Turning thirty beautifully; Being mother gracefully.

Disclaimer- This is a non-fiction short story which includes incidents and characters from my life. The names of the characters are changed to meet the requirements of "The Lakme Diva Blogger Contest" and also in the interest of my real life friends. Though a few things might be hyped and exaggerated to add in the extra essence to pop up the story. Visit Lakme fan page for more.

Tring tring.

I saw the clock. It is 8 pm. I picked my Samsung Galaxy and saw a number on the display.

Unsure of weather to answer or not I said hello.

From the other side - Hello!

Me- Silent.

From the other side - Silence.

Me- Kyra?

From the other side - You still remember my voice, don't you?

Me- You bet! I don't believe this. Am I really talking to you?

Kyra- Yes, it's me.

Me- How are you? Where are you calling from? After so many years? Oh my, how did you find my number?

Kyra- (Stopping me) Easy girl! I know you are surprised. I am meeting you tomorrow.

Me- I don't believe this, you in my place? I just cannot wait to see you.

It's been ten long years since I last saw my soul friend Kyra. This night is not going to be easy for me. I am meeting Kyra tomorrow. A lot of things need to be planned and planned to perfection. You know what; Kyra was a perfectionist when it came to beauty and trend. In other words she was the fashion police in our group.

First thing I did after hanging the phone is dig into my closet to find that one perfect dress that I going to wear tomorrow, the shoes that goes well with the dress and the right accessories for that Kyra type styling. I know it's not a date and I am not meeting by boy-friend. But, when it comes to meeting Kyra things ought to be perfect.

Everything is set. I am lying on my bed, it is 12:30pm and no signs of me going to sleep yet. All that is visible to my eyes are the days of my life invested with Kyra (those were the days I would not like to call spent!). A film of flashback is live on the ceiling before me and my mind is efficiently projecting it screen by screen. 

Ours was a group of six girls rather half a dozen, Ranjini, Mona, Nina, Caro, Suman and me. We were last benchers, fun lovers, joke crackers, class bunkers (occasionally)  and healthy competitors. 

It was during the last year of our degree classes. A new girl got her admission done in our class. It was her first day in the college. It was an off period. Our group, as usual was having fun in ladies room; chatting, giggling and sharing, exchanging our lunch boxes. It was in the morning soon after our practical session. There were hardly any other girls in the ladies room.  

A girl entered the room. She was like a perfect teenage diva any girl would be longing to look and feel like. She was beautiful, elegant, fashionable and trendy paired with perfect attitude. She walked straight towards us and introduced herself as Kyra. She then asked me for the final year BSc classroom.

That was my first meeting with Kyra. She was admitted to our class. She was soon one among us; the group of half a dozen girls had now grown to seven in number. As days passed by and our last year was fast coming to an end, me and Kyra had slowly developed some kind of bond. We were best friends now. We would hardly be able to keep any secrets under cover from each other. 

Our exams were done. We had our future plans for pursuing post graduation. But this was a necessary evil. I went on to join MSc computer science and Kyra opted for MBA. She moved out of the town. We were in touch for one year and slowly our contact died an unknown death. Till recently the social networking was not all that powerful. I failed to find her on Facebook and other networking sites. I don't know if she had ever tried to find me.

After ten years I am glad I got a call from Kyra. I must be the happiest woman on this planet at this moment. Just a few hours to go and I will be meeting my friend tomorrow. 

I opened my eyes to see the light of sun hitting my eyes through the window of my room. I did not realize when I went to sleep last night. I am now kind of addicted to checking my message box and twitter in the morning even before having my glass of warm water with lemon and honey. Kyra had left a message. It's the time and place of our meeting that flashed on my mobile screen.

I rechecked my dress and my accessories not to forget my sunglasses or else it is difficult to save myself from Kyra. My son accompanied me. I had a look around and suddenly I saw a hand waving at me, it was nobody but Kyra already sitting on a sofa in the coffee shop.

Once I thought I am dreaming about meeting Kyra but I am brought back to life when Kyra gave me a tight hug. It was like too good to believe.

She was the same old gal, young and charming. It was hard to believe that I am seeing her after ten years. We were in the coffee shop for almost two hours sharing our life experience in the past ten years. 

I am married and I am married too; I have a son and you have a daughter; I don't work anymore and neither do I; my hubby is a software engineer and mine is HR manager and bhla bhla. We hopped to the nearest restaurant for lunch over a little more chat and gossip. 

Kyra said she is in the town for just four more days. 

We planned to meet on Saturday for that girls day out. My hubby promised me to look after our son for the day and let me free with Kyra. Kyra had no worries as her parents took care of her girl most of the times. 

Saturday is here. It is 7:00 am and I am ready to hit the highway on my bicycle. Yes, that is our plan. Two girls cycling in sun during summer looks crazy, doesn't it? But, that's what it is to relive the long lost golden days of college again. 

Ring ring, I think it's Kyra at the door. I said bye to hubby and my son who was just trying to say good morning.  

Kyra said wait. She gave me a fancy yellow bottle and asked me to apply it on my face, neck and arms. I curiously read the label on it- Lakme sun expert with SPF 50. I realized what my skin speaks about its health! My skin had taken toll due to lack of regular care. Marriage, pregnancy, motherhood and very little time for self grooming and skin care acted as catalyst to the process of damaging my skin. I realized my old sunscreen was doing no good.

She said, Happy birthday. My age hit me hard, I just turned 30. She gifted me the complete range of Lakme skin care kit which also included the quint essential cosmetics. I know Kyra believes in best and this kit would definitely help me regain my lost glowing skin. It is the best birthday ever since I got the chance to celebrate it with Kyra.

I applied the sunscreen generously all over and we both together hit the road confidently.

It is just 8:30 am and we are already feeling the heat. I was consciously trying to hide my face under the little cap I wore. Kyra explained me about the advantages of using Lakme sunscreen and how it helps to keep away the effects of sun thus preventing the signs of aging.

We are running out of energy cycling in the sun. It is just 10 more mins of cycling and we will be reaching our destination. We decided not to take brake and continued. Woof, the resort is here. We hugged and cheered each other on making it to the place all by cycling.

Kyra said, look we are still young and energetic even when we are 30. We did it yet again after 10 years, kudos. I smiled and felt proud of myself. I already had begun to feel like I was 20 and I am on a college trip.

It was calm and pleasant, away from the town. We relaxed and replenished our energy sipping the exotic drink. It is 10:00 am and time for some good breakfast. We relaxed on the poolside garden restaurant in the resort. Both me and Kyra could not wait to jump into the pool but we were tired lot after that morning cycle trip. We decided to swim later before lunch.

It was time for some girls talk. Kyra shared some useful tips on new fashion for moms, the brands and the right cosmetics. One word that lingered long on her lips was Lakme be it make-up, cosmetics or skin care products. She is a book in herself when it comes to fashion and beauty.

I got a lot of secret recipes to beautiful skin and hair.

Swimming is fun particularly after long time. Kyra looked stunning in bikini and no one could really guess she is a mother of 2 year old. I settled for vibrant swim suit. It is a bright sunny day and we dare not play in water without protecting our skin from sun. I already had begun to see the change and hence opted for Lakme sun expert over my old sunscreen.

We did not realize it was already 2:00 pm. Yet we did not want to come out of the pool, it is so much fun. But our hungry stomach refused to say yes. Tired and sleepy eyes said you have to come out right away.

After good food it was time for good afternoon nap. It is 5:00 pm and I suddenly jumped out of bed when I heard somebody screaming in my room. Gosh, it was Kyra jumping with joy in the garden attached to our room. It was the summer showers she was enjoying.

With thunder and lightning at it's peak; cloudy and dusky weather; sweet smell of mud; I could not resist myself and danced with joy like a teenage girl. I and Kyra were drenched in rain and jumped with joy. It was like rain water disco tech;  lightning was the disco lights; thunder was the music; nature was the DJ; green lawn was the dance floor. 

An hour of rain water dancing had faded our memory of being wives and mothers. We were now irresponsible teenage gals. That first sneeze reminded us that it was time to get old and get out of rain water. 

It is 6:00 pm and time for spa and self indulgence. It is time for that rear moment and stop worrying about gaining those extra kilos! Yes, it is time for eating some exotic chocolates, drinking some chocolate latte, soaking in chocolate and again eating more chocolate desserts in the spa.

Chocolate facial, chocolate massage and chocolate therapy, all this and chocolate for taste buds to keep us entertained. It is a chocolicious spa! What more could me and Kyra ask for?

Gals day out is coming to an end. It is 9:00 pm and time for dinner. We had already consumed at-least thrice the calories that we burned cycling, swimming and dancing. But this last food together would be the real meals of the day to remember.

Off we go to bed. Early morning we are back with bang on cycle. It is time to get back to home sweet home. It is 10:30 am and Kyra and me are at my home. She kissed my son and bid farewell to us. It's hard letting her go. A day was equal to just an hour. There was so much to do but so little we could really do.

Two days later I called up to Kyra and she was all set to go back to her place. Hugging Kyra, I said bye, I cannot really wait till we meet again.

As always, I learned a lot from Kyra. She believes looking and feeling beautiful in all ages and at all times is what the secret desire of every woman. It is also the right to be one. The skin problems being with sun exposure and leads to premature aging with over exposure. When Kyra will no more be around me, Lakme sun Expert will be my best friend to rescue me from trouble.

This summer was fun and exciting even if it meant just one day of outing. A day with friend like Kyra was worth living than a month of vacation without her.

Aging with elegance is possible with the right choices and good habits. Cheers to womanhood and kudos to motherhood. My thirtieth birthday rocked. I am now confident; I am thirty yet I am beautiful; I am a mother yet graceful.