handshake and hug over hilsa

this is a typical weekend scene at the hypermarket... yes, the hilsa can be substituted by bhendi, cabbage or car wash soap, but avid socialising happens on weekends where one is just supposed to go for business, i mean, something that has to be done...
i still haven't figured out why and how one can go beyond the customary hello or hi at the hypermart... i cannot, since i always am in a rush when i step in there since i either am between two tasks or am just struggling to recall what i have to buy -- i go only once a week... the hypermart is not a pleasant destination for me, i go because i have to... so i just need to finish all that i have in mind and am off...
i understand that for many that is the only destination they go to in the week... so it is an outing-cum-shopping-cum-socialising... and no, can't blame them either, but what i dread is getting caught by one such person while i am running at the store... the opening sentence is an accusation, "how come haven't seen me?" while i struggle with the explanation, tugged in with how they are, etc. (i can't go very much beyond this)...comes the next googly, "when is your next trip to India?"... i am unsure, since many a times, it is not yet planned... seeing my unsure answer, "oh, then you are having your in-laws here, am sure"... all these, while i am still strying to gauge the next question and preparing the answer in advance... while they fill me with all the details from their end, son gone to the States, daughter to Australia, we cannot decide where to go next, are we availing of the dsicounted fares to India and so on and so forth...
while i am tired and am waiting to escape, comes the last straw on the camel's back, "have organised a kitty on Thursday... come over with your daughter." i have foolishly attended one or two such parties, felt totally out of place...but now have become smarter and lie glibly, "i already have something lined up... am so sorry,"... i finally escape and am breathing light, so very pleased with myself... and my narrow escape.