A soft chime rang as Arjun pushed open the glass door.
Inside, Aurora Salon & Style was filled with the quiet hum of dryers, faint music, and the scent of lavender shampoo. Mirrors glimmered under warm lights, and everything looked spotless—white marble floors, pastel walls, gold-trimmed shelves lined with beauty products.
A receptionist greeted him with a professional smile.
"Good evening, sir. Do you have an appointment?"
"No," Arjun said. "But if someone's free, I'd like a haircut. Maybe… something that suits me better."
"Of course." She checked her tablet, then nodded toward one of the chairs. "You're in luck. Zara can take you right now."
---
The stylist approached with a friendly confidence—mid-twenties, short brown hair, light hazel eyes, dressed in a black salon uniform. She smiled.
"Hi, I'm Zara. Come on, have a seat. Let's see what we're working with."
Arjun sat down, catching his reflection in the large mirror—messy hair, tired eyes, casual shirt. Zara's eyes met his through the glass.
"So, what are you looking for today?"
He chuckled softly. "A fresh start. Maybe something modern? I just… want to look like I belong in this decade again."
Zara laughed. "Got it. You look like someone who's been too busy to care about style for a while."
"You're not wrong," Arjun admitted. "Work used to run my life. Now, things are… different."
She raised an eyebrow, clipping a towel around his neck. "Different how?"
"Let's just say I've finally got time for myself," he replied with a grin.
---
Scissors clicked softly as Zara worked—snipping, layering, shaping. Loose strands fell onto the black cape like pieces of an old version of him.
"So, you're from around here?" she asked.
"Yeah, moved to Emerald Heights recently."
Her eyes widened slightly in the mirror. "Really? That's one of the richest neighborhoods in Asteria."
Arjun smiled faintly. "Yeah, I got lucky."
"Lucky's good," she said. "You don't hear that often these days."
They chatted about the city, favorite cafés, and how expensive rent had become. Zara was easy to talk to—warm, witty, and genuinely interested.
When she finished styling, she turned his chair toward the mirror.
The reflection staring back almost stunned him. His black hair was now neatly trimmed and slightly tousled at the top, giving him a confident, youthful look. The tired man he'd been yesterday seemed to have vanished.
Zara smiled at his expression. "You like it?"
"I love it," he said honestly. "It's perfect. I almost don't recognize myself."
"That's the goal," she said with a playful wink.
--
As she brushed away the loose hair, Arjun glanced at the shelves nearby—bottles, creams, and tonics neatly arranged.
"Hey, Zara," he asked, "could you recommend some skincare or hair products? I'm trying to… take better care of myself now."
Her smile widened. "That's a great idea. For your skin type—fair, a bit dry—you'll want a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and serum. For hair, something hydrating. I can write the names down for you."
"Thanks," he said, sincerely grateful.
She scribbled a short list on the salon's card and handed it to him.
"If you have questions, text me," she added casually. "Sometimes products need small adjustments."
Arjun blinked. "Are you sure?"
"Of course." She grinned. "It's part of the service. Besides, you seem nice. I like helping people who actually care about maintaining the look."
He accepted the card—on the back was her name and phone number written in neat, flowing script.
"Thank you, Zara. Really."
"Anytime, Arjun."
He paid, left a generous tip, and waved as he stepped outside. The evening air felt fresher, somehow lighter. The faint reflection in the salon window showed a man who looked alive again—clean, confident, and quietly smiling.
He ran a hand through his new haircut and thought,
Maybe this is how it starts—a better version of me.
Chapter 5 — End.