Kashmir [BxB]

Chapter 15 - Liar liar

After my tears have calmed and I've overcome my embarrassing breakdown, Ravi tries to engage me in his shopping spree.

"It's a pink lehenga. I'm not putting it on."

"You're being ridiculous! Bright colors make your skin look radiant-"

"I'm not putting on women's clothing."

Ravi snorts, but leaves the rack to check out a deeper blue shade.

"Clothes don't have genders, bitch. You're just a pussy."

"Careful there, speaking about gender neutrality and then using pussy as a derogatory term."

We both freeze at the voice of the young salesman next to us. He smirks, folding some kurtas while he speaks.

"I like a man who speaks up.", Ravi mumbles, smiling to himself before he abandons the skirts, walking over to the salesman, "You're right, I should watch myself. Maybe I need some help though, it's always easier when someone else can...", he trails off, visibly looking him up and down, "check you."

I groan, expecting us to be kicked out, but the salesman smiles and clicks his tongue.

"Oh, yeah...", he begins, furrowing his brow and nodding, eyes eating up my brother, "It's always better to have a helping hand with you."

He walks closer and whispers something in Ravi's ear, and I decide it's time for me to subtly make my way into the main parts of the store again. Twenty minutes later and Ravi comes stumbling out into the store, trying to smooth his hair down. The wide grin on his lips and the wrinkled shirt make me snort, taking in his appearance.

"Guess who got us the family and friends discount? I'm gonna make him regret that soo bad!"

He snickers as he struts past me like the cat who got the cream and makes due on his promise. We leave the store with a new saree for mum, a regular kurta for me and dad with accompanying pants, and a bright yellow embroidered lehenga and choli for Ravi that he proudly carried out into the car.

"It's already three o'clock, I should get back to work...", Dad pointedly suggests as we're once again seated in the car.

"What about jewelry?"

Dad groans as Ravi excitedly leans forward, the eyes of a maniac showing.

"Haven't you spent enough today?"

"You can't not buy jewelry on Dhanteras! Mum, tell him!"

"Arre, your vanity is showing Ravi.", Mum begins, sighing before letting a smile pull at the corners of her mouth, "But he is right, John..."

"Meena, I love you, so know that this is out of love: no."

Mum snorts behind the wheel, taking a turn to get on the highway.

"Fine. I have my own money.", she smirks, winking at him. "Don't worry, I'll bring you something too."

Dad groans and sinks in his seat, bumping her leg with his hand. Their playful banter continues till we reach the restaurant where Dad pecks Mum before heaving himself out of the car.

"Do you want to come shopping with us or would you rather go home?", she asks, turning to face me in the backseat. Another couple of hours debating which piece looked best despite them being virtually identical? No thank you.

"I'll just go home, catch up on school.", I say, forcing a smile. Apparently my lie about schoolwork didn't go down with mum, because I've barely exited the car before she winds down her window.

"I put the box of decorations on the living room table. The hand-painted diyas go in the dining room and in the living room. Can you put up the outside lights by yourself?", she asks, and I accept my defeat, nodding. She wasn't going to let me just sit around, Indian mums didn't work like that.