She stuffed her mitten-covered hands in the deeper pockets of her coat as the strong wind managed to cut through the fabric and fill her with the early winter chills.
Fariha was out on a mission and she wouldn't stop lest she was done till the end.
Pulling out her phone, she scrolled to the black and white figures that she referred to as her Christmas Shopping List. It was too soon to be out buying gifts, but she wanted to do it sooner than not. She still hadn't gotten over the dirty looks she'd received last year when she'd come up with charity coupons as a Christmas gift for everyone she knew. She thought it was funny when Chandler had done the same in FRIENDS. Then why did her friends and family not find it funny?
Roaming the streets casually, she looked every bit of the chic she was. For the uninitiated, Fariha always dressed up for shopping. There never was a day when this lady didn't look drop dead gorgeous on her day outs, be it for shopping, picnic, work or fun. Smiling at her reflection in the glass walls of a shop, she hummed the classic Christmas carol and made her way to the mall.
An hour later, Fariha had managed to buy a few gifts for her family, a nice stole for Saraa, some classy mittens for the girls (she made sure both of those had Dora printed on them), some chunky jewellery for Alina and the hottest pair of shades she could set her eyes on for Munni. She decided to treat herself to some ice-cream when she saw Saraa coming towards her from the far distance.
Fariha: Finally! I've been waiting for you since hours. You were supposed to be here an hour ago.
Saraa: God! You're a married woman, at least now toh stop lying.
Fariha: How on earth are marrying and not lying connected? In fact, I think all the lies come along with the institution of marriage. (Fariha said and laughed like crazy while Saraa just rolled her eyes)
Saraa: Okay enough with the madness. I need you to come with me.
Fariha: No I need you to come with me and help me choose a nice dress for Christmas.
Saraa: Yo Bai, Christmas is a month and a half away, and it comes with added stress of buying gifts for people. Why are you so happy about it?
The duo starts walking together as they discuss the stereotypical life after marriage with the increased amount of gifts you gotta buy. Initially Saraa leads the conversation with Fariha listening patiently. But after a few minutes, Fariha sheds light on her new experiences as Saraa listens ever so quietly.
Half an hour later, Fariha suddenly finds herself in a park and turns back to find no one. She could swear Saraa had walked in with her, then where could she have disappeared to? She took out her phone to call her, when sudden noises filled her surroundings.
People came out of nowhere holding balloons and party poppers and streamers and gifts and more balloons and what not. Fariha was swarmed by people coming over to hug her and she could barely make out their faces. Happy birthday wishes came through every few seconds and her hands were full of stuff more than she could handle. The gifts were gone as soon as they came and she felt someone tugging onto her.
Once the chaos died down, she saw Saraa, Munni and Alina standing next to a table that had a huge cake. They were smiling like crazy and beckoning her towards them.
"Happy Birthday Fariha", the trio sang together, followed by the numerous people who joined them as she cut the cake. The crowd happily looked on as an overwhelmed Fariha managed to put a cork on her overflowing emotions and enjoyed the moment that she was just gifted with.
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