A new dress in our house never really belonged to you until Granny had inspected it. You could twirl before the mirror, admire the sleeves, smooth the pleats, and feel, for one glorious minute, that the Princess had finally arrived.☺️ Then Granny would call from the other room. “Idhar aa zara!” That “zara” was never optional. She would take out the kajal, narrow her eyes like an artist correcting a masterpiece, and with a smile put one tiny black dot on my face or behind my ear. I would protest immediately. “Granny! Why?” She would look almost offended by the question. “Tu chup kar bacchi... Nazar lagg jaati hai.” I would stare at her. “So you are making me less pretty?” “Exactly,” she said, completely satisfied. “Only a little. Enough to confuse the nazar.” Her logic seemed absurd, but airtight. A new frock, good marks, shiny hair, too much laughter, ... apparently everything needed protection. Granny believed happiness should never go out into the world alone. It must carry one small defect with it. As a child, I found this completely ridiculous. As an adult, I find it rather adorable. Now I get it. She was not spoiling the beauty. She was just giving it a bodyguard - a protection.🌸