Chereads / Extortioner / Chapter 23 - Chapter 21: Elena's Shopping

Chapter 23 - Chapter 21: Elena's Shopping

On a Sunday, Selene takes Elena for outdoor shopping. Elena's grandparents accompany them in a Scorpio ride. They all comfortably fit in the car. The car's engine picks up smoothly on a bumpy road. Selene gently rests her fingers upon Elena.

The travel goes smoother and easier. Selene grabs Elena's finger as they come out of the Scorpio. They keep their foot at the Reliance Mall; use its lift for reaching the first floor.

Security's check their temperature and make them sanitise. Selene and Elena walk hand in hand keeping their eyes wide open, while the parents of Selene look into their department of purchase.

Elena runs towards the toys section to grab a bunch of soft toys. Selene picks a blue teddy bear and gives them to Elena. She looks at the teddy and keeps it back on the shelf.

Elena walks through the toy section to grab a panda. Selene closely watches her and gives an unbelievable look.

Selene says... You came for a teddy dear...!!

Elena replies .. no..mummy... Panda !!

Selene: You need this?

Elena: Yes mummy !!

Selene could see the panda with black eyelids and black paws; it wears a yellow shirt with stripped whites.

Selene says... Ok... take your Kungfu Panda... (smiles).

Elena's eyes gleam with happiness. Kungfu Panda was the word that Selene used more often when Elena was a baby. She feels Elena has recalled her memory to get one.

Selene moves to the next counter to get a pack of tea light candles and candlewood incense for her rituals.

Elena keeps picking up a pink dinosaur, a yellow football, and a blue elephant. Selene walks to her dad's counter to have a look. Her dad gets two foldable beds for their home. The purchase comes to a halt with their billing. Selene takes Elena to get panipuri and ice cream.

Selene opens her mouth to engulf a piece of puri (small crispy Rotis) dipped in spicy pani (water). The yummy panipuri opens her weary eyes. Elena asks for a strawberry cone ice cream and Selene gets it for her.

The strawberry cream is spruced upon the cone in a bright pink colour. Elena opens her mouth to lick the dripping cream. She holds the cone in a tissue and with enthusiasm slowly licks the cream every single second.

As the strawberry cream gets over, she munches the crunchy cone and finishes her eating with a sense of satisfaction. They travel to a Sento park down the lane. Elena's curiosity arouses as she enters the park, those eager eyes watching a big dinosaur placed at one side of the park, the swings, slides and benches occupied by people.

Elena jumps and run towards a swing holding her mom's hand. When they reach near the swing, Selene makes her sit on the swing and slowly moves back and forth. Elena screams when she goes higher in the swing and smiles when she reaches back to Selene.

Elena goes to the slide with those fluffy peach dresses clinging to her body. Selene gently pushes her off the slide to make her move. Elena slides smoothly and runs to climb the stairs of the slide again and again. She gets fun playing around the park. 

Our next game was a seesaw (teeter-totter), that had a narrow board fixed in the middle, was longer and placed above the ground. Elena sat on one end of the seesaw and Selene held her hands on the other end. When Selene pulls the handle of the opposite side, Elena goes up. And when she leaves her hand Elena comes down. The seesaw thing continued to happen back and forth,  as Elena was having great fun playing the seesaw.

Selene could see few love birds sitting in the park.  She could hear both the birds speaking in a lovey-dovey language.  One love bird had white feathers with a green tail and the other bird was blue with a brown tail. The birds were so much in love with their counterparts that they even shared their food. Selene could see the male love bird plucking cherries from the tree and feeding its lady love with those cherries. The female ladybird gave a peck to its partner. Selene was sneaking out to watch the wonderful sight. She could feel the bond and connection felt between those birds and felt that she wasn't in a stance to be in that type of love with Kane.  She always expected a lovey-dovey talk with her partner, but her counterpart was the direct opposite of expressing his love towards her. She goes into those wild thoughts where Kane laid his head on her lap and she sways her fingers all through his hair.

Every little part of her wanted to feel Kane's love.  But she knew love happens with a flow, no need for compulsion. She also knew that spark was needed in their relationships as their priorities and expectations keep changing in life. Selene got adapted to her mother's house and she felt love in their home. As Selene gotta know " Love is family "and "heart is the home" where her family resides.

Selene had a wonderful dad and mom to support her in every little decision she takes as they believed her.  But she did not have such a supportive family in Kane's home. Kane's parents only loved him and expressed their anger over Selene. Her in-laws dominated her and tried to keep her under their control. Even Kane's salary was going on his parents bank accounts, even after their wedding. Kane doesn't give a penny to Selene, all he does to express his love was getting her valuable stuffs. But Selene wasn't contented with that life, she felt as if she was serving as a slave to them, besides her talents and powers. She felt powerless in her in-laws home, as she felt two queens can't survive under the same roof.

Rosalin was a dominating mother-in-law, trying to manipulate Kane and keep Selene under her control. Whenever Selene tries to do something good, Rosalin taunts her, scolds and disrespects her. Selene wanted her respect back, so she stood on her feet.