Chapter 13 — The Hair She Protected
The lockdown had changed Hemanth's daily routine, but one thing continued to grow steadily: his hair.
It now reached well below his waist. When loose, it brushed against the back of his thighs and became difficult to manage during ordinary activities.
Hemanth had once treated his hair as something he needed to defend against the college authorities. Now he wanted to learn how to care for it properly.
Swetha helped him develop a simple routine.
On wash days, he gently massaged shampoo into his scalp and allowed the water to carry it through the lengths. He applied conditioner mainly to the middle and ends, then rinsed thoroughly.
After bathing, he squeezed out excess water with a soft towel rather than rubbing the hair roughly. He waited until it was partly dry before carefully detangling it from the ends upward.
They learned that no product could make hair grow dramatically faster overnight. Healthy growth depended largely on time, genetics, nutrition, and avoiding unnecessary breakage.
Hemanth began eating regular meals, sleeping more consistently, and avoiding tight hairstyles that pulled at his scalp.
They experimented with several styles.
A loose braid kept the hair manageable during study sessions. A high ponytail felt practical on warmer days. A half-up style allowed the length to remain visible without falling into his face. For special occasions, Swetha showed him how to arrange jasmine flowers around a traditional braid.
One afternoon, Hemanth wore a light-blue embroidered outfit while Swetha carefully combed his hair in front of the mirror.
“How long do you think it will grow?” he asked.
“As long as you care for it gently, you can see how it develops over time,” she replied. “You don't have to rush it.”
Hemanth smiled at his reflection.
He had spent so much time worrying about whether other people would accept his appearance that he had forgotten how peaceful it could feel to care for himself.
His hair was not proof of who he was. It did not determine his gender or his worth.
But the daily ritual of caring for it had become a way of showing himself kindness.
And as the long strands fell smoothly over his shoulders, Hemanth began to feel that he was learning not merely to protect his hair, but to protect the person growing beneath it.
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