I had gone out with M yesterday to help her with some urgent last-minute shopping before she heads off to college for the next semester. The reason I had agreed to tag along was simple – she isn’t the kind of person who can make up her mind about anything; there’s always the need for a second opinion and then again some considerable time spent reassuring herself that it is the best buy before she finally decides. (Need I mention that her list of things to be bought was pretty long for a last-minute purchase? Nah! Just two sides of a sheet.)
Till yesterday, our routine consisted of hanging out at nearby malls, window shopping, walking in and out of brand stores, checking out everything from iPhones to lingerie, engaging in harmless trial-room shenanigans, clicking n number of photographs and of course, meeting other wonderful people like us!
It was yesterday morning when we realized that there was very little time left on our hands before she would have to leave for college and a whole lot of shopping was yet to be done. Given M is not one of those individuals with a conventional taste or atleast she likes to think so (choosy I call it!) and definitely not being too brand conscious, we opted for the obvious (cheaper!?) alternative – street shopping!
And so we set out at nine in the morning to Penta Menaka which is the place inΒ Cochin one would go to for the best deals in gadgets and electronics. After visiting three shops, spending one hundred and fifty rupees plus one hour of our lives and a lot of begging on my part, she ticked the first item off her list – a fancy iPhone cover (which I later learned was a gift for a friend in college). Face-palm.
Then we hit Broadway, which many (including me) claim to be the Chandni Chowk or Linking Road of Cochin. It took us a good two hours to find a lot of things she wanted from craft paper to laces to hair clips and silver rings. I think I may have forgotten to mention how good she is at making artsy things, thereby making up for my complete lack of skill.
There was one more thing to be purchased before she could strike all the art-related purchases off her list – glow paint. After five shopkeepers told her it was no longer being manufactured or sold in Kerala anymore, my best friend finally acknowledged the fact that she couldn’t buy any glow paint.
“Can we go buy something else now, M?” I asked out of exasperation.
We had been loitering around under the hot sun for quite some time now and the heat was making me crabby. But my friend just wasn’t the kind of person to accept defeat.
“Let’s make our own glow paint!” she declared triumphantly.
In all honesty, I could have run her over with a car then and there. I couldn’t simply because (a) I did not have a car (b) I loved her too much.
We quickly googled the process and went in search of phosphorescent powder. As our luck would have it, we did not find any in the entire bazaar. This only made things worse for me. It was the opportune moment for M to start complaining about howΒ nothing in her life was happening as planned.
I managed to loop my hand around hers and push her along. (As if my own body wasn’t feeling heavy enough!) Just as we took a few steps ahead, she spotted a table mat on a street vendor’s pile. It was green in color and had the painting of a pouting white cat on it. I knew what was coming my way and I looked away in the opposite direction saying a silent prayer.
Moments later, we were standing by the vendor’s cart under the scorching sun; me frowning and M going on about how cute the cat was. She had to buy it.
“Bhai, how much is this?” M asked the vendor holding up the mat.
“Medam, only sisty rupeej” the vendor replied in English.
“What?! But it’s just a table mat and it’s cotton!” I exclaimed.
“Nau medam. Orginal praij one pipty rupeej. Por you it ij only sisty rupeej.”
M and I looked at each other and then at the shopkeeper before we burst out laughing.
“Bhai, what do you mean one fifty rupees? It’s not silk and it’s only a single piece of cloth.”
“Medam, very demand product. Last piece.” he said as he rearranged the other mats on display.
“No no bhai.. Give it for twenty!” M bargained.
“Nau medam. Give sisty or don’t take.” he replied calmly.
M turned and pouted at me in a “do something” kind of way like she had been doing at every other shop. I was wondering how to tackle the vendor when I spotted a light blue stain near the top-right corner of the mat.
“Listen bhai, we can’t give you sixty rupees for a damaged mat.Β See.. there’s a stain here..” I said indicating with my finger.
“Nau medam. Washable. No stain.” he said defensively.
“Bhai, don’t teach me what is washable and what isn’t. This stain can’t be washed off. I’ll give you thirty rupees. Pack it.” I said coolly.
“Pipty rupeej” he bargained.
“Thirty rupees.” I said unruffled.
“Medam, no profit. Good quality cloth. Give porty rupeej.” The vendor was begging now.
“Bhai, nobody else will buy it and you know it. Thirty is final. Are you packing it or should we walk?” I asked in a firm voice.
I could feel M’s eyes on my face. I did not have to look up to know her expression would be the “OMG! What are you saying? I need this mat or I’ll die!” look.
A few moments later, as we walked away feeling richer by thirty rupees, M happily kissed my cheek before putting the folded mat into her bag.
“Should have bargained for twenty, right?” she said mischievously and we both laughed.
After drinking some lemonade at our usual spot – Punchiri Bakers (which roughly translates as “A Happy Smile”), we walked around the bazaar aimlessly till we came to a DC bookstore. We knew we just had to go in! It’s just like your Crossword or Penguin Bookstore.
Firstly, it’s a great feeling to go sit inside a book store with good ambiance. Secondly, all you need to do is waltz over to your favorite section and pick any book you want. Finally, nobody cares about you and you’re left alone surrounded by good books on all sides. All you got to do is not look like a shoplifter and also, not break anything.
But that’s not why we went in. There are only two reasons as to why I would go to a branded bookstore. One, to see what the latest books in fiction are and to check for best sellers I haven’t read. Two, to check their prices so that I can either buy them cheaper online or go to Blossoms and get the same books at a hundred and something rupees. (Don’t judge me!)
And that’s exactly what we did. After all the shopping was done, we went to Blossoms and bought books at less than their half prices. For instance, M bought a book called “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov priced at three hundred and fifty rupees for one hundred and fifty rupees. I bought Khaled Hosseini’s “A thousand splendid suns” (something I have been meaning to do for a while now) priced at five hundred rupees at Crossword and DC Books for a hundred and twenty rupees. First hand paperback copies mind you!
I don’t think we could have ended the day in a better manner. Soon after we left Blossoms, we took a rickety rickshaw ride and headed home; feeling happily spent and exhausted.
Thanks for reading. Cheers!!
A day well spent indeed! And you have the talent to haggle or get great bargain. If it was me, I will accept defeat and would just buy the mat. π
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Haha! Thanks Glaiza. π
Well I don’t really bargain like crazy. It’s always the take it or leave it attitude and normally vendors fold when I act that way! π
Thanks for reading! β€
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That’s so true. Haha. When I go for street shopping, I’d like to take my sister because she has that attitude too and she mostly wins against the vendor.. π
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Like a boss! π
Take care. Hugs. π
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The only thing I liked about this post was that quote “a classic is…say”
{ Just joking! This post is hilarious. }
You wrote “it was a cute cat” we had to buy it…I was confused for a while how would you buy a cat in 60/-
I used to have a hard time going shopping with girls π
And Penta Menaka? How did it get its name?
Penta means five and Menaka is a goddess who dances in Swarga Loka π Amusing!
Love and light β€
Anand
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Haha! π Thanks Anand.
By the way what quote?! π
Oh and Penta Menaka I have no idea as to how or why it’s called that! π
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Look at the picture of the book store, there is a beautiful quote π
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Oh that! π
I did read it when I uploaded the photo and then forgot! O:)
Glad you noticed.
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π
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Great!
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Thanks for reading! π
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My pleasure!
Mind checking out my new post? https://iamjishnu.wordpress.com/2015/12/29/when-was-the-last-time-you-spent-time-with-your-family/
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I did read. It’s a thought provoking post Jishnu. I am glad to tell you that my answer is already available on my blog. π I shall ping back if you don’t mind.
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Sure!
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You’ve painted a wonderful picture of your trip. It speaks of your exceptional writing abilities.
Will have a lot to learn from such amazing posts.
Thanks π
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*blushing too much*
You are too kind Pranjal! π
I am a learner myself and I am happy you find my post amazing.
Thank you for reading and your kind words. Hugs. π
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π
It so happens I once visited Sarojini Nagar in Delhi with a friend and had written a draft of the story. But it was nowhere compared to how you have described your visit.
I think putting one’s heart in writing is very important and probably it makes the difference in the end.
And thank you π
You’ve motivated me to try something different.
Cheers!
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Haha! Well, I am glad you got some input from here.
I realized that the best stories are not those that require a lot of thought but ones that use and convey emotions everyone can relate to. π
I’ll see you around. Take care!
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You too. Happy New Year π
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Its Hilarious , Your shopping was not less than winning a battle.
And finally you have win the world !
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haha! π
Oh it was as tiring as going to war! But then I guess that’s how good memories are made! π
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Yeah true! Its tiring both mentally and physically!
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You are a patient and loyal friend! I hate to shop and probably wouldn’t have lasted all day like you did! This was such a funny post, enjoyed it tremendously!
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Thank you Dr. Sorick! It’s only around her that I can be this patient. With everybody else, I fly off my handle. π
Take care.
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Also, you will love 1000 splendid suns!
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I know!! π
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And she reads it , she is making me read it too. Via badly taken pictures of the pages! π
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Oh that’s funny! It’s a must read, though! I can see why she’d want to share! π
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Loved reading this hilarious account of your shopping expedition! Maybe i should have said All the best, instead of Enjoy! π
Beautiful , interesting, engaging writing – i felt as if i was there myself. Especially, that table mat scene is very vividly described. I should definitely take you along while going shopping! π
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In Delhi? Sure! You’ll know when I am there! π
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Thanks for sharing this experience. Happy New Year!
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Thank you for reading Cathy! π
Happy New Year to you and family too!!
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You made me recall my fun filled collage days. Budget shopping was an common affair with lots of things to be bought with complete confusion in mind. Had great time reading your post it made me call my old friends and remember old days.Thanks for sharing your experience.
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I’m glad it caused some nostalgia, Megha! π
Thanks for reading. Hugs.
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Great post. Sounds like an endurance test (for me as someone who doesn’t like shopping) – you’re obviously a good friend and negotiator.
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Lets just say it was one of those days where I wasn’t the one shopping! Or it could have been worse! π
Thanks for reading Conversationcat! π
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