Another Day in Paradise

Chi woke up with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. And...

"YOU GIRLS LOOK LIKE SUN BURNT PIGLETS WITH HEAT RASH!!"

Chi bolted out of bed while her aunt showered more such loving epithets on her and Katta. Soon they were walking about with a thick layer of turmeric goo over their offensive visages and coconut oil in their hair. Both girls grumbled long and loud about parental tyranny, kitchen remedies and everything else they could think of.

But all that seemed a small price to pay for the attention Chi drew once she stepped out into the Bangalore sun. She had never felt so strangely alluring, perhaps because people had never stared at her like they stared today. She loved the way men dropped their jaws while women glared in jealousy.She flashed her brand new sunglasses and flounced along, glowing in the mid day sun. And smiled a faintly sensual smile - a slow, sophisticated semi circle that slipped on and off her face.

Thrilled with a vague sense of triumph Chi stepped into Lifestyle to pick up a T Shirt. Still humming under her breath (Dekha jo tujhe yaar, dil mein baji guitar!) she passed by a mirror. And stopped.

Her face was Tweety Yellow.