ashhf_india
The Secret Dream of Badri
Part 4: A Small Cut, A Big Happiness
Badri’s Persistent Suggestion
A few weeks had passed since Mythili’s hair spa and trimming.
Her hair was looking healthier, although she was still following her hair-care routine to manage the hair fall.
Badri, meanwhile, had not forgotten his fascination with short hairstyles.
He occasionally showed Mythili photographs of women with layered haircuts, shoulder-length bobs and stylish butterfly cuts.
One evening, while they were relaxing after dinner, he showed her a photograph on his phone.
“Look at this hairstyle, Mythili.”
She glanced at the screen.
“What is it?”
“It’s a butterfly-layer haircut. Looks beautiful, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s nice.”
“Why don’t you try something like this?”
She smiled.
“Again? You’re still after my hair?”
Badri laughed.
“I’m only suggesting. I think it would suit you.”
Mythili examined the photograph more carefully.
The hairstyle had soft layers, feathered sections around the face and a bouncy finish.
“I like this one,” she admitted.
“Really?”
“Yes. But I don’t want to lose too much length.”
“That’s fine. You can keep the length and still have beautiful layers.”
He showed her a few more reference photographs.
After looking through them, Mythili became interested.
She had maintained nearly the same hairstyle for years. Perhaps it was time for a change.
“Okay, Badri. Let’s try something different.”
He looked at her excitedly.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. But remember, I’m not going for a boycut!”
He laughed.
“Understood!”
The Day of the Haircut
The following Saturday, Badri and Mythili visited a well-known salon in Chennai.
Mythili had saved a few reference photographs on her phone.
She explained her preference to the hairdresser.
“I want a butterfly-layer haircut with a nice front frame. Please maintain most of my length.”
The hairdresser examined her long hair and explained how the layers would be created.
Badri sat nearby, watching the consultation.
He was excited, although he tried to behave normally.
Mythili settled into the salon chair.
Her long hair was combed and divided into sections.
The hairdresser began cutting the front portions, shaping the layers around her face.
Then came the longer layers.
With every snip, her hairstyle gradually changed.
Badri watched the transformation with complete attention.
He loved the way the hairdresser worked on the different sections, creating movement and shape.
After the cutting was complete, the hairdresser blow-dried and styled the hair.
Mythili’s new butterfly layers gave her hair a completely different appearance.
Her front layers framed her face beautifully, while the longer sections retained much of her original length.
When the chair was turned towards the mirror, Mythili smiled.
“Wow! This looks nice.”
The hairdresser adjusted a few strands.
“Your face-framing layers suit you very well.”
Badri finally spoke.
“Mythili, you look gorgeous!”
She looked at him through the mirror.
“Really?”
“Absolutely. This is one of your best looks.”
He couldn’t hide his happiness.
Badri’s Happiness
As they left the salon, Badri was practically floating.
He felt as though he were standing on top of the Himalayas.
It was only a butterfly-layer haircut. Mythili hadn’t even lost much of her hair length.
But for Badri, it represented something much bigger.
For years, he had imagined his wife experimenting with different hairstyles.
Until recently, she had been reluctant even to consider a major change.
Now she had willingly walked into a salon, discussed a new hairstyle and allowed the hairdresser to transform her appearance.
He knew it was a small step.
Still, it gave him hope.
He wondered whether she might eventually become comfortable with a shoulder-length bob.
He didn’t want to rush her, but the possibility made him extremely happy.
During their drive home, he kept glancing at her.
“Stop looking at me and concentrate on driving!” Mythili teased.
“I can’t help it. You look so pretty.”
She laughed.
The In-Laws’ Reaction
A few days later, they visited Badri’s parents.
Mythili was wearing a traditional kurti, and her newly styled layers were clearly visible.
His mother noticed the change almost immediately.
“Did you cut your hair?”
Mythili smiled.
“Yes, Amma. Just got some layers done.”
His mother looked at her hairstyle carefully.
“Your hair was so long and thick. Why did you need to cut it?”
“It was getting difficult to manage. I thought I would try something different.”
His mother didn’t look particularly pleased.
His father also noticed the change but didn’t comment much.
There was no argument or serious confrontation.
However, Mythili understood that her in-laws weren’t particularly happy with her new hairstyle.
Badri noticed the conversation.
He calmly supported his wife.
“Amma, it looks good on her. It’s just a layered haircut. She wanted a change.”
His mother didn’t continue the discussion.
Later, when they were alone, Mythili told Badri:
“I think your mother didn’t like my haircut.”
Badri smiled.
“Don’t worry. It’s your hair. You look beautiful, and that’s what matters.”
Mythili appreciated his support.
A Shopping Date in Chennai
That evening, Badri suggested that they go shopping.
“Let’s go out. We haven’t had a proper shopping date in a while.”
Mythili agreed.
They visited a shopping mall and browsed through several clothing stores.
While looking at women’s clothing, Badri picked up a sleeveless tank top.
“Why don’t you try this?”
Mythili smiled.
“You’re back to suggesting new things!”
“Come on. It looks nice.”
She tried it on.
Badri loved the look.
They also selected a short dress and a fashionable short skirt.
Mythili tried the outfits and enjoyed seeing herself in different styles.
She eventually chose a few pieces.
Badri was delighted to see her becoming more confident with her appearance.
After shopping, they went to a restaurant for dinner.
They talked about their work, the shopping and their plans for the coming weekend.
Badri repeatedly complimented her new hairstyle.
Mythili laughed.
“Today you’ve complimented my hair at least twenty times.”
“What can I do? I like it!”
A Special Night
When they returned home, Mythili changed into comfortable clothes.
Her new butterfly layers were still beautifully styled.
Badri stood behind her while she looked at herself in the bedroom mirror.
He gently moved a front layer away from her face.
“Do you like your new haircut?” he asked.
“Yes. I actually love it. It’s easier to manage, and the layers look good.”
“I’m glad you tried it.”
She turned towards him.
“You’re the one who kept suggesting it.”
“And I’m very happy you agreed.”
Mythili smiled and embraced him.
The evening gradually became romantic.
They spent some private time together, enjoying their closeness and affection.
Badri was especially captivated by Mythili’s new appearance.
During their intimacy, his imagination occasionally returned to his longstanding fascination with short hairstyles.
He admired the movement of her newly layered hair and imagined how she might look with a much shorter bob.
His mind wandered further towards the boycut and shaved-head fantasies he had never revealed.
But tonight, he was simply happy with the woman in his arms.
He loved Mythili.
He loved her new hairstyle.
And he was grateful that she had taken a step towards trying something different.
A New Hope
The following morning, Mythili was getting ready for work.
She stood in front of the mirror, arranging her butterfly layers.
Badri walked past the bedroom and stopped.
“One more thing,” he said.
“What?”
“Your haircut looks even better today.”
She smiled.
“Thank you, Mr. Haircut Enthusiast!”
He laughed.
Mythili had no idea how much happiness her relatively simple haircut had brought him.
For her, it was a refreshing change in appearance.
For Badri, it was a new possibility.
He knew that she had chosen the haircut because she liked it, not because she wanted to fulfil his private fantasy.
He respected that.
Still, as he watched her leave for
- work, he found himself wondering what hairstyle she might choose next.
Perhaps a shorter layered bob.
Perhaps a classic shoulder-length bob.
He didn’t know.
But for the first time, he felt that the possibility of seeing Mythili with short hair was no longer just an impossible dream.
To be continued…
