Breathtaking Belle

Divya was an outright tomboy. While girls of her age preferred applying makeup, styling hair, and trying trendy outfits, which could highlight their best features, she played football, helped her father in grocery shopping, and smoked cigarettes as well as consumed local liquor occasionally. Basically, she did everything that compelled society to question her femininity.

Vasu was Divya's best friend. Although a software engineer by profession, Vasu loved writing poems and considered Divya as his only muse. He was somehow capable of perceiving her exclusive beauty, which otherwise remained completely hidden.

"What do you think this is?", Divya asked Vasu. "It is a saree, which you must wear for Durga Puja. Divya laughed uncontrollably. "Have you ever seen me wear anything but jeans and tees?" Vasu said with utmost confidence, "You will look breathtaking".

It was Ashtami morning. Divya came out of her shower, and took out the bright crimson coloured Jamdani that Vasu gifted her a month ago. She thought of surprising Vasu by wearing the saree. Divya let her medium length hair loose for first time. She also put kohl, lipgloss, and bindi.

When admiring herself in front of the mirror, Vasu came in. He smirked and Divya blushed to a great extent. Even though she knew Vasu for a prolonged period, she felt something absolutely new. Vasu said in an utterly passionate voice, "You look breathtaking."

They were opposites and would remain so even in future, but at that very moment Maa Durga, and the entire autumnal ambiance tied Divya and Vasu in a conventional yet eternal bond of love.