Snapshots

Shopping

I didn't mind shopping. I really didn't. In fact there were some stores that I was really hard to drag away from, like a bookstore. But I was also a practical, hard-working entreprenèur and I didn't believe in spending more than the required time at one store.

Especially when it was an overpriced clothing shop.

"Virat!" I called impatiently, tapping my foot on the linoleum floor. "Nahi hua kya abhi tak?"

"Just a minute!" He replied.

I groaned. We'd been in this shop for the better part of two hours, and my hubby was yet to decide on one single shirt! I mean, I finished shopping for a salwar, jewellery, and a pair of shoes in one and a half hour, and I'm a woman.

I glanced at my watch with a sigh and thought about the day's events. It was a rare day off for both of us, and we'd decided to spend it touring the city and shopping, since we never got time to spend together, what with Virat's busy schedule and my even busier one.

I needed a complete ensemble for a stage performance, and had picked out a gorgeous kameez in white with woven silver sequins. Virat chose a beautiful delicate silver chain and matching earrings to go with it. Then he, the thoughtful soul that he is, took me to the perfume store. I didn't need one, strictly speaking, but a good fragrance was my one weakness. I was overjoyed when he bought me one from the Gucci Guilty collection that I'd been gushing about for a few days. So I decided I'd accompany him in clothes shopping for one day. That was how we ended up in this beastly store for two hours.

"How do I look?" I was pulled out from my reverie by Virat's voice. I turned around to see him in a loose dark blue shirt with grey accents that looked fantastic on his complexion.

"Wow!" I said, truthfully. "The colour really does wonders for your skin tone."

Virat screwed up his face. "Yeah. You mean it makes me look like one of those pasty skinned vampires on tv. Why don't you tell me to start swooning pitifully over a girl, quarrel with werewolves and drink blood in my spare time?" He stomped back into the trial room when he'd finished his rant.

Now, if I were any other woman, I'd have been offended. As it was, I just rolled my eyes. I was used to this. It was the same story everytime. Virat would spend hours trying on every available piece and then spending another hour to decide among them. The workers would be hassled and flustered trying to cater to him, so I usually sent everyone away to do their own jobs with a promise to call on them if needed.

I had finally had enough of his theatrics. I'd been on the move for hours after a short babysitting stint in the morning for one of my friends. I was sore, tired, bored out of my mind and ready to go home.

So I took matters into my own hands. I thought of something that would either get Virat to take the hint and go home or, if not, at least provide some entertainment for me.

I knocked on the door of the changing room. "Virat! Stay where you are. I'll get some clothes for you to try on, since you seem to be incapable of choosing for yourself."

"Oh! You will?" came a relieved voice from within. "Thanks."

I carefully took a few items off the rack and handed them to my husband. Then I stood aside, and waited for the fun to begin.

"Umm.... Piku? Something seems to be off with the seams of this one.....", Virat's disembodied voice informed me after a few moments.

I fought to smother a laugh into my hands. "You think?" I asked. "Why? Are they not fitting? Have you been skipping your workout?"

Virat huffed. "You know better than me that I've not", he said. "But something just doesn't seem right."

"Well, come out and let me see", I told him.

Virat stepped out uncertainly.

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

He was in a camel coloured, wool blend mesh t-shirt, a size smaller than what he usually wore, so that it stretched deliciously across his chest and accentuated his upper body in all the right places. His perfect physique appeared even more impressive, and I was rendered speechless.

"Piku?" Virat probed.

"Hmm?" I said, then snapped back into attention. "Oh, yeah, we're getting this. Set it on the counter."

"Are you sure?" Virat asked. "Don't you think it's too...."

"Perfect", I said, cutting him off. "It's absolutely right, no questions asked. Now go put on the leather."

He gave me an odd look and disappeared once again in the dressing room.

I felt a little guilty about using him as my own personal model like this, but could you really fault me for wanting to ogle my husband when he was publicly recognized as one of India's hottest men?

I was alerted by the door opening once again. Virat stepped out in a leather jacket and leather pants this time.

Very few women would be immune to the effects of leather on a well-built man and when Virat turned to show me the back.... well, I had to consciously stop myself from drooling.

"I like them", I opined, licking my suddenly dry lips.

"You do?" he asked.

"You don't?" I retorted.

"I don't know", said Virat. "They're not really uncomfortable, I guess, but they do seem to cling on to my skin."

I quelled the smirk that involuntarily rose to my lips. "Well, they look fine", I said calmly, trying not to give away how much I was enjoying the show. "So we'll get those too."

He just shrugged and headed back inside.

I rubbed my hands in anticipation. Now for the best part. The jeans.

"Woah, Piku!" I heard him say. "I think you picked the wrong size. These are really tight around the...."

Snickering, I clearly heard Virat's audible gasp of understanding, as he finally caught on to my ruse.

"Deepika!"

I laughed loudly as Virat spluttered in indignation. "I was just trying to.... and all this time you were.... you did this on purpose.... and you..... I didn't..... ugh!"

Breaking off, he shoved the bundle of clothes at me. "Take these", he growled. "I've had enough shopping for today. We're going home." He slammed the door shut.

Still chuckling, I handed over the clothes to the salesman who had hurried over, for them to be packed. Both of my missions had been accomplished and I'd gotten a kick out of it. I couldn't be happier!

Later, when Virat returned to his usual cocky self, he'd be smug that I'd been admiring him so blatantly, but right then, as he dragged me out of the shop, his face flushed and the garment bag slung safely over my shoulder, I got to see a flustered and embarassed Virat Kohli; and I'd never seen a sight more adorable.

A/N: Hurried and a bit on the short side, but the idea was too funny for me to pass up! :D.... Can't you just see Virat acting that way?
Let me know what you think!