Legendary Head Shave Tales
It was a hot summer Sunday morning in Pune, and Anirudh was still lying in bed, wide awake but refusing to move. The fan above creaked slowly, and the sunlight was already sharp through the window. From the kitchen, his mom’s voice rang out, “Anirudh! Subha ho gayi, get up now!” He groaned and pulled a pillow over his face. Priyanka walked in holding ₹200 and waved it in front of him. “Get up. Go get chicken. I’m making biryani today.” He finally sat up, hair messy, eyes half-closed. “Kyu, what’s so special today?” he mumbled. She smirked, “Wait and see. You’ll meet them soon.” That word made him raise an eyebrow. He hated when guests came during holidays.
Kyu disturb karte yaar, he thought, dragging himself off the bed and heading out with his cycle keys. Outside, the heat was already heavy even though it was just past nine. He went on his cycle, pedaled lazily to the small meat shop nearby, got the packet of fresh cut chicken, and started riding back. That’s when he noticed her. A red scooty had just turned the corner ahead. The rider — a young woman — wore a simple blue kurti and leggings, nothing unusual except… her head. Completely bald. Ganja. Smooth, shining in the sun like she had shaved it maybe just a day ago. He couldn’t even see her face, but something about the bald head made his stomach flutter. Kind of a love-at-first-sight way…
Also like a strange pull. He slowed his cycle, trying not to stare, but his eyes were fixed. “Who is she?” he whispered. And without realizing, he started following her quietly. The road she took looked familiar, and before he knew it, she stopped near a three-storey building. His building. His hands tightened around the handlebar. She parked the scooty, pulled out a small travel bag, and casually walked upstairs. His heart skipped — second floor. His floor. His flat. He froze. “Kya is she coming to complain?” he whispered to himself, suddenly sweating more, He waited by the gate, trying to think if she had seen him. No reaction. She just disappeared up the stairs.
After a moment, he followed — one slow step at a time. The front door was half open, and he could hear his mom’s voice inside. Still holding the chicken bag, Anirudh stepped in, confused, nervous… and strangely excited. Anirudh entered with the chicken packet in hand. His mom stood near the door, smiling and hugging the bald woman. “Arey, finally you came,” Priyanka said with a laugh. Sirisha laughed softly too. Anirudh paused in the doorway, eyes fixed. “You remember Sirisha?” Priyanka asked. Sirisha laughed and walked a bit closer to him, rubbing her smooth bald head casually with one hand. “Arey main hi hoon, Sirisha,” she said with a playful tone “Bas baal chala gaya…
Just got a nice head shave.”. Anirudh blinked, surprised. “Oh… okay,” he replied softly. Sirisha smiled, “Don’t worry, same me… just no hair now.” Priyanka chuckled, “Come on, keep the packet and freshen up.” Anirudh went inside slowly, still in a daze. He entered the bathroom and stood under the shower. His mind kept spinning. That bald girl… it was Sirisha mausi? He let the water run down his face. She’s here for one whole month… I’ll see her every day… The thought of spending time with her, especially seeing her bald head up close every day, gave him a strange curious feeling. Meanwhile in the kitchen, Sirisha chopped onions, still rubbing her head now and then.
“Should I add more chillies?” she asked. “No, keep it less. Anirudh can’t eat too spicy,” Priyanka said. The kitchen filled with the smell of biryani spices and onions as they cooked and talked. Priyanka asked, “How was the camp?” Sirisha looked at her and smiled. “Achha tha. College had organised a meet with NGO so. Hair donation was also there for cancer patients. Main volunteer thi… toh socha main bhi donate kar doon along with others.” Priyanka laughed, “Tu bhi na… full bold step!” Sirisha smiled proudly. Sirisha and Priyanka sat at the dining table with Anirudh. The biryani was hot, with raita and boiled eggs on the side.
Sirisha kept chatting with Priyanka about her trip and the camp. Anirudh stayed quiet, but his eyes kept going to Sirisha’s smooth bald head. She noticed him looking. She just smiled lightly and he quickly looked away and ate slowly, staying silent.
