Bald Widow and Mr Perfect Barber's Love Story - 1 : English

Jahnvi was 22 when she got married to Santosh. she was an orphan, raised by a caretaker who later arranged her marriage through his old  friend Ramesh. 6 months ago, she came into this house as a bride. The marriage was simple. Life with Santosh was decent and happy. Now Santosh was laying on the bed lifeless. His mother Leela cried aloud. Neighbors gathered near the door. Everyone stood helpless, staring at the dead body, unable to digest the truth. Ramesh’s eyes were wet, but he forced himself to stay strong. He took a deep breath and called Dr. Prakash, the family doctor, and he came within few minutes. He checked Santosh carefully, felt his pulse, even though everyone already knew the truth. He stepped back slowly and looked at Ramesh. “I’m sorry, he is no more.” That was enough. Leela cried out loud again. The house filled with grief. Ramesh wiped his face and picked up his phone calling close friends and relatives, one after another. 

Soon people began to arrive. Santosh’s body was gently cleansed and laid out with care. Relatives placed garlands, and spoke words of condolence. Some cried. Some stood silently not knowing what to say. Jahnvi was asked to sit aside. while she sat quietly, her eyes were fixed on Santosh’s face crying with pure pain. After some time, the male members of the family lifted Santosh’s body. They carried him out to the burial spot. The sound of crying followed them and the house slowly became quieter. Leela came near Jahnvi and said softly, “Jahnvi, come downstairs, we need to talk.” Jahnvi looked up as she felt tired and confused. She knew something serious was waiting for her. Jahnvi sat down slowly with dull eyes from crying. “You are a widow now Jahnvi,” Leela said. Jahnvi looked up at her, confused. “Why are you saying it like that?” Leela adjusted the edge of her saree. “Because Santosh is gone. And you have to follow widowhood.” She told her about the rules like white clothes, No bindi, No jewelry, simple living. 

When Leela mentioned about head shave, Jahnvi looked up in shock. “head shave ah? is that needed?” Her hands trembled touching her head. “I can’t, i cant get my head shaved amma” The tradition felt too much as she had seen widows who were 60+ an she was just 22. Leela nodded “That is how it is done in our family, if you want even i will get my head shaved along with you” she spoke again slowly and tried to convince her. By evening, Ramesh and the others returned after burial. They gathered around Jahnvi and spoke to her. Some gently, Some firmly. All were trying to make her understand that other customs were exception but head shave was must. Jahnvi listened to everyone and after a long silence she agreed. “Ok, i will get my head shaved,” Ramesh called a barber named Sagar as he was from the nearby area. Soon  Sagar arrived at the house with his tools bag. Sagar stepped inside and saw everything arranged and he puts his bag down and removed his tools.

Leela came forward and sat on the chair. She looked tired. Sagar opened his bag, took out the razor, cloth, and small bottle of oil. He poured water on her hair, loosened it with his fingers, and spread the towel properly. “Do it slowly pa” Leela said in a low voice. He nodded. “Yes, amma.” He placed the blade carefully, and began shaving her head. The razor moved in steady strokes. Hair slid down and fell onto the cloth. Leela closed her eyes. “He was such good boy, Santhosh” she said once remembering her late son during her head shave. Stroke after stroke, the hair fell on ground. The sound of the blade was clear in the silent room. When he reached the back of her head, he tilted her head careful not to nick the skin. When he finished, he rinsed the razor and wiped her head dry and applied a light oil for soothing. He moved back as Leela touched her head briefly and stood up wiping her tears. Sagar began to pack his tools. 

As he was about to get up, Ramesh spoke, “Wait, pa you haven’t shaved the widow yet.” Sagar paused and looked up confused. After the small ritual, Jahnvi walked down the stairs slowly. She wore a plain white saree. Her eyes were red, cheeks swollen. One hand kept wiping her face. Her long curly hair was loose. Pooja walked beside her, holding her arm lightly supporting her. Sagar looked up and saw her. For a moment, he forgot where he was. His eyes stayed on her with other intentions. Jahnvi glanced up once, and their eyes met briefly. As she was about to sit down Sagar moved and wiped the chair himself, straightened the cloth on the floor and ran his fingers through her hair, slow and poured water over it. His hand trembled slightly, then steadied. He picked up the razor. He began shaving, slowly. Hair fell onto the cloth in soft curls. His face carried a small smile, one he did not notice himself. Ramesh saw it for a second and looked away. Halfway through, Leela pointed her hand. 

“Leave a tuft behind pa,” she said. Sagar stopped and looked at her. Jahnvi turned her head slightly toward Leela, her eyes questioning. “It has to be done, as It shows her widowhood identity.” Jahnvi did not react. Sagar nodded and shaped the small tuft carefully. He resumed shaving around it. When he was done, he reduced the tuft neatly and brushed her head, wiped her face once, light and applied oil on her bald head. Sagar packed his tools and stood up. He took two steps, then paused as eyes went back to her to see her once more before he leave. When he was about to leave Sagar was called again and Ramesh gestured toward him. “Take your payment and advance payment too, from today for next 1 year come after every 2 weeks once for the reshave. ” he said. Sagar shook his head at first. “No… I don’t need advance and all” he said. Ramesh insisted, “You must take it. It’s your hard work.” Sagar paused, then looked toward Jahnvi. His eyes caught her red eyes, swollen cheeks, loose white saree and bald head.

He swallowed and said, “Amount is okay but, It will be better if i receive the amount from her hands. because i shaved her head right so” The room went quiet. Jahnvi was confused, and extended her hand and Sagar took the money, fingers brushing hers. Then, without thinking, he blurted out loud, “Dont get too much sad madam. i am there for you right.... if you are okay then i will marry you… I love you!” The words shocked everyone. Pooja froze, Jahnvi was stunned touching her bald head with one hand, trying to understand what just happened. Before anyone could say anything, his friend pulled him by the shoulder. “Come on da”  and took him onto the bike and while on the way back also sagar looked back trying to see Jahnvi and even Jahnvi looked back at him, as Pooja led Jahnvi upstairs. That night. Jahnvi lay in bed, her bald head against the pillow, thinking of Santosh and far away, Sagar sat on his cot at home, thinking of Jahnvi and the confession he had just made. Neither of them could sleep easily as it was not an End but a Beginning of a New Love Story.