Beauty in modern times, is defined in great deals - Appearance, Soul, Heart or Mind. But the flip side of the coin digs out the aesthetics of beauty from - Hashtags, Filters, Apps with features of enhancing skin tones, textures and many many more.
I believe... Beauty is, to each, its own! No qualms about that.
But what is to be discussed here, is my idea of beauty. To which, I would like to share an experience.
Prologue :
Story:
Year 2002....
A call on BSNL land-line phone...
"Its been long yaar, Want to share something with you"--- said he, the same well wisher from my bermuda wearing days.
"The school Fest is in a month yaar, and that's what keeping me at toes. Will meet you soon"! said the revamped version of me, who's now an attractive, charming and a very popular girl known across many schools!
A month later, just as promised, we met at our usual "adda"(den). I told him of all the hot guys who had approached me during the festival. I talked of how the auditorium crowd went berserk when I was on the stage. And how few were envious when I lifted the winning trophy for 'Most Popular'. I went on and on and on about me, and only me. He had all smiles and ears for me.
He interrupted.....
"Yes... You look ravishing these days"!
Though, I smiled on the flattering comment, I instantly sensed that he had something trapped inside and the lava was waiting to gush out.
"Hey ....what's up? " I asked.
He took many moments to begin, quite a few pauses thereafter, frequent stuttering, uncontrollable stammering, juggling with words and finally said....
"Help me yaar! I think, I have an affinity towards men, and it seems that something is churning my identity"!
The 'pause' and 'silence' was mine this time.
No sooner, I felt his pain in my own skin, the day when I was wrongfully touched by another woman. I am straight, and that touch of another woman, irked me. My sexual preference was challenged and it felt so unnatural. The incident made me realise that sexual orientation is a choice, and it doesn't make anyone an alien. The person with an unorthodox sexual orientation is as 'beautiful' as most of us. Isn't it?! Then why is my friend or even the woman who tried her hands on me are the content of repulsive discussion?! --- The answer to that, is yet to be discovered. Sigh.
Fate smiled on my discernment and now it was my chance to stand by him. I gladly did. But for the others, it took some time but gradually his loved ones accepted him for what he was. Isn't beauty in accepting the unacceptable? Indeed, it is! And with every year passing, he grew more 'BEAUTIFUL' and eventually I was able to wash the stench from my soul of ignoring him for the revelation he made on that day, to his only confidant. My UGLY soul was slowly recuperating and I started feeling 'Beautiful', once again.
And all that while and thereafter, there were adorable moments when I started scheduling my 'Salon Trips' with him, so that he could shed off his own inhibitions. We used to chat like crazy friends sitting on those cushiony push back chairs for our pedicure and manicure sessions. Good Lord, What beautiful days were those!
Epilogue :
Years have bygone, but the memories stand unwilted. I often peep into his profiles on social media and feel immensely proud of his achievements and the fact that he has carved a niche for himself in the 'entertainment industry'. He is traveling the World and speaking for the LGBT community and their rights.
Cheers to our friendship! For him and me... 'Beauty' is just not feminine. Beauty was, is and would always be -
'The Shiva in a Woman and the Durga in a Man'!
I believe every woman has TRUE BEAUTY within her in all the roles she plays. For over 18 years across 650 plus salons across the country, Naturals has been helping the Beautiful Indian Woman get more Beautiful.
Today Naturals Salutes the Beautiful Indian Woman.
Presenting Naturals TRUE BEAUTY…http://bit.ly/naturalsOF