Barbershop visit with Mother-4: English

Vishal stood outside the small barbershop, wiping sweat, asking Samantha if this place is good. She smiled lightly and said yes, this is the same shop where she used to get her haircuts in childhood. As they entered, Balayya looked up and smiled, recognizing her immediately. “Hey Sam… after many years, How are you” he said warmly. Samantha smiled shyly and asked him how he is. Balayya looked at Vishal and asked who is getting haircut. Vishal sat on the chair and asked for a simple summer cut. While tying the cape, Vishal casually asked Balayya if he cuts women hair also. Balayya laughed and said very few, but Samantha was his regular customer. Samantha quickly tried to change the topic, feeling shy and embarrassed. But Vishal got curious and asked what he meant. Balayya happily said she got many haircuts and head shaves since childhood at the same barbershop. He mentioned her lockdown time baby head shave and also school days, monthly boy cuts and also about her teenage head shave.

Vishal laughed and teased Samantha lightly, “Ayyo, What is this sam, ah?” Samantha covered her face with dupatta, smiling shyly and embarrassed. Balayya trimmed Vishal’s sides neatly with the clipper, number one guard humming softly. Loose hair fell on the floor as Vishal relaxed in the chair. They spoke casually about summer heat and how fast hair grows. Samantha stood nearby, playing with her long braid. Seeing that, Vishal smiled and teased, “Enough of your hair play, stop it.” She rolled her eyes and said, “It’s my hair, my wish?” Vishal laughed and said it was summer time and she has so long messy hair and also uses so many hair products... he joked lightly. Samantha protested, saying it’s normal care, not waste of money and all. Balayya listened and smiled while working. He said calmly many women come for nape shave in summer. “Neck sweat, heat, all will be gone and they will also feel refreshed,” he explained simply. Samantha turned quickly and said, “Ayyo no need all that.” 

Vishal thought for a moment, looking at her sweaty neck. He said it’s easy to hide and will be comfortable. Balayya nodded. Samantha felt something wrong and stayed quiet feeling uneasy. Vishal got down from the chair, smiling at his fresh haircut. He asked the rate and was surprised hearing it was just Rs.40. He laughed and said in the city he pays Rs.150 for the same haircut. When he asked about nape shave, Balayya said just Rs.20. Vishal looked at Samantha and said, “Come Sam, Sit down.” She hesitated, shaking her head softly. Vishal held her wrist playfully and made her sit on the chair. Balayya removed her dupatta and kept it on the waiting chair. He covered her with the cape and untied her braid. Samantha sat stiff, eyes down. Balayya combed her hair and tied a small bun on top. He asked how much to be shaved. Samantha said only the hairline. Vishal said calmly, “Do till ear level, proper and clean smooth nape.” She hesitated and cried, saying it’s too much. Balayya sectioned the hair.

He then sprayed water, took his straight razor and started shaving the nape. Samantha felt the cold blade and closed her eyes. Vishal looked at the shaved nape and said he should shave a bit higher and also the sides too. Tears filled her eyes as more hair was shaved away. Balayya shaved a little more from the nape and lightly cleaned the sides. Samantha sat still, eyes fixed on her reflection, uneasy. Vishal looked at her and said calmly, since hair is already short, bob cut is better. Before she could react, he asked Balayya to cut till neck level. Balayya untied the top bun and thick hair fell down. With scissors, he cut it straight till her neck. Samantha was in shock looking at how short her hair was being cut. Vishal moved around her, looking at her face from all sides. He then quietly took Balayya aside and requested for a complete head shave for samantha. Balayya looked at her and hesitated remembering her drama during the last shave. Vishal replied firmly, do it without her noticing secretly. 

Balayya came back and took the razor again. Samantha asked why again being confused. He said he didnt finished leveling the nape line. He bent her head forward and combed hair to the front almost covering her mirror view. He shaved with the razor and moved it and higher. Samantha sensed something wrong and tried to lift her head. Vishal firmly pressed her head down and told her she is getting a somplete head shave. Tears rolled suddenly as Balayya shaved her head fully, fast and clean not responding for her screams and tears. He looked at Samantha’s shaved head and Vishal asked him to shave it more smoothly. Balayya applied foam gently all over her scalp. With slow strokes, he shaved again with razor, making the skin smooth. stroke by stroke he rubbed the shaved off foam to his hands and resumed shaving the other stroke. After the foam shave he wiped her smooth shaved head with towel and looked at vishal. Vishal rubbed her head with his hands and said it can be more smoother. 

Balayya applied foam once more and did a reverse shave carefully. After that, he wiped her head and applied aftershave. Samantha winced and cried softly due to the burning sensation. Vishal asked for head massage for himself. Then he paused and said, do oil massage for her also. Another barber massaged Vishal’s head calmly. Balayya poured warm oil on Samantha’s bald head. He massaged her bald head firmly, not stopping even when she sobbed quietly. Oil spread over her smooth scalp, fingers moving in circles. Samantha closed her eyes, tears rolling down slowly. After finishing, Vishal paid hundred rupees and they left. At home, Ravi and Trisha were shocked seeing their daughter bald. Vishal explained everything calmly and said it was very much needed for her. After listening, Ravi and Trisha thought it was for her good only, son in law only got her head shaved and nodded in support. Samantha sat silently accepting her bald fate. Balayya finished the story looking at Nishan with a small smile.

Nishan’s eyes widened, full excitement and mischief. “So you went bald many times, amma!” he shouted happily. Samantha tried to smile and said, “Enough now, stop, lets go home.” Nishan suddenly started crying and shouting together. “You made me bald on purpose, now you also must get head shave!” He pulled her hand, tears and anger mixed, making a full scene. People in the shop looked over quietly. Samantha tried to calm him, feeling embarrassed and helpless. “Hey, don’t do drama here, stop it” she whispered, but it didn’t work. Nishan cried louder, blaming her again and again. Balayya slowly dusted the chair and said firmly, “Come sit.” Samantha looked around, no escape anywhere. She hesitated, shook her head once, then slowly sat down. Balayya put the cape around her gently. Samantha’s face was red with shame and fear. Balayya bent to Nishan and whispered, “Be ready to see your Bald amma” Nishan stopped crying and started smiling through tears, waiting eagerly.