Rita’s side effects

I was in Pune this past weekend to spend some time with mom, dad and my brother Chinmay. It was a lazy Saturday afternoon. By then, I was getting that most pleasing feel of a weekend. Four of us had a tasty lunch cooked by my sweet mamma and we were trying to stretch ourselves in the beds. While reading the news paper, dad showed us the Movie schedule at one of the local multiplexes. There were two new promising releases in Marathi with a very good star cast. One at 6:15 PM. Another at 8:30 PM. I wanted to see ‘Rita’. The show would start at 8:30 pm. We zeroed down to check the availability for both and then take a call. The ever tempting sound sleep was something I couldn’t resist then. I decided to take a nap.

We reached the multiplex at 5:30 PM in evening. It was not much crowded then but the people were arriving into their sleek and solid cars with attractive dress up to look above than others. The colorful crowed was making the overall atmosphere live and was inviting the glamorous night soon. My dad came in with the tickets for ‘Rita’. Wow I wanted to see that movie. Then was the time when I would see it finally. J. We had two hours in hand as it was just 6 PM. “What to do?” Dad asked. We were looking around if we could find a place to spend some time at. And we saw the Big Bazaar’s huge building next to that multiplex. “Shall we?” Dad asked. “Okay let’s go” we all agreed.

We entered the Big Bazaar. It was really big. I could see that the compartments and the stands were over flooded with so many branded products. Many departments under one roof with so much of variety. I think that’s why people rarely visit local markets these days but do visit these huge bazaars. I went to the cosmetics section where the salesgirl promptly stepped forward to serve me. “Oh come on let me see it myself. I can read English. Just stand there silently”… I wanted to say this all but I told her that I am having a look around. I wanted to buy one cream from past 2 months which I saw there. I picked up the product immediately. Well that was a START of one unavoidable activity called as SHOPPING. We went to each and every department on that floor. I took table mats for our dinning table though we have one. But yes I got them for Rs.20 less than the outside price. We also got the required and also not required grocery for tomorrow’s lunch.

“There is still some 1 hour left. Let’s go to 2^nd floor.” Chinmay said.

We then moved to Ladies and Gents accessories and garment floor. My goodness! It’s my weak point. How should I stop myself from not looking at the dresses and tops and kurtis. Some powerful power then pulled me to that section and I started checking each and every dress. After some time I realized I have liked just one kurti and still not convinced 100%. I left my thought of buying that as I didn’t find it to be worth the price.

“Tai… Tai…” Chinmay was calling me. He had got some shirts in hand and wanted to take my opinion. I suggested one smart shirt which looked perfect on him. Mom and dad also came in. Suddenly my eyes got fixed on one tee. Well that was not bad at all. And looking at its price I decided to go for it. Dad looked at the shopping trolley. “we should have watched 6:15 PM movie”, he said with a smile; a smile that suggested a lot of things. Finally we went to a billing counter. After getting all the discounts and the free gifts we got our final bill. It was 2500.

Wheww... was that necessary? I mean we just wanted to pass some time and not so much of money that too in just 2 hours.

We are thankful to our parents that they sometimes allow us to do such instant shopping but then where are we heading to? These malls are though proving the perfect shopping destination for today’s generation but certainly the “Huge Savings while shopping” is what they are trying to brand themselves does not happen at all. The unnecessary shopping always takes the front seat and our car runs into 4the gear after listening to offers and various deals. This is a terrific marketing gimmick played by these big business people. They have actually caught the right nerve of masses at large. They keep some people on all floors just to keep announcing about the new offers so that the customers run towards the section to have a look at the offer and half of them end up buying the things they do not need. Shopping in these malls requires that extra skill to avoid the unnecessary attraction. Then only we would be able to take that benefit otherwise as they say, “Old is Gold”, the more traditional grocery shops would anytime be preferred. After these amazing side effects of movie watching the watch performed his duty. It was 8:08 pm; we finally went to the movie with big bags in hand. But yes I enjoyed that shopping…the unnecessary shopping!