Got skin problems? Don't worry, these angels will help you out!

Heya people! I'm a happy person today. Say yay! :D

Anyway, this post is about something else. Having come across so many people in my life who're so caring and concerned, I thought they deserve a special-mention-post on my lovely, adorable, beautiful, esteemed blog. Once you've read through, I'm sure you'd feel the same. I'm also thinking of making some pretty Thank You cards and keeping them handy. These people turn up so randomly that I'm unable to properly tell them how grateful I am to have them in my life. Seriously, if not for their concern, I wouldn't even know what is really wrong with me!

It started way back in early 2000s when I, like every other single person on the planet, hit puberty and was greeted with an onslaught of ugly pimples, a subtle and more 'medicated' word for which is 'acne'. The kid in me didn't realize what a horrifying thing it was to have, especially since I'm an Indian girl who'd get older soon and then no one would agree to marry me because my face wasn't "clear". (Just a note: I'm NOT talking about or pointing towards my parents and immediate family for their genuine concern. Obviously they'd help me have normal skin).

If those annoying kiddies in school weren't enough, always pointing those out and talking about them as if my awesome life depended on it, there were millions more of those who seemed to be worried about them too. I couldn't grasp it. I felt shy and didn't feel like going out if there was another breakout. And I'm so thankful to all of those who focused on telling it to my face what a problem it is, because y'know, they saved me from more such stupid people whom I'd have met had I been more social. 

Before I create separate categories of people and incidents to thank them one by one, I'd tell you what the "genuine" problem is. You know, I asked God to let me have the kind of skin that likes to get oily, pimply and enjoys random breakouts. But those fat beasts weren't enough, so I also asked for special permission to have blackheads too. And just in case I manage to lose them, I asked for scars left by those vanishing beasts so there's always proof that my skin is special. Turns out I made a wrong wish! Goodness, I really had no idea. Thanks people for letting me know!

1. The rishtedaars. Right from your dad's siblings to your grandparents' cousins' grandkids, from the weekly-visiting aunts to the oh-I-saw-you-for-the-first-time relative, every person, after the usual happy greeting, makes me even more happy by commenting on how my forehead is a lot more clear but my cheeks need care. Had it not been for them, I wouldn't have known about how multaani mitti would help (and realize to my dismay that I'm allergic to it. Bah). I also would have no idea about different kinds of fruits and their application on the skin (eww?). Really, I so look forward to every gathering so I can have a free check up on how I'm doing skin-wise. *_*

2. The doctors. Not talking about the poor skin specialists (every one of whom I've been to once in my life. Those in Delhi, I mean), but those lucky ones whom I visit for other normal-human-medical issues. You know, they're so smart and concerned for their patients that apart from treating me for the stomach pain I have, they also diagnose my skin problem and suggest medicines for it. Or even better, since their knowledge in the field might be fairly limited, they refer me to their skin-specialist friends who'd be able to treat me better. It feels so good! Getting a double diagnosis when you went for one. Thanks doc!

3. The maids. Now, what kind of a family with working parents wouldn't love these people, who're truly a blessing for our households. The icing on the cake is when apart from making our homes shiny and bright, they also are a great resource for home remedies. While scrubbing the floors when they look up and see you calmly reading a book, they'd want to scrub off those scars on your face too. Since they realize it'd be rude, they come up with weird sounding names for your skin problem, and suggest gharelu ilaaj, assuring you how those would take all the gandagi away. Such dedicated cleaners.

4. The uncle-who-met-in-the-park-after-years. This one is exciting, since I was already so excited to have been able to get up early in the morning (for a change) and going to the huge park where we used to frequent as kids, especially during the holidays. So you can imagine the level of my excitement when I saw an uncle who lives in our old neighbourhood, and whom we called 'Ball uncle' because he used to roll up socks into balls whenever he came to our place and we would play Catch-em-catch with those. Here's how it went:

Dad: "Goodmorning bhaisahab! Kya haal hain?"

Uncle: "Goodmorning! Bas badhiya. Walk shalk, eh? To me: Kaise ho beta? Padhai theek chal rahi hai?

Me: "Haanji uncle, all good." *smiling*

Dad: "Ya aajkal subah time hota hai, thandi hawayen khayi jayen.."

Uncle: *looks at me* "Haan aur kya. Subah fresh air me walk karne se ye sab daag gayab ho jayenge. Keep it up!"

See? For no reason, without even asking, he made me aware of the benefits of a good walk and fresh air and how those would eventually help me get better.

5. The mom's-friend-who-comes-home. She's amazing. She sees me so many days and yet makes it a point to make me see where I'm going wrong. Having come back home after a long, grueling day, I change into casuals, wash my face and go to mom's room to show her something new I got. Now this lady is so thoughtful about my "problem" that it's the first thing she notices and comments on even before uttering a 'Hello'.

She: "Ashna ye aapke face pe ye theek kyu nai ho rahe?" *in her naturally high pitched, over-confident voice*

Me: "Err.. I dunno. And I'm tired. I really don't care."

She: "Paani piya karo khoob saara.. Jitna peete ho usse bhi zyada. Ye sab nishaan chale jayenge. Maano meri baat."

Me: "Okay."

She: "Sayi me. Isse better kuch nai hai."

Me: "Uh uh" *goes out*

I'm sorry miss, I had a feeling I was kind of rude to you, not listening properly. I'd wait for you next time when I'm sure you'd be considerate enough to help me again. :)

6. The classmates-who-meet-after-a-long-time. Although some of them are kind of uncaring, because they don't usually comment, but some of the better ones would tell me if the scars are less or more compared to the last time we met. Not counting the best friends to whom I myself put this question, I'm lucky to have some truly caring friends, who love to try helping me on their own. They'd scold me playfully, ask me to meet a certain doctor, give me tips, and make me imagine a bright future.You know, studying together really gels us together. :')

I'm sure I'm missing out some more special categories. Apologies to those who feel left-out, but worry not, I have you in my mind. :)

You know the kind of people I feel sorry for? Those strangers who randomly come across and compliment me on my hair and ask the kind of oil and shampoo I use. Or those friends who always have a ready compliment whenever there's a new picture or when we meet. They don't know what they're missing! Can't they SEE? They ought to help me out with the bigger problem!  

***

PS- I actually appreciate concern and would be happy to get useful tips, but always talking about them every time you see me and making it a hot topic all the time would take you further from me. If the sight of it hurts you, close your eyes and go talk to someone else. I have better people to talk to.

PPS- What I have isn't even such a huge problem. Stop pestering me about it. 

PPPS- The first PPPS on my blog, here I am, the way I am. The way I love myself. I'm much bigger than what's pestering my skin. If it is a problem to you, go close your eyes and stare at supermodels on screens. Have fun! :D

Unedited pictures.
Go comment all you want, like I care. O:)