Hair-Raising Story

My unsuccessful attempts in growing my hair.

attempt 1:
In India:- at end of engineering, the long break before I leave for cali

Long hair suddenly fascinates me. I suddenly want to get those long locks like John Abraham and Arjun Rampal. So what if I am a good 3-4 inches shorter in height than them and I can never grow those muscles. Growing hair is not rocket science. Its the easiest thing. Or so I felt then.
After two months of seeing my hair grow and ugly stares from Mom and lectures on being sober by Dad, I still resist. The mission was only half complete.I wanted those locks. But the curls and wavy nature of my hair bugs me, and it got real messy, so I thought of going to the salon to get it set properly with a nice IN hairstyle. I went to the expensive salon in vicinity. A female was ready with the scissors. I'd never had a female cut my hair before, so I was nervous then.
She asked me , What style do I want?
Behind, a female ready to get a haircut was explaining to her hairdresser.. layered cut, step till shoulder -then double layered or something like that. I was surprised that there can be such descriptions too. I was zero in hair-cutting terminology. I had always gone to the galli waala 20 rs modest cubicle and always told "Chhota Kaato Uncle". I didnt know anything else.
So when faced with the question- what style-, I didnt want to appear dumb by taking time. (Repuatation ka sawaala tha! :P) So , I answer, (as if it is reflex action) - "I'd like it short."
Yea..Harakiri.. Suicide.
And before I could collect my thoughts and change my mind, she used the machine right at the front and grazed off a meaty portion. Irreparable Damage had been done. I had left home a hero and returned back like a defeated soldier, head hung low. But I vowed, I'll be back with my long hair.

Attempt 2:
In USA now

No one to block my attempt now. The opinion of friends was divided whether long hair would suit me. Even it was zero FOR, I still had to do it. I had promised myself. I endured for more than 4 months. Day by day, the mop looked like uncut grass..dry and longish. Still, it was not long enough to be satisfactory for me. Again, I decided my hair needs to be set. This time, I will decide what I need to say. The mistake won't be repeated.
This time , I had to deal with a Chinese fem. I spoke slowly and asked her a couple of irrelevant questions. I needed to be absolutely sure if she understood English. She seemed fine, not great, but I was confident she could do a decent job. But, I overestimated. She cut it much more than I desired. Again, I was almost shattered. I felt like losing a limb. Worse, I had to give her a tip too.

Attempt 3

2 mnths after the previous attempt, when the length again looked luscious and full, I had to go back to India for a break. I decided-no haircuts-whatever they say. Mom n Dad didnt really say anything when they came to the airport. They were more than happy to have their son back.
But next day, when my mom was waking me up, she ran her fingers through my hair, and from her touch I could make out she wasnt happy.
So, it was time for another sacrifice. Went to the 20 rs stall (its 30 rs now). Same uncle. Hes been doing this all his life. "Uncle-chhota kaato" He did as instructed.

But my persistence hasnt faded just yet. A much stronger serious attempt is about to come. No female , no chinki can come in the way now!! No more setting now!

helllllos from Mumbaaaaii

Mumbai is advancing. People are getting sophisticated. I was sitting in an autorickshaw and experiencing a bumpy ride (monsoon season) .When the auto hit a bump more ferocious than the rest and the entire vehicle was in air for more than 3 seconds, the driver shouted out "Fuck!!" Last year, I remember, their warcry was always "Aichi/Aichya followed-by-something" :P
Their tastes are improving too. Atif is the new hero. He has totally replaced Himes Reshammiya.
Maybe they all like his "Dard waali awaaz" and it helps them reduce their dard.
I was unsure if the auto fares had changed, so after I reached, I asked "Kitna hua?"
He (driver) replied ," Minimum"
"Minimum kitna hota hai?? "
He looked at me with a mean look and shouted , "9 rupees" (He seemed sure that I was just acting and wasting his time and wanted to disrupt his pan-chewing ecstasy.

Seeing my California tan, folks back home (aunts and uncles) have seriously begin to doubt if I actually ever went to USA. They very strongly believe that when a person goes to USA, he always returns back atleast 2 shades fairer. It happened to my uncle too. (He lives in Chicago..where its freezing half the year ) I am sure they must be thinking I have tricked them all and instead doing manual labor work in Dubai or Kenya. I have instructed my parents to change their standard greeting dialogue from "Beta abroad gaya hai" to "Beta California gaya hai padhne".
I was subject to vertical scanning 4-5 times to observe the slightest change. No accent. No weight change. No appearance change. Only tan. Highly disappointing :P