Angels & Demons

Usually, mom does her best to stay as far away as possible from exhibition-cum-sales at private homes. She has no intention of buying, and finds it rather embarrassing to look-see and walk away, thus wasting her time and the eager seller’s.

Last weekend, despite her vociferous protests and better judgment, mom allowed herself to be dragged to one such exhibition at an acquaintance's house. She expected to find the usual mishmash of jewelry and saris and sterling silver religious items, but was bowled over by the seller’s artistic abilities. The girl’s a budding designer with an eclectic taste and a keen eye for style. Mom could only stare open-mouthed at the tasteful jewelry she had designed and the clothes she embroiders and sews on her sewing machine.

Not only is the girl highly talented and extremely smart, she’s also very attractive and particularly pleasant. Try as she might, mom couldn’t find anything to hate about her, and jealousy was quickly replaced by admiration.

As she joined her friends and oohed and aahed at the girl’s creations, discreetly eyeing the price tags all the while, mom wrestled with her inner angel and demon, weighing her wants and needs versus the “simplify my life" theory she has recently espoused.

Demon: “Look at that gorgeous maroon sari! It will look so good on you. Go on, touch it, you know you want to.”

Angel: “Do you really need another sari? You barely use the ones you have.”

Demon: “Come on, your friends have seen all your saris. You need a serious wardrobe update, honey.”

Angel: “Think about it. If you buy the sari, you’ll be tempted to buy that gorgeous semi-precious set that matches it. And the next occasion to wear a sari is Diwali, a long way away.”

Demon: “Bah, you can create an occasion! Throw a party and invite all your girlfriends and tell them to dress up. You can show off; they can show off; everybody will be happy!”

Angel: “Aren’t you running late? We should leave now. The children must be getting antsy and you still haven’t made lunch.”

Demon: “Oh, come on! The sari’s calling out to you. Hey, you can get a halter neck blouse to go with it … like Rani Mukherjee’s blouse in that song from Hum Tum.”

Angel: “Right! How are you going to get a halter neck blouse past your parents? They frown at even sleeveless clothes.”

Demon: “Why do you care about what your parents think?!! You guys don’t even live on the same continent, for crying out loud! You really need to grow up.”

Angel: “Be practical. Do you really want to plunk down hard-earned money for a sari and jewelry that will sleep in your closet until the next wedding in the family, whenever that is?”

Demon: “Hey, you can afford it. Go ahead, you deserve it!”

Angel: “Don’t you think you should run this past dad before you decide? I don’t think you can return purchases.”

Demon: “Oh, and what will dad say? No? When does he ever say, ‘No?’ And how can you walk out empty-handed now that you’re here? That would be downright embarrassing.”

Angel: “You should never have come. Think about it, do you really need it or do you want it?”

Demon: “Now, there’s no need to get all philosophical about clothes and jewelry. It’s not a major life decision – it’s just stuff. What’s wrong with wanting pretty things?”

Angel: “All right, I’ve said my piece. But I think you should get only one item. Pick either the sari or the jewelry, not both.”

Demon: “I think you should buy a third item. What about this pretty lehenga? Kuki would look like a doll in it.”

Angel: “Suit yourself, but before you make a final decision, tell me … do you think you’ll make a greater impression on dad when (a.) You’re decked in an exquisite sari and heavy jewelry or (b.) When you’re wearing absolutely nothing, yes, I mean nothing, but a smile?”

Her priorities firmly in place, mom rushed out of the sale empty-handed.