Legendary Head Shave Tales
The summer air was thick with the scent of mangoes and the distant sound of temple bells as Praveen stood at the gate, watching the car pull in. His heart drummed against his ribs as he saw Likitha step out, adjusting her dupatta and pulling her sunglasses up.
There she was—Likitha, standing in the doorway, the warm glow of the evening sun casting a halo around her. The same cousin who had spent every summer teasing him, dragging him into mischief. But something about her felt different this time. She wasn’t just the cousin he had grown up playing pranks on.
She caught him staring and smirked,“What is it? Do I look like a stranger now?” Her voice was playful. Praveen swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. “I just… didn’t expect you to come this time.” His voice was softer than he intended, laced with something he didn’t quite understand.
Likitha chuckled, her fingers brushing against his shoulder as she walked past. “And miss seeing how much my little troublemaker has grown?” She leaned in slightly, her breath warm against his ear. “Or should I say… not so little anymore?”
Praveen felt his pulse quicken. He had always been the mischievous, innocent one. She had always been the confident, teasing elder. But this summer, something had shifted. And he had a feeling—it was only just beginning.
That night, under the dim glow of the bedroom lamp, Likitha sat cross-legged on the bed, drying her damp hair. She suddenly lifted a thick section at the back, exposing something Praveen didn’t expect to see—a sharply buzzed undercut, hidden beneath her long wavy locks. His breath hitched. The sight of the velvety patch, so stark against her otherwise thick hair, sent a strange rush through him. “Surprised?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “Feels different, doesn’t it?”
He swallowed, unsure whether she meant the hair or something else entirely. But his hand moved on its own, brushing against the shaved patch. It was soft, yet rough—like a secret only she knew. Likitha let out a small laugh. “Careful, or you’ll get addicted.” Praveen wasn’t sure what he was addicted to. The feel of her hair, or the way she was letting him in on something so intimate.
A few days later, Praveen sat on the edge of the bed, absentmindedly flicking a trimmer on and off. The low hum filled the room, blending with the distant summer sounds outside. Across from him, Likitha lay sprawled on the bed, her long hair spilling over the pillow. She turned her head, smirking. “Thinking of switching careers, barber babu?” she teased, stretching lazily.
Praveen grinned, twirling the trimmer in his hand. “Maybe. Want to be my first client?” She arched a brow, amused. “Hmm… depends. What’s the offer?” His gaze flickered to the nape of her neck, where he had caught a glimpse of her hidden undercut days ago. A secret only she knew—until now. His fingers twitched as he pointed at it. “Can I… clean it up?”
Likitha let out a low chuckle and studied him for a moment before sitting up and gathering her thick hair to the side, exposing the faint fuzz at her nape. Then, with a smirk, she tilted her head slightly. “Fine. But if you mess up, you’re next.” Praveen’s fingers tingled as he stepped closer, trimmer in hand. He swallowed hard and brought the buzzing device to her skin.
The first pass sent tiny hairs drifting down her shoulder, and she let out a soft sigh. The sensation must have been new, intimate. Praveen worked slowly, feeling every shift of her breathing. The scent of her shampoo mixed with the metallic hum of the trimmer, making his pulse race. Likitha leaned into his touch, eyes half-lidded. “Not bad,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
Praveen exhaled sharply, realizing how close he was—how his fingers brushed against the warmth of her skin, his heartbeat rised. “I’m not a kid anyomre,” . Likitha turned slightly, her smirk deepening as she glanced up at him. “I never said you were.” Praveen was unable to ignore the way her presence made his heart pound.
Few days later one afternoon Kamala was getting ready to go out but she turned back. “Oh, Likitha, your mother called me and asked me to make sure you get a proper boycut ” Kamala smirked, watching Likitha’s reaction. Likitha’s fingers froze for a second before she could talk something Kamala ordered ” By the time I return, I want to see you with your new haircut.”
Likitha sat on the wooden chair in front of the mirror, rolling her shoulders back with an easy confidence. She ran a hand through her thick locks one last time. Praveen stood behind her, trimmer in hand, studying her reflection. “A proper boycut, right?” She smirked. “That’s what Amma said.”
He flicked on the trimmer, the low hum filled the room. His fingers grazed her nape, tilting her head slightly forward. “You trust me?” Likitha closed her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Always.” That single word sent a strange warmth coursing through him. He took a deep breath and started to shave the back of her neck with trimmer from fuzz to rough stubbles.
She tilted her head, rubbing her freshly shaved nape. “Mmm… but you know,” she mused, her voice softer now, almost teasing, “I’ve always wanted to try a full buzz cut.” Praveen blinked. “Wait, you mean—” . She turned to face him directly, her eyes locked onto his. “Take the top down to a #1.” praveen asked, “You sure?” Almost hesitant. Likitha smiled.
As the last traces of hair settled on the floor, Likitha ran her fingers over her freshly buzzed scalp, eyes gleaming with excitement. A shiver ran through her as she hot closer to praveen. He stiffened, his breath hitching, but Likitha didn’t pull away. Instead, she trailed her hands up his chest, her palms warm against his skin. “ did you like my new look” she whispered, her lips grazing just beneath his ear.
Instead of answering, Praveen’s kissed on her temple as she whispered, “I love you.”
Kamala walked in, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Likitha, who was casually running her fingers through her newly buzzed hair. She stepped closer, she was is surprise yet encouragingly said. “You look fierce, Likitha. I didn’t expect this, but I love that you’re owning it. Not everyone can pull this off.” She had expected some resistance, but seeing Likitha this confident made her admire her even more.
As the summer days passed, the air between them grew thick with something neither wanted to name. On the last night of her stay, Likitha sat beside him on the terrace, Praveen looked at her, the girl who had once been just a cousin, now the woman who had unknowingly changed his world. Likitha smiled, brushing a hand over her newly cropped hair. “And next time… you have to shave me completely bald.” The wind howled between them, carrying a secret only the night sky would witness.
