Appearances are Deceptive

[Year: 2001]

What makes yearn for winter, even the severe winter with its biting cold, chilly winds and bleak skies, is that it invites ne to go for long walks. It was on one such wintry day that I walked to the market with my husband to make a few purchases.

While walking towards the neighborhood general merchant store, I saw a White Maruti Esteem stop across the road. From the car, emerged a young girl. Clad in hip hugging jeans and a pullover, she had a face which could have graced the cover of any woman's magazine, and figure to match.

Seeing her finger her shoulder length, windblown hair, I thought she was on her way to the beauty parlor and was dismayed when I saw her walk into the shop towards which I was heading.

I was however, curious to see such a glamorous customer in the corner shop and wondered what propelled her here. My curiosity was soon  assuaged. She asked for dog coats. "Which size?" asked the shop attendent.

She stared outside the shop, her face pensive and the attendent had to repeat his question to catch her attention. "Oh, show me all sizes!", she said. If the attendent found her request strange he did not say so.

But I was fascinated when she quickly picked up, not one, not two but eight coats in different sizes and colors.

I tried to imagine the house she lived in. It had to be a sprawling villa with spacious lawns where the dogs would be exercised by a trainer. She probably had a cute Apso or a pet Poodle to cuddle, a Labrador to stand sentinel, or even a fierce Rotweiler.

As I stepped out of the shop a few minutes later, a strange sight met my eyes. Surrounded by all the stray dogs of the neighborhood, she was busy trying the coats around their scruffy and chilled bodies. When the last coat was gifted, she stepped into her Esteem and drove away.

And I realized just how badly I had misjudged her and wondered yet again, how deceptive appearances could be.

(Author: Unknown)