While crash landing in the sleepy country side in California, we carried toll full of stuff to keep ourselves alive. The baggage was full of Indian Spices ranging from Garam Masalato Haldi Powder that would have been sufficient for a biological war fare out here. But alas, amidst of all this also, there was something which I keep close to my heart. My favorite Sawlar - Kameez and all these days, I was longing to have a nice time with Indian Attire.
One fine day, the Charlies – Angelsteam (Indian Girl’s Gang) decided to present ourselves in our traditional outfit. After all, we are considered to be the “beautiful ones” compared to the most common breed of blonde & brunette. (Look, how humble are we)
But again, during last minute there were a few who decided not to be so daring! They said “God, I am developing a cold – feet”. Yeah, unfortunately cold-feet is such a phenomena that will get activated at eleventh hour. With lots of pleading, screaming, begging, bullying I could convince them about the value of “Ek chutki sindur”.
Finally, we are there in the office campus with all effort to conceal the feeling of being self conscious. The security guards changed their posture with the very sight of five Indian girls with a outlandish outfit! At first they stared at us as if some extra terrestrial species landed in office premises.
While we are inside the Office, the cavalier attitude of men gives way to good old chivalry. We were given preference at Coffee Vending Machine to the queue in Canteen. Wow, we started feeling good about ourselves. All the Kala, Peela, Neela, Hara variety of men started fluttering around us with sweet words like “Gorgeous, Stunning, Dazzling”.
But again, our lives are blessed with bolt from the blue and there he came – the chunky, snooty and boorish demon in human incarnation – The one who always used to throw tantrums at expat. He made his graceful appearance near my work station and started gawking without slightest ignominy.
Demon: “Is this the kind of dress you used to wear during festival season?”
Angel: “Not really”
Demon: “So, is this some kind of tribal dress?”
BP shoots up, Blood boiling – Almost caught hold of the water bottle as if I might use it as a lethal weapon.
Angel: “I won’t blame you. You are so well dressed now but the moment you land in our country, they might mistake such a well groomed person asAttlila, the Hun”
His face became pale and there my friend came as savior “But again, they will respect you as a human being because we are so diverse. My mother tongue is so different from her mother tongue. My rituals are so different form hers. It happens, when you cross every 200 miles in India”
I feel like screaming “Bharat Mata Ki Jay”
To my surprise he said “Sorry young lady if I have offended you in any manner. You guys are looking so beautiful and unfortunately this is the way in which I appreciate”
What was that? On our way back to home, the cab driver was wondering about our profession. Till now, no body was bothered about our profession! He almost assumed that we are in show business. But when we told him that we are software engineers he grinned at us and said “Oh, means you are thosetechnical support guys sitting is remote place and answer to our queries when our mobile conk off”
We looked at each other and had a hearty laugh! Side effects of grooming!
