I do. At the most inappropriate times. For the weirdest of reasons.
A few days ago, my dad had to travel out of town for work. The three of us, which includes the mother, the sister and I, sulked, whined and did some amount of brooding. We didn’t want him to go. I know. We’re a clingy bunch. Anyway, after some bit of cajoling from him and promises to be back real soon, we agreed to behave like adults and let him get on with his business.
Since it was going to be just the three of us, we decided to have a girls’ day out. The plan was to indulge and shop for things we otherwise wouldn’t, gorge on street side food, walk around the place till we pleased and head back home at night.
The evening was going on well. We seemed to be having a lot of fun. A few interesting things were purchased. And then it happened. As we were entering one of the stores, I caught sight of something that tickled every cell in my body. Well, nobody else seemed to find it funny. The laughter started. And it went on. And on. And on. Until people started staring at me. The sister asked me to get a grip. I could no longer stand. I leaned on one of the walls because it was so hard to hold myself and the unrestrained laughter. Embarrassed, the mother asked me to behave myself or she would walk away. I tried. God knows, I tried. Who knew it would be so hard to put an end to the laughter that was gushing out, making me seem like a maniac in the middle of the road.
After a lot labour and persisitent effort, I managed to pause the laughter and take a deep breath. I shut my eyes, lest I start laughing again. We entered the store. The mother started talking to the men behind the counters. I don’t know what exactly made my control break all over again, but there I was, laughing out aloud in the middle of the store, for no apparent reason. I think I almost toppled over. I remember my mom telling the store owner, “She has gone mad”. I could see the rest of the folks eyeing me, trying to hold back their laughter. Since I couldn’t stand there, letting people believe I was a lunatic on the prowl, I walked out of the store, amidst choking laughter and giggles.
It took me a long time to regain all the lost control. Alas, my dignity is not something I could regain. The damage was already done. I had managed to establish myself as a delirious and unbalanced individual. The sad part is that this isn’t the first time it has happened. The sadder part is that I know it isn’t the last either. I tried to walk out of that place as fast as I could. But not before taking a pic of the source of my amusement, or rather, embarrassment. And yes, you are not permitted to ask me why I found it that funny. But seriously, why on earth would anybody want their mannequin to look like this?