Art of Aroma: Bottling Memories, One Scent at a Time

I woke up on Saturday morning buzzing with excitement, eager to experience something I’d been looking forward to for a long time. I reached the café well before the official start time, just as Rukiyah and her team were setting up. The air was already rich with the promise of something magical, filled with the subtle, enchanting notes of perfume in the making.

As people started arriving, we warmed up with games like Uno and Truth or Dare, which quickly broke the ice. Despite it being my first time, everyone bonded easily. I even found myself speaking my mother tongue with some newly found native connections, sharing stories and laughs over life, culture, and common interests. It felt easy, warm, and unexpectedly comforting.

When it was time for the main event, we gathered around our workstations, our eyes lighting up at the bottles and droppers set before us. Rukiyah walked us through the basics: the fragrance pyramid, how notes are layered, and how perfume concentrations are defined. Soon, we were mixing our own scents from 11 distinct options. I crafted a woody blend, softened with lavender and musk. Even as tacos and drinks arrived, no one moved from their spots; everyone was too immersed in their creations.

Leaving the café, I wasn’t just carrying a bottle of fragrance, I was carrying a little piece of art, uniquely mine. We all walked out with happy smiles, fragrant memories, and photos capturing every joyful moment. 

The experience gave me a newfound appreciation for the subtle power of scent and a beautiful reminder of how shared creativity brings people together.

Written By: Ritwik Chatterjee

Video Edited By: Shubham Khare