Monday, April 09, 2007

THAT GREY EYELASH

IT was about two months ago that I first discovered it. I was taking my scooter out of the parking shed of my college. Peering close to the rear view glass, I wanted to admire my looks before covering the face in the daku-hasina style. However, I was in for a shock. The upper eyelid of my right eye had a grey eyelash. I thought I was mistaken. It was perhaps a reflection of the light. Perhaps it was shine that made it look whitish. Nooooo, I inspected it closely and there it was, staring me in my face. My feet went cold, my hands went numb, and my brain went dull.
A grey eyelash?
Right away?
In the thirties?
Aint it too early?
Well, but there it was, the bitter reality. With leaden feet, I kick started my scooter, absent-mindedly put on my glasses, and forgot to drape my mulmul da dupatta over my head. Who cares for the damned complexion when you have a grey eyelash? Let the dust get into the skin.
A grey eyelash?
I tried to shrug it off, so what, the grey hair have to catch up after all. And sooner or later, I was going to have one of those dreaded grey eyebrow hair, but a grey eyelash?? However much I tried to wean my thoughts away, that grey eyelash would come back – a horrid view sure it was.
I wanted to call up Mahesh then and there and yell “ Mahesh, I got a grey eyelash.” Then thought the better of it. Let him discover it. He wouldn't mind giving me a patient hearing but I was having mixed feelings. What if he starts to view me as an old woman? After all, no man would like his wife to tell him that she has a grey eyelash. Moreover he has his own struggles with the graying of hair. He inherits it from his mother, I from my father. Perched on that seat of scooter, heading home, I thought of the day when I had first discovered a grey strand in my head. It was in 1992 I guess. Shocked sure I had been, but I attributed it to studiousness, and dexterously covered it with henna (those were the days when hair color was considered a “bad bad” thing). I often tell Mahesh that by the time I am 40 most of my hair would have turned grey and then I will not color them red or black, I will color them grey, as would become a graceful old lady. And then people would come and say, your skin is so young, you don’t look a day older than 40.
How good to look one’s age!
But a grey eyelash????
I could not resist telling him, though I told him only about a month later. His reaction was, "acha?" And thats it. And it prompted him to console me by telling that he understands how horrible the first discovery can be. Bless him for that. My Knight in Armour always comes to my rescue !!!
Everytime I see the mirror, I want to avoid it. But somehow it sometimes fascinates me to see that grey eyelash that is known only to me, and now to Mahesh. Well, I have made peace with my grey eyelash since. I am ok with it now. Guess it will have more friends soon. Very chivalrously I wait for them.

Did someone mention aging gracefully…??

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

to start with,grey hairs r the most disguting thing to happen to a person.it is a harsh reality of life.we all wish our youth remains for ever but alas............ If u cant beat them ,join them.
However,tomorrow never dies. So , if u cant beat them,use loreals,twice a week.

Anonymous said...

Do you have lots of gray hair or is it just the grey eyelash.

Mampi said...

Thank you for your suggestions. But I doubt if I can use L'Oreal on my eyelash. It is only one though. And as I said I have already made peace with it.

Query number two- yes I have grey hair on my head. But jaani, yeh baal dhoop mein safaid nahi kiye hain. Just kidding.
Thanks for responses. I would love it if you could write your names beneath your precious words

Sukh said...

lol..i fing grey hair to be quite sexy..call me crazy..how was jaiteg's bday?

Sidhusaaheb said...

Scary, even if inevitable!

BTW, my parents have both decided to age gracefully and I'll probably do the same, when my time comes.

Anonymous said...

manpreet dont worry yours just one grey eye lash, idhar jatt dian sarian muchhan grey ne,koi farak nahin panda , vechare jatt di muchh..........ravinder

Anonymous said...

Richard Gere looks soo sexy with grey hair, so does Amitabh Bachhan with his grey french beard....... these men look even more attractive than they probably looked when they were young. Every phase of life has its own charm, without worrying about the future just cherish the present and make the best use of it.........

Cheers !!
Taran Grewal.

Anonymous said...

Good grey go ga ga !!

Harpreet.

Rajindarjit said...

Grey Hair - a sign of wisdom indeed .
No need to scare of it.
People see u with respect of course- ih dhup vich chitte nhi keete.
Welcome them and their grace - which they r adding to ur personality,
u r still a kid for me,
to whom i taught walking, talking......
and ....i have so many grey hair to add grace. is it right or not?

sooo ignore it , and accept nature's wish.
it is inevitable.

God bless u
my bea

Unknown said...

A very original & creative piece of thought. Ever since reading it, a strong urge has developed to see Manpreet at the earliest. Please do not feel embarrassed if my eyes, at once, start searching that grey eye lash on you whenever we meet next.

(Nagpal Naresh)

Anonymous said...

well a grey eyelash....hmmmmmmmmmmm but u knw u will always be the first bhabie of my family to me da same girl in da orange fulkari lehnga and me in a pink fock,even with grey or white hair ull be da most gracrfull lady to me as i will still see u da way i saw u den as n idol......and who says gray is old its just fashinably late and graceful.......old is a book rack wid termites aging is graceful with fallin teeth and grewy hair..........im sure when ull age ull be as graceful as maharani gyatri devi because beauty and age lies in the eyes of the beholder and beloved.Artifical beauty can be attained but being so beautiful inside dat extwernal beauty wnt matter is the way to be and i knw u have it...so grey eye lash and aging.....should i be scared ?u are as old as u feel and not look so i think even with grey hair and falling teeth ill be 18 till i die

Roop Rai said...

hehehehe i love you!! :))

Roop Rai said...

my goodness, i wish i had a sister in law like avneet!!! :p

Anonymous said...

ਦਿਲ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਜਵਾਨ,
ਉਮਰਾਂ(Read Grey Eyelash) 'ਚ ਕੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ.. :)

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Unknown said...

Same here sis... got one each on both eyes... wondering why so early.... surprised ... shocked but now at peace.