Draping a saree was never a favourite for the young bride Tarika. She hatedit, especially during summers. The hot sticky summer and draping six yards of fabric around was a task. More over saree,worn over a petticoat meant one more layer of fabric between skin and air. This was a challenge. More over Tarika was very conscious of the little space of waist that was exposed to air. She called it horrific spare tyre proportions.

The first experience of draping a saree was a nightmare for her. By the time she wasthrough the crisp ironed saree almost looks like a tent. It seemed like the saree hadnever been through the process of starching and ironing. When she looked down at herself, she saw Sunday was longer than Monday. Her petticoat was peeping out ofher saree.

Tarika was horrified looking at herself in the mirror. She had tied the petticoat with such laxity that a step and the entire contraption could fall to the floor in a public situation of such horrifying embarrassment. Therefore, the process started all over again. Undrape, unpin. Tighten petticoat fastener(“nada“). Breathe in. Breathe out. See barewaist in full horror in mirror. Faint. Revive. Drape saree carefully all over. Do the pleats. Stick safety pin into saree and do the Rumpelstiltskin hop and jump and stomping dance, until the concerned family members knocked at the door gently and ask if she needed help. Out of courtesy she replied she was doing well.

An hour and half later Tarika emerged from her room looking elegent but uncomfortable and tired,only praying that the social dos end fast and she can getback to her normal self.

After this terrible experience with the saree, Tarika got herself ready to wear hassle free tailored sarees and happily attended all her social functions in the most elegantand traditional attire ever after.