She quickly saw thru my discomfort and then with a confident composure said “come with me maam, let me show you what will look best on you”. I quietly followed like a pet on a leash.
With warmth overflowing in her tone, she asked “so is this your first time maam”? I nodded no. She asked “so when was the last time and what did you wear then”?
I finally found my voice and said “it was during my college days”. She leaned in and asked “was it just jeans and skirts or something more”? I said “yes, yes only jeans and skirts. Nothing more”.
She asked “so you are shopping for daily wear or a special occasions also”? I quickly replied “both”. Then she asked a direct question, she asked “so you want to give sir a surprise or just do this for yourself”?
I thought for a moment and said “well… both… but more importantly for myself”. She warmly replied “then you are in good hands maam. Let’s start with what you used to wear earlier” and took me to the jeans section.
She asked me my size and gave me one jeans to try out in the trial room. I saw the tag, it read “low waist”. I said “no not this one, I used to wear high waist only”.
Priya said “maam don’t get me wrong, but high waist is so old fashioned and the only women who ask for it are the ones who have a protruding bellies. You are perfectly flat. If you trust me then try this. This will look great on you maam”.
I reluctantly took it and headed towards the trial room. Priya stopped me and said “wait maam, take this top also” handing me a t-shirt which had “are you kidding” written across the chest.
I took it quietly and headed to the trial room. I removed my saree and dressed up in the new clothes. I looked in the mirror and for sure I was looking hott.
The t-shirt was decent but still left a decent amount of my midriff exposed. I thought to myself, If I can leave my full waist exposed wearing a saree then this was nothing compared to that.
The jeans also as the name suggested just covered enough above my panties leaving my navel exposed. I was feeling good and naughty from inside wearing this after so many years.
I was trying to imagine the reactions I would get back home from my two teenagers and Prakash. Priya softly knocked asking if I was okay. I opened the door and asked “I need your opinion because I am confused and undecided”.
She looked at me from head to toe and said “maam I am not exaggerating, but you are looking at least ten years younger. You are going to give today’s youngsters and sir a very hard time”.
I blushed uncontrollably wanting to close the door but Priya said “wait maam, let me get the tags off. You continue wearing this only. Fold your saree and bring it with you when you come out”.
Just like I had taken Rafiq’s suggestions seriously, I decided to take hers too. I folded my saree and came out walking very shyly towards Priya because there were so many people in the store.
I felt piercing stares from men who were around shopping with their wives and girlfriends. Priya whispered in my ears “maam, don’t worry. You are looking really hot. Try to feel good about yourself”.