Chapter 29
The PA system in the mall turns on. “Attention all customers, the mall will be closing in the next 5 minutes.”
O: I forgot to return my stuff.
G: Then run!!
Both of them run and Gauri does not see Om. She turns around and see Om at least a few shops away. Om could not see where he was going because of the shopping bags he had to carry.
G (Screaming): Om, why are you running so slow? You are not that fat?
O(Screaming): Gauri, stop screaming!
By the time they get to the store, the store attendant closes the door in their faces and tells Om to come tomorrow. Om looks at Gauri and he looked very furious.
G: You are coming here tomorrow? Yes, another shopping trip with my shopping partner!!
O (Thinking): I will never take her shopping. Next time, I will ask Khanna and hire somewhere to take her bags.
Om and Gauri are walking when another man (he could not see where he was going) knocked into them. Both drop their bags on the floor.
O: Hey, you idiot. Watch where you are going.
As they pick up their bags, the man apologizes. “I am extremely…”
O: Shivaye!! What are you doing here?
A: We were shopping. We came here as soon as you guys left.
G: But, you said that you were going to a restaurant.
Annika realized that she caught herself in her own trap.
S: What she meant was. We went to a restaurant nearby and then came shopping here.
Both the couples turn around and can hear a couple arguing.
Boy: That salesperson is wrong. This protein powder is better. I have used it before.
Girl: Dumbbell, that salesperson knows about his products. The nutrition facts act as evidence.
G,O,S,A: Rudra.
They turn around and it was Bhavya and Rudra.
G: What are you guys doing here?
R: What else does people do in a mall? Shop
S: You guys said that you are going to the gym.
B: We did…
G,O,S,A: go to a gym nearby and came shopping.
Everyone starts laughing and gets into the same car. (The other drivers took the cars that were in the parking lot.)
G: So, why did not tell us that you were going shopping in the first place?
They all knew the actual reason but they could not say that they were playing match maker in front of Om and Gauri so Shivaye used the common reason that all husbands use.
S: Annika loves to window shop so if we went together, you would have been wasting time with her and not get your shopping done.
R: The same case here.
Their wives glared at them even though they knew the reasons why they were lying.
O: The same case here as well. But compared to other girls, Gauri is not that bad.
Gauri looks up at Om. (Thinking) That is his second compliment today. Today is my lucky day. Om did not turn into a Nandi.
It was night time and Gauri walks into her room. She sees a few shopping bags on her bed and she knew it was not her. However, to see what is inside it, she opens the bag and sees the black sarees and the diamond necklace set.
G (Thinking): I did not buy this. Where did this even come from?
“Do you like this?” The voice was coming from behind her and as she turned around, it was Om.
G: Did you buy it? Why though?
O: It suited you and you were not willing to buy it so I did. I wanted to give you a proper gift. Last time, I gave a pregnancy test kit and pair of pink and blue socks.
G: But what is the reason for the gift?
O: There should not be a reason for giving gift to someone.
G: I do not like it.
O: You do not like it or you do not want it? I saw how you loved the saree and the necklace.
G: Why are you doing this? Acting like you care about me? The entire family knows what our problem is and coming with weird plans to bring us together. When will they realize all their efforts will go waste?
O: There is only 8 months till you can leave. Then you can do whatever you want but for now, you will have to put my family’s antics.
G (Thinking): 8 months, time flew so fast. (Says) So you have been counting down, you are so eager to watch me leave. Do not worry, Omkara. I would have left if I had the opportunity.
Omkara was frustrated. He is trying to shower her gifts but she still is not budging.
O: You do not want it right? (He stuffs the clothes and necklace in the bag and takes it. Gauri watches him. He then abruptly stops and turns around.) What am I going to do with this? What if my future wife has different taste? She will be more sophisticated than you.
G (Thinking): Future wife? He has planned for that already? He wants to give my spot to someone else.
O (He throws the bag on the bed): Do whatever you want with it. You can give it back and take the money. Burn it. Donate it. But, next time, do not take me with shopping with you. Take Khanna or someone but just not me.
He heads out. Gauri takes the bag and hugs it.