THE FAMILY

"I will not wear this, mom," I said dryly.

She made a sad face, making me feel guilty. I knew she tried hard to fix me, I just didn't need it, not yet. I'm not boyish or whatever. It's just like wearing a dress, especially the one she was holding, would suffocate my soul.

"Aissst! Take a look first before you argue." My mom let out an exasperating tone. Suddenly, I felt her hands grab my arms; my legs started to move as she exerted force to drag me in front of the mirror.

"Now look and say it's not good enough!" I stared at the woman on the reflection. An ordinary girl with messy golden brown hair, with excess fats on her lower chin, big brown eyes, flat nose, and a skin as pale as a powder. I pitied myself for looking so ordinary. The dress was awesome, perfect as she said, but not on me.

"Mom, you should know better that I don't wear dresses like this, I prefer those that will cover my body. I'm more comfortable with it." I said, then held her arms and dragged her with me out of this inclusive room for highly fashionable dresses.

"But you are about to attend a very important gathering, you must look pretty!" she said while bustling her way back to the dress. Well, of course, I did not let her.

"Mom! I don't think I can match the beauty of other attendees by wearing that dress! So, instead of having a trying hard aura, it will be best if I'll be as unsophisticated as I actually am," I said coldly.

What's the point of wearing a beautiful dress if it didn't fit you? Like, the dress was so beautiful but your face wasn't? Poor dress!

"Oh dear, why are you so harsh on yourself?"

"I am not mom! I'm just being truthful." I tried wearing one before, but I ended up being the center of attention. I kind of forgot though, or better yet, I pushed myself to erase those unwanted memories; it was my talent.

"Believe me my dear you are beautiful! You just have to unleash that!"

"Mom, what for? I have made some friends in Canada just by being me, for sure there will be some who'll accept me as I am here in our country, and I hope you're the first one to."

Ever since I was eleven –from that disastrious gathering I used to attend to–, I didn't bother fixing myself. Not that I'm still affected with what people would say, I just didn't feel like doing the usual stuff –most girls do– anymore.

"But—"

"Mom, you know your arguments won't work on me! So, let's just enjoy our time together, okay? I'll be able to find an elegant dress soon." I gave her a warm smile and dragged her with me to the restaurant where my Dad was waiting.

I just wished he's always around to help me deal with everything. If only he could spend more time for me and my Mom, I could have had a good support system.

I looked down to examine my black off-shoulder dress. The sleeves were long, though there was a little peek at the waist level, I felt more comfortable with it. The fabric was soft and refreshing. It was beautiful, but as expected, it didn't shine because I was the one wearing it.

"Isn't it too tight for you?"

"Nope, just fit enough to display my curves."

"Curves? You have curves? Where?" She looked everywhere but me.

There was no way she could get into my nerves!

I leaned my face closer to her and uttered in a whisper tone, "Get out in front of my beautiful face if you don't want me to spill your dirty little secret, my dear." I played my hands and face in harmony just to add a little emphasis to the words 'beautiful face'.

Just when I saw the madness swelled on her eyes, I walked fast, jerked her, and didn't look back. I wondered how red her face became. Giving other people the privilege to insult and humiliate me coulddn't be found in my dictionary, only I have the right to do that to myself.

I walked straight through our laser carved door and gawked at the sight of three black luxurious BMW X7 lined up on the garage.

My Mom was leaning her back on the first car, busy fidgetting her cellphone. There was a trace of dread on her face and I had no idea what was causing it.

I approached her; her face lightened when she noticed me.

"Oh, my precious daughter! Is that really you?" She smiled broadly and I could feel the amusement my appearance had brought her. "Thank you for wearing that dress, you don't know how happy you have made me," she said and wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm glad that I made you happy." I smiled and hugged back. In my mind, you don't know how much I'm enduring just to make you happy.

"This is the day you'll be able to see the world I and your father had lived for years. I tried to pull you away from it but there isn't any escape for this." I gave her a confused look as I didn't get what she meant by her remarks. Suddenly, I felt a soft caress when she brushed her finger on my face, she then cupped my cheeks with her two hands. It was cold yet full of warmth.

"This is your destiny and you'll be living with it for the rest of your life. Be brave enough to accept this reality."

"What do you mean, Mom?" I asked perplexed about what she was trying to say.

"You'll know it very soon." She placed her lips on my forehead for seconds. I didn't feel like I wanted her to stop. But when she did, when she pulled her hands away from mine, and as I watched her disappear and make her way into the car, I felt lonely and empty. I longed for her that instant.

My dad and grandparents were also in the same car. They waved their hands at me and gave me their sweet smile. I smiled back at them and motioned a flying kiss. How I wish we're always complete like this.

I would have been riding the same car as them, but since there was more space in the second as there was in the first, my aunt, which was also my stepmom, offered that I should go with them in the car next to my parents'. I had no choice but to go with her.

My heart squirmed the soonest I stepped my way to the second car. My world stopped as I felt my heartbeat going loud. My intuition told me something was wrong, but without any clue what it was, I disregarded the thought. Little did I know that I will soon regret not listening to the warning sent by my psyche.

If it's not too much for you, mind if you share your insight on this story?

Many thanks.😘