Chapter 3

On their way to the mall Gauri could not believe how big and bustling Mumbai was compared to her small town. During the car ride Gauri tried not to listen into Bhavya's phone call but couldn't help but be surprised that she had been dating some fellow name Rudra. Only when her friend hung up her phone did Gauri ask "Bhavya I didn't know you were seeing someone." She could tell Bhavya was smitten because she was all smiles.

"Well you see...it as actually him that help me pass on your portfolio to Oberoi Fashions."

Gauri's eyes widen as she also smacked Bhavya on the arm.

"Hey Gauri I'm driving...so be gentle..." Bhavya knew how much Gauri didn't want to owe anyone any favors so she intended to hide this fact till she had the opportunity to meet Rudra and maybe even become friends.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because Gauri...I know you...you would have definitely not go tomorrow."

"You're right. Lets turn around no need to get new shoes."

Finally able to find a parking spot Bhavya quickly parked her car so that she could reason with her stubborn friend.

"Gauri...beggars can't be choosers here. This is a very good opportunity for you. And besides if you don't show up tomorrow I will feel very bad towards my boyfriend. So please don't make this a thing."

Gauri just couldn't stay mad at Bhavya who was trying really hard to look pitiful. "Okay. But why did you have to seek his help? I would have been fine looking for a job on my own...unless you didn't have any confidence in me."

"That's not it at all Gauri." Suddenly grabbing her hand "Gauri..Mumbai is not just glamorous..it could also be a very dangerous place...especially a woman from a small town like yourself. I just felt that Oberoi Fashions was the best place because they treat their employees equally and they do not condone any type of harassment. I just wanted to know that you were working at a safe place thats all."

Suddenly laughing "Bhavya...you must really think I'm naive and fragile. Do not worry...I no longer trust anyone but you....I don't believe anyone but you...I'm no longer fragile since I was broken a long time ago. I just want to pick up the worthy pieces and move on with my life peacefully. I will not allow anyone to shove me down a dark path again...I've been in the dark long enough."

Seeing Gauri's eyes dimmer Bhavya wanted to just smack herself for reminding Gauri have all the bad times back in Bareilly.

"I know you are strong but this entire setup is for me."

Raising up her eyebrow "For you?"

"Since I'm taking you in I'm like your mother now so just give me peace of mind."

Gauri wanted to laugh even louder "My mother now?"

"Yes! So let's drop it and go inside and find that perfect pair of black pumps."

"You mean so you can see Rudra?"

Grinning from side to side "You heard huh..."

"I'm a big girl so you can go meet up with him and we can meet up later if you want."

"It will be just for 30 minutes Gauri...he is on lunch break and I..."

"No need to explain. Just show me where Oberoi Fashions store is and I will be okay."

"Their stores are called "O"."

"O?"

"Yes. There would be a big "O" sign. You can't miss it since it will be the busiest store."

Gauri then checks at her wallet "Do you think I can afford it?"

Bhavya then whips out her credit card to hand to Gauri "It's my present to you."

"No Bhavya..I can just look around and buy ones I can afford."

"Nope. You deserve the best and besides didn't we say we wanted Oberoi Fashions to realize that you had put in effort to study their designs?"

There was no point in arguing with Bhavya so Gauri hesitantly took hold of the credit card. "Then if I get the job I will treat you to something special with my first paycheck."

"Deal!"

Right when they reached the second floor of the mall Bhavya pointed to the large "O" sign as she turned to opposite direction to meet up with Rudra.

Gauri was still amazed as to how big the mall in Mumbai was. There were so many people young and old just browsing around or hanging out with friends. She noticed so many types of people as she slowly made her way to the store. There were people who dressed very lavishly and those who dressed very modest. Looking down at her own attire "And I just look like a small town girl."

Gauri was amused that she was dressed in a purple kurta with matching tights underneath out shopping for some heels but once she got closer to the store she noticed a slight commotion inside.

"I'm sorry miss I don't think this is the store for you."

Gauri could tell that the store clerk was being very rude to the poor young girl who was obviously on the brink of tears. She couldn't be any older than 20 and judging by the way she looked she didn't fit the rest of the customers there at the store. But Gauri didn't fit either. Seeing the girl grip her purse trying to speak "I have...money....I have an interview tomorrow..I just want to look nice."

Not far away a customer who was obviously very very rich came out. She had on a tight black dress with black heels. But her purse alone was that of Gucci and her jewelry were no doubt real. Diamond earrings...gold bangles...and a big diamond ring on her ring finger.

"Listen to the sales lady dear...you do not have enough money in that raggedy purse of yours to buy anything here."

Gauri was appalled at how this upscale store was treating their customers based on what they wore and seeing the poor girl still standing there being humiliated Gauri couldn't take it any longer. She didn't want to see this girl's dream of trying to make a better life get ruined by people who were too judgmental.

See that the girl was about to turn around and leave Gauri purposely stood in front of her to block her way. "You do not have to leave. This store is open to serve customers..and you dear are a customer." Gauri could see a glimmer of hope in the girl's eyes until the rich lady started to laugh "Oh look everyone...they both think that they can afford to shop here." The sales clerk also chimed in "I'm sorry Miss I think you both should leave."

"Why should we leave? We both have money to spend here."

Walking closer to look at the girls up and down "There is nothing that can make you two look any better. Just do yourself a favor and go downstairs and find one of those small shops to buy an outfit."

Seeing that the lady kept looking at them up and down Gauri held the young girl's hand tighter and walked up to the snotty rich lady "If I can find one thing she could afford to make her outfit look better than what you are wearing today then you will have to apologize to her."

"Fine! But if you can't then don't ever let me catch you in this store."

Shaking her head at such a person Gauri turned to the young girl "So how much do you have?" The girl pulled out a handful of money but Gauri knew it wasn't much at all. Feeling ashamed the girl whispers "I know it's not much but I was just hoping to find a nice shirt that was on sale."

Gauri smiled at her as she looks at the young girl "The shirt you have on right now is already nice."

The young girl had only just a simple white button up shirt and some black slacks that looked a bit too baggy and was dragging on the floor due to the fact that she did not have a belt to keep it up.

When everyone saw how much money the girl had laughter erupted in the store causing everyone to become curious. A small crowd started to gather around to see what the outcome would be.

Gauri just simply showed the sales clerk how much money they had and asked her to show her what they could afford here at "O". The sales clerk clicked her tongue and pointed at the table full of beautiful silk scarves that were marked down due to it being out of season and that soon Oberoi Fashions would be rolling out the new line of Old and Classy.

Gauri slowly went through the piles of scarves that were very well made and the designs were indeed very beautiful if wrapped around one's neck but once she found a very emerald green scarf with gold petals she knew it would be perfect.

"What..you think wrapping that around her neck would make her look better than me?" Seeing the woman laughing hysterically as well as the others the young girl was about to cry when Gauri who didn't even let the laughter faze her walked up to the girl. "Trust me."

Taking the girl to the fitting room to adjust her outfit while the rest of the crowd was waiting anxiously outside.

"Sir. Should we stop this commotion?"

Omkara who had seen and heard everything was now standing far in the back "No...I want to see what this girl is going to do with that scarf to beat Priya."

When the fitting room door opened everyone's eyes could not believe what they were seeing. You could hear people gasp as well as many whispers. "Was that the same girl?" "Omg she looks great!" "I think she looks better too."

Priya could hear all the whispers among the crowd and it was making her livid. "YOU!!"

Gauri who ignored her looked only at the young girl "You see if you fold up your sleeves to your elbow and unbutton just a few up here to reveal your necklace it looks great. And with this scarf you can pull up your high waisted slacks and tight this around and let the rest flow to the side of your hips then you look very fashionable."

Priya who did not want to lose started to ignore the mass crowd who was obviously in favor of the two girls "What? I still don't agree that she looks better than me."

"To not embarrass yourself we are just asking for an apology."

Wanting to use her status to win Priya started to intimidate the others "Who here thinks she looks better than me? If just one person says she looks better than me than I will apologize."

5 minutes went by and not a single person dared to go up against Priya who was married to a very rich and powerful man... Kaali Thakur. Thinking that she had won "Well I guess you two will never step foot in.." But then from behind the crowd a low deep voice could be heard "I think she looks better."

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