Switched

Chapter 3

Delhi

Khushi stood in the garden, the weight of Arnav's words still lingering in the air. She felt a sudden urge to reach out to Aarohi, to unravel the mystery of their supposed agreement. With trembling fingers, she dialed Aarohi's number, hoping for answers.

The phone rang, but there was no answer. Khushi frowned, trying again with the same result. She sighed, feeling frustrated and confused. What was Aarohi hiding? And why wouldn't she pick up the phone?

Determined to find out more, Khushi pocketed her phone and made her way back inside the mansion. She found Priya and Anjali in the living room, engrossed in a magazine.

"Aren't you going to the office today, Mom?" She asked approaching her.

Priya looked at her and shook her head, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "No, Anjali and I are going shopping today. It's been ages since we had a day out."

Khushi's eyes lit up at the prospect of spending time with her mother and getting to know her better. "Can I come with you?"

Priya hesitated for a moment, surprised by Khushi's request. "Um, sure, I don't see why not. It'll be fun to have you along."

Anjali smiled warmly, nodding in agreement. "Absolutely! The more, the merrier."

Khushi's heart soared at their acceptance. Maybe a day out with her mother was just what she needed to clear her head and gather her thoughts. With a grateful smile, she moved towards her room to get ready.

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Khushi trailed behind Anjali and Priya, feeling increasingly out of place amidst the flurry of activity in the bustling mall. Anjali and Priya were like kids in a candy store, their eyes alight with excitement as they flitted from one shop to another.

"Ooh, look at this dress, Priya Aunty! Isn't it just perfect for the party next week?" Anjali exclaimed, holding up a shimmering gown for her friend's inspection.

Priya nodded enthusiastically, her gaze already drifting to the racks of designer outfits. "Absolutely! And I saw the most adorable shoes to go with it. Come on, let's go check them out!"

Khushi sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of regret for agreeing to come along. She had never been one for shopping sprees, and the opulent displays of designer labels and high-end accessories only served to highlight her own lack of sophistication.

As they ventured into another boutique, Anjali's eyes lit up at the sight of a dazzling display of jewelry. "Oh, Aarohi, look at these earrings! They would look absolutely stunning on you," Anjali exclaimed, holding up a pair of intricately crafted diamond studs.

Khushi's eyes widened at the sight of the sparkling gems, but her excitement was tinged with apprehension as she glanced at the price tag discreetly tucked beneath the display. It was far beyond what she could afford, and she felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of splurging on such luxury items.

"Oh, they're beautiful," Khushi murmured, her voice tinged with admiration. "But I don't think I need any jewelry right now. Maybe another time."

Anjali looked disappointed for a moment, but her enthusiasm quickly returned as she spotted another display of handbags nearby. "Alright, no worries. Let's see what else we can find," she said cheerfully, leading the way to the next aisle.

Khushi breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful that she had managed to deflect Anjali's suggestion without causing any offense. She followed along dutifully, her eyes scanning the racks of designer handbags with mild interest.

As they continued their shopping excursion, Khushi couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at the thought of Anjali and Priya spending so much money on luxury items. She knew they came from affluent backgrounds, but the extravagance still made her uncomfortable.