Put the final touches on Vignesh’s glow-up

“I think I even smell cleaner,” Vignesh says, sniffing his arm as he leaves the store. “I didn’t realise it would be so obvious!”

“It’s surprising what a difference a good scent can make,” you agree. “Hey, y’know what? We should get you some cologne. Who knows, it could be the difference-maker tomorrow.”

“And it’s something that I can use for the future, too,” Vignesh says. “A smart investment, in other words.”

“That’s one way to put it,” you laugh, steering Vignesh towards a perfume store.

Though most of the products inside the store are clearly marketed towards women, you eventually find the small corner designated for men. A helpful sales rep talks Vignesh through his options, while you stand back and enjoy the show. It’s not everyday that you get to watch a boy transform into a man. And if tomorrow goes well then... he’ll be a real man, then.

As Vignesh deliberates between the subtleties of his new potential scent, you take a step back and glance at him. He’s got his new shirt wrapped up and tucked under his arm, which you’re sure will look good on him tomorrow. That leaves as the biggest thing sticking out…

“We need to get you a haircut,” you tell Vignesh as he checks out by the counter.

“You think?” he asks, rolling his eyes upwards in a futile attempt to look at his own hair.

“I do,” you say. “It’s the last piece of the puzzle. No offense, but your current haircut looks like the kind of thing that people get in jail because they’ve got no better options.”

“Yeah,” he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “My mom cut my hair too.”

“Tell me she’s trained to be a hairdresser,” you say.

“Uh… I don’t think she’s had any training,” Vignesh says. “We always just used the kitchen scissors to do the job.”

“Goddamn,” you whistle under your breath. “Let’s get you to a real stylist to see what kind of magic they can work.”

The answer, it turns out, is a feat to rival David Copperfield’s greatest conjuring. As you sit in the seat next to Vignesh, getting yourself a haircut too, you watch as the stylist working Vignesh’s hair transforms the unruly mess of uneven hair into something that a Bollywood star would envy, the tall angles and volume something you would never have imagined on his head.

“It’s a pity you don’t take better care of your hair,” the stylist mutters to Vignesh. “But already this is looking much better, don’t you agree?”

Vignesh nods eagerly, and the stylist takes a step back, pulling her hands away from his hair, not wanting to mess it up from his sudden motion.

“And you don’t come to a stylist very often, do you?” she laughs.

He starts to shake his head, before catching himself and saying: “Nope, haven’t ever been to one before.”

“Have you got any hair product for him?” you ask her, eyeing the copious amounts that she’s been putting into Vignesh’s hair. “He doesn’t have any, and I think he’d like to replicate this look on his own.”

“Well, of course,” she says. “Just a moment.”

She reappears a moment later with a small container, placing it on the counter in front of Vignesh.

“This one’s on the house, for a first time—and hopefully not last time!—customer,” she laughs.

“Wow, thanks so much,” Vignesh says eagerly. “Is it hard to get it back into this shape? Because I’m scared that if I try it on my own, I’ll mess it up a bit, and it won’t look the same.”

“Well, there’s nothing saying that this is the best way to sculpt your hair,” she says, gesturing at his current hairdo. “Just make sure you wash your hair first, and then experiment! I’m sure it will turn out looking great.”

With that, she pats him on the shoulders and begins to sweep the hair off his apron, signaling the end of his haircut. You, having not needed nearly as much attention from your stylist, get up from your seat, and you survey Vignesh as he rises from the chair.

“Much better,” you say, not without some satisfaction. “You’re going to kill it tomorrow.”

“Man, even if it doesn’t work out, I already feel so much better,” Vignesh smiles. “Thanks for helping me today.”

Vignesh +25