Trauma of First Degree!!

After my retail therapy yesterday - i was all excited and also as it was slightly cold I decided to wear my new jacket on my way back home . Ok so i took out tags from all the clothes i had bought, put them in one smaller bag and wore the new jacket and set out for bus stop. I met a collague in the elevator - we talked and walked in our own directions after byes and good evening wishes. Little did i knew at that time how the coming evening was going to be. I walked to the bus stop, stood there waiting for the bus. Secretely i was trying to look at my reflection in the glass sides of the bus stop to see how i was looking in my new jacket and as i turned........

The guy standing there asked me a question - "Is your jacket new?" My heart skipped few beats - i was confused and thinking is it so nice and looking so new? Or Did he see me admiring it in the reflection in the glass sides? Or is there something wrong with it? Inspite of all these million questions popping up in my mind - i replied in most calm and composed way - " Yes - it is."

And guess what - He replied - " There is a price tag hanging there - you forgot to take it off"

OH MY GOD !! I wished I could vanish somehow. I am sure i would have turned red in embarrassment. Not only had it a tag hanging but it also revealed that i bought it in sale at a very low price. Regaining my composure and pulling out the tag instantly I replied in a split second - "Oh - Thank you. I was feeling cold, so I just bought it." (Ahh..that sounded like a relief to me and convincing reply to him) So he just said "Oh - I see " and turned away.

Oh I could not stand there. I felt glances of everyone around fixed on me. But I maintained my looks of not even giving a damn thought about it. Inside me were more doubts and restlessness growing up. I started to feel there were more tags hanging and I am still standing with them on. I wished I could take off the jacket and check it thoroughly. But my external gestures were so convincing about me not bothering about it at all that I felt weird taking off the jacket and checking it for more tags.

And as if I hadn't had enough - the bus was late. I had to stand and pretend absolutely normal for next 10 minutes(believe me it felt like 10 hours). But when the bus came, i took it and guess what - Got down at the next stop. I waited for that bus to go away. Took out my jacket and scrutinized it like it might have hidden jewels inside hidden pockets. Only after 10 minutes of detailed study - i was convinced and put it back.

Because of this trauma of hanging tags - i not only missed my next bus but train too. So it took me long time to reach back home.

And obviously I was really traumatised. This morning when i left home. I got those thoughts back- what if what I am wearing today also has some tag hanging.I kept looking side to side if I could see something. I tried to look at my reflection in the glasses on the metro stop and train window. Every look and stare from anyone around made me think there was some tag hanging somewhere on me.

It's only when i reached office- looked on all sides in the big mirror in the ladies room, I felt relieved.

I hope the trauma is over!!