" Beard to Bindi "

[Scene: Morning. Nikhil wakes up, stretches lazily, and walks to the bathroom. After a bath, he returns, towel around his waist, and opens the cupboard.]

Nikhil (confused):
"Huh? Where are my jeans and T-shirt?"

[He pulls out an orange salwar, green leggings, a padded bra, and matching panties.]

Nikhil (shocked):
"Are you serious? Again with this? Bra too?!"

[He storms into the living room.]

Nikhil:
"Maa! What is this? Why are there girl clothes in my cupboard again?"

Mom (calm, sipping chai):
"Beta, agar yeh nahi pehna, toh kal ke photos sabko dikh jayenge. So better choose wisely."

Nikhil (frustrated):
"This isn’t fair! You’re literally blackmailing me!"

Mom (smiling):
"Call it what you want. Ab toh aadat daal lo. You looked lovely yesterday."

[Cut to Nikhil in his room, reluctantly wearing the padded bra and adjusting the orange salwar and green leggings.]

Nikhil (grumbling to himself):
"This bra is suffocating... and these leggings are so tight!"

[He finishes dressing and looks in the mirror.]

Nikhil:
"Ugh... I don’t even look like me anymore."

Mom (calling out):
"Parlor wali aunty has arrived! Jaldi neeche aa jao."

Nikhil (under his breath):
"Great. Another makeup session."

[Scene: Nikhil sits in a chair. Parlor lady begins applying makeup—foundation, blush, kajal, lipstick.]

Parlor Lady (teasing):
"Aaj toh aur bhi pyari banayenge Nikhli ko. Bilkul TV wali heroine jaisi!"

[Nikhil clenches his jaw as they laugh. His mom joins in brushing his hair.]

Mom:
"Aaj baalon mein jasmine oil lagaya hai. Smell that? Now sit still, I’m braiding it."

[She neatly braids his hair into a long single plait, decorates it with gajra, and adds a green bindi. Vermillion is lightly applied at the center parting.]

Nikhil (awkwardly):
"I look… like a typical desi girl."

[His sister walks in, pauses dramatically, and bursts into laughter.]

Sister (mocking):
"Waah waah! Hamari ghar ki badi beti ready ho gayi! Aaj kaunse chores kar rahi ho, Nikhli didi?"

Nikhil (rolling eyes):
"Very funny. Can we not do this every day?"

Sister (grinning):
"Aww, don’t be shy! Badi beti should set an example, right Maa?"

Mom (chuckling):
"Exactly. And now that you’re dressed, come help me fold the laundry."

[Scene: Nikhli quietly helps with folding clothes, sweeping, and cutting vegetables under his mom’s guidance.]

Mom (teaching):
"Press the roti gently. Don’t tear it. And cut the bhindi evenly."

Sister (teasing while recording a video):
"Nikhli the homemaker! Episode 2 coming soon!"

[The family sits at the dining table. Nikhil, still in full salwar kameez and makeup, eats quietly while his mother serves dal and rice.]

Mom (casually):
"Also, listen—your papa has some urgent business out of town."

Nikhil (looking up briefly):
"Hmm?"

Mom (taking a bite):
"Haan, he called this afternoon. Said he won’t be back for at least a month. Maybe more. So, ghar ke kaam we’ll manage between us. Samjhe, Nikhli?"

Sister (smirking):
"Perfect timing, no? Our badi beti will help us run the house."

Nikhil (muttering):
"Can we just eat in silence for once?"

[Later at night, he changes into a soft printed nightie and sits on the bed, braid resting over his shoulder, looking at his reflection in silence.]

Nikhli (to himself):
"Papa’s not home for a month… and I’m stuck being their ‘badi beti’."