Ink talks

When things around you change rapidly, you search for a sign of permanency. Something to call your own.

When you are a maverick mom and believe this life was made for you, you live it your way! 

When a thought plants itself in your mind and then is watered and fed and nurtured through googling and meeting the right folks, you want to see the fruit!

And that is how a Tattoo was born! 

One year, on a to do list, along with learning to swim, traveling to unknown places and being more forgiving, in small print was 'get a tattoo'!

The year went by, but not without googling!

The idea of getting a tattoo was growing, my search history was filed with dark images! 

Some scary, some meaningless, some prosaic, some plain boring! But images all waiting to get inked!

Swimming was attempted, failed! 

Unknown places happened, successfully!

Mixed feelings on the tattoo!

The need for something more permanent in life still lingered.

Google has never let me down, I read about how simple it could be, how permanent it was, how painful it could be, how like pins and needles it was! 

Spoke to a few friends who had tattoos and knew those who had got a tattoo done!!

there was still a fear, fear of diseases! 

6 months over and yet no tattoo!

I got the contacts of a few tattoos artists through reliable references, saw their work on skin!

Called them up, spoke over phone,

Got the address, walked around the area where they worked! Tried to see the crowd going in and coming out! Yeah I stalked them!!!

Oh the research was thorough indeed!

As much as I craved permanency, I feared it too! 

It was more painful and expensive to get it removed......

And, what about my parents and my kids? What would they say? I knew my parents may want to disown me! They were prudes and would be shocked to see something abstract showing up! They classified this as the work of the devil! Evil influence! 

My kids would be proud of me! Mom who does the weird things! Cool Mom!

I decided to take it as it comes! The tattoo was also a sign of rebellion, to tell my parents I was grown up now! 

The date was finalised. A day when none would be home! 

October was here! If not now then never!

I had fixed the appointment for Saturday afternoon. 

I knew I wanted a Virgo constellation! had taken a few prints of what I had in mind.

I had an approximate price range and size in mind. 

I knew for certainty where I wanted the tattoo to be inked.

The process was smooth, the studio was clean, the music was loud.

To shut the slow muffled screams of pain, to drown the noise of the whirring needle.

We went through a few representative designs, what would actually look good as a tattoo, she was pleased with my research, I was satisfied with her inputs!

Good start! 

I was confident now.

I quickly downed an Ibuprofen to dull the pain and sat still in the chair. Sudden moves could change the whole constellation!

I could see the design turning into reality on my unexposed skin. I could feel pins and needles on the soft tissue.

No, there was no pain, having gone through natural childbirth, with no pain relief, I was ready to take on any degree of pain.

This was nothing compared to what I had read.

Since I had chosen a black constellation, it was pure pricks, no shades! Simple, quick and clean!

It looked ghastly when done.

With the oil and tape over it, it looked like someone had stabbed me with lead pencil all over!!

The doubts started!

went home with a feeling of misgiving! And a self care kit!

I got home, got trusted google to answer my first query. 

How to remove a tattoo? 

Can home remedies help immediately after inking?

It was not meant to be, I was advised not to try anything stupid and cause an infection.

I was not happy! the work was good, the design perfect! 

But I did not want a tattoo anymore!!!

Yet, I took care of it, like you do a cactus, with care, but not love!! 

Sleep is always a cure! I felt better the next morning. With no kids to answer too and a full necked T shirt to cover it from the view of my parents, I survived the night!

I took care of it with caution, the thought of removing it in a week still lingering. 

I looked up laser studios, called them up as well the next day.

They all advised time! time heals! give time some time!

My tattoo played peek a boo at work:) some stared, some questioned! Some looked away!

Slowly, I felt comfortable.

My kids could now see it as well, they asked, I brushed them aside! 

Within a week, it grew on me, I started loving it, it looked better, it healed well. Not red and dotted, but smooth and clear!

I flaunted it in low necked Tees, I allowed it to peek through a netted neckline!

Oh I started taking pride in my tattoo!! 

Mine, representing me! 
The starts peeping out if you stared long enough, the Virgo in me coming alive! 

I could see the pride in my daughters' eyes, the indifference in my parents!

Some see it the way I do, some hope to see even a bit of it! 

Nothing bothered me! I had done it for myself! 

And was soon googling more designs to tattoo!!

I even referred my design studio to many others who liked what I had done!!!

Did I get another one?
No, am still waiting for that inspiration to strike me. 
Someday.........