Dil ka Bhaichara Supremacy>>>>

A clothing store has recently opened near our home. The space it has rented is infamous for being cursed. Various shops have opened there previously but none survived for more than 4 months. Being an eye witness of the infamous curse, I always felt empathetic to whoever rented it.

Previously a small restaurant had rented that space and served street food items and full meals of Indian and Chinese cuisine. I remember when it opened, I contributed to its business by buying tamatar chaats, chowmeins and rajma chawal. The taste was mid, thus my taste buds suppressed my empathy for the shop. A few months later, after hearing loud sounds and a little commotion, I looked out of my bedroom window and saw the equipment of the restaurant getting loaded in a mini-truck. This was it, another business succumbed to the infamous curse.

So when this new store opened, I developed a soft corner for it. Also a little information about the rental space- it is situated right next to the main road, therefore, suitable for huge customer walk-ins. Its footfall potential and premium location has skyrocketed its rent. Huge rent and little business can kill any newcomer who is about to start. Naturally one feels empathetic for the underdogs. 

When I saw it for the first time, I wanted to tell them about the infamous curse like the lady with a lantern, warning the protagonists of ghost movies against their adventurous trip to a bhoot-bangla which previously was either a mental hospital or a cemetery. I didn't warn them, but secretly wished with all my heart that the new shop survives and thrives. Maybe it was inspired by another character who gives up on convincing and sighs with a Hey bhagwaan inki raksha karna and moves on.

Whenever I passed the shop, my eyes searched for customers. Upon not finding any, I wished Ya Allah, inka accha karna and moved on. I discussed with my mother that atleast we should volunteer to be their customer. I drew previous instances of when a known one opened their shop, my mother brought two overpriced suits just to show her support. We should repeat that same philanthropy here also. 

Turns out my mother also had developed a soft corner for the underdogs. It was decided on our part to visit that store, buy something even of a small value as a token of support. Due to our certain work engagement and asymmetric timings, we weren't able to visit the store but my silent wishes for its success continued. 

Meanwhile, I located my neighbor uncle in the shop. I conceived his presence as someone making curious enquiries or giving unsolicited advice, definitely not as a potential buyer. Still, seeing atleast someone in the shop felt hopeful.

Yesterday, I received a call from my mother that she visited the store and has already purchased four suits. She asked me, if I too wanted something for myself or visit the store personally. I replied with a yes, I would also like to explore its collection after returning from my library. 

After rating my mother's recent purchases and impressed with the designs and pricing, we headed towards the store. As we entered the store, another neighbour was exploring its winter shawl collection. It felt good that finally the customer foot fall has started. 

The shop didn't utilise the full available space, the kitchen of the previous restaurant was still not renovated, it was separated by a wooden wall covered with suit and sweater collection. While glancing through the display, I located a heavily yet delicately embroidered mustard-coloured coat. I tried it, but it didn't fit me. The shopkeeper promised us that he'll check in the warehouse if a larger size is available. 

My mother out of her usual habit to showcase all her suit purchases to our relatives, received orders to buy few more pieces by our relatives impressed with the collection. Second round of exploration started. 

Another neighbour aunty entered the shop with her son to show her support. She too purchased two items and contributed her bit in the success of the new store.

We too bought another round of suits and casually chatted with the owners. I told them, how I convinced my mother to visit the store, the owner told that my mother had informed him earlier that Gudiya ke bolne pe aaye hain. My mother refers to me as gadhi or bitiya not gudiya, but I liked the improvisation. He also told us that one uncle, whom I had previously dismissed as a potential customer, is also very supportive. He purchased suits for his wife and also brought his friends to buy shawls.

While making the final payment, my mother once again reminded him to check for a larger size of coat. He promised us, that I am like his little sister, he'll definitely find one for me. While exiting, we again complimented the shop and the owner gifted me a cute tiny purse which I wanted to check out but forgot somehow. Gifting purse was their way of showing gratitude. Convincing my mother to visit the shop, was my way of showing support.

My mother calls it a marketing gimmick which isn't even 1% of the value of our total purchase. For me, it was an answer to my unsaid devotion and silent wishes for the success of the store. I needed a wallet because my phone's new back cover isn't flexible enough to store small amount of cash in it. I wished to purchase a wallet on my next DIY store visit but again the universe conspired differently, gifting me a wallet on the same night. I guess, this was universe's way of showing its presence.

This write-up isn't about the universe, it's about community. Apart from the amazement caused by the universe, I am more drawn to the collective community strength shown by our support to break the infamous curse of the shop. I guess, our entire neighborhood has developed a soft corner for the underdogs. Also, It feels nice to support someone wholeheartedly, without any expectations. 

Ending this with a hope, that our community support stays strong, dil ka bhaichara continues, and the curse finally breaks with every footfall in the shop.