Minni, the second one in my life, but with a double ‘n’, is the owner of the parlour—Beauty and the Best—and Mr Singh-at-reception is her husband. The two are made for each other—if I’ve never heard Mr Singh speak a word, I’ve never seen Minni shut up or shy from telling people exactly what she thinks of them or the haircut they’re asking for.

Beauty and the Best is somewhat far from home but I’ve stuck with it ever since we (Sid and I) shifted to Vasant Kunj. Minni always looks after me. In fact Minni ensures all her clients are treated like stars. One of the reasons women come from as far as Patel Nagar to get their hair done by her.

Minni’s about five feet—vertically and horizontally—but she makes up for the lack of height with her personality. She has strong opinions about beauty and she’s not afraid to tell you.

‘Why Priyanka, why do you want highlights in your hair? Don’t mind me saying but with your skin colour, not that I am saying you are dark or anything, but you’re a beautiful sanwla and with that duskiness a blond streak will make you look like you’re trying very hard. Like what my teenage daughter calls wantobes or something,’ Minni admonishes one of her clients while cutting little strips of aluminium foil, ‘But if you want colour I will give you colour only I think this one suits you more, trust you me okay.’

Priyanka—thoroughly embarrassed now—meekly agrees to Minni’s suggestion. Minni has a record of never being wrong when she decides how her client should look. I get a pedicure as I watch Minni expertly wrap the aluminium foil around Priyanka’s hair.

The girl doing my pedicure asks me if I might want a fruit facial—there’s a discount on a pedicure and facial combination today.

‘Both top and bottom look good then,’ she says.

I politely refuse but unfortunately for me, Minni hears me.

‘Bhagwan ne itna achcha skin diya hai, you need to look after it more Polly, god knows a woman needs it at your age. Not that I’m saying you look old or anything but trust you me, old age happens overnight from what I’ve seen. One morning nice plumpy skin and next morning the wrinklies are taking over,’ Minni says.

I agree to go in for the facial. I do feel special today—and also because I don’t have the heart or the courage to argue with Minni. I choose a mango facial, change into a sari petticoat tied up as an off-shoulder gown and lie down for the massage. The girl starts with gentle, circular motions on my cheeks …