Intersecting Destinies

Market Mayhem

Hayat's Pov

The next day was the haldi ceremony of my cousin, and of course, I didn't have matching bangles for my outfit. Crisis alert. So, I decided to head to the market with Sona and my cousin Reema.

We piled into my car, and I took the driver's seat. Sona was riding shotgun, while Reema was in the back. Sona, ever the chatterbox, immediately started interrogating. "So Reema, how are you doing? Where are you living now? I never see you."

Reema, seizing the opportunity to channel her inner drama queen, sighed deeply. "Sona, you know my family is quite strict. I don't have as much freedom as Hayat does. My father is very strict; he is not like Uncle. Uncle is quite liberal. My father never gives me permission to go out."

I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain. Oh god, she's always like this. I know Taya Abba is strict, but she always makes him sound like the evil overlord. Trying to change the subject, I asked both of them what they planned to buy for themselves, and we all chatted the whole way.

Finally, we reached the market, which was so packed it felt like the entire city had decided to shop at the same time. I went to buy my bangles while Sona and Reema wandered off on their own retail quests. After battling the crowd and finally securing the perfect set of bangles, I decided I had no energy left to find them. I bought a slush to cool down from the scorching heat and headed back to the car.

I was peacefully enjoying my slush, savoring my moment of solitude, when suddenly someone knocked on my car window. I nearly jumped out of my skin. There, standing right next to my window, was a transgender person with enough makeup to stock a beauty store and sharp features that could cut glass. He didn't look bad, but still, I felt a wave of fear because I'd never encountered someone like this before.

"Hayat Baji, Hayat Baji, you are very nice. I can't tell you how nice you are. Oh, I haven't introduced myself; I'm Rano," he said, beaming.

He spoke as if we were long-lost friends, and of course, my window was open. Now the scenario was that this person was practically leaning on my window, looking at me with wide eyes, and saying, "Hayat Baji, how are you?"

Panic set in. I fumbled to close the window, but Rano continued, "Hey Baji, what are you doing? Listen to me, I was saying..."

Before he could finish, I panicked and threw the slush at him. It splashed all over his face, and he stepped back, giving me a precious moment to escape. I bolted from the car, not daring to look back.

By the time I returned, still shaken, I was cursing both of those ladies for taking so much time. Seriously, who takes that long while shopping? Were they negotiating world peace over a pair of earrings?

Finally, Sona and Reema appeared, looking entirely too pleased with their purchases. They took their seats, and we departed from the market. I didn't tell them about the incident that had taken place a few minutes before. But I swear, next time, I’m bringing a taser.