Size? Virtually no bar

These days teenagers, younger children, working or stay-at-home mothers and everybody else order all their needs and wants online. It could be food, furniture, footwear, fancy jewellery, handbags and, of course, clothes with the greatest of ease. I decided to try my hand at it. I was nervous, I admit.

"Come on, it is not rocket science. Next, babes in arms will be doing it. It is so simple. Try it." I encouraged myself. I was reluctant. I like to shop at two or three select shops, look around, touch, and feel. The salespersons are familiar. And I am comfortable shopping in those places. 

An occasion arose when I decided to test my skills — or lack thereof. It was pouring. My friend's daughter, who was my favourite, had a birthday. I wanted to give her something really nice. She was turning ten and had very decided views on things. Many a time, she had appealed to me, and I had brokered peace between mother and daughter.

I had often thought I would be a credit to the Diplomatic Corps, though there were many who smirked at what I felt. "More like a bull in a china shop" was their unflattering opinion. But anyway, Priya thought otherwise, and that is all that mattered.

To come back to the gift for Priya. I could not go browsing for a gift as the weather was not cooperative. So, reluctantly, I sought the computer's aid. I went to different sites but couldn't find anything that was even remotely nice. Just when I got fed up and was about to shut down the computer, something caught my eye. I enlarged it. It was just what Priya, who had a fondness for T-shirts, would love. It was colourful but not gaudy and did without smart-alecky writing on it. I ordered it after checking the size several times and clicked 'buy'. I felt a sense of achievement.

The parcel arrived after giving me some tense moments during which I worried about whether it would arrive on time. The rain hadn't abated either, and so I couldn't even set out to buy the gift. I was chafing at the bit when the doorbell rang.

I rushed to open the door. It was the courier. I took the parcel and excitedly opened it. It was a sign of my success with online buying. While I was opening the parcel, everyone at home congregated around me. One cautioned me not to tear the label. I glared at him but said nothing. I opened the parcel, and out fell three baby vests! There were hoots of laughter all round me. "For whom is this?" asked a sibling. "Are you sure you ordered the right size? enquired another, with pretended concern. I marched to the computer and showed my order. They looked sheepish and melted away.