Avitri

I got home after work to see Ishika already there, with all the clothes scattered around my room. This girl was making more work for me.

She was in some deep thought, but the moment she saw me she suddenly stood up and said, “Let’s go shopping.”

“Wait a moment, let me at least rest for a bit. We’ll go in a minute,” I said desperately.

“Nah. Rest in the car, I’ll drive,” Ishu replied, already pushing me toward the door.

I gave up and followed her, sitting in the car with a pout.

“I’m so hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”

“Okay, okay, madam. What do you want to eat?” Ishu asked.

“Let’s just go to that café we usually go to,” I said vaguely. We had a lot of cafés we frequented, but Ishu didn’t ask which one. She just started driving.

We took a seat and placed our order.

We sat by the window, the late afternoon sun slanting in and painting stripes across the table.

Ishika leaned forward, her chin propped on her palm. “So. Tell me, madam. How are we feeling?”

I groaned and dropped my head onto the table dramatically. “Like I’m going to embarrass myself in record time.”

“You?” Ishu scoffed. “You’ve literally debated angry parents into silence at PTA meetings. You can handle one guy.”

“That’s different,” I mumbled into the table. “That’s work mode. This is… this is—”

“A date,” Ishika finished for me, smirking. “And you’re overthinking, as usual.”

I lifted my head just in time for the waiter to bring our coffees. I wrapped both hands around the cup like it could somehow save me.

“What if he’s—”

“Stop,” Ishu cut me off, wagging a finger. “Don’t ‘what if’ yourself into a coma. Tonight is not about passing or failing some test. It’s just dinner. At worst, you’ll have free pasta and never see him again.”

I laughed despite myself. “That’s your bar for success? Free pasta?”

“Absolutely,” she said solemnly. “And at best…” her grin widened, “…he might actually be worth your time.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

“But free pasta? Pasta? I don’t even know the place we’re going to. And the dress… what am I wearing?” I groaned. “Ishu, tell me you have ideas.”

Ishika looked at me like I’d just asked the most obvious question in the world.

“Avi,” she said flatly, “we’re going shopping after eating here. And of course I have ideas. What do you think I’m here for?”

“Now let’s eat quickly,” Ishu added as the waiter brought our food. “We’re picking the best dress for you.”

I nodded and started eating.

As soon as we finished, Ishu grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the café.

“Let’s go,” she said hurriedly. “I already know which stores we need to visit.”

She looked a little intense as she said that.

Angry? No. Just… extremely passionate.

Still scary, though.

We went to ten different stores.

I tried on what felt like hundreds of dresses, but somehow we still hadn’t found the one.

“The one?” I muttered under my breath. “But it’s just a date.”

“Ishu, let’s just pick one. They’re good enough.”

She looked at me like I had personally insulted the fashion industry.

“What?” she said, horrified. “Good enough? Avi, baby, are you okay? Good enough is not enough. Whether it’s a dress or a man.”

I sighed. She clearly wasn’t giving up.

“Okay, ma’am,” I said tiredly. “So where to next?”

“Well…” Ishika said thoughtfully, “there’s one last option.”

She led me down a narrow alleyway that looked… suspicious.

At the end of it stood a small boutique.

Strangely enough, the shop itself looked beautiful, completely out of place compared to the area around it.

The moment we walked in, several people greeted Ishika.

Apparently everyone here knew her.

She waved back casually before walking straight to the owner.

“Ma’am,” Ishu said confidently, “we need the best dress you have for this girl right here.”

She pointed at me.

I smiled awkwardly as everyone’s attention suddenly shifted toward me.

The owner looked me up and down thoughtfully before asking, “What kind of dress are you looking for?”

“Casual,” Ishika replied immediately. “It’s for a date.”

The owner and the workers nodded like they had just received an important mission.

They scattered around the store, pulling out different dresses from racks and shelves.

I sighed quietly.

Here we go again.

More trying. More changing.

I was so tired at this point.

But maybe… just maybe…

we’d finally find something here.

And we did.

A gorgeous A-line moss green dress.

“It’s gorgeous,” I said, staring at myself in the mirror.

Worth the struggle.

“I like this one,” I said, turning to Ishu. “It’s pretty, right?”

“Of course it is,” she replied. “And Avi, what about this one?” she said, showing me another dress.

“It’s pretty,” I replied, confused. “But why?”

“I’m buying it for myself,” Ishu said casually.

I burst out laughing. “Shopaholic.”

“I’m not,” she replied, annoyed.

“Yes, yes,” I said, walking toward the counter to pay.

Dresses acquired.

I squealed happily as we exited the store.

“Thanks, Ishu. This store was really good. I’ll definitely shop here again.”

“Of course the store was good,” she replied smugly. “Who do you think your friend is?”

We were on our way home when I got a message from an unknown number.

Hello.
Is this Avitri?
I wanted to talk about the date tomorrow.

I froze for a second before showing it to Ishika, who was driving.

She looked at me wide-eyed.

“Reply back, you idiot.”

I pouted but typed back.

Hello.
Yes, this is Avitri.

A reply came almost immediately.

Nice to meet you.
Kartik here.

He sent me the address and time for the date.

I would like to pick you up for the date. Is that okay?

I freaked out, slapping Ishika’s shoulder.

“What do I say? What do I say?”

“What happened?” Ishu asked as we reached home.

I showed her the messages.

“Just say yes or no,” she deadpanned.

I glared at her. “I know that, idiot.”

I sighed before typing:

Yes, you can pick me up.

I also sent him my address.

“At least he’s chivalrous,” Ishu said, peeking at my phone.

“Maybe.”

We went inside the house and showed my mom and dad the dress.

I can’t wait for tomorrow.

I’m nervous.

And excited.

We'll see how this goes.

I hope it's good, atleast this time