why are you all dressed in Indian Wear already? Did I miss one of the many endless functions already?" Saavi enquired. Her eyes had literally gone wide with shock when Richa had shared the agenda of the marriage on their Whatsapp group. It was a week-long destination wedding.

"There was a Pooja, just one hour back." Shweta replied.

"You're late, as always," Alia said with a playful grin, stepping forward to hug her.

Saavi rolled her eyes but embraced her carefully, resting a hand on Alia's eight-month baby bump. "Gosh, are you sure you're not having twins?"

"It's rude to suggest my baby bump is too big," Alia replied, feigning indignation. "It's just a healthy baby."

"Sorry!" Saavi said awkwardly. "But it's yours and Zaheer's. I bet the little one is already taking after his father." Zaheer, Alia's doting husband, stood tall at six feet with broad shoulders, while Alia, a petite five-foot-two bundle of sweetness, often felt dwarfed beside him. They were, without a doubt, the most infatuated couple Saavi knew.

The other two giggled as Alia blushed, a reaction she couldn't help whenever Zaheer was mentioned. Yes, she was utterly smitten with the man she had once deemed not good enough for her.

Shweta quickly enveloped her in a hug next. "How was your flight?"

"I slept well," Saavi replied.

"Great! Then we can get the planning started. The bachelorette party needs to happen tonight, according to Richa!" Tanya exclaimed, squeezing her in excitement. "I brought the sashes, props, and tiaras!"

"I've ordered the cake, snacks, and drinks," Shweta added.

"Awesome! Did you all get the dresses just as I specified?" Alia asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Yes, I got a satin slip dress in blue," Saavi answered.

"I found a sky-blue dress too. I spent two thousand on it because it was fifty percent off," Shweta chimed in.

Alia turned to Tanya, who smiled and said, "I already had one. I bought it for my honeymoon in Greece."

"Perfect! I bought a new one too and I have the dress for Richa," Alia concluded.

"Aren't married women not supposed to be having bachelorettes?" Saavi asked, only to be met with pointed glares from her friends.

"Not this again, Saavi!" Shweta murmured, shaking her head.

"Exactly! Stop being so dramatic. Married women can do anything single women can!" Alia chimed in.

"Right, there are no restrictions for us," Tanya added.

"Oh, so you're saying you can hook up with strangers too?" Saavi asked innocently, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Like, you could do that being single!" Alia teased, and the others burst into laughter. It was a well-known fact that Saavi Goel had never hooked up; in fact, none of them, except Shweta, had ever done so. All her friends knew that Saavi's principles would never allow her to have random hookups.

"Look at that guy at my nine o'clock. He's cute. I can introduce you; he's Richa's first cousin, Tanmay" Tanya suggested. "Investment Banker, based out of Lucknow currently settled in Noida."

Saavi glanced over. "He's not cute," she replied, eyeing the clean-shaven man who was a couple of inches taller than her, sweetly chatting with a couple.

"Don't worry! From what I heard, this wedding will have five hundred guests. We'll find someone to your liking," Alia said.

"You sound like my Bua Ji. Just get out of my way and tell me where my room is. I need to change into something that doesn't scream 'I didn't get the memo.'"

The other three laughed, leading her into the palatial hotel while nudging her attention toward potential eligible bachelors. It seemed to have become their new mission in life: to find her a partner. As if her parents and relatives weren't enough. It was as if being single was a problem, as if a relationship could magically resolve all her life's complexities. They no longer understood her aversion to the very idea of "settling down with someone she barely knew" now that they had all embraced that path.

Shweta and Tanya had fallen in love and married. Alia had warmed to her arranged marriage husband, and Richa was entering a business marriage, insisting she would eventually love her groom.

Love and relationships were complicated and messy, rarely resembling the romanticized versions they had been sold through entertainment and social media. Yet here were her friends, all under the enchanting spell of their relationships, eager for her to succumb to the same fate.

"Do we have rooms next to each other?" Saavi asked.

The three exchanged glances. "Actually, no. You're on the third floor in the last wing. We're all in the first wing," Tanya replied.

"Why? Can't we request a room in that wing?" Saavi paused, glancing back at the first wing they had just passed.

"We tried, Saavi," Shweta said gently. "Apparently, all the singles without plus-ones have been allocated rooms in the last wing."

"Wow, that's clearly unfair and biased," Saavi remarked.

"I spoke to Richa. She wasn't aware they placed you there. She had specifically requested for all of us to be on the same floor, but your room was missed, and it's already occupied by her in-laws' guests. She can't even ask them to switch," Shweta explained.

"Can you believe it? Her mother-in-law insisted that all the single guests be put in the last wing because it's farther from the main hall where the functions will take place!" Tanya added.

"I hate her mother-in-law already!" Saavi muttered.

"Apparently, it gives them space to party if they want. The party hall, the open sky bar, and the swimming pool are all there," Alia said. "I suppose that's a nice host move."

"Well, that's one way to sell the arrangement," Shweta replied. "It's clear she thinks of singles as irresponsible and immature, and doesn't trust them to not spoil any of the marriage functions. Apparently, there's some history in the family of a single guy gettung drunk and throwing a tantrum about not having a bride at the pheras. The same reason why she has issued a mandate that there will be no liquor on any of the days except today, which is also why we have to get done with the Bachelorette today."

"Not helping," Alia shot back, eyeing Shweta, who shrugged.

Saavi sighed. This wasn't the first time she felt different. At least before, she had Richa by her side; they were both single and found comfort in each other's company. Now, with Richa narrowing her focus on her impending marriage, Saavi was left as the only single one in their group. 

Over time, her friends' priorities had shifted, and she often found herself the odd one out. Their Saturday girls' night plans had fizzled, and Sunday brunch conversations now revolved around fertility, in-laws, familial expectations, and couple date ideas. Their once lively WhatsApp group, filled with witty posts, dirty jokes, and gossip, had devolved into a space for venting about couple fights, family dramas, and sharing recipes and gift ideas for men.

She had become the single friend, the 'plus one' they tagged along for every event. The thought of third-wheeling with multiple couples at once was becoming increasingly distasteful. She frequently declined lunch invitations that included their spouses, feeling more like an outsider with each passing day. It was as if she were drifting away from her friends, unable to relate to their transformed lives.

It wasn't that she was opposed to dating or marriage—far from it. The truth was, she cherished her independence too much to sacrifice it for a fairytale that could easily turn into a nightmare.

As she stepped into the lavish venue, adorned with twinkling lights and intricate decorations, she felt the familiar tension rise within her. She didn't want to lose her friendships to their marriages.

"Jaan," a voice called, causing Shweta to stop and turn. It was her husband, Sarang, jogging over. "I can't handle Vihaan anymore; he's throwing a tantrum over breakfast," he said, referring to their son.

"Hi, Sarang," Saavi greeted slowly.

"Oh, Saavi! You're finally here. I thought you were supposed to be here last night."

"Yes, I was, but my flight got rescheduled at the last minute!"

"Oh, bummer. But it's great you're here! I'm going to steal my wife away, girls." With that, Sarang draped his arm around Shweta's shoulder and led her off. Saavi watched Shweta walk away without putting any resistance or saying a goodbye.

"Seeing Vihaan gives me anxiety. He's a handful. I hope my kid is nothing like that," Alia murmured.

"He won't, sweetie. Don't worry—he'll take after you, not Zaheer," Tanya reassured her.

"Actually, Zaheer is calmer than I am. I'm the chaos," Alia mused. "Don't tell him I admitted that." She added as an after thought.

Tanya chuckled. "Of course not."

"Don't tell who? And what did you admit?" came a deep baritone voice.

Great! So husband number two was here too. Most probably to steal his wife away. Saavi thought to herself.

Alia closed her eyes momentarily before turning to her husband, who stood behind her in a simple white kurta pajama. "You mustn't be eavesdropping on anyone's conversations," she said.

"I was just listening to my wife, whose words, by the way, were quite loud," he said, then quickly glanced past Alia, whose cheeks had flushed at his teasing. It was both amusing and endearing how she blushed whenever he spoke, even when his comments barely qualified as romantic. Perhaps they had some disguised conversation going on where the same words meant something else.

"Hey, Saavi! Great to see you here already. Alia was not so long ago complaining about you always being late," Zaheer said.

Saavi chuckled. "That's nothing new. How are you holding up, given that she's a mess of hormones?"

"I'm right here!" Alia muttered, turning to her.

"Yep, sorry, shorty! Didn't see you," Saavi grinned, glancing at her before shifting her gaze back to Zaheer.

"I'm alive," he replied with a laugh.

Alia rolled her eyes and looked up at her husband. "So, what did you want?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips, clearly offended by his humor.

"You," he said, making her blush deepen and transforming her scowl into a shy smile. Saavi exchanged a glance with Tanya, both trying to suppress their smiles. "...have to take your medicines. Come on," Zaheer added, clearing his throat.

"Oh, but Saavi just got here. Let me walk her to her room..."

"Alia, go take your medicines. I'll freshen up and meet you," Saavi interjected before Alia could protest.

"See, your friend agrees," her husband said, gently leading Alia away while whispering something in her ear. Saavi couldn't hold back the smile, those two were so romantically in live with each other.

"Gosh, I wish Deepak were that romantic with me after two years of marriage. Alia got really lucky. I mean, imagine having parents who found you a guy like that—so good looking, so tall, so devoted. She must have done some seriously good deeds in a past life," Tanya murmured. Saavi smiled, it was no secret in their group that Tanya had a innocent little crush on Zaheer ever since Alia had first shown his photo to them.

"I think it's also because Alia is genuinely sweet and kind. It's hard not to love her spirit." Saavi answered.

"Hmm, true. What about your parents? Have they found any new prospects recently, after that guy with tattoos?"

Saavi sighed. "Let's not go there. I'm here to enjoy a break from sifting through biodata profiles of male chauvinists, mama's boys, and jerks with inflated egos and small dicks."

"Wow, I didn't know they put in the pictures of that as well on bios these days!" Tanya replied, turning to Saavi with a playful glint in her eyes.

Saavi laughed, taking charge of her two trolley bags again. "Thank the Gods for that! Otherwise, we'd have to bleach our eyes and then be blind for the rest of our lives."

Tanya laughed, taking one of the suitcases as they moved toward the elevator. "I cam understand your situation. When my parents were searching for a prospective groom for me, I used to have nightmares after seeing their profiles."

They had barely entered her assigned room when Tanya's phone rang, playing her favorite romantic tune—a dedicated ringtone just for her husband.

She answered the call cheerfully, smiling as she told him she would be in their room soon before ending the call. "Deepak can't find his laptop charger. I'll just go help him out."

Saavi stifled her disbelief and nodded, wearing a polite smile. "Sure, I'll freshen up and meet you girls downstairs."

"Okay, cool! See you!" With that, Tanya quickly marched out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Saavi let out a sharp exhale. Deepak couldn't find a trivial laptop charger on his own? What was worse was that Tanya smiled at this and offered to leave her friend who she just met to help him. This was exactly why marriage felt daunting to her. She couldn't imagine being married to a guy who needed help finding something so simple, or being the wife who found that cute and felt special because he needed her assistance. 

Her friends had changed after marriage, and she hoped they wouldn't completely lose themselves in this age-old institution. Sighing, she fell back onto the comfortable queen-size bed. It was good that she wasn't married; at least she still had her sanity intact. "You must, really, help them God." She murmured staring up at the ceiling. Why did women lose their mind behind guys?

She wondered how she would survive the coming week. If she knew her friends well, relentless matchmaking attempts were inevitable. She braced herself for the onslaught of questions aimed at changing her mind and the well-meaning nudges toward so-called 'eligible' bachelors.

If she was going to be the lone wolf in this pack of lovebirds, she might as well own it. After all, someone had to remind them that happiness didn't always come in pairs. She was perfectly content without a Plus One, thank you very much!

• — • — •

Would love to read you thoughts and first impressions.

—Anami!♡