One fine evening in June 1998, it was my uncle’s wedding reception. I was a seven years old boy. Everyone was getting ready in the best clothes they had. So was I. I wore a checked shirt, brown pants, shoes and a matching tie. Everyone admired me, some were even jealous as I was the only person besides the bridegroom who was sporting a tie. Simple, decent and non-scandalous! But me being me, how can I be any of these?
So I applied bright red lipstick to complete my look, and all the hell broke loose. Women chuckled, men frowned, and children teased me. My elder brother declared, ‘wipe the lipstick off or return my tie’. My heart sank as I didn’t want to lose either. After thinking for a while, I closed my lips tightly and dabbed them a bit with a handkerchief, wiping only the outer part and hiding some lipstick under my closed lips. But the damage was already done. None at the party that night said to me that I looked beautiful or nice at least. None cared if I was happy or okay, at least. That evening I hardly spoke or smiled.
It’s been almost 25 years since, but the memories of that evening are still fresh in my mind, and that bright red lipstick is still fresh under my lips. Today I have spoken. Perhaps, tomorrow I will smile too!!