Chapter 7 – First Shopping Trip as a Bride
713 Words
After the guests left, I headed upstairs to change. I opened the bag my mom had brought for me earlier, hoping to find my usual comfy shorts. But to my disappointment, there were none. It was filled with party wear, traditional suits, and casual dresses — but no shorts.
Sighing, I picked out a soft yellow Anarkali suit, paired it with some matching bangles and long jhumkas, and styled my hair loosely. I looked at myself in the mirror for a second before heading downstairs — today was my first shopping trip with both my moms: my birth mother and my new mother-in-law.
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As we reached the shopping area, both Mom and Aunty were fully in shopping mode. We went from one designer store to another. They picked out sarees, lehengas, suits, Indo-western dresses, and accessories with excitement, as if preparing for multiple weddings.
“Janvi beta, give your measurements here so they can alter the blouses accordingly,” Mom said.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Aunty added, “we’ll get some new designs stitched just for you!”
I smiled and nodded. Their excitement was contagious, but after three long hours, my feet were aching and my back begged for rest.
Eventually, Mom said, “You go home and rest, beta. We’ll finish the rest of the shopping — we still have a few more items to get.”
I was relieved. “Okay, Mom,” I replied. “Thank you!”
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Back at the Malhotra Mansion, I slipped off my sandals and dropped onto the plush sofa in the living room, exhausted. Just then, Maria, the housemaid, came with a smile and offered me a glass of water.
“Thank you,” I said, taking it gratefully. I drank the entire glass in one go — I hadn’t even realized how thirsty I was.
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Just as I finished the glass of water, Abhi entered the living room with a coffee mug in his hand. He looked relaxed, sipping his coffee while scrolling through something on his phone. Noticing me on the sofa, he smiled.
“Want a cup of coffee?” he asked casually.
I nodded instantly. “Yes, please. I’m so tired from the shopping.”
He laughed lightly and walked over to the kitchen, returning with a cup for me. I accepted it gratefully and took a slow sip, letting the warmth ease the tiredness in my bones. We sat there together, sipping coffee in a comfortable silence until he broke it.
“So, when are you planning to go back to college?”
“From Monday,” I replied. “I can’t miss my practical exams. They’re really important and my final exams are next month. I have to start preparing seriously. And after that, I’ll have to start my internship too.”
“Wow, that sounds intense. What are you studying again?”
“I’m pursuing my master’s in Clothing and Textile Industries. It’s been tough balancing studies, and now… this sudden marriage,” I said with a soft laugh.
Abhi nodded. “You’ll manage. You seem like the kind of girl who handles things well.”
I smiled but didn’t respond.
He took another sip of coffee, then asked casually, “Have you told your friends about your marriage yet?”
My face fell a little. “No… I haven’t told them anything.”
“Why not?” he asked, clearly surprised.
“I don’t know how to. They’ll be really hurt that I didn’t even invite them to my wedding. They’ll probably shout at me first and then bombard me with questions.”
Abhi gave a soft chuckle. “Don’t worry, Janvi. They’ll understand your situation. Once you explain—”
“It’s not that simple, Abhi.” I interrupted. “They won’t believe it. This entire situation feels unreal to me, so how can I explain it to them and expect them to just accept it? They’ll think I’m hiding something or lying.”
Abhi nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what I was carrying inside. “Just give them time. And be honest when you do tell them. They’re your friends — they’ll eventually understand.”
I looked at him and gave a small smile. “I hope you’re right.”
- Writer
