12-06-2020, 12:34 PM
I said, "Appu, I feel so happy that you wore it. And now, please... back to plans for today."
She smiled and said, "Okay. Please write down. 1. Select dress for marriage.
2. Go to Glitz (a famous lady's shop) and 3."
"Ring ring ring...."
Her phone rang suddenly and it was her mother on the phone. She finished the call fast and kept mobile on the table.
"Amma still thinks I am a small child. She thinks that I need help in choosing a dress," she sounded irritated.
"Isn't she right? That's why I am here," I said.
She stared at me, "Oho, you also started. You are not here to help, ok. You are my friend giving me company."
"Doesn't it qualify as help? Anyway, I am here and I am at your will. Please use me," I acted silly.
Once we were done, I paid the bill. She took her mobile and tried to unlock it and said, "Oh, not again. It's your mobile,"
She gave me the mobile and took the other one. Both of us had the same model and same color mobiles. We even kept the same theme since we were good friends.
We came out from CCD and took an auto-rickshaw to 'Fit ur Figur' boutique in cochin. Luckily there wasn't much rush as we were in the early hours. It was the most sought-after boutique in Cochin and is usually very busy. They have branches in major cities. She used to be their customer in the Kottayam branch for the last 6 years and had their Elite membership card.
We were welcomed by a smart salesman and she told him what we are looking for and our occasion. She also showed him her membership card.
The salesman asked, "Sir, we have our top designer Varun sir with us today. Maybe he can help you with the options. I am offering you this because you are our elite member."
She agreed without a second thought. She knows that their designer is good and he visits their different showrooms in Kerala. It's difficult to get his appointment, especially in the wedding season. One of her aunts got her daughter's wedding dress designed by him and it was great. She was excited.
We waited for 30 minutes to meet Varun, the designer. A store boy came to us and asked Aparna, "Aparnachechi (chechi means elder sister in Malayalam), did you recognize me? It's me, Vivek."
Aparna exclaimed, "Vivek, so nice to meet you. How is Vikas? Where is he now?"
"Vikas is doing his B tech in Bangalore. I was also in Bangalore studying fashion technology. Now I am a trainee under Varun sir, I just joined this week," Vivek replied.
Aparna turned to me and introduced him. "This is Vivek. He is my neighbor. His elder brother was my classmate at college. I think I have told you about him."
I remembered that she told me about him. He was Aparna's neighbor and classmate. They used to go to college in the same van. He had a crush for her and even expressed his feelings to her when they were in 12th grade. She told him that she is not interested. Their classmates used to bully him after this incident. But that was over after college.
She used to meet Vikas occasionally as they were neighbors. According to her, he seems still interested in her. "Who would not be interested?" I asked myself, "Especially when she developed a figure to die for!"
We had a superficial chit chat for about 30 minutes. Varun came to us in between and Vivek introduced us to him. "This is Aparnachechi, my neighbor and Sri, her friend."
Varun told Vivek, "I will do her the needful. Don't worry. Please make sure today's deadline orders are completed, Ok."
"Sure sir, it is almost done. I will double-check it," Vivek said and he left us.