The ABCs of Life

Once upon a time, Anys, Ady and Aya had enough of their hectic daily routine. So though it’s raining and the day is freezing cold, they decided to have a break and left home, driving Aya’s Mondeo to the city centre nearby.

This is the first time ever Aya had an outing without her little darlings. I repeat; WITHOUT her little darlings! It was Ady’s idea that Aya should take a breather and she has been asking her to go out and indulge herself in the creamy tasty Shakeaway milkshakes for ages; but only yesterday the bright thought had its chance to be realized. Aya’s hubby was a sport to take care of the kids and let them have the car out for a treat.

So the girls drove their car to the city centre and started their short take-a-break day out.

They walked up to the Bargate from the Eastgate car park. Stopped at Ecco for Ady wanted a feel of a pair of new boots without buying any then. It was just for a ‘feel’ ;). Later on, they moved up to the entrance of the ‘famous’ Shakeaway after ’surveying’ some sweaters and coats but these funny people… NONE of them have cash in their lovely purses and bags! Hihihi …

So they went out of the complex to get some money from the electronic banker while Aya tried getting her prescribed medication from Boots the med-store and repair her hubby’s old spec at the nearby spec-masters. To no avail, the medication (was again) not in store and the spec-shop was on holiday but thank God at least the girls got their money out. The festive scenery at the heart of the city was also exciting. There were stalls and sales everywhere.

They were off to Primark for no apparent reason. Though Aya wanted a new pair of socks; the last thing she had in her mind was to shop in a clothing store. Anys was the one having all the fun while Ady was her fashion advisor, free of charge. (You should have charged her for taking so much time choosing ;)).

Aya got herself two pairs of socks that she needed and while the other were busy in their own worlds, Aya was ‘lost’ in rows of clothes not knowing what to do or what to shop. Shopping is not her thing and shopping for herself is something she didn’t have in her dictionary. She did have a peek on some lovely coats for her hubby, and some nice pants for her little princess but since shopping has always been a family activity she was ‘lost’; indecisive and unprepared of the spending task. (Is she a woman or what? :P)

She later spent the rest of the hour waiting for both Ady and Anys before queueing to pay her stuff. Ady and Anys later joined her out and make their way to their primary ‘intention’ of breakaway at the Shakeaway.

But no, it’s not yet time of indulgence. There’s a handmade cosmetics store to check out. So the girls went in to be amazed of the nice smelling cosmetics that looked more like chocolate bars and wobbly jellies. It was a nice and interesting experience but the stuff were quite expensive for the girls to try out. Maybe next time when they really have cash ;).

At last, it’s Shakeaway time and the girls had their orders; all of different likes. Aya got an extra request for her family at home so they bought four different kinds of creamy tasty Shakeaways and walked out. It was already past 3pm and they really need to go home for prayers and other waiting jobs. Thank God, Alhamdulillah only when Aya reached home that her little darlings woke up.

It was a great day for Ummi and an easy task for Abi praise be to Allah. All thanks to Abuhandzalah for understanding and the driving machine. Thanks to Ady-the mastermind and driver, and Anys-the sporty companion for yesterday’s great day out. It was a breather, a nice simple way to refresh and rejuvenate a tired soul that’s always struggling to get things right.

*Aya: Never call me that. But that’s half my mid-name ‘borrowed’ for this story