A Sew Through Time [Bandbudh And Budbak]

8: Saira Myra plays the elevator game

Sliding past an array of crop tops and dresses, Myra took out a piece to check the size. She stacked them over her arm as her eyes flicked to the white labels. The clothing store stretched out in pristine white tones, gleaming under the lights that spilled across the glossy tiled floor. Banners in crimson fluttered softly from the A.C.

Picking out a beautiful piece, she checked the price.

899 rupees.

"Nevermind" she kept it back.

A hand patted her shoulder. She turned.

Her best friend handed her a sleek men's bracelet.

Myra flipped it around, observing the black matte beads with a braided leather strap.

"Fabulous, isn't it?" Saira flicked her sleek brown hair, swinging the shopping bags in her other hand.

"Pretty masculine"

"This and biker boots for Christmas"

"Good luck buying a bracelet for four hundred rupees" she gave it back.

"Four hundred?"

"Three ninety-nine"

Hearing this, Saira replied with complacency, "Who cares? I'm buying this for my boyfriend after all!"

"Your boyfriend?"

The beige, glittering eyeshadow on Saira's eyes sparkled as she nodded, "I'm pretty sure I'll get a discount if I buy this and the boots together!"

"You should date some thug at this point" chuckled Myra when she noticed the queue near the counter lengthening. She glanced back at her, who was heading to another section. Tonight, Saira wore a long sleeve furry pastel sweater, a polka dotted skirt and a black sleek belt with silver buckles. Her platform boots tapped loud as she inspected the Sanrio rings in display, putting a strand of hair back her ear. The tips were dyed in hazel colour.

"What're you looking at?" Myra went towards her.

She straightened and showed her the two rings she had picked up, smiling,

"I'll take Kuromi, you take Melody"

"Nice taste girl!" she wore the pink ring.

"And this" she showed her the bracelet, "I'm sure he'll like it"

"You know what?" she tried to sound casual in dropping the subtle hint of advice, "You can find bracelets like these in melas and exhibitions for twenty rupees or so"

Concern shrouded Saira's gaze, "Shouldn't I gift him something branded?"

"As if he would wear it to sleep!" she laughed, "Well, since it's your choice, I won't interfere"

Thinking for a minute, Saira put the bracelet back.

They visited the food court, with numerous shopping bags swinging against their thighs, mostly Saira's. Finding an empty seat, they settled to have some refreshments. The bags labelled H&M, Pantaloons and Mumuso huddled beside their feet.

Condensation dripped down their boba tea as they sipped, their lipstick left faint rings around white paper straws.

"So cute right?" Saira gleamed at her pink nails. Decorated with sequins with a bow on her ring fingers each, they glittered under the mall lights, "I'm doing the hello kitty ones next time kay?"

"I'll join too. By the way, " Myra kept her cup down and leaned forward, whispering, "You know what happened to Sandeep and his girlfriend recently?"

Saira instantly leaned forward,"Spill the tea!"