Hey guys!! I know I was being mean when I didn't update this FF. So, here is chapter 9 and I hope you enjoy it!! Do read and drop a comment!! 😃
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Chapter 9
At the boutique
"How about this design?", I asked him.
"It's okay, but my Daadi likes something simple with pastel colors.", he told me after inspecting the attire in my hand.
"Pastel huh? Let's see. Bhaiya, can you show me those stack of salwaar sets. The ones on the far left?", I asked the salesman in the boutique.
He nodded and went off in the direction I had pointed to. It had been two hours since Abhishek and I entered the boutique. We had picked clothes for all the ladies in his family, only his Daadi remained.
The salesman returned with a highly stacked set of beautifully painted pastel colored salwaars. As he spread out the designs on the long table, I traced my fingers carefully over it, inspecting the stitchings and material.
"Abhishek, how about this one for Daadi? It's gorgeously elegant with simple stonework on the body.", I showed him hanging the light blue salwaar up.
"Wow! That's beautiful Pragya. Blue is my Daadi's favorite color. This is perfect.", he said holding the edge of the salwaar.
"Right, so then it's decided! Bhaiya, can you pack this with the other lengha and salwaar we chose earlier? Thank you.", I told the salesman.
Abhishek and I had both chosen a beautiful peacock green salwaar for his Daasi, while an exquisitely stunning pink lengha studded with stones for Aaliya. Wanting the best for his little sister, Abhishek took more than an hour, choosing the perfect lengha for her. But, I wasn't complaining. Not even the slightest bit.
"Abhishek, we have taken the clothes for the ladies, how about the men in your family?", I asked him.
"That's no problem Pragya. It's only myself and my younger brother.", he said with such love as he referred to Purab as his brother.
"Do you want me to help you?", I asked him quietly.
"It's okay Pragya. You have done so much already. Besides, you haven't even chosen any clothes for your family.", he said politely, albeit half heartedly.
"That's no problem at all. Are you sure you don't want my help?", I tried once again hoping for the answer my heart was expecting.
"Would you mind if I said yes?", he gave me slight smile.
"Not in the slightest chance! Come on, let's go!", I said couldn't quite suppressing the excitement.
We took the lift up to the second floor where they had various traditional attire and modern clothes for men of all ages. I walked side by side with him, much to my delight. Our fingers lightly brushed, and I turned to look at him.
He met my gaze with a soft expression, which melted my heart for some reason. I smiled at him and he returned with an even broader smile, showing off his adorable dimples. I resisted the urge to pinch his cute cheeks, not once, but countless times.
I had forgotten he was a Rockstar, not that I cared, but because there was no one surrounding him like a hive of bees. Why? Well, Abhishek was smart enough to speak to the management of the boutique about having some privacy.
The management, in turn announced a 50% off sales on the ground floor, which drew in the crowd like a magnet. Rockstar Abhi was here and he wanted privacy when shopping on the first and second floors, that's all that mattered to them.
We reached the gents section and almost immediately a salesman warmly greeted us.
"Who shall we start with Abhishek?", I asked him looking around.
"My younger brother, it is his special day after all.", he said as a matter of fact.
Walking around the floor, we saw countless shirts hanging on display. The brands were incredible, ranging from Valentino Rudy, Crocodile, Polo and the list went on. I glided through them with Abhishek closely following behind.
"Abhishek, look at this.", I said looking at the clothing.
"Ek minute Pragya, I need to send this message.", he said typing on his phone.
"Accha, take your time. I'll keep looking through the rest.", I told him happily.
Before I turned back to continue my search, I stole a glance at Abhishek. He didn't have a fair or dark complexion, it was somewhere in the middle. Not wanting to make a mistake, I asked him a simple question.
"Abhishek?", I called him.
"Haan Pragya?", he said, not looking up from the phone.
"What's your favorite color?", I asked him.
"Black.", he said furiously typing away.
I had to admit, he looked beyond adorable. Smiling to myself, I asked the salesman to keep the maroon shirt I had chosen for Purab and told him to show me the latest trends in T-shirts. He gave me a confused expression and I made eyes at Abhishek, who was standing in the corner with his phone.
"For Rockstar Abhi?", he beamed at me.
"The one and only!", I smiled back him.
Scurrying like Mr. Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, the salesman brought me to another section. The clothes were different, funky, stylish and everything a rockstar would love. I didn't particularly like the range of colors, but I was sure he liked them. I went through a pile of them, searching for something which I hoped we both liked.
"Sorry Pragya. I had some problems with the recording schedule for tomorrow.", I heard his voice.
"That's alright. Work is important too na. Look at this.", I said gleefully at him.
"Is that for me?", he asked in surprise.
I was holding a black long sleeve T-shirt which had beautiful silver embroidery around the neck line and shoulders.
"Yes, I don't know if you will like it, but...", I began hesitantly.
"I love it Pragya! It's so stylish!", he said taking the T-shirt from my hand.
"You do?", I asked not quite believing my ears.
"Of course I do! Pakka promise!", he said in a childlike manner.
"Well, that's good! I had a tough time choosing one. Now, if you don't mind me asking, what's the size of your jeans?", I asked him so casually that my brain was screaming at me.
"My jeans size?", he stammered looking at me over the T-shirt.
"Haan! Don't you need a matching jeans to go with that Abhishek?", I asked him with my hand on my hip.
"I am a M, but it depends on the cut too.", he said.
I picked out a dark blue jeans which went well with the T-shirt I had chosen earlier. Taking the T-shirt from him, I handed them over to the salesman and we followed him to the cashier. I received compliments for choosing a maroon shirt for Purab as well. After paying, we were going down in the lift, when Abhishek reminded me of what I had completely let slip from my mind.
"Pragya, don't you have to buy new clothes as well?", he said holding the bags over his shoulder.
"Oh dear! I completely forgot!", I gasped holding my cheek.
"Don't worry. Come on, I'll help you choose. And before you say anything, I am not listening to you. I am helping whether you like it or not.", he said with a stern by lovable expression.
We returned to the ladies section again, much to the confusion of the salesmen. Without revealing the identity of my family, I just told him of everyone's favorite colors. He picked out the colors while I checked the designs and unknowingly always looked to him for an approval.
Salwaars and lenghas were chosen for everyone at home. Only I remained.
"What is your favorite color Pragya?", he asked me.
"Actually I don't have one, but any color in a salwaar is good enough.", I said rummaging through my bag.
"Salwaar? Why not a saree Pragya? You will look absolutely gorgeous in a red one like this.", he said readily showing me a beautiful blood red saree in his hands.
"You chose that? When?", I laughed walking to stand beside him.
"Well, we had taken clothes for everyone, and I knew that you were left.", he said with a small smirk.
"Abhishek, it is exquisite but I don't think I can afford such a piece. It's way over my budget.", I said keeping in mind about the pile of clothes I had to pay for.
"Then, will you accept it as a gift from me?", he said with a sparkle in his eye.
"I can't accept such an expensive gift Abhishek.", I said shaking my head like a bimbo.
"Let's say, it's a small token of appreciation for saving Aaliya and the start of our friendship.", he said.
Friendship? My heart fluttered again. Aaliya was the bridge who connected us, but with Abhishek extending his hand of friendship, I somehow felt closer to him and it filled me with joy.
"In that case, I will gladly accept it.", I said grinning at him.
We finished paying and I had to struggle with him to let me pay for the clothes I had chosen for everyone at home. Deciding that it was best if I left first, due to the beehive crowd on the ground floor who would flock around him the minute he came into view, I bid him a goodbye.
On my way home, I reminisced my day with him. Being with him didn't give me jitters, I felt normal, like I knew him for years. Eager to let my family in on my special day, I pestered the auto driver to use all the possible shortcuts in the city to reach home.
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In a cafe at the shopping mall
"Aalu!! Over here!", Adhitya waved catching my attention.
I saw him. He looked the same, except a little sunburnt. He was a little taller than Purab, but muscular. However, his short spiky hair on the front was his signature. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a light blue shirt, that was his style. A T-shirt on the inside and an unbuttoned shirt over it like a jacket. I grew to love it.
I walked over and hugged him, as he lightly lifted me off my feet, swinging me in a small circle. I laughed in delight with him. He finally put me down and we took our seats, ordering two cappuccinos.
"Looking good Aalu.", he said cheekily.
"Of course! Hot and sexy as always!", I smirked at him.
We started talking about his backpacking around Australia, having a laugh together. He asked me about everyone at home and I let him in on my cancelled marriage with Purab and how we accepted his love, agreeing for a marriage proposal tomorrow.
"Aalu, probably you guys were never meant to be.", he said softly.
"Yeah, I know. I am happy for him.", I said sipping on my drink.
"There will be someone for you Aalu. Someone who will love you unconditionally and who will make you his world.", Adhitya muttered in a whisper.
"I guess I will just wait for him then.", I said and I caught him smiling at me.
Just then, my phone rang. Daadi.
"Hello Daadi! Before you say anything, just listen to me okay?", I asked her.
"Kya hua Aaliya?", I heard her voice.
"I have put your assignment in motion Daadi!", I nearly screamed at her.
"What are you saying beta?", she asked in irritation.
"Arre Daadi, didn't you ask Bhai and myself to buy new clothes for Purab's marriage proposal tomorrow?", I reminded her.
"Haan beta, you said that you will meet Abhi at the boutique as you wanted to get me my medications from the pharmacy. Did you meet your Bhai?", she asked me.
"Nahi Daadi. You know why? Because as I passed by the boutique looking for a parking space, I saw Pragya Di get down from an auto and she was standing in front of the same boutique Bhai and I had agreed to meet at.", I said not containing my excitement.
"Pragya??", Daadi exclaimed.
"Haan Daadi! So, I immediately called Bhai and told him that I couldn't meet him at the boutique and forced him to do the purchasing on his own!! I stuck around and made sure they both entered the boutique together!!", I happily told her thrilled at my own plan.
"Aaliya!! Meri bacche!! How smart you are!!! I'm so proud of you beta!! Only yesterday I asked you to create opportunities for them to meet and spend time.", she screamed over the phone making my eardrums vibrate.
"Of course Daadi!! Mein Aaliya Mehra hoon!! Accha, I have come to meet a close friend Daadi. I'll be back home by 6pm na.", I said looking at my watch.
"Accha beta, take care and drive back safely.", Daadi said before hanging up.
Adhitya gave me the most confused and suspicious reaction, which had me laughing like a lunatic. He couldn't stand secrets and being kept in the dark. So, to put him out of his misery, I let him in on the plan my grandmothers and I hatched to get Bhai hitched.
And just like that, I had another accomplice at my disposal. Adhitya. This couldn't get any better. My first unexpected plan had worked and now I had to think of another, so not only did I nag my brain, I bugged Adhi as well, much to his delight.
What else could I do? For heaven's sake and for your Bhai's sake, think Aaliya!
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Edited by abi5991 - 9 years ago
18