Chapter 28
G: I need to go shopping but I need some company. Who can I take?
Gauri first goes to Annika and Bhavya.
A: I am going out with Shivaye to the restaurant. After a long time, he has kept aside some time for me.
B: I am going with Rudra to the gym. Both of us are tired of exercising in our room and want to try something new.
Then she goes to Dadi.
D: I am so tired, maybe tomorrow or next week, we can go out.
She sees Om.
G(Thinking): His first response is going to be No. So what is the point of asking him?
Gauri goes up to Khanna. The entire family tries to get attention and mouths the word, “No.”
K: Err.. I cannot come with you.
G: Why?
K: I need to… guard the house.
G: Guard the house huh… Fine then, guard the house. No one wants to come with me.
They are planning to force Gauri to go with Om so that they can have some time together and talk out their differences.
Om walks to the living room.
D: Om, where are you going?
O: I am going to the mall. I need to return this item.
D: Then why don’t you take Gauri with you?
Both of them look at each other and shakes their head.
G: That is not necessary. I will go by myself.
D: You said that you are bored and need to purchase a lot of stuff. How will you carry that? Just treat him as a driver.
G: Driver! (With a mischievous look) Ok fine, hey you driver, let’s go.
O: I am not your driver. I am not taking her. (He puts the car keys on the table)
D: Why do you care if she calls you a driver? The car is already going there so take her.
O: Fine then. Follow me.
G: Obviously, the driver goes first and then the passenger goes after him.
Om stops and looks at Gauri.
O: Really? (Both of them go together following each other steps and leave)
D: If they were holding hands, they will be a cute couple.
R: In your dreams, Dadi. They are a good pair of enemies. I wonder who will start the cat fight first.
In Om’s car – Gauri is sitting in the front seat.
G: So driver, which mall are you taking me?
O: Stop calling a driver, just call me Om.
G: How about Driver Om? That sounds even better.
O (Angry): I said, Om?
Gauri knew that he was at his boiling point and if she continues, he was going to explode.
G: So how is the patient feeling? You were helping someone out and I misunderstood everything. I should not have slapped you hard.
O: He is fine now. He will be discharging today. Do not worry about it. That was hard slap though.
G: What do you expect from Dabang Gauri? So, this does not have a sun roof right.
O: No, unlike your friend’s garbage car, this has something better.
It was a black convertible. The top part opens up. Gauri could not believe what the car did.
G: The front part just opened up. How is that possible? This is so awesome!
Om was adoring her. The way she squealed when the car opened up. Her hair just flowing and the sunglasses. She truly looked like a diva, but not in an intimate way. A girl that any man will fall for her due to her looks and character. They park and enter the mall.
O: So let’s first finish your shopping and then I will return this. It will only take a few minutes to return it.
Om did not understand how a girl shops. Gauri just went up to each store and looked at the item, tried it on, took a picture and put it back. Then she goes into a saree store.
G: You know, it has been a long time since I purchased a saree.
O: Then, purchase one.
Gauri goes through all the sarees and she picks pink one.
G: How does this look, Om?
O: I do not know. Pick whichever one you would like.
G: I asked you to be my shopping partner. Give me your honest look.
O: In that case, do not pick this colour. Black and blue suits you a lot and those are also my favourite colours.
Gauri, at first, blushed. She could not believe he noticed this and her styling sense. She looks at him and smiles.
O (Thinking): Why is she smiling at me? At last, I did something right.
Gauri goes through several black and blue sarees and settles on one. Om does not like her final selection but still decided to take it as this is what she wanted. He turns around and see a mannequin wearing a black and beige saree with gold and red embroidery.
O: Can you please take that down? Gauri, I want you to try this. Go to the changing room and try this saree on.
Gauri could not believe what he said. He was acting like a caring husband, something she never expected him to do. Once she put on the saree in the changing room, she was impressed with her husband’s choice.
G: Next time, Omkaraji, I am taking you, saree shopping. You have impeccable taste. No wonder you are an artist.
Gauri comes out and Om is truly amazed at her beauty. The saree looks like it was made for her. He unknowingly takes his phone out and takes a picture of her.
G: What are you doing?
O (He snaps out of it and lies): I am going to use this dress for my next painting. I need a saree for one of my pictures and this one is perfect. We are buying this.
Gauri goes back the changing room and lifts the price tag to see what the price is.
G (Screaming): Oh my mata!
Her scream was so loud that the entire store heard her and faces toward the changing room. Om knew who it was and runs to the entrance to see if Gauri is okay.
G: We are not buying this. This is above my budget. 10x time above my budget.
O: I will pay for it (He takes his credit card.)
G (She quickly grabs his credit card): It does not matter who is paying for it. We are not buying this. I can buy 11 sarees and salwars for this price.
Both leave the store and Om was embarrassed with her behaviour. However, he did not want to talk about it and make it into a big issue.
Gauri, then goes to a jewelry store and tries on this diamond set. She said that she does not like it but Om knew the reason why. It was the price. Instead, she goes with some fake jewelry and leave the store too.
G: I am so tired. Can you hold onto a few of these bags?
O (Being a gentleman): A few right? Send them over.
Gauri puts all the bags on the floor and Om realizes that few means all. Om had no choice but to take all the bags. He looks around and notices that this was the case for all the couple. The girl walking in front with her hand bag and then man carrying all the shopping bags.
O: God, why did I agree to this?
Gauri then walks into a body shop. Om was amazed by the different selection. There was lotion for everything. Legs, hands, face, eyes and etc. And the smell. It was flowery and so disgusting.
O: Gauri, this smell it is so…
G: nice. I just walk into the shop because of this smell.
O: I mean disgusting. How can you wear this?
G: How can you not wear this perfume? (She sprays it into Om’s face. Om starts coughing, unable to take the smell)
O: I need some fresh air. I am going to walk outside.
Om waited for 1 hour and she still does not come out. She was sampling all the perfumes and lotions. Finally, Gauri comes outside with a small bag.
O: Is that all you bought?
G: Yh, this was their newest product so I purchased it. (Smiling) There was a promotion on it as well! Here you go. (She passes a bag over to him.) I bought this for you. You use Boss’ Bottled Intense right?
O: Yh, how did you notice?
G (She points to her nose): I can smell.
O: Thanks (Thinking) How close did she come to me to notice my perfume? (He opens the bottle and sprays it) Wow, you are right, the exact same smell. Thank you, Gauri. (Gauri grins.)