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While Kiran was with us, Karan was also here as he got a job in Delhi after his graduation in Computer Sciences. He had still maintained his turbaned look, though he visited the barber to thin out his hairs from the middle (something like the Chelsea style- except that the hair along the forehead and the neck area was longer to cover up the head). He liked it as it served many a purpose: he was contended to maintain the turban; it was cool during summers as it was light; his head bath was never a problem and he could have frequent showers; he could connect with the Gen X while on holidays or company day outs as he could have versatile head gear and even caps. He thanked his mother, Alka no end for devising such a novel way. He had actually got two more of his friends to adopting this ‘surd look’ They were very much into this way as it kept their families out of their hair.

But Kiran was always after her brother Karan to do away with the turban and always told him how easy it was for her and Pardeep and how more ‘international looking’ and all encompassing it was. This bantering continued even now and she was tempting him when ‘uncle’ barber came over for her buzz cut and also for re-initiating Arman. She actually contemplated cutting off the teeny-weeny tail of hair at night so that Karan had no option but to go to the barber. But we asked her to put it off. It was his life and his choice. She threatened that she would look out for a life partner for him who would consider him only when he goes clean-shaven. She, however, got a shock of her like when Karan introduced Navjot to her one evening. Kiran was astonished and in a way stunned to meet Navjot who was way above average and had lustrous, straight, long hair beyond her waist. Kiran was a direct contract to Navjot in this aspect. Otherwise they hit it off from day one!

Now, Karan and Navjot were classmates and she belonged to a traditional minded Sikh family of Delhi. Both got close during their college days and were going steady for more than three years now. They had been visiting each other’s places and were well acquainted with the ways of both the families. Navjot was happy to see our ‘mixture family’ (as she named us) and Karan was spoken about well in her family. We were sure about them being together for life and had given the go ahead to Karan; but Navjot was not sure about her family saying ‘yes’.. The only point was the way with our hair; though she had always mentioned into her family about our non-conventional ways.

Even Alka was in contrast as she had been maintaining a shorter boy cut ever she got her hair buzzed to coincide with Arman’s Tirupati tonsure. But she was open and did not mention anything to Navjot as she probably remembered her days when she had long hair. But Kiran had made no secret of the fact that she disapproved of Navjot’s long hair and even named Navjot – ‘Devi Ma’. On the sly and away from Karan’s earshot she always called her by that name. To her she somehow resembled an Indian Goddess with long open hair! Navjot, however, liked to wear her hair loose and curly, in a long ponytail or a tight braid or up in a twisty bun.

Kiran had taken every opportunity to ask Navjot when she was going to get her hair cut, and smarten herself up. She had gone so far as to offer to pay for a haircut, and had also nagged Karan about why he didn't put his foot down, and insist that Navjot got a 'presentable' haircut, and keep it that way. Alka had responded that, whilst she too would like to see her future daughter- in -law looking respectable, with a neat and tidy short haircut, it was really up to Navjot; and as long as she kept her hair tidy, and dressed nicely, she wouldn't make her get it cut. All in all, Navjot was sure that her sister-in-law would be pleased to finally see her ‘bhabhi’ with short and neat hair, but she was understandably nervous about exactly the reaction she would get.

Navjot, however, used to look at all the other people around her who had cool and trendy haircuts, and used to think, if ever she would get the opportunity to display her hair with such pride and grace. But in her family, cutting the long tress was a big no no. It is considered that girls coming from respectable families never cut their hair. This is what was told throughout her childhood. She still remembered the days when her mother used to wash her hair religiously and then drying used to take about 1-2 hours and then came the worst part....COMBING . It was a very painful and tiring process and her hair used to get entangled very badly and there used to be a lot of screaming and shouting in the house. The same was the case with her brother and younger sister. Navjot had once discussed this with her sister but she could not help out in any way, even though she harbored similar feelings at times. But Navjot could not muster enough courage to talk with her brother.

Her sister and she were both tired of having long hair, but they could not utter a word about cutting their hair in the house, as their family was very strict and a strong believer in Sikhism. Both on the other hand respected their religion a lot, but the hair was the worst part about it. So the dreams of having a nice and trendy cut were just a dream for her sister and Navjot. Her sister’s hair was a few inches past her waist and her hair texture was similar to Navjot’s. Guess you will be able to understand the pain of understanding such long hair.

But inspite of all this they bore the pain and lived in a world of dreams. Secretly they hoped that someday they might get an opportunity to get their way with things. And Navjot never thought of the dream coming true when she got into a relationship with Karan. He was a strapping young man and his turbaned personality stood out among many. Navjot and Karan just drifted towards each other and stayed on and on. Their steadiness grew and finally the families agreed for the nuptial ceremonies. Though Navjot’s parents were a little wary of the living style of Karan’s family especially in relation to their maintaining of Sikh traditions. But they thought went ahead as it was Navjot’s happiness that was of prime consideration. And after all they were also from the Sikh stock.

So it happened. And the D-Day dawned and they were pronounced man and wife.

(Navjot’s version In First person) While at the parlour dressing up as a bride I wondered if I could share my fears with the lady in charge. She came and helped me with suggestions as to how I would be most impressive and gorgeous. In great nervousness I shared that I would like to get waxed all over as most of my friends had suggested so. She understood my predicament but said that she was also from a Sikh family but had now got bold enough to venture into the world. If she could get other ladies to change their outlook why should she be barred from it, herself? Of late, she had also trimmed her hair, as this was the best advertisement for her parlour. And kept very well groomed ladies/girls as professionals to help out at the parlour. I asked that my sister to be allowed with me during my preparations. There were a number of sittings and after a week I was transformed. I felt at pleasure with myself and hoped it would be a surprise for Karan.
My body was waxed and I had a clean feeling, as never before. My hair was trimmed and straightened and looked attractive. Also in the process it was shortened by about 6”. The initial nervousness was overcome, as I knew Karan would not object and whatever opposition would be there, could be endured for the short time. My sister also had an opportunity and got her hair trimmed to about 2” above her waist. I must admit that her hair was looking very nice and it had become very silky and smooth. Just like the type of hair we always desired to have.

Throughout our school life we had made many plans to get our hair chopped but every time we thought of executing our plans, we had a major nervous break down and never cut our hair. Now our plans were taking shape. My sister had always complained to me that she could not cope up with her long hair and her studies at the same time, as it used to take her at least 1 hour in the morning to get herself ready for the lectures. She said that she was more than willing to get her hair chopped but she wanted my approval. Now we were ‘partners in crime’.

Karan and myself were on our own just two days after marriage and sprinted off to a holiday. There Karan adopted a cap for daily wear as it was convenient and they were actually there to laze around and enjoy their new found solitude. One day while strolling around Navjot spotted a Unisex Saloon and mentioned to Karan that she wanted to snip off a bulk of her hair and would like if Karan were present when the transformation took. So the Unisex saloon was the most appropriate place. Karan was apprehensive at first mainly b’cos he did not relish the response Navjot’s family would have. They might get wrong signals leading to some bitterness so early in their married lives. After hearing this Karan actually became very restless and the entire night could not sleep - thinking about it. But Navjot was insistent and had actually set up an appointment, unknown to Karan. She also added that one of her friends had chopped off her mid-back length hair and for the 1^st two weeks her family was very angry with her but after that people started to pass compliments about her looks and that she now looked much beautiful after the cut, that her parents also accepted the fact and her hairstyle. Navjot also wanted that Karan should unturban himself, as he was already more than half way through. His modified ‘Chelsea cut’ was a novelty, no doubt but she liked a clean look and also when she ran her hands over his head, there would be no obstruction. She actually wanted to ruffle his hair in passion. Finally Karan relented and they partied the pre night session. The next morning I went into the bathroom and started washing my hair. My hands were trembling when I was washing my hair, as this would be the last time she would be washing her long hair. After washing I sun dried my hair and tied it in a ponytail. On reaching the Saloon all the barberettes drooled at the length and thickness of her hair.

We were told to sit on the chair and we silently took our seats. Soon the barberette, Suzie, signaled to us and we were motioned to one of the chairs. I nudged Karan to be first. She caped him and then she disappeared for about 5 minutes. When she came back she had a small box in her hands. She placed the box on the counter in front of us and opened it. Out of it came 2 pairs of scissors, 3 types of combs and a set of electric clippers. The sight of all this sent a chill down my spine. The stylist turned towards Karan and asked if she should just snip off the knot or he wanted to open it up. As she awaited an answer, she was playing with the topknot and was surprised to feel the lightness of it. She jut untied the hair and asked if we were ready for the change and Karan nodded. The stylist turned her clippers on and dug them into Karan’s already shortened hair. I skipped a heartbeat at the sight off all the remaining hair dropping on the floor. Within 3 minutes the hair was reduced to a buzz cut. The stylist was strangely surprised at the way Karan kept his hair. She confided that on some earlier occasions the boys who untubaned themselves at her saloon had voluminous hair. Now she would offer them with an alternative style – just incase they started to have second thoughts while in the chair. Karan felt light in the head and shook his head with a feeling of relief and then the stylist sprayed his hair with water and started snipping bits of hair all over. In 15 minutes the show was over. The hair had to be buzzed all over to ¼” size all over as the ‘Chelsea cut’ maintained by Karan was very short – actually nearly buzzed at the center of the head. Evened out he looked like a close cropped sportsman!

The stylist then applied warm lather around the neck and also behind the ears. She got a straight razor and cleaned up the nape and the area behind the ears. By doing so, she made a clean cut of the area around the ears and also along the forehead so that there were no straggling hairs/ bristles. But all the same Karan could not resist going over his head with his hands to get the ‘feel’. He was smiling slightly and getting to like it as he could go over his head smoothly.

Then he was to be shaved. He was squirming to be left off but I insisted for the ‘total transformation’. Karan rose from the chair and looked straight into my eyes. I kept staring at him as he was looking soooo…… handsome and I just nudged closer to him and hugged him – much to the surprise of the persons waiting in the Saloon. Karan was coerced into the chair once again and caped. Suzie came back with a beard trimmer and adjusted the blades to the closest size. She ran the trimmer all over his face and neck area. A lot of beard fell off and soon the skin began to show. She then got to the lather dispenser and came back with her hands full of warm lather. She applied it all over his face and what a sight it was. He was the shaved with a straight razor and it was an experience to be shaved by a lady (Karan this shared with me later.) On wiping his face clean with a warm and moist towel after the shave, Karan was a transformed person- cute, like a butterfly just emerged from its cocoon. Suzie ran her hands over his face and found some areas needing to be redone, and the side burns to be done up properly. She now got her Mach 3 razor and redid his face as a dry shave; Karan came out of the chair ‘red in the face’ as his skin was scraped for the first time and smelling nice. It was sucha change that if I was not around, and Karan had gone in for this on his own, I would not have recognized him. He appeared at least ten years younger and to me it was a comic appearance and for a few days I called him a ‘ freshly plucked chicken’. He was feelinfg refreshed and he confessed later he did not regret it even once!

Before I could stop gazing at Karan, my worst fear was in front of me. The stylist turned towards me and opened my hair. On seeing my hair length she said that it was the longest hair she had ever cut .On hearing this I became dual minded and was thinking about backing off. But it was me who had taken the initiative, so could not back out. Suzie started brushing my hair and I was feeling like being the most pampered person on earth. After combing my hair for 5 minutes, even before I could make up my mind she looked at me and asked " are you ready for the big cut?" I was speechless, and before I opened my mouth to utter a word Karan kept his hand on my shoulder and asked the stylist to proceed with the cut. I was totally unaware of the haircut Suzie had panned for me. Karan told me to have faith in her and to stay calm. Suddenly he was playing as if he was the monitoring the whole show! Unlike Karan, Suzie gathered my hair again in a ponytail and then she turned the clippers on. My heart was beating hard. At the sound of the clippers coming to life I shut my eyes and I could hear them approach the back of my neck. I was literally shivering as the clippers dug into my hair just below the rubber bands Suzie had placed to size up the cut spaces.. I could feel strands of hair freeing from the pony and gathering on my cheeks. It was altogether a very different feeling. Something I had never felt before. Within seconds my head was feeling very light and I opened my eyes. To my amazement the stylist had cut my hair at a little below shoulder length and I had short hair all over my face covering it. My head was feeling soo… light. I actually wanted to touch my hair, but could not as I had the cape around me. The stylist picked up the 12” of hair from the floor and teasingly swayed it in front of me. I was emotionless. She kept this alongside her equipments on the counter and I kept looking at it. Again she turned on the clippers and clipped my bangs from my forehead and I could very soon feel the hair falling all over me. Suzie liftred my hair at the back anf pinned a portion so that half of it was left at the back. She srated the clippers and buzzed of the area at the nape where the hairline started. Cold breeze of the A/c was felt on my nape . This was the first time I ever came across this feeling. After moving my head in all direction at the command of the stylist and bits of hair falling like rain in front of me, the show was over and I looked at my reflection in the mirror and tears rolled down cheeks as a new me was visible. My hair which was pinned up was let down and I could feel the emptiness along the neck below and the long hair over it. Suzie once again gathered the longer hair and the cleaned the nape area with a razor.

And our dream had finally come true after all these years. I looked back at my cut ponytail and picked it. It was Heavy and I asked my self a question. " How did I live with this volume and mass all this time".

Karan complimented me and I hugged him and thanked him, as it was all because of his support that we had ‘dream transformed’ ourselves. We paid at the counter and tipped Suzie heavily and bounced back to our hotel. Karan was excited at his newfound freedom and I could not but help looking at him lest I lose him and his newfound appearance. My hair was light and I secretly kept feeling the undercut and the short bangs along the ears, which were so efficiently done by Suzie. I played with my hair as my hair had become a lot bouncier and silkier, just like the hair I always wanted.

It was excitement unbound and as we entered the hotel lobby the staff turned their heads at the arrival of ‘newcomers’. As we entered the hotel room we embraced ourselves in a bear hug, but not before we had put up a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on it.

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