8 - Card Glitch

The bustling mall was filled with shoppers enjoying their day when their gazes shifted to Sahan. Sahan had confidently approached the cashier at that trendy clothing store with a stack of clothes in his hands. He handed over his credit card, expecting a smooth transaction but the declining and on the top of that being 100th customer for free shopping was an utter insult. 

Sahan's eyes widened, and a wave of disbelief washed over him. He blinked once more, as if trying to comprehend the situation. The cashier exchanged an awkward glance with the person behind Sahan, who suppressed a chuckle. Danny and Jenny were enjoying the whole situation which coincidentally was in their favour. Sahan had made a fool out of himself with that much shopping.

Sahan was trying to remain composed when he asked the cashier once more time. Danny and Jenny had been filming him by that time and Sahan knew that this time it would be worse. He was not an ordinary man now but a freaking Zaydel family’s heir and he could not afford to be ridiculed in the news.

“Uh, could you try it again? There must be some mistake.” The cashier swiped the card again, but the result was the same, declined. The cashier returned the card and started to pack the stuff as the free gift. “I'm sorry, sir. It's still not going through. But no worries, I shall pack your stuff. Thank you for shopping here!” 

Sahan's face flushed red with embarrassment. He glanced around, noticing the growing line behind him and the amused expressions on the faces of other shoppers. Muffled laughter started to echo in the background when Danny seized the opportunity to tease him even more. “Looks like someone's maxed out their card! Or perhaps stole it and now the owner blocked it.” He mocked, knowing that the Sahan he knew could never own a card at all so it must be stolen.

Jenny could not stay behind and called out to him teasingly. “Maybe you should switch to window shopping. Because possessing clothing from here in real life is beyond your pathetic status, Sahan.” Sahan's shock turned into a mix of frustration and humiliation. He fumbled through his wallet, hoping to find another card which was given to him by Mark.

Sahan spoke nervously and began rummaging. “Just give me a moment. I have another card here somewhere.” The laughter around him intensified, and Sahan's cheeks burnt with embarrassment. A group of teenagers nearby share sly glances, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Sahan could not manage to find another card in time, when the cashier handed over the bags. “I am sorry, sir. I have no time to run another bill for the same customer. Here are the clothes. Good day!” Reluctantly Sahan grabbed his bag of clothes, avoiding eye contact with the judgmental gazes around him. As he walked away, he could still hear the laughter echoing through the mall, leaving him with a lingering sense of shame.

Sahan entered his room and threw all the bags on the bed, the weight of the embarrassing incident still lingered in his mind. He tossed the shopping bag onto the bed once more time in anger and slumped onto a chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The echo of laughter from the mall continued to play in his mind. He could not bear the insult head suffered due to Danny and Jenny being there including the videos they had clicked.

Sahan continued to talk to himself when he fished out the card to look at it. “How could this happen? This is so embarrassing. There must be some glitch in the transactions.” Just then, the door swung open, and Mark, Sahan's right-hand man and close friend, entered with a determined look on his face. He was appointed to assist in things so Sahan could have access to everything smoothly.

Mark knew he had been having issues in doing things, he glanced at Sahan sympathetically while speaking to him. “Rough day, boss? How did shopping go?” Sahan shot him a glare, clearly not in the mood for jokes. Mark had already gotten the notification for the bounced transaction and could guess what might have happened. He spoke sincerely. “There was a glitch in the system, and it affected a bunch of cards at the mall today. The card itself has no issues, young master.” 

Sahan's eyes widened in disbelief. How worse his luck could be? Did all that was supposed to happen at that time? How come bad luck followed him there? “A glitch? Are you serious?” He got annoyed upon hearing that while raking through his hair. 

Mark nodded immediately and explained the situation ahead. “Dead serious. Your card wasn't the only one, young master. It happened to a lot of people after your transaction was declined. Rest customers had to go empty handed.” Relief washed over Sahan's face, and he leaned back in his chair, exhaling a long breath. “Well, that explains it. I thought it was only my card.” He was sure that Danny’s card would be declined too, hence saving his face. 

Mark bowed while he moved ahead. He handed Sahan a new credit card, neatly encased in a sleek black envelope. He took out the card cheerfully. ‘I took the liberty of sorting out a replacement. Activated and ready to roll.” Sahan took the card, a grateful smile breaking through the remnants of his earlier embarrassment.

Sahan glanced at him with a grin and nodded. “Thanks, Mark. You are a lifesaver.” Whereas Mark was only fulfilling his duties and simply smiled at him. “That's what I'm here for, boss. Now, let's shake off this bad day. You have got a whole wardrobe waiting for you in that bag.”

Sahan grinned realising that he can salvage the day after all. He shot up from the sofa and headed towards the shopping bag, ready to put the embarrassing incident behind him and focus on the new clothes waiting to be worn. After all, his meeting with Jenny Lind was due soon!