After entering the Shopping center Ashutosh took Nalina to the cafeteria thinking she might be and a little break will do good to her. While Rekha decided to go to the boutique, to start selecting clothes and sort out a good collection so when Nalina came she can directly select from them.
After entering the cafeteria they choose a place to sit, Nalina quickly sits down with relief.
She really was tired, not because of shopping but because she's too weak after getting sick.
She leaned down on the table, crossing her hands and resting her head on them.
"You like the jewellery right?"
Hearing this she lifted her a little from her hands looking up at him straight in the eyes.
Her large watery eyes, those lips pursed lightly, she blinked took a moment to register my question and then her delicate brows turned upwards as if asking, (why do you ask?) And then she blinks again, nodding her head in yes still looking at me with a curious gaze.
"I'm just telling you that , choose only what you like, if you don't like it ,then don't select it even if maa and dadi likes it ."
I told her, I don't want to mistreat her in any way.
"Okay." She answered.
"So what do you want to eat?" I changed the subject, because even if I can spend hours like this with her observing her every small movement. Time is short and we need to hurry up.
"Nothing, Thanks for asking."saying this she closes her eyes, probably tired or maybe weak.
Seeing her like this I decided to give her some time to rest while I stood up to buy something for us, returning with two glasses, one being mango milkshake and the other strawberry.
I woke her up by saying,
"Come have one of these".
She looked up and then sat up, responding, " why bring two?I said that I don't want to have anything."
"So sorry that option is not available, So quickly choose one of these so we can continue our shopping and you can quickly go back home to sleep." I looked at her tired form.
She looked at the glasses and then at me before sighing in defeat, she chose the strawberry one leaving the mango flavour for me.
" Okay but I'll only drink a little, this is a lot I don't even want to drink in the first place."
She dropped her condition before starting making a face like a child and I enjoyed all this just smiled in understanding.
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The cafeteria is on the ground floor, along with the food court so whoever enters first notice, cafeteria, followed by the food court and then the other Shop.
Dadi with Riya, Meena and Avinash entered the mall together and instantly noticed those familiar faces in the cafeteria.
Dadi smiled saying "you guys are free now, go wherever you want and don't wait for me I'll return with Ashutosh."
After saying this she reaches Ashutosh and Nalina talks a little with them and Ashutosh points upstairs probably telling where Rekha is, after that Dadi takes her leave, leaving them alone.
They drink in harmony while talking a little from time to time, their smile growing with each talk and love blooming with each smile.
After finishing up they stood up and made their way up. Meena took this chance, started following them, signalling Avinash and Riya to follow together not giving Riya any chance to go to the Cafeteria with Avinash.
Riya having no other choice, started following them sulking at her but Avinash turn to look at her she changed her expression into gentle smile.
He smiled at her,"I know you must be tired but let's finish shopping first and then I will take you out to eat. His smile gives her confidence again about Avinash's affection. She smiled in nodding.
They reached the first floor Ashutosh and Nalina talking a little from time to time. He took towards the boutique whereRekha and Grandma were waiting but before they can enter Meena makes her way inside pretending no to see them.
From behind Riya's sight fall onto the Shop, her eyes light up thinking where in she can only dreamed of buying something from the place like these and now seeing Meena entered the shop she to excitedly follow her in with a speed that almost knock Nalina off, Ashutosh swiftly drag Nalina back, thanks to him she didn't fall but with Riya's collision she dropped her phone down, breaking the screen slightly.
Seeing these Riya smugly looked at her not accepting her fault but berated her instead,
"Watch where you are going." Thinking of how they are going to shop in this top class boutique she looked down on them before confidently entering. Even after noticing that she broke her phone she didn't even say sorry, thinking these broken phone will suit her broke families more. Wondering in which local shop Rekha will shop for her.
Ashutosh, angry at her outrageous behaviour was about to say something when Nalina stopped him, placing a hand on him, " let it go."
Shocked by her sudden touch, his anger wanished in thin air, he looked at her gently then looked at her phone, noticing his gaze she waved her hands, " Oh , it's nothing."
She walked a step and turned to look at him with one eyebrow lifted, "what are waiting for?let's go."He sighed, walking in with her thinking he will buy her a new one.
Avinash behind them stood there, thinking nalina knowingly dropped her phone to attract his attention, maybe to gain sympathy from him. Thinking that all girls like him, he confidently walks in.
Inside Riya was shoked to see Rekha and Grandma already selecting clothes, then she thought even if they are shopping here They can't buy expensive clothes like Meena because to her Avinash's family is more rich.
They sit down noticing the sales girl coming towards they focused on shopping, initially Meena thought that as they are arranging functions in emergency, she could spend less on Riya's shopping and still make an excuse that in hurry she couldn't buy as good as she wanted. Now she has to buy much good compared to them to save face in front of relatives.