Love at Aldo's

By: Abeer Parkar
19-March-2010

Something’s bothering me and I really don’t know what. I think a lot is happening at one go. Good stuff and bad. So I think I need a new Aldo bag. Having a good-looking bag gives me such a boost of confidence. I first got my bag last summer, 2009. Every where I went with it, people complimented my beautiful Aldo bag. Those compliments meant a lot; because I fell in love with that bag, it was love at first sight and here's how it all started.....

I was strolling around Square One with Mom. It was the first time Mom and I went on a shopping spree. I had just returned from India. Obviously I had brought back new clothes and “stuff” for myself. But I don’t know why I was so obsessed with shopping that day. I think it was because I had a part time job and was willing to spend around $100 on that beautiful Saturday afternoon. My heart kept telling me that this is what I deserve for having worked so hard. I need a break, I need to spoil myself a bit. Mom and I walked into various stores in Square One. I bought clothes from American Eagle and Suzy Shier. Of course, I only bought items which were on sale.

This was a great achievement, I had never bought branded clothes. I’m the usual, Desi immigrant type of person who likes to buy stuff from Walmart. And most certainly I had never bought an Aldo bag. So we were on our way to the food court. And just before I entered it I saw the Aldo store. My Mom told me how she longed to own an Aldo bag. So I suggested we go inside and take a look. Now some of you may already know that there are two Aldo stores, right beside each other. I have no idea why they have two stores and I never bothered asking why. However, we went into the first one. Roamed around, looked at bags, I realized that most of them look like shit and just aren’t my style. I wouldn’t let Mom buy any of those weird looking bags. It had to be the perfect one.

Mom decided that there was no need to buy a bag, there’s nothing good here, let’s just go to the food court and have something to eat. So I said “Fine, let‘s go”. We exited the store. My Mom wasn’t satisfied with the failed bag search. I just knew it. “Oh my! Another Aldo store! Okay Mom, let’s go inside!”. We were going to give it one more try. I cheerfully entered the store, constantly scanning my eyes on the items around me. And there it was. I found the bag. It was love at first sight and guess what, it wasn’t even on sale.

I ran to it like a Bollywood actress who is finally uniting with her lover in a song where he waits half way across the corn field with his arms open for her. I have found you! Finally! Oh how I longed to have a bag like you! It was perfect. Black, my favourite colour too. Huge bag; the straps were thick, joining the carriage part with metal rings. The side pockets were deep! Just the way I like a bag to be. There was a secure part in the middle with a zip. I took the bag off the rack and lo and behold! What is this!? A metallic chrome bag?! It was behind the black one. Wow! It must be my lucky day! Oh this is just marvellous I thought to myself! “Mom! Mom! Buy it, buy the black bag. Please Mom just buy it.” “Wait,” she said, “check the price.” Oh God, I totally forgot, yes the price, I should check the price.

I found the little tag which dangled off one of the metal rings…thirty dollars!? What the hell!? No, no, no! It can’t be! It just can’t…Oh God please don’t do this to me, please! “Hi Ma’am, may I help you?”, it was a sales representative. A white, blonde lady with a kind customer service smile, except hers wasn’t fake. “Oh, it’s okay, we were just looking around, I liked this bag but it’s not even on sale” I said to her sadly. “Well, I can give you five dollars student discount if you’d like” she replied positively. I looked at Mom, she looked back at me. No, not happening. “It’s okay,” I said to the representative, “thanks for your help.”

We exited the Aldo store, disheartened once again. Or wait, wasn’t it just me? My Mom didn’t show much interest in the bag, she did not feel the same way about it. Damn, I don’t even think she liked it as much. We had walked a few metres away and I screamed “Mom wait!”. “What, what happened?” she turned around asking me worryingly. “Mom, I need that bag. I need that bag Mom, I have to buy it before they run out.” “But it’s not even on sale Abeer.” “Yes Mom I know, but I really need it.” “Okay then go get it” she said.

I ran. I ran as if I could hear my bag calling me, wailing in disappointment. “Come back Abeer! Come back to me! Take me away from these shelves where people simply come and look at me! They don’t care enough to take me home! Come back Abeer! Take me away to your world.” “Yes I’m coming, don’t worry dear I’m coming to you, you don’t have to be afraid, you’re not alone anymore!…I’m here, I’m here.” I rushed into the store and to counter. “I’ll take it.” The blonde lady quickly looked up from her paper work, stunned to see me. “Oh you’re back!” she said smilingly. “Yes I am, I‘d like to buy the bag. I just know I have to buy it now, otherwise I‘ll regret it for the rest of my life.” “Haha, okay,” she chuckled. She went to the back and got me a new bag wrapped in plastic. “Is this the one Ma’am?” Oh my God! Yes that’s one I nodded happily. Oh beautiful chrome bag, oh you’re finally going to be mine.

I received a five dollars discount. I wouldn’t care even if I didn’t. Nothing could have stopped me from having it. And now, 10 months later, I still take it with me wherever I go. I never let go, not yet. I promised I’ll be with you forever. I see you’re being roughed up by the daily wear and tear. But don’t worry baggy, I’m going to find one just as good as you. It is time for you to rest now. You’re tearing apart. Soon enough, I will get a job and with my first salary I will buy a new Aldo bag. You will then rest peacefully in my wardrobe amongst 15 other bags. I will not throw you away. You will be mine forever, just like I promised. And I’ll always be there for you the way you’ve been for me.