Dressing up for Diwali

Dressing up for Diwali is lots of fun. That's one of the best 'fun' things about being a girl/woman but so often we miss the delight of dressing up because we are in a rush. Yesterday evening, I reached home and decided to wear a saree to office the next day. Now, don't get me wrong. To wear a saree to office is no big deal but for some one like me who doesn't drape a saree except once in few years when there is a wedding in the family or something on those lines, it's a bit of a tricky tangle to be in.

Well, I decided I needed to rehearse the whole thing to get the timing right because I have only 15 minutes to get this done in the morning before the rush hour strikes. So, I bravely ventured into the territory. The saree looked very innocent and helpless to me. I mean, what could possibly go wrong there? Once I started trying to drape the whole thing over my kurtha and jeans, everything went beserk. Finally, the saree had transformed itself into an octopus that I was wrestling with and then guess what, my son came to my rescue because he feared that I'd probably strangle myself with the saree draping torment. He looked genuinely worried and asked if he should call the neighbors to help me get out of the saree tangle. Finally, I managed to get out of it and I was so mad at this whole confusion that I SMSed Juhi, my best friend who immediately pacified my frayed nerves, assured me that everything will be just fine and even said she'd come over and help me wear it the next day. I mean, isn't that just awesome???

Now that's what best friends do among women, by the way. We know a crisis is a crisis particularly when it is about clothes, hair, accessories, make up and of course, trying to look good.  Men, as we know it, are from Mars. Just kidding, alright? I believe in gender equality, in case you are wondering!

Anyway after this disastrous episode, my ego was bruised and I had to find a way to assuage it. So, I laid out for bright and beautiful Jaipuri skirts that I had bought recently, expecting an occasion that never materialized anyway. Now the best thing about being the only woman in the house is that you get a dressing area to yourself, no interruptions unless you count cricket brawls on TV as one, and best of all, the dressing table is all yours... after all, it is a universal truth that guys don't peek into mirrors as often as we women do. Thank God that somethings are still the same despite the overtly fashionable Axe deo ads.

Now coming back to the bright, colorful Jaipuri skirts, they aren't breathtakingly dazzling or anything but I've not worn skirts for nearly a decade...and I love wearing skirts! Secret: All girls do! Women pretend they are grown up and that they don't want to wear skirts anymore. It's the pretence of playing grown up. So it turns out that I am pirouetting in front of the mirror in my new found finery.

Then barges in my 7 year old son and I freeze. So does he. Then his face bursts into a smile and he says, "Amma, you look like a film star. You look gorgeous. Why don't you wear this every day?"

Awwwww! Do I need to tell you how that feels to my ears? I am like "Are you sure Adi? Do I?"

And Adi's totally cool and full of praise. I am on cloud nine. Literally.

Then Adi drops the bombshell, " When you wear this, you look just like Paahi in my class. She wears skirts like these and turns around and around and looks so pretty." 

Hmph! I tell you - it's a tough world for moms. You simply have no idea.

To complete the story, then walks in Hubby who also freezes seeing my funny Avatar. He starts to smile and says, "You are looking good. Really good." Now that's a Cinderella moment for sure!!!

So, my conclusion is this: It's fun to dress up for Diwali. But don't put your life in danger like I did by nearly strangling myself with the saree draping process. All's well that ends well and makes you feel great about yourself.

Last but not the least, here's wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali. Love & Light to all!