Strangers Forever?

Prologue

Kanchan Raina

As I set my phone on the dressing table in the corner of the room, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear while taking a quick glance at both ends of the room. To my right is Harleen's bed — spotless as always — and to my left, mine, with pants, tops, dresses, and whatnot scattered all over it after trying them on.

Ignoring the mess, I flash a smile and hit the record icon. And as usual, I start doing my makeup while recording. I mean, of course, I look good without makeup too, "But, ek baar makeup routine mein ghus jaaye na, toh uske bina jeena mushkil hai!" And, after all, I can't disappoint my grahaks!

(Translation: Once makeup sneaks into your routine, good luck living without it!)

"Hello, my grahaks, both old and new!" I lightly clap once before picking up the brush to blend the foundation across my face. "This is Kanchan Raina a.k.a. 'TheSalesGirl.' So, to anyone calling me an influencer, please, D.O.N.T. I feel influencers just promote stuff, but I know how to sell things!"

While stroking my cheeks with blush, I continue, "Now, before you say, 'Arey! Yeh toh main character nahii hai, woh toh Kiana Daaruwala hai.' Phir kyun main character samajh rahe ho khud ko? Par kya farak padta hai?"

I smirk, keeping the brush down, and grab the eyeliner.

"Aapke liye bhale hi main character woh ho, mere liye toh mai hi hu na."

With one final stroke of lipstick on my lips, I glance at myself in the mirror and smile, saying, "Tip of the day: har office mein do type ki ladkiyan hoti hain. Ek jo tip-top ready hoke aati hain, like ME, and ek woh jo bas ghar jaate sone ke liye hai, toh unko neend toh puri chaiye hoti hai. Hm...hm!"

I tease them, moving my finger back and forth, then immediately scowl my face with a high pitch.

"Isliye, half hour pehle uthke office aa jaana!" I raise an eyebrow.

I pause, folding my hands across my chest, "I mean, if you don't look good, how are good things going to happen to you all day? Chari!"

(Translation: Chari means a foolish girl in Sindhi.)

"And for my new grahaks, who are wondering why I'm called SalesGirl... let me explain. I was 11 years old, and before my twin and I could pull each other's hair out, my mom decided to send me to my maternal grandmother's house. She's Sindhi, and you know what that means—dhanda, business. So, my nani owned two businesses. Not huge, but they had quite a reputation in Dadar. One was a snacks corner and the other was a clothes business which she used to run from her home. Staying with her, I learned one thing really well, selling. I could sell dal-pakwan, koki, clothes, you name it!

That's why I'm called SalesGirl. After all, I have Sindhi blood running in my veins."

I tap on the screen to check how much time I have left for more content. "Oh! What was I supposed to sell today? Okay, last five minutes to see how good my customers, a.k.a. grahaks, are. And me? I'm sure I am a great salesgirl!" I laugh before turning the camera towards the main picture.

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Mumbai

"Aap Mumbai se ho? Suna hai log bade tej hote hain waha ke."

When I first heard this from that aunty, I was in college, I had no clue what she meant! But the moment I stepped out of college, everything became crystal clear.