“Aditya, drop us off in the front and then you can go park the car,” Anjali told her husband as they approached the mall.
“Okay,” he replied. He brought the car to a stop at the entrance, and let them get out then left. Khushi looked at the mall and sighed, she hated going to big places for shopping. But had agreed when Anjali told her that this is where they would go because they had a big variety and range of clothing. That meant that they wouldn’t have to constantly get in the car, then out and go from store to store; but instead would go from shop to shop inside here, and Khushi liked the idea of that.It was only Payal, Anjali, Aditya and her that had come; Arnav and Akash were suppose to arrive in the other car because some important papers had to get signed. They decided to go wait inside for Aditya.
A few minutes later he arrived and asked, “So where do you want to go first?”
“Let’s go upstairs first, there’s a store I remember visiting last time iI came here and they had a very nice collection,” Anjali said. They took the elevator to the third floor and went into the shop Anjali was talking about. Khushi looked at the sign that was outside, it read “Saahil Exclusive.” Walking in, they saw rows and rows of suits, anarkali’s, sari’s, and lehenga’s hanged up on the racks.
“Hello Ma’am, how can we help you?” a sale assistant asked coming up to them.
“We would like to see any of your new designs that have come in, actually my two brother’s are getting engaged and it’s for their fiancees,” Anjali said suggesting to Payal and Khushi who were standing next to her.
“Come this way,” she said leading them to the back, “Rohan will show you the new things that have come in, and you can decide from them or we can bring out more clothing from the back.”
Rohan took out the suits that were on the shelves, and laid them out before the ladies.
“Khushi and Payal choose the ones you like,” Anjali told them.
Khushi looked at all the ones laid before her, they were all very pretty and beautifully handcrafted; but she preferred clothing that was less heavy. All these ones were piled and covered with beads and jewels, and holding them up in her hands, she felt that they were really heavy, not something that would make it easier for her to get around in. And majority of them were lehengas, which she had never tried wearing due to the fact that they made it very easy for her to trip in.
“Do you have anything that’s possibly less heavier than these and simpler?” Khushi asked him.
‘If you’re looking for something like that, then you’ll find anarkali’s like those hanging on the ranks,” he replied.
“Ok, Di I’ll check over there then,” Khushi looked at Anjali and told her.
“Teek hai (Fine),” she said in return.
Khushi went through the ranks trying to find something suitable for her. Flipping through the first rank, she found a nude colored anarkali that she really liked, it was very simple with dark brown embroidery on the bottom. She took it off the rack, along with a few others that nearby that she also wanted to try out.
“Khushi did you find anything you like?” Anjali asked while Khushi was looking for the dressing room.
“Yeah Di I was going to go try these on,” she replied showing her the ones in her hand, “Do you know where the dressing room is?”
“It’s over there in the back,” Anjali said.
“Here I’ll show you,” Payal told her leading the way; she had just tried on a few herself.
Khushi entered the dressing room, taking her suits with her and asked Payal to wait outside. The dressing room wasn’t too big, but had enough room to freely move around and not feel cramped. There was a small bench like thing connected to one of the walls so she placed her suit there, and a full length mirror was built into the wall that was completely opposite of the door. She took off the nude colored suit from the hanger and decided to try it on first.
*************************
Arnav closed his file as everyone else left the meeting room. It had taken a little longer than he had expected, and knew his Di would probably start arguing with him about it for not getting to them on time. Walking out of the office, he found the place to be very silent. Why wouldn’t it be? It was Sunday and even he wasn’t suppose to be here had it not been for the meeting that had come up. The textile company that they work working with had to fly out tonight, and they wouldn’t have time in the upcoming weeks to fly to India again.
He walked out of the main door, and even the guards weren’t present today. Just then his phone rang.
“Hello?” he answered not taking the time to even read the caller ID.
“Chotter where are you?” he heard his Di on the other line.
“I’m just leaving office, I’ll be there in a couple of minutes,”he said.
“And where’s Akash?” she asked.
“He just left a few minutes ago. We came in separate cars so…,” his voice trailed off.
“Ok fine, call me when you get there and I’ll let you know where we are,” she said.
“I will,” he replied and hung up.
After a drive of ten minutes, he reached the mall where his Di said they were. He didn’t like shopping at all, especially when women took forever to decide. And he had experienced this when ever he had been forced to go shopping with his Di, Nani or Mami. They went from store to store, and couldn’t make up their mind, and it just felt to timewasting. And yesterday he had gotten blackmailed to come by his Di saying that it’s for his own engagement, and if he wouldn’t come, then who would. Walking in, he called her and asked her where they were. He took the stairs up to their floor and went to where she was telling him. He felt so out of place, everyone was dressed in casual wear, and here he was wearing a suit, not a very common sight to see someone in on Sundays. Looking around the shop, he spotter his sister and went to her.
“Oh there you are Chotte,” she said seeing him.
“Have you bought anything yet?” he asked Adiya and her.
“No, you’re sister can’t make up her mind,” Aditya said in an exasperating voice trying to tease her.
“You don’t even talk to me ok! You haven’t helped at all since we’ve gotten here,” she fired back.
“Where’s Khushi?” he asked wanting to get away before he got involved in any part of their argument.
“Oh ho, so my brother is already eager to meet his soon-to-be-fiancee?” Anjali replied back with a cheeky smile.
“Di,” he replied in a single monotone and she knew that maybe she shouldn’t say anything further.
“She’s trying on something in the dressing room, and Payal’s waiting outside there for her. Maybe you can wait instead so Akash and her can go look at the jewelry store for rings,” Anjali said.
“Sure,” he replied.
He spotted the dressing rooms and moved to there, also he found Akash and Payal standing outside chatting.
“Akash, Di said for you and Payal to go look at the rings in another shop,” he said.
“I’m waiting on Khushi though,” Payal replied.
“I’ll wait here and you both can go,” he told her, and she nodded then left with Akash.
He took a seat on one of the chairs waiting for Khushi to come out. Last night after he had dropped her off to her house, he had thought a lot about it. Was she happy in getting married? Or not? Just a little over a week ago, she was living her own life and he was living his own. Then his family had gone to their house with the proposal since he liked her, but did she like him? Or did she felt like she was getting forced into a relationship. He knew it was kind of a bit too late to ask her this as they were getting engaged next week, but he wanted to make sure she was happy and the wedding went how she wanted. Also he had a suggestion to offer her, but didn’t know how she’d take it. Maybe he could ask her today.
Breaking him out of his thoughts he heard her voice and he stood up.
“Payal can you help me tie this? The dori is too low and I can’t reach it,” she said from the other side of the door, “I’ve unlocked the door so you can come in.”
Arnav looked around, Payal had already left and and his Di was on the complete other side. He didn’t have enough time to go and ask her, because someone might just go into the dressing room since the door was unlocked. And how much of an embarrassing situation would that be to ask her, because Aditya would make fun of him probably for the rest of his life. There weren’t any sale associates in around either, well there were but none of them were female and there was no way he’d let a male one go inside to tie her dori. Should he go in? Or would she freak out from that?
Having no other option,he opened the door and stepped in.
