Make-Up

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

‘What do think of yourself? Dozens of photos I’ve shown you! You don’t like even a single girl! What kind of girl you have in mind for your wife?' Raman asked his son, Dharani with anger.

‘Daddy! You know my preference! Since my childhood I’ve not seen any face without make-up. Including my mummy and sister!                                                                                                                                                                                                           All are fashionable! Go for a girl from a village, befitting our culture! I don’t mind even if she is illiterate. Go for an ordinary girl!’

‘OK! Leave it to me. It’s time for your train. Come on!’

A few days after coming to Chennai, Manjula’s photo came. Along with it, came an invitation to come to see the girl. Dharani wrote, ‘Girl is good! There is much work at the office. So I’ll come directly to the marriage.’

The date of the marriage was fixed.

He saw Manjula on the marriage stage. She was in full make-up! Dharani felt much angry but controlled himself! After the ceremonies, he asked his daddy about it.

‘What all you wanted I had told your mummy. She herself selected the girl. But your mummy did not tell the girl anything about your likes!’

‘What! Why didn’t you tell her?’

‘Not only this! This girl is running a beauty parlour here! Your mummy did not tell this to me too! I discovered it on my own! Excuse my son!’

‘What! Beauty Parlour!’