How to Woo Your Bride

24| Veiled Intentions

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. 

-Lao Tzu 

Can't thank you enough, Swetz, for making me come back to this book after putting it on hold for so long! Your 'Update' brought me a lot of joy! :)

Chapter 24: Veiled Intentions

   Madhan shuddered as he walked into Kohls. He felt the cool breeze from the air condition hit his face. It was currently fall, and everywhere you could see orange leaves. On the lawns, on the roads, in front of the houses. Wherever there were trees.

   It was such a coincidence that Sheila would suggest shopping for clothes when Riya had mentioned about his taste in clothes. He wondered what it would have been like if he were shopping with her instead.

   "Earth to Madhan," Sheila said, snapping her fingers.

   Madhan shook his head slightly as he came out of his daze. "Sorry," he said, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.

   "Okay, stand still. I need to size you up," she said, as she looked him down and up. "Size 14?"

   "How did you do that?" Madhan asked, shocked.

   "Trust me, you don't want to know," Sheila said, tight-lipped. She urged him to follow her through the aisles.

   Finally coming to a halt, she ran her fingers through the fabrics of every dress, till she found the perfect one.

   "Here, try this." Sheila threw the shirt with the hanger in it. Madhan caught it at the nick of time.

   A saleswoman narrowed her eyes at the two of them. "Oops." Sheila bit her tongue. Madhan headed over to the trial room while Sheila continued to pick out a couple of dresses. She shortlisted five by the time he came out.

   "Oh my god," she gasped. "You look great," she said, excitedly.

   "Here try these on, too." she gushed.

  Madhan looked at her wearily as he took it from her. Knowing he had no other choice, he headed back to the trial room. Every shirt he tried on took, at least five minutes to wear on since the shirt fit just right.

   Sheila waited impatiently as Madhan changed. When he came out again, she instructed him to walk.

   Madhan imitated a cat walk, which caused Sheila to guffaw. She asked him to put one hand in his pocket, and the other loose, and showed him how to walk with an air of confidence, but he just ended up looking like a goof.

   Sheila sighed. This wasn't her area of expertise. Training was. Fashion was. "Okay," she clapped her hands, as Madhan came back out in his old clothes. "I'll let Armaan take care of the walk part. We'll move on to the pants now. Come on," she said, in a business tone.

   Madhan slowly followed behind her, feeling very weary and tired. "Why are you so tired already," Sheila asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

   Madhan shrugged. "Never worked out this much, I guess."

   Oh boy, she thought. God knows how he's going to manage if he thinks this is a workout. His time at the gym is going to be a hundred times worse.

   When Sheila picked out a pair of skinny jeans, he couldn't help but joke saying that he would look like Mr. Incredible. Sheila let out a peal of laughter. She stopped laughing when she realized Madhan looked pale.