You don't look like married!

Yes, you don’t believe that I am married, aren’t you. I’m sure you didn’t. Are married women likely to look differently init?It is by practice that the wedding emblem should be carried by the women in the form of sindoor (red vermillion known as kumkum) and mangalsutra or thali. I wonder does anyone ever discern the wedding ring on the men. I find it rather unfair that people around you are so inquisitive to find out your marital status, if the girth of your waist doesn’t show up. Does it matter to them?

Over the couple of months, I have occasionally forgotten to wear the sindoor which always irate my mom. Obviously my mangalsutra is not flaunt due to safety reasons but at all times it has to be worn. It is not intentionally to conceal my marital status. It is not about fashion either. I have put on some extra pounds since I got married almost 3 months ago, but it wasn’t that obvious that most people haven’t noticed it! And therefore, I get that line often, “But you don’t look like married!” Not that I’m not trying to look single, but I don’t think I need to look married either. I mean, if you know me you would know I’m married and if you don’t, how does it matter to you?

I must say I have the privilege to look single which eventually is a sign of youth. Perhaps the nature of my personality and with the figure I am blessed with, it serves as a boon to me. My mom and aunt keep reminding themselves that, “Nisha is married” all the time. To them, I am always their little girl. No people! I am not bragging but it is just a pleasure to feel good about myself. Even then, I am defeated by few of my colleagues whom are married with a child but can afford to look like a teenager! Holy god!

The quizzical look I get when I say, I’m married is just enough for me to secretly feel excited. Don’t tell I have to carry a banner with me affirming that I’m married since I don’t look like one. What raise my curiosity, is there any defined attributes for married ladies to look like? Usually the expansion of women waist circumference and sloppy image inevitably scream out about our marital status. But why no one ever bothers a man whether he’s married or not. Does it make a difference? I think this is simple habituation of human mind to expect women to be in a certain way. I have my tongue in cheek, so you needn’t worry about me ever really doing that!

I think I have the genes that sustain the younger look in my family. If you have seen my dad and mom both in early sixties and late fifties respectively, still fairly look young (they don’t look haggard and too old). Hope I will carry their genetic factor and enjoy the gift. It’s becoming a requisite in younger couples to maintain their beauty regime and being a benchmark to look good even after married. Certainly, being married doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your looks. In the long run, it affects the marriage life for us.

My husband has been working out austerely in the health club that he recently enrolled right after our wedding. He has been hitting the gym and pool every single day till he has shed down on his visceral fat deposits around his waist. Trust me; I am in love again with my hubby. He looks dashing, man! This ultimately fortifies our bond and keeps alive the love that we share. I am up for my beauty and health regime to look attractive like the very first time he fell in love with me.

As a modern age woman, I would strongly adhere to certain principles of life indoctrinated with a dose of moral compulsion for me to be respected and appreciated. Yet, this does not single out women to be treated differently than men. If I am married, so be it then! It doesn’t have to be sensationalized to others. As long as my husband knows I am fulfilling my role as a wife and my family understands my capability to take care of my married life, this is all that matters. The rest is just insignificant.