I went for a haircut and came back with REALIZATIONS. Also, a cancer story!
The bathroom mirror of our hostel, where I live, is designed in such a way that no matter how worn out you are, you always appear good in it.
It’s when I saw myself in the mirror yesterday, I realized… wait, did I tell you that I went to Noida yesterday? So yeah, I went to my brother’s PG yesterday evening as I want to have a peaceful sleep for once and also, make a plan for 2021. As here in the hostel, parties are a part of everyday life and even though you join them, enjoy there, sometimes all you want is just “SUKOON”!
So yes, for the same reason, I went to his PG, and when I saw myself in the mirror of his room’s bathroom yesterday, I saw all the flaws. From blackheads to the little aging signs, I saw it all.
Also, I noticed that I’m getting bald!
It might be genetic as my father went bald by the time he reached 35, so yes, that might be a thing.
But I did realize yesterday that I’m getting bald and that too in a very different manner. Like from the middle of my head, my hairline is getting thinner and yeah, that’s it!
It’s then, I decided to cut my hair as that will help in impeding the hair fall.
So, I went to the market and saw this signboard:
Hair Cut + Head Massage for men for just ₹100/- The place was looking really premium too, so I thought of giving it a chance. Because usually, I really am a miser when it comes to a haircut. ₹50 is my max budget for it normally.
After sanitizing my hands, I sat on the chair, and the barber came and started playing with my hairs. Not sensually though. But with a look. A look that makes you nervous.
I asked him, “All okay?”
He replied, “No sir! You might soon get bald.”
The thing is I know that I might get bald real soon but it never mattered to me the way it should have.
Actually, I have body shamed myself for almost the whole of my life. It’s not until last year in January, when I realized that “Having a life>>>>>>>>Any flaw you have”.
In my life, I have been into depression. Not just “I’m sad” kinda depression but a real severe depression. I in fact was suicidal at one time in my life. And all of that, I think, has made me the way I am.
These experiences taught me that a mere body flaw isn’t something to cry over. There are far better things to do in life than that, isn’t it?
So, getting back on track again; I was in the barber’s shop and he was telling me about my receding hairline.
He asked me, “How long has been your hairs are falling for?”
I said, “I don’t know. Didn’t notice that much. But since the last March, I guess.”
“Then, you can grow all the hairs back, sir. If it would have been longer it wouldn’t be possible but as it’s only been a year, we can grow it back.”, he said.
I didn’t reply to it and was looking at the things around me. Well, I don’t go to fancy saloons daily na.
“Sir, I’m serious. We have a 6-months-course for people like you, and you can even pay for it in two installments. If we didn’t grow your hair back within 6 months, we’ll pay you all the money back.”, he added.
“How much money are we talking about here?”, I asked. Though I shouldn’t have.
“Only ₹28,000 sir”, he replied.
“Okay, I’ll think about it”, I told him.
“Sir, don’t THINK. Do it ASAP, otherwise, you might lose whatever you’re left with soon. Batao? Should I sign you up?”, he said.
See now, the thing is, you can’t say no to or joke with someone who’s holding a scissor and who you’ve given full liberty to cut your hairs, right? So, I told him that I don’t want it. I just like them the way they are!
“Sir, but you have to color your hair. It’s MUSSSSST. You can’t roam around with these greys”, he said.
“I like it that way only”, I replied. This time, I gave him a serious look too as I was really annoyed with his pushy salesmanship.
He did become silent for a little while after that but then, he again started selling me that “grow your hair back” course.
I want him to learn a lesson, so I made this story up.
I said, “You know, I hardly have a year to live. How does it even matter if my hairs are grey or black, or even if I have hairs or not? I just love them the way they are.”
“Hmm? All okay, sir?”, he asked.
“I have cancer yaar. Next year, same day, I might not even be alive to worry about such trivial hair color things. All I want is to live, you know. If possible, I would, in a flash, give all my hairs in exchange for life. Kaash!”, I acted.
“Sorry sir”, with a dismal look, he replied. And after that, he didn’t utter even a single word.
Though he gave me a really shitty haircut. But hey, he might eventually change the way he was selling his stupid ‘grow your hair back’ course, to anybody else from now on.
And sorry, if this cancer lie has hurt you in any manner. I, in no way, mean to disparage anybody or anyone here. A very close friend of mine has lost her mother due to cancer and I know, it isn’t something to play around but hey, fuck cancer. Let’s just not get all serious or overturn your thoughts because of this shitty stupid fucking disease, CANCER!!! >_<
So yes, this was the whole thing. And writing this, just made me feel good:))
