Talk Of The Town

2. Little Black Dress

I think it'd look great on you.

Tanya could still hear his words in her mind, as she stood across her open wardrobe, her eyes on that one, unworn, waiting to be put on, black dress, which had survived for almost six years now in her closet. Everyday she'd look at it, then search for something else. That dress was special to her. And not just for the memories it held, but for the words it reminded her of.

Six years ago, Tanya was just an 18 year old girl, irrevocably in love with her 19 year old boyfriend of the time, Arjun. They were young and carefree, but their love was deep and their bond was strong. He was all he had back then, and the rest, she hoped to achieve. At the time, she was studying Medicine, though her heart and soul belonged to that of a writer, if not Arjun himself, and she'd never in her wildest dreams have guessed that now, six years later, at the age of twenty-four, she'd be hosting a book launch of her own book- a book about young love and dealing with stress and depression. It was a dream come true.

She reached out and felt the polyester fabric of the body con dress. It felt comfortable and synthetic under her touch, reminding her of the first time she'd tried it on.

At exactly 3 AM in the morning, a time she knew, was for the call of demons, there was a knock on her dorm room. Half asleep, she dragged herself out of bed, her hair all frizzy, and opened the door with a soft click. Outside, in the dim light of the hallways, stood an all too familiar figure of a tall boy, his hair messy, wearing only, a T shirt and boxers and holding a box in his hands. He didn't wait for her permission to come in.

"Do you know what time-" She hissed at him.

"Happy birthday, love!" He whispered, before she could finish and wrapped her into one of his gigantic hugs, making her melt, all over again.

She turned on the lights, not caring for her roommate, who'd passed out anyway. In the light, she saw his face clearly, and couldn't help but smile, at his goofy grin, spreading all the way to his ears, his messy hair, and his crooked glasses. His eyes were bright with excitement, as he held out the box he'd brought for her.

"Open it." He'd whispered.

She remembered how her 16 year old self had first seen the dress, online, and how much she'd wanted it. And even when at 18, she'd finally gotten it, she couldn't help but feel intimidated by it. That night of her first birthday spent with Arjun, that night when she'd opened his gift- she'd fallen in love all over again- with that dress, and then of course, with Arjun.

She shook off all thoughts and took out the dress from the rack. It was her big day. A day she'd only dreamed of, before. It was time. It was the perfect occasion. She let the towel, draped around her drop, and got dressed. Once she was done, she looked into the mirror.

She gasped. "Arjun, you shouldn't have..."

She felt his arms wrap around her shoulders from behind. They were standing across the mirror in her shared closet, her, wearing the body con dress she'd just been gifted, and him, looking at her in awe. "Save it, love." He whispered into her ear. "I know how much you wanted it." He said, planting a kiss atop her bare shoulder.