Ariani Boutique in Shah Alam
10 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
My mom is attending an old friend’s daughter’s wedding tomorrow, and she wanted to get a new tudung for the occasion. But she was really busy today, that she delegated the job to me…”pi lah cari kat Ariani tu, ambik je mana-mana yang sesuai dengan baju Mak.” Was thinking to myself, “wah! Ariani dah ada kat Shah Alam, bestnyer! tak payah susah-susah going to their shop in KL.” I was in such a rush to go out, that I didn’t even ask my mom, where excatly the shop was. Plus, I was confident that I saw it passing by a row of shophouses near section 9.
So there I was, driving round in circles, around section 9, and the Ariani Boutique was not in sight. Then I saw a yellow bunting, by the roadside. Which was advertising Jakel’s new store in Jalan Plumbum section 7, near UiTM. Yay! Where there is Jakel, the shop near it would be Ariani.
Not being around in Shah Alam (and Malaysia) for a year, this was the first time that I’d been to this new cluster of shophouses, all decked in funky colours. And the shops, Jakel and Ariani was well in front facing the main road, so you cant miss it as you’re driving by. Finding parking was not easy- but mind you it was a Saturday. 
Went in, and as usual, their collection was quite impressive, all the colours of the rainbow, in different materials both for the tudung and the awning.The shop was already bustling with tudung-clad ladies, jostling each other trying to find the PERFECT tudung, to match their outfits/baju kurung. *Sigh* dejavu of a saturday afternoon at Munawwarah sometime ago. Now I remember why I don’t like to go shopping for tudung on a weekend. The big crowd is a real turn off! 
As I already have my mom’s baju kurung with me, I already know what colours to go for, now I just need to find the one with the required length and thai-silk awning.
A sales girl in vivid blue eye shadow and matching Ariani tudung studded with diamantes, came to assist me stand by my side. But either their stock was so laku, or quite limited, or she wasn’t really making an effort, she couldn’t find the size M turqoise colour thai silk tudung that I’d requested. As I was in a hurry to make my purchases – I was a bit chuffed. So I decided to settle for a two-toned pastle pink thai silk one instead. Hopefully Mummy will like it. 
At the counter, as I was paying for my purchase, a familiar face came up to me and said, “Muka you familiar lah, macam pernah jumpa “.
Smiled. what a cheesy line (thought to myself). Layan je la. “Mungkin kat Jalan TAR kot“. I recognise him as one of the sales staff at their shop in Jalan TAR.
“Eh mana, semua tudung Ariani you?” Damn! I realised I was wearing my long tudung selendang from Jordan. “Dah lama tak beli kat Ariani. ” Quick save. He then proceeded to show me, a beautiful selendang “bubble”, “Cuba you tgk ni, cantik, kalau you nak I bagi special price.” Which was from like 125 ringgit to something like 90 ringgit. Smile. Mmg cantik (said to myself), “Dari mana ni?” “Syria“. Wow! Mahalnyer, (thought to myself) If pesan kat Aya, maybe can get wayyy cheaper from Arabella Mall in Irbid. Politely refused, took my purchase and made a quick exit. All the while making a mental note to myself. Better pesan loads of tudung from Aya before she comes home.
Peekaboo!!