Home is where the heart is #YourStoryIndia

.Chapter 10

Finally the day had come. Sashthi was the first day of Durga Pujo. On this day in an elaborate ceremony called 'Bodhon' the spirit of the Mother was brought down from heaven and captured in the idol. The idol 'came to life' as such. Think of it like the inauguration of a shop. You know how President Snow says " Now I declare the 75th Annual Hunger Games open." Kind of like that. Except here the the priest does all the work and you probably won't die during the event. No gaurantees of course.

Maina had nothing to wear. During her teenage years her mother had shopped for her because she hated shopping. Wearing new clothes was a tradition. They wore two sets of clothes each day , one in the morning and one in the evening. 10 outfits in general. Now that required a lot of shopping. While some people may jump with joy and get all gooey with excitement at the thought of so much shopping Maina felt repulsed. She even suggested wearing her old clothes but was quickly shot down by her mother.

"Sorry young lady but tradition is tradition. Besides what would people think? You work abroad and can't afford few good clothes? Everyone would know in an instant if you wore your old ones. " So you're confused right? Who sits and keeps track of all the clothes someone else wore last year of Pujo? Especially if that last Pujo was three years back. Apparently many people.

Koyel was Maina's closest cousin. Unfortunately her world revolved around clothes,gossip,celebrities and the like. So Maina was on a completely different wavelength. They only connected during times of grave crisis. Her current situation was definitely one.

Reluctantly she called on her cousin for help. In about five minutes an impromptu a family shopping trip was organised. Yep, you read that right. Family shopping trip. Because shopping alone was too mainstream.

Maina cursed herself for it. Thankfully it was just her younger generation of cousins or she would have cried.

Of course everyone's favourite 'Philip Dada' was to tag along too. Kill me,why don't you? Maina thought.

They ended up in the nearest mall because it was too crowded to go anywhere else. Too crowded because everyone was still shopping like there was no tomorrow. For them it was just last minute shopping but done with absolute precision. Wouldn't want to look anything less than perfect for those 5 days now, would we?

Maina sighed. At the sight of the surging crowd she felt a migraine come on. The boys left to hang out at the video games section. Maina rolled her eyes. Typical! Koyel called the girls in a huddle and started whispering instructions like it was a battle plan or something.

"Okay guys, focus! We know for a fact that all the good things are already gone because it's the last day of shopping. But don't lose hope. We have to salvage things the best we can. We'll start in the Western section and move on to the Indian. Look out for the most on-trend clothes. Incase of conflict with another shopper immediately call the others. Report with your findings to the trial room in two hours. I'll be there with Maina. Everyone got the plan?" Everyone nodded seriously. Maina was too flabbergasted to nod. All this was way beyond her wavelength.

"On the count of three. One two three. GO SHOP!"They shouted. Maina felt very embarrassed as people started staring. Quietly she made her way out towards a sitting area.

On the couch sitting quietly was Philip observing the people around him. Even though reluctant she realised the seat beside him was the only one empty. In this country foreigners were kind of intimidating.

She plopped down beside him causing him to be startled out of his stupor. Maina had seen this look on his face many times. When he was in deep thought observing everything around him, assessing it. Kind of unnerved her. Like he could see through anyone and everyone.

"Hey what's up?" Philip asked smiling. "Aren't you supposed to be shopping? "

"Yes, but I'm kind of scared with all this shopping business. What about you? Aren't you supposed to go be a little boy playing video games? " Maina countered.

"Nah. I like watching people. It's my favourite hobby. This place is the ideal place for that. People watching." Philip grinned like the Cheshire Cat.

Maina smiled too. This guy was interesting to say the least.

"So what do you watch?" She asked. She was genuinely interested.

"Hmmm, lets see. First I put everyone in categories. Look there. Look at that lady to the right. " Philip pointed at someone. Maina turned her head to see a middle aged lady gushing excitedly to another lady clutching a sparkly blouse in her hand.

"That is the 'frustrated housewife'. This shopping trip is probably the highlight of her life. At home she has a disinterested husband and maybe even more disinterested kids who don't give a damn about her." Philip explained.

Maina laughed. " No way can you say that , Mr. Sherlock Holmes. " Just then the lady walked towards the sitting area to a gruff old man with a paunch and showed her blouse. The man only grunted in response and the lady went away in annoyance. Maina was astounded. Philip smirked and continued.

"Second category: middle aged bored man who only accompanies his wife to the mall to check out fresh meat."

Right on cue, the man turned his eyes towards a few giggling college girls in the corner, gazing at them unashamedly and hungrily. Eww! Disgusting, Maina thought.

Right then she saw a kid being literally dragged across the floor by his mother. Philip followed her gaze." That's 'the reluctant kid'. Those ones are the easiest to detect from the scowls on their face."

Maina was impressed. "How do you know who is in what category?"

"It's not that hard really. You just have to observe. Plus I've had years of practice. Human beings tend to have a common pattern all over the world. Even then I'm wrong sometimes. The most interesting ones are those that don't fit into any category. Look at that one, walking casually towards the jewellery section. Either he's a bored teenager stuck with his mother shopping or more likely, judging by his clothes and appearance he's planning to steal something."

Sure enough, the scrawny boy snatched the gold chain being displayed and made a dash for it. Immediately the alarms went off and security rushed after him. Maina couldn't believe her eyes when suddenly Koyel appeared.

"Dude! Where the hell have you been? I've been searching for you forever. Come at once! " saying this Koyel dragged her away before Maina could react.

Maina looked back to see Philip standing up hands in pockets smiling smugly.

Maina was right. This guy really could see through anyone and everyone.

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This was one long ass chapter to write but I enjoyed writing it. What do you'll think of Philip's hobby? If you'll have any such hobbies please write a comment on it. I'd love to know. Maina's picture with this chapter. The lady in the picture is Chitrangada Singh. I think she's very sexy, confidant and Indian. Very Maina.

As always, thank you for reading!!

And vote if you like.

;-) :-)