I woke up to ‘tick tock’ by Keisha next morning and realized that it was my phone ringing. I answered it groggily, “hello?”
“ARE YOU STILL ASLEEP?” Came Jude’s voice from the other end.
“Jeez! What the hell are you yelling for?” I yelled back.
“Well we were supposed to meet today!”
I glanced at my watch “it’s only 9. 00 a. m for God’s sake!”
What was he up to? It wouldn’t take me all day to meet his friends! He made an impatient sound and said, “just be ready in 30 minutes. I am coming to pick you up.” And he disconnected just like that. Well good morning to you to I said into the phone. I forced myself to leave my warm and cozy bed.
I rushed about selecting clothes randomly and took a quick shower. I brushed my teeth and left my towel dried hair to dry naturally. I put some kohl and gloss. I was wearing my shoes when I heard the honking of a horn. I rolled my eyes and tied the laces of my favorite purple converse. I took my keys from the table, picked my bag and hurried out of the house.
“Enough with the honking!” I yelled at Jude who by the way was looking absolutely yummylicious. He was wearing a dark blue T today that made his blue eyes look even more gorgeous and khakis. He smiled at me and honked once more just to irritate me. I got in and slammed the door hard.
“Hey!” Protested Jude, “go easy on my baby will you!” I just glared at him and shot him a nasty look. He shook his head and started the car. Did I say start? He took off on top speed dodging cars crazily. I struggled to get my seat belt in place and decided against telling him to slow down because I knew he would go faster just to annoy me!
“Where are we going?” I asked. He had stopped at a street that had all the high street fashion stores.
“We are going shopping!” He looked at me as if he had just said we are going to Disneyland. What? I love Disneyland! So, sue me.
How the hell was I to go shopping when I didn’t have a dime to spare for a meal! I looked at him contemplating about what I was going to say to him when I realized I didn’t have to shop! I mean he could shop if he wants too.
“Well I don’t need anything and don’t tell me that you woke me up this early so that you could have a shopping buddy, you made a huge mistake pal!”
He looked at me incredulously and said, “I don’t need anything! But look at yourself! You are wearing a ratty old T shirt. No girlfriend of mine would be wearing that! Much less the girl I was going to get married! Don’t worry this shopping trip is on me.”
I stared at him. Ok granted I had just grabbed something to wear randomly and it turned out to be my purple faded T shirt but it looked uber cool if I say so myself! Who the hell did he think he was turning his nose up at my clothes?
“But I don’t want you to buy clothes for me!” I said.
Jude rolled his eyes and said “look don’t go an egotistical trip now. Just think of this um just think of it as the uniform you need for your job!” I stared at him wondering if he had lost his mind.
Oh, this was going to cost him. He will be sorry he said that to me. I got out in a huff and slammed the door extra hard. Jude cussed some more and we got inside the store.
A skinny blonde sales girl approached us. I could literally see her drooling at Jude. I turned around to look at Jude and saw him eyeing her appreciatively.
Her badge read ‘Dana’.
I cleared my throat and said, “we are looking for some clothes. Something fancy.”
Jude raised his eyebrows at me. I just smiled back at him sweetly.
“Sure. If you could just tell me what size you are looking for, I could show you some stuff.” I saw Jude and her making eyes at each other. It was almost like I wasn’t there!
“Um Size 8?”
Dana turned away reluctantly and went to find clothes of my size. Meanwhile Jude went around pulling clothes randomly from the racks. He pulled out a red T that was ripped all over. That was something I would have never worn. Hell, it would reveal more than it would cover!
“I am not wearing that!” He stopped going through the racks and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Why not? It’s hot!” I shook my head and explained, “I don’t like it.” He gave me a pained look.
Dana returned with her arms full of colorful clothes. I picked out a cowl neck red top. I instantly fell in love with it. Then I looked at the price tag and gasped.
It probably would take care of my meals for 15 days! I put it down quietly.
“Here”, said Jude dumping an armful of clothes in my arms “go try them and I wanna see how every top looks on you and try these as well” he said dumping nothing less than 8 pair of jeans on top of the pile of tops.
I didn’t want to do it honestly; I hate trying clothes it’s the most annoying thing on earth! I somehow always knew what was going to fit me and what wasn’t! I trudged to the changing room to try on the clothes. I immediately put yellow clothes aside. I detested that color. I picked a purple top and checked my image in the mirror. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. It was simple yet so sensual. I completely loved it. I didn’t even bother checking the price tag this time. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door.
“Have you tried anything yet?” I opened the door and walked out. I was pleased to see Jude’s eyes go round in appreciation.
“Yep we are definitely taking that one.” I got the pile of yellow and gave it to Dana. “Anything but yellow. It clashes horribly with my hair.”
Dana made a sour face and went to get something else. And on and on it went. I tried an outfit and then Jude said yes or no. I didn’t mind, surprisingly our choices matched. When we finally made it out of the shop my stomach was growling with hunger. Jude looked at me and smirked.
“So? I didn’t have breakfast because you rushed me out of bed.” There was no need to tell him that I didn’t have any food at home. ”
Ok” he said smiling, “my bad. Come on let’s go for breakfast.”
We went to a cafe across the street but first we dumped an armful of bags in his car. I could smell sausages as we sat at our table and I think I drooled a little. I ordered 3 pancakes, a large cup of mocha and some chocolate waffles. What? I love food and lately I had been eating very little. I could feel Jude stare at me, to tell you the truth I think I had just shocked him into silence.
“Wow, you have a huge appetite!” He just couldn’t stop himself when I called for sausages.
Ok, my theory was now I could go through the rest of the day without food. And yes ok I do eat a lot. He paid the bill and we made our way out.
“Now to the shoe store!”
God, I swear he was so excited like he was shopping for his real bride to be. We went there and I tried some footwear while he fussed over me. I was beginning to enjoy myself. I couldn’t remember the last time I had gone shopping. My phone rang suddenly I checked the display and immediately my face fell. It was the nursing home. I looked around and saw that Jude was paying the bill. I quickly answered the phone.
“Hello?” “Ms. Blake just a-”
I cut her off saying “Mrs. Gupta I will be there with the money today.”
“Oh” she said surprised “ok then. I was just reminding you dear.”
“Of course. You are just doing your job. I will make the necessary payments.”
I disconnected and looked up. To my dismay I saw Jude looking at me quizzically. I smiled at him and asked, “could I get an advance?”
He raised his eyebrows and said “sure.” We went to his car and put the bag of shoes along with the clothes.
“Please tell me the shopping is done.” I said sighing tiredly. He nodded yes and started the car.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“My place.” I looked at him.