The Gift

It was women's day the day after and she was teasing him, posing the question -'What are you going to do for the women in your life?' Though she asked generally, they both knew that she was mockingly asking what surprise he has got for her. Back came an equally notorious reply - 'I am not gonna do anything. That in itself is a great gift!'. And the conversation continued with mischievous questions and answers...

A year back....

she was the girl who would think twice about wearing a Kurti and a Jean. Having been brought up by an orthodox family, she grew up thinking salwar-kameez is the decent dress and the modern wear are for extremely thin women and not for chubby people like her. That thought was so inculcated in her that she refused to even think of trying out. Not only it was about the looks, but she was a confused soul. She never felt completely at ease with herself.

He tried so many times to change her absurd mind-set about modern wear. If you wear the right dress and carry it off coolly, there is no such thing as indecent about modern wear. But how will he get her to realize her? He kept on persisting in different ways. He asked her to wear it and show it to only him so that she would be more comfortable. Once he got her to trying, he was sure he can make his way through. He also knew that once she was more comfortable with herself, her insecurities and confusions can be warded off so easily. He just needed an entry point to her closed mind and this dress thing could be it.

Slowly, she started. First with Jean and Kurtis. She saw that it was not bad. Then with experience, improved her fashion sense and the mentality. Then came shirts, t-shirts, formals... It was clear to her that all that mattered was correct selection of the dress, size and judging if she will be able to pull it off. With every step, he was there giving constructive criticism. His was the final ruling. And slowly he made her rethink her decisions, motives in life. She started seeing it. Although the fears ran very deep, she started to see it was not impossible. It was moving mountains, but she felt she could.

A year hence....
She is a totally different person -both by looks and by mind. Not only did he manage to change her mindset about looks, he had managed to make her see sense in many other aspects. Life appeared more beautiful with him. Though she struggles here and there to completely overcome those core habits, she tries-For him. She is a  more confident person. She has left behind the ghosts of her past. He made everything easier for her. She succeeds sometimes, fails sometimes but now she knows. That with a little more effort, someday it would all be smiles.

On women's day, she was getting dressed up to go to office. He was also joining her in a while as their offices are in the same direction. She looked at the mirror for one final touch and did a double take. She was dressed in a black turtle-neck tee, blue jean and pretty grey shrug. Long silver earrings with pearls at the end donned her ears. Her hair was fluttering casually. She could not recognize herself. Was this the conservative woman who was uncomfortable wearing a jean? Was this the woman who was so confused with herself and her life? Definitely not. This woman in the mirror had an air of dignity. She knew that she was working on a lot of aspects but still she had come a long way. She had her identity but somehow she felt she was better now, in all ways.

A smile lit up her face as she realized what he had given her - not only for women's day but for ever.

Until later,

Keirthana :)

P.S: Happy Women's day to all. This post is dedicated to all women and men who treat women with respect and have helped the women in their life in some way or the other.