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Hair-raising haircut
"Vanga Sir, Ukkarunga." I did not understand what the person said but still I sat in the seat indicated. It was a Sunday morning and I was in a saloon for a hair cut. I didn't know Tamil as I was from the North. Nearly thirteen persons were waiting before me and there was no other shop open in that vicinity.
The saloon was neat but the furniture looked antique. The chairs were broken and were supported by a piece of wood. There was a radio and the barber played Radio Mirchi.
Suddenly there was a jubilant shout of "Gemini, Gemini". All the other fellows next to me were clicking their tongues, humming and drumming to its rhythm. I thought the hero must have been dancing on the famous Gemini flyover. Now there was another assistant to help the senior barber. Introducing himself as a BTS graduate from the Thangachi University, he classified that he was a bachelor in training and shaving. His senior was an MTS, that is, master in training and shaving from the same university. Slowly the waiting list cleared and it was my turn next. I was tired of waiting for two hours and a half but still stayed on since it was necessary for m to trim my hair as I had an important appointment the next day.
As I moved towards the seat, I was pushed back and a person screamed, "Summa Iru ya, pathu nimisham poru." (wait for another ten minutes). I did not understand the words but retorted back in Hindi, "kya yeh tumhari baap ki dukan hai." (Is this your father's shop?)
Finally my turn came after the person who shouted at me; I sat on the chair that was just 17years old. It was new according to the owner.I was sitting relaxed on the chair as he sprayed something on my head. He asked me if I opted for CFP (Complete Face Package). I screamed, "Amma mujhe bachao" (Mother, save me). He mistook Amma for the Tamil aaman (yes) and gave me a clean shave. He had shaved my face and also did the bleaching but I didn't know it because I was by then fast asleep. I discovered it only from the bill.
Will I ever dare to go to a barber again?
Ashish Mehta, XII
Chennai: Agarwal Vidyalaya Matric H.S. School
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