After finishing their shopping at the jewellery showroom, the family looked at one another.
Manu smiled.
"So... are we going home now?"
Akshata laughed.
"Not yet."
She looked at her father.
"Appa, we still have to buy clothes."
Nagaraju smiled knowingly.
"I was waiting for you to remind me."
Since several family weddings were coming up over the next few months, they decided it was the perfect time to complete all their shopping in one trip.
The family then visited a reputed clothing store.
Unlike the jewellery shopping, this was more relaxed.
Everyone walked around the store, picking what they genuinely liked.
Akshata chose a beautiful traditional outfit for the wedding functions, along with a few elegant Indo-western dresses. For her daily wear, she selected comfortable kurtis, jeans, cotton tops, and a few casual outfits that suited her simple lifestyle.
Her mother selected a couple of graceful silk sarees for herself and for her mother in-law.
Nagaraju chose a traditional kurta-pajama set for the family functions, along with a few formal shirts and trousers for his work.
Manu finished his shopping the fastest.
As usual, he picked a few comfortable T-shirts, jeans, and hoodies without taking much time.
When they reached the footwear section, Akshata slowed down.
Her father laughed.
"I knew this would be your favourite section."
She smiled.
"Appa, comfortable footwear is important."
She selected a pair of white sneakers for everyday use, comfortable sandals, and a pair of elegant heels that matched her traditional outfits.
Her mother picked a pair of comfortable sandals and festive footwear to go with her sarees.
Nagaraju bought a pair of formal leather shoes and comfortable walking shoes, while Manu happily chose a new pair of sports shoes.
As they continued shopping, Nagaraju quietly noticed his wife admiring a handbag more than once before placing it back.
Without saying anything, he asked the salesperson to add it to the bill.
His wife looked at him.
"You didn't have to."
He smiled gently.
"I wanted to."
A little later, he noticed a classic wristwatch that perfectly suited Akshata's simple and elegant style.
"Akshu, come here."
She wore it and looked at him.
"How does it look?"
"It looks perfect."
Before she could remove it, Nagaraju nodded to the salesperson.
"We'll take it."
"Appa!" she laughed.
"I was supposed to be buying gifts for everyone."
He smiled.
"And I wanted to buy one for my daughter."
He then selected matching wristwatches for his wife and Manu as well.
Looking at the three watch boxes together, he smiled.
"Now everyone has one except me."
Manu grinned.
"Appa, what about yours?"
Nagaraju laughed.
"I already have one."
After a moment, Akshata quietly walked back to the watch counter.
She looked at her father.
"No."
"This time, you're getting one too."
She chose a simple yet elegant wristwatch that suited his personality.
"This is from me."
Nagaraju looked at her for a few seconds before smiling warmly.
"Thank you, putta."
By the end of the afternoon, they had completed all their shopping—jewellery, clothes for the upcoming weddings, comfortable daily wear, footwear, handbags, and watches.
As they loaded the shopping bags into the car, Manu looked at the pile and joked,
"I think we've done enough shopping for one entire year."
Everyone laughed.
Nagaraju started the car.
"Maybe."
"But every item we bought today has a memory attached to it."
Akshata looked at the shopping bags beside her.
She smiled quietly.
Her first professional earnings had not only become savings and investments—they had also become cherished memories shared with the people she loved most.
The weeks that followed were peaceful.
For the first time in many months, Akshata didn't have to rush between school, overseas assignments, and training schedules.
Her summer holidays had become a time to slow down and enjoy being at home with her family.
Even though she had a break from school, she didn't stop following the habits she had built.
Every morning began with her exercise routine.
She continued the flexibility, posture, and strength exercises recommended during her IMG training, followed by a healthy breakfast.
In the evenings, she attended her online French classes.
She wasn't trying to learn everything at once.
Her goal was simple—to improve a little every day.
The relaxed routine gave her more time to help her mother around the house, read books, and spend time with Manu.
Soon, the family wedding that everyone had been preparing for was only a few days away.
Since all three families would be attending, preparations began in full swing.
Akshata's mother preferred getting traditional clothes stitched rather than buying ready-made outfits.
She visited their trusted local tailor with carefully selected silk fabric.
For Akshata, she had a beautiful silk skirt and matching silk top stitched in a traditional style that was elegant and suitable for the family function.
For herself and her mother-in-law, she selected matching blouse fabrics to complement their silk sarees and gave them to the tailor for stitching.
A few days later, the tailor called to say everything was ready.
When they brought the outfits home, Akshata eagerly tried hers on.
"It fits perfectly."
Akshata twirled once in front of the mirror.
"I love it, Amma."
The next stop was the accessories shop.
To complete the traditional look, Akshata carefully chose matching glass bangles in shades that perfectly complemented her outfit.
She also selected a few elegant bindis and simple hair accessories.
Her mother smiled while watching her.
"You've started paying attention to every little detail."
Akshata laughed.
"I learned that from modeling."
"The outfit isn't complete until everything matches."
Her mother nodded with a smile.
"That's true."
Back home, they opened the jewellery boxes. And started to select what suits their outfits.
The simple gold chain, pendant, and bracelet blended beautifully with Akshata's traditional outfit.
Her mother choose the graceful necklace Nagaraju had gifted her. And kept a necklace for her mother in-law. And her daughters jewellery together.
As the family admired the completed look, Nagaraju smiled.
"I think we're finally ready."
Manu looked at everyone and laughed.
"So... does this mean there won't be any more shopping?"
Akshata and her mother looked at each other before smiling.
Neither of them answered.
Nagaraju burst into laughter.
"Son..."
"For a family wedding..."
"Shopping is never truly finished."
Everyone laughed together, filling the house with warmth and excitement as they looked forward to celebrating the upcoming family function with their relatives.