Sarees for life - 1

 Anush and Anjali are happily married couple. After one and half year of their marriage, Anush and Anjali are going to visit Anjali's mom, Rekha. 

It's a long journey of 12 hours. Both Anush and Anjali are software engineers. They both generally live along with his mom, Rupa and his sister Neha. 

After a long journey, they reached their destination. 

As soon as they got out of the car, Rekha was there to greet them with a big smile. Anush took out Anjali's bag from the back seat and he kept his bag in the trunk. 

He opened the trunk and was shocked to see a can of oil spilled all over his bag. He opened his bag and saw all of his clothes were drenched in the oil. 

Why did you keep your bag in the truck? Anjali asked Anush with disappointment. 

Rekha intervened and told them not to take this seriously. They can buy clothes in their town. 

Both Anush and Anjali knows there no clothes shops near here. 

Rekha told Anush to take out the bag from truck and she will take care of the rest. 

Anush hoped Rekha would wash these clothes for him, so he placed the bag on the floor and walked inside the home along with Anjali. 

They were already tired, so after having dinner and Anusha and Anjali went to their room. 

After the bath Anjali changed into a saree, she forgot to bring her nighties and Anush slept his clothes. 

Next day early in the morning, 

Anjali, I am smelling bad. Can you please arrange some clothes for me, while I take a bath? Requested Anush

Just then Rekha also came to their room. 

Anush take a bath. I will arrange some clothes for you, said Rekha

After a while Anush came out of the bathroom. 

Anjali, did you arrange some clothes for me? Asked Anush

Almost. I am waiting for my mom, said Anjali nervously 

Just then Rekha entered the room with some blouses and gave them to Anjali and left the room. 

Anush stood silently waiting for some clothes. 

Anjali walked over to him and 

Anush, there are no male clothes in the house and I didn't bring any nighties and mom also doesn't have any nighties. So for you only sarees are available for you to wear, said  Anjali 

Anush was stunned by what he just heard. Anjali was walking to him with a blouse. Anush was saying no but Anjali requested him and kissed him multiple times. 

Please Anush, I came here after a year. Let me enjoy the stay here. You will be wear this saree only in the home, requested Anjali

Anush doesn't want to wear it but he has no other clothes, so he agreed to wear a saree a today. 

Anjali felt happy and she helped him with the blouse and the petticoat. 

They she took out a saree and started to drape it. She took her time and neatly draped the saree on Anush. 

She took a step back and looked at him from top to bottom.

Saree doesn't look bad on his him. Actually saree really suits his physic, thought Anjali 

Anush was really embarrassed to stand before Anjali in a saree. 

There is nothing to be embarrassed about, said Anjali and walked him out of the room to have breakfast. 

He walked slowly making sure not to step on the saree. 

In the living room, he saw Rekha and he was embarrassed a little. Rekha didn't laugh or smile sarcastically. She just smiled at them and told Anjali to bring the dishes from kitchen. 

Both Rekha and Anush sat on the chair. 

Anush take your saree and place it on your lap like this. Otherwise it will become dirty,  said Rekha and showed him how to do it. 

Anush placed his saree pallu on his lap like Rekha told him. 

Anjali brought all the dishes from kitchen and they started to chit chat while having breakfast. Anusha felt little easy as both Rekha and Anjali didn't talking about him being in the saree. 

After the breakfast, he went to the living room to watch TV. While sitting he remembered what Rekha had said. So he placed his pallu on his lap while sitting on the sofa. 

While watching cricket, he forgot he was in a saree. 

By the end of the day he was feeling normal. At night he slept in the saree. 

Next day after the bath Anjali took out another saree for him.

Anjali I was hoping to wear my pants and shirt, said Anush

Your pant and shirt are washed but if you wear them now. You might have to wear a saree to home. You know it's raining as well so your clothes might not be dry, said Anjali 

With no choice, he allowed Anjali to drape a saree on him again. 

This color really suits you, said Anjali after she draped the saree. 

He walked out of the room and Rekha gave him a pleasant smile. 

This color really suits you, said Rekha also

Come let's have breakfast, said Rekha by holding his shoulder. 

For the next 4 days, Anush wore only sarees. 

In the evening they all are watching TV. In the news they heard about a virus called Covid and the entire country is under lock down. 

So for the next 10 days with no choice Anush wore sarees and Anjali also taught him how to drape it.

He learnt it but he couldn't drape it perfectly like Anjali. 

He got information from his company to do work from home. Thankfully he brought the laptop with him. 

Next day he wore a saree which was picked out by Anjali. 

Just then Rekha entered the room and Sat beside him. 

Anush you are looking good in the saree but whenever I see you, I feel few things are missing and I feel really odd, said Rekha

Anush was confused and asked her what was she talking about. 

I think the virus issue will be resolved in few more days until then can you wear anklets, bangles and earrings when you are in a saree? asked Rekha 

Anush was stunned. He said no but Rekha continued to request. 

Anush was not good at saying no. Rekha kept on saying it's only for few days and she already fixed a anklet to his left leg. 

Anush was still saying no but Rekha didn't mind. She fixed another anklet to his right legs and put two bangles in each of his hands. 

He stopped saying no with no hope and was still whining when Rekha was inserting earrings to his ears. She placed a bindi between his eye brows. 

She ran her fingers through his shoulder length hair and said he is looking complete. 

He was still not OK. Rekha took his hand and walked him out of the room. 

With his each anklets are making a lot of noise. His was wearing a medium size earrings and he can feel their presence. His ear were pierced when he was a kid, to his bad luck the holes are not yet closed. 

In the kitchen, Rekha was cooking his favorite dishes. She was asking his opinion on the food. Even though Anush was not OK wearing all these, he decided not make it as a big issue. 

Just then Anjali entered kitchen. She just took a bath and got ready. Anush doesn't know how Anjali would react to his new accessories. 

At first Anjali didn't see his new accessories, he was facing the other side. Then she noticed bangles to his hand. 

She was shocked and surprised at the same time. When he turned around, she saw the bindi on his forehead, earring, bangles. When he moved, she heard sound of the anklets as well. 

Just a few days ago, Rekha told Anjali about Anush looking weird without accessories. Now he is wearing them. 

He is looking well now, thought Anjali and decided not ask him about it. 

She was speaking to him like nothing as changed. 

Next day after the bath he noticed a blouse, petticoat, a saree, matching bangles and a bindi packet on the bed. 

Without any problem he wore the saree and matching bangles. He brushed his hair and placed a bindi on his forehead by looking in the mirror. 

He opened his laptop to start his work. Just then Anjali also entered the room to start her work as well. She sat next to Anush and opened her laptop. 

Just then she saw Anush's face. With a smile she removed the bindi and placed it correctly. 

Anush you have to place the bindi correctly between your eye brows. Just look at mine, said Anjali with a smile

Anush can't believe he is getting tips from his wife on how to wear a bindi correctly. 

While typing his bangles were disturbing him a lot. Anjali again told him to pull his bangles back little while typing. 

Anush did as Anjali said and it was little helpful to him. 

It's been nearly one and half mom since lock down. At first he was wearing 2 bangles in each hand but now he is wearing 4 bangles to each hand just like his wife and a chain around his neck, so his neck wouldn't look empty. 

Rupa and Neha were happy knowing Anush and Anjali are doing well. But they don't about Anush wearing sarees yet. 

At night, 

Anjali, why is Anush not answering video calls? It's been almost 2 months since we have seen him, asked Rupa

So aunt what happened with Anush is, said Anjali with hesitation 

Did something bad happened to him? Asked Rupa nervous 

No no not like that. All his clothes were spiled because of oil and in the house apart from sarees nothing is available. So , said Anjali with hesitation 

Immediately Neha understood, what Anjali was saying.

Are you saying Anush is wearing sarees? Asked Neha with excitement. 

Rupa widened her eyes.

Is that true? Asked Rupa

Yes, said Anjali 

There was silent for a few seconds and Rekha and Neha started laughing. 

So that's why he is not answering video calls, said Rupa with a smile

So how is he looking in the saree? Asked Neha with excitement 

Actually he is looking really good in the saree. It's been almost 2 months since he started to wear sarees. He is comfortable in sarees now and he can drape it on his own, said Anjali 

Really! Exclaimed Rupa. 

Even Neha doesn't know how to drape a saree till now, said Rupa

Can you please show us how is he looking? Asked Neha

I don't know, he might get angry. I don't know how long we have to say here. If he finds out I have shared his saree pics, he would stop wearing sarees and try to come home in this serious situation, said Anjali 

That's true. You said he is working. So turn your back camera and show him without him knowing, said Neha

Anjali also agreed and went to his room. He was seriously working. She sat opposite to him and acted like he was using Instagram but actually he was clearly visible to Rupa and Neha. 

Both Rupa and Neha couldn't believe their eyes. Whatever Anjali said is true. He is looking really good in a saree. 

After 10 min, Anjali left the room. 

So how is he looking? Asked Anjali with a smile

He is looking beautiful, said Rupa 

I wish I was there, said Rupa 

So how long is he going to wear sarees? Asked Neha 

As long as we are here, said Anjali 

Did he complain? Asked Rupa

No, me and mom made sure to make him feel comfortable. And not make a big deal out of it, said Anjali 

....... 

After a month, came a festival. So early in the morning Anjali wore a silk saree and she took out another silk and a blouse for Anush. 

Anush said he doesn't want to wear silk saree but Anjali didn't care. 

After the bath call me. You might find it little difficult to wear it, said Anjali and left the room to do some preparations for a prayer. 

After the bath he wore his blouse and a petticoat. He called Anjali but she didn't respond. Just then the Rekha entered the room with few things in her hand. 

Anjali is busy in kitchen. I will help you to get ready, said Rekha and took the silk saree and started to drape it. 

She carefully did his pleats and tucked into his petticoat. She pinned his pallu on his shoulder and secured his saree in multiple places with safety pins. 

Anush sit before the dressing table. Today is festival so I bought few things for you, said Rekha

He sat on the chair and placed the saree pallu on his lap neatly. 

Rekha started to brush his hair. She middle parted his hair and made a bun. She secured his hair with few hair pins. 

They she took out the jewelry set she brought with him. She replaced his earrings with big jhumkas. Then she took a simple necklace and placed it around his neck. 

Anush didn't say anything. He just sat like a doll. 

Rekha filled his hands with a mix of glass and golden bangles. She placed a matching bindi on his forehead. 

In the mirror he saw Rekha holding Jasmin flowers and a hair pin. 

He is already in a silk saree and jewelry. So a strand of flowers not going to make much difference, thought Anush

Rekha decorated his bun with the flowers and secured it with hair pins. 

When he saw himself in the mirror he couldn't believe his eyes he is looking as womanly as possible. 

Anjali did the arrangement for a prayer. When she saw Anush coming toward her along with her mom she was surprised his looks.

No one will believe Anush is actually a man and her husband. 

Three of them did the prayers together. 

After that Anush received a video call from his mom. 

He disabled video and enabled audio only. 

He placed his phone on a bed. Just then he got a mail. So he opened his laptop to check it. 

He was distracted and without him knowing Anjali enabled the video call. 

When Rekha and Neha saw Anush. They were surprised to see him in a silk saree and all the jewelry. 

They understood he might have switched the video call by accident. 

Rekha and Neha looked at his sarees and  jewelry but didn't say anything to him. 

After 15 min, 

Anush, you are looking really good in this silk saree and jewelry, said Rupa 

Anusha was stunned listening to it. He turned around and was shocked by knowing the camera is on. 

Immediately he took his phone to turn it off but Rupa warned him not to do it. 

She asked him to show himself from top to bottom. 

Rupa was impressed by his looks. She asked him to turn around. Once he did, both Rupa and Neha saw his hair bun and flowers in it. 

Anush explained them why he is wearing sarees. Even though they know the reason, they acted like they doesn't know. 

Anush, you are looking really good. You don't have to hide it from us, said Rupa kindly

.... 

Since then everyday Rekha made sure he is wearing flowers and every now and then Rupa would video call him and she would complement him on his sarees and jewelry. 

As the months passed he still stuck in the sarees and Rekha slowly indulged him in household chores. 

On every festival he is wearing silk sarees and all the jewelry. 

There is a change in the way his mom and sister spoke to him.