A Haughty Friend!

Over the past year I have been experimenting with an idea that gripped my imagination due to the fact that I was tired of myself. The idea put simply was to find heart in a heartless world.

Is the oft repeated phrase, that there is good in everyone, a truth or just one of the several untruths we teach our children just because they are "not old enough" to face the truth? My desire was to find out for myself. So I decided on a smile, instead of the frown I had grown used to, having on my countenance.

My first target was an old college colleague who had once thrown an unprovoked, harmless insult my way - that I didn't look as tall I was because I was far too fat! My reaction was typical of me at the time, I simply gave a weak smile and walked away, avoiding her in future. I was an introvert. A cynic. And far too shy to fight back, especially a female opponent. (A convoluted aspect of the all pervading chauvinism?)

This particular girl was tall, good looking and outspoken. She had a haughty air about her, typical of one well aware of her good looks and the effect she had on people, especially the men, who got either weak in the knees or looked up to her as one of the many things unachievable in life.

As fate would have it, we were now working in the same project. She was now a married woman and I was much bolder now having stayed away from home and having worked as a professional. I had been trying to change my hairstyle for sometime now. Since she had a very elaborate coiffure, I assumed she was the best person to ask for some advice.

I walked up to her seat and casually said 'Hi'. She looked up and said a civil 'hi'. I decided it would be best to get to the point so I told her I was planning to change my hairstyle and wanted her advice on what would look good on me since she was quite an expert. Her reply fazed me for a second or two. "I don't think any hairstyle is going to make you look any better." And she said it in the same matter of fact way that she had first hurled her unprovoked, harmless insult. But, I had come with a purpose and refused to be defeated. I said, "Still yaar I'm sure you could suggest something I could do to improve?" It was the first time I saw her expression soften a bit. She said I could try one of the new spiky hairstyles in fashion. I was thrilled! Maybe there was a heart in everyone! So I asked if she knew of a good place where I could get such a hairstyle. She told me of a place in the most up-market place in Kolkata and said that a guy called Rahman did a great job. I was making great progress. I had hardly conversed for a few minutes. Then she added, "But I doubt you'll be able to afford the place!" This was the second time I was fazed. I swallowed a small quantity of spit and replied, "How much does it cost there?" She told me the price and I managed to reply that if it was just for the one time it was okay.

The place she had mentioned was within a few hundred yards of my place of residence and the very place where I got my regular haircut! ;)