Creamy Life

No, am not going to talk about the cream layer, education or the toppers of my school and college life. This is all about the tons of creams and layers of foundation to cover the skin and try to look more natural. Yeah, it’s funny. Apply more and more makeup to look as what? Yes, NATURAL. I don’t have to tell you, you already know how that feels, growing up in a typical Indian society with a dark skin, dusky skin and many shades are there before that milky white shade comes.

I am Nisha. I was born with a dusky skin color. With constant reminders of my skin color, I grew up. Don’t get me wrong. I am happy in my life with a successful career, a loving husband and a cute little girl around me. Last month, I attended my best friend’s wedding. Priya, as the name suggests, is a real gem. She is finally married to Gambhir (this one is opposite as per his name), our Gamby or the Gambuz of college days. The whole wedding was a fairy tale affair. A so called Destination Wedding. It was too enjoying and melodramatic at the same time. We all friends met after a long time and needless to say we had a gala time. This one also brought back the Pandora box of memories.

Priya and I had been friends from early childhood, you can say right from birth. Same lanes, same school, and then same Engineering College. We parted ways only after graduation, she went for Business Administration and I went for Masters in Technology. Still we could connect anytime, anywhere and felt like we were never separated by huge distances. Yes, the plug-and-play kind of friendship that has lasted many decades by now. Okay, let me come back. Her skin shade was approved by our Indian standards on the very day she was born, Milky White J

We both will be playing in the playground someday and one of our family well-wisher aunty will pass by and comment, “Your friend is so cute and fair. Why don’t you also apply some ubtan (face pack) with turmeric?” I was very good in studies. I used to score higher than her always but nobody used to comment like “Priya, why don’t you study well like Nisha?”  Rather, the comments will be like, “What is the point of scoring more in studies?  What will you girls do even if you study well? Prepare yourself for weddings and learn how to cook and take care of family. Take care of your skin”. Then and there, started my obsession with various creams and a series of fairness creams came and went.

I saw this ad in the TV and brought it. I thought within a few weeks, I would become a fairy. They provided a shade card also with the tube. After two weeks of applying it twice a day, I checked in the mirror. There was not much change in the skin color. I consoled myself, it may take longer for few people. So, I waited for 8 weeks but realized I did not turn into Yami Gautam after all.

Then sometime during our teenage years, Aniket happened, the tall handsome guy with a dimple. Those were the days when the breeze would move to wherever he went. And, to top it all, he used to play guitar. He enters the class room one day, his gaze roams through every corner of the room before his eyes fall on me and then he gives me a SMILE. I got goose bumps. Oh my Gosh, the devil has noticed me. He comes over and sits beside me. “Hi, Nisha”. I realize every pair of girly eyes were on me. “Hello”. “See, I know. You are very studious kind of girl and do not like to talk to guys. But you can trust me I am a good guy. I just wanted to say I like your best friend Priya a lot and I know if you tell her she will talk to me”. My bubble shattered into so many tiny pieces that I could not count. Hiding my clenched teeth, I finally asked, “What do you want from me?” He responded, “See while you people go to the tuition after school, can you please bring her from the lane where I stay. It is near to the tuition place and I will be able to join you both while going to the tuition and while coming back also. If you talk to me, she will notice me as well”.

Aniket had invited us on his birthday. And the very morning of his birthday, I discovered three pimples on my face. It was earth shattering. Can you imagine, not one, but three? What should I do so that they disappear by this evening? The bad old days had stuck my karma again.

I used neem, turmeric, tea tree oil, and any kind of whatever comes face washes to clean and clear my pimples. I applied skin lightening pimple creams, washed my face 7-8 times a day to stay clear of the oil. I applied my Grandmother’s stinky ubtans (face packs) also as suggested by her. It used to go and appear again. I was only born with a bad skin L

Teen age turned into twenties and then thirties. I grew up, got married, had a child but still I could not change my skin color to Milky White which can be approved by ISC (Indian Society Certified). Now, it’s time to go to bed, I should not compromise on my beauty sleep.

“What? Who is calling at this hour? What time it is?” Oh, it’s 6AM already. But who wakes up at six in the morning on a Saturday. What is the urgency? Let me check though who this early caller is.  When I check my phone, it shows Priya Calling. “Hello, what happened? It’s so early”. “Nishuuu, my life is ruined”. My eyes are wide open now, what has happened? Has Gamby turned out to be a bad guy? Has he hurt her? With a heavily pounding heart, I ask, “What happened?” She replies, “I noticed a wrinkle on my forehead last night. I could not sleep the whole night. First reasonable hour only am calling you. Tell me, what should I do now? My life is ruined, Nish. Help me.”