The girl with a nose stud

Piercings were for wild people. Folks who had body piercings at unusual places, tattered clothes are disorganized and lack sophistication. It was not for a simple girl like me; until one day 6 years ago. I was in California, sitting in a food court in a mall after shopping when a lady walked with her kid of about 4-5 years. They sat beside my table and the kid's curiosity had no end. She asked what was the dot on my forehead(bindi). Her mom explained that it was an accessory like her hair accessory. The girl then commented "Mom! She has a piercing on her nose!"

I never thought it was nose piercing until that moment even though it obviously was. It is a common practice in India and I didnt consider it wild! But hell! it was. So I was wild with a nose piercing and an ornamental stud. That's when I realized my colleagues and peers at work would have had the same opinion. How did they address me behind my back? That Indian girl with a piercing? Ewwww!

So how did it happen? I was in 6th grade and my cousin was getting married. It was mandatory in my community for a girl to have her nose pierced and wear a jewelery; else they would blame it being barren (not a positive sign). So after much persuasion; my family got her to agree and it was done. I somehow found the nose stud cool and I wanted it to! My mom denied but I wouldn't give up.

So finally one Sunday; accompanied by my neighborhood kids (all boys gang); went to a local goldsmith. It was a festivity kind of environment; we were making noise; laughing and looking forward to the event. My mom bought me a tiny stud and there! a sharp copper wire pierced on the left side of my nose. The puncture was like an ant bite; it didn't pain. We went back with the same excitement and joy.

It has stayed on after all these years. Its not common nowadays for a girl to get her nose pierced but that's what puts me apart from others. I still find it cool :) But I wouldn't do it anywhere else on my body. That's wild!!