It all began one July afternoon when Vivank sat in the barber’s chair, the familiar buzz of clippers filling the small shop. His hair had been kept extremely short, a buzz cut he preferred for ease and discipline. The barber, a man who had watched him grow up, paused mid-trim. “You know, Vivank, what if you let it grow for a couple of months? We could try a new style.” Vivank considered it, curious about seeing himself differently. His parents, however, were initially less enthusiastic. When he returned home, his mother glanced at him and said with a slight frown, “Are you sure? It might look messy, difficult to manage…” His father added in a practical tone, “It’s fine for now, but if it gets too long, we might need to trim it. You have exams coming; don’t let hair bother you.” Vivank nodded but decided to go ahead; he enjoyed the thought of change and was confident he could manage it responsibly.
The first few weeks of growth were slow, the buzz gradually giving way to soft, short strands. Each day, his mother would watch him brush and oil it, sometimes teasing lightly about the tiny fuzz on his head. “Look at this, Vivank… are you trying to become a rock star?” she would joke, half in warning, half in affection. His father observed more quietly, offering occasional reminders about tidiness: “Keep it combed. Don’t let it hang into your eyes during studies.” Though they were cautious at first, their minor concerns were never harsh; they simply wanted him presentable, especially as exams approached. Vivank complied, maintaining neat combing routines, careful oiling, and subtle trimming of stray ends when necessary. Slowly, the hair thickened, reaching past his collar by September. His mother, seeing how healthy and strong it was, softened her initial tone. “You know, it’s actually looking good… maybe you should keep it for a while,” she said one evening, smoothing strands behind his ears. His father, noticing the change, remarked quietly, “Yes, it’s manageable. Looks better than I expected.” Their initial worries had shifted to cautious approval, giving Vivank the confidence to continue growing his hair
