Like A Phoenix

Phoenix

 She had been a recluse in the entirety of grade ten; socially and emotionally. The year was 2019 and her goal was to somehow make it through classes, score high grades, and leave the godforsaken place that was her school. She had it planned out beautifully, each event highlighted in her calendar where days became weeks that turned to months till the day she gave her last final.

Now what?

Now would be when she would branch out and explore different areas of interest. Learn to play the guitar. Go on a week-long adventure to the beach. Play tennis with some friends. Make new friends. Maybe get a boyfriend? But first, overcome social anxiety.

Well, nobody said it would be easy. Neither did nobody predict an unprecedented global pandemic; life-threatening and the constantly evolving virus would plague everyone's life. Kia was no exception. She had fulfilled her academic ambitions but had failed in the social aspect. Yet again, time took its toll where days turned into months under a stringent lockdown that was only supposed to last three months. Kia had become a mental recluse now.

A year flew by until one day she found herself standing in front of a newly opened grocery store. Get me a packet of flour her mum had instructed, and she had dutifully complied.If her classmates were to see her now, they wouldn't recognize her. After battling the coronavirus and enduring all of its post symptoms, she had evolved completely. Matured tremendously.

Walking down the cereal aisle, her mind couldn't help but wonder 'what could have been' instead of 'what was'.

Fascinated with that one scene in harry potter where headmaster dumbledore's phoenix rises from its ashes; a completely new soul, inspiration struck her as she vowed to shed her past skin and sin to start anew. It had been a novel plan however not more novel than the coronavirus.Absentmindedly she ran into somebody else's cart, scattering all of its items."Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where-"A deep chuckle rang through the deserted aisle," Relax, I got it," he said, bending over and collecting his stuff.

That was how she ran into her boyfriend, Axel. Handsome and Hispanic, around whom her mouth would never cease to shut. I find it cute, he had revealed one day and she had never forgotten.In a way, her missed milestones had made her the woman she was today; a strong mature adult working as a hospital receptionist. Plans were meant to be broken anyway.

In a way, she had risen; above prejudices, a pandemic, anxiety, anonymity, and even fear. She had risen like a phoenix.

'Of all the milestones I missed, I'm glad this wasn't one of them,' she confessed.
'I'm glad you ran into me amor, I'm pretty sure it was a huge milestone for me. Te amo!' he responded, kissing her knuckles.

'I love you too,' she sighed happily, leaning into his shoulder. I finally love myself too!