The Sale Saga

 

   Shalu’s sleepy eyes popped open as she saw this alluring advertisement on Facebook, she was aimlessly scrolling through FB after an exhausting day.

   Shiv, her ten months old kept her on her toes the entire day and she hardly got time for herself, her only respite was the social media distractions and reels she watched in between the chores. 

 

    She loved shopping and took special pride in getting the best deals during sale for Shiv. 

  “Look Varun !! Such adorable shoes at throwaway price!!”, she exclaimed excited. 

 

Varun looked at her half asleep, ” Shiv hasn’t even started walking yet.”

 

” But he will very soon, will I get these shoes then? They’ll be grabbed by someone soon, ” she replied grumpily . 

   The stylish yet comfortable looking Mothercare shoes had her heart, the off white shoes with side of blue looked so classy. When she was fixed on buying something she never listened to anyone. She had to get the shoes. 

 

    The next day while Varun was getting ready for office Shalu informed him, ” I have spoken to the lady who put the advertisement, let’s go get the shoes today .”

 

   ” Okay, okay, ” he replied nonchalantly , “we will go this evening, you get ready by seven.” 

   The entire day Shalu was brimming with happiness, she could imagine Shiv walking around in the branded shoes, looking chic and cool. 

 

      On the way she sympathized with the mother who had to part with unworn shoes, she must be having such a hard time parting with something so dear to her. What must have transpired in her life to sell such beautiful shoes she wondered aloud. 

    Varun chided her to concentrate on the shoes and get back home as soon as possible, he was worn out after a long day at work. 

 

    When they reached the googled location, they were surprised to see a posh looking duplex in front of them. 

    But all the lights were out and the house seemed desolate . As they were looking for the doorbell, someone grabbed their hands from the back and Shiv was snatched away from Shalu. 

 

    They were then taken inside the house in living room, there were two men and a woman inside having the exact look of kidnappers she had seen in the movies. Ofcourse,  there was no sign of the elusive shoes Shalu had dreamt all day. 

 

       The bulkier of the two men barked, “Your wife and son will be in our custody , you go and arrange ten lakhs by next morning if you wish to see them alive.  Don’t inform the police otherwise you’ll never lay your eyes on your family again.”  

 

“But, but, I don’t have such a huge sum of money, ” Varun begged feeling helpless. 

   ” Arrange the sum or loose your family, the choice is yours, “he shouted ” now get going your time is running out. 

 

 

    As Shalu saw Varun leave the house anxious she cursed herself for falling in the trap of sale, why does she have to buy everything is sees online. She never knew her shopping addiction would land her in such an adversity one day. 

     Suddenly she sensed something on her mouth and she passed out instantly. 

 

        Shalu was woken up in the middle of the night by whimpering of Shiv. The effect of chloroform had gone and she was drenched in sweat. She wanted to touch and caress her baby but both her hands were tied .  She moved slowly towards a table near her and cut the rope by rubbing it continuously on the edge of the table near her. She then tiptoed to the next room to find the women sleeping on the bed and Shiv lying on a cot near the bed. 

    She grabbed Shiv as quietly as possible and decided to escape through the open kitchen window she had already seen. 

    As she ran out of the house running as fast as her feet could take her she kept on repeating to herself, she would never ever buy anything on sale. No matter how great the product, she would never fall in the sale trap again. 

 

  Finally, she took a sigh of relief as she reached the police station. 

 

    The next day newspaper read, A young mother  helped bust a local kidnapping gang police were after since a long time.

    She was awarded  two lakhs reward money for her bravery. 

     Shalu was on cloud nine as she received the money, she would buy so much with the cash for Shiv; but nothing from sale, she would never take the forbidden lane again.