Gauri

"A new decade began: 1970. In winter when the trees were naked, the stiff ground covered with snow, a second letter came from Udayan, in an envelope this time. 

Subhash tore it open and found a small black-and-white photograph of a young woman. 

She was at ease, also a little skeptical. Her head turned partly to one side, her lips closed but playful, her smile slightly askew. Her hair was in a braid, draped over from one shoulder. Her complexion was deep. 

She was compelling without being pretty."