I WON'T LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Prologue

JASMINE
I walked down the hallway,step by step, careful not to step on the hem of my new Dolce Gabana gown.I got it that afternoon when i went shopping.I have to say it is a stunning piece..a deep cherry red off-shoulder silk gown with a thigh-high slit.Magnificent!No better word to describe the image staring back at me at the floor to ceiling window in the hallway.

It makes my thoughts fleet in a bittersweet moment back to my childhood.A moment that makes me feel so alive.
*****
"Wow"I drawl out as i stare at the goddess figure of the woman in front of me.

"You look beautiful aunty"I continue as i gaze at the cherry red gown she's wearing,"amazing"

"Will you make yourself useful and pass me the hair brush...and you better not step on the hem of my gown with your filthy feet you little crocodile"She spits out at me still admiring herself in the mirror.

I hang my head and walk to her dressing table.I notice a big poster near the wall.Its advertising the music concert at the canivore grounds tonight..so thats where she's going..i think quietly to myself.

My eyes spot the big red hairbrush,her favourite one,and i hand it to her.My brain and mouth scuffle internally as i try to decide if i should ask her or not.

"Can i come?"I blurt out and immediately my hand shoots up to cover to my mouth.

She turns around and stares at me her eyes cold and unsmiling,her mouth twisted in a disgusted scowl.

"What did you just say to me little monkey?"she asks

"I just.."I make to say before a sudden slap cuts me short.I hit the wall and my eyes immediately fill with tears.I hear hear her laboutin heels cling on the floor till shes standing right next to me.

"You listen to me very well you stupid child.You are nothing and you will never be anything.You are not even fit to stand before even the least kind of humanity leave alone accompany me to a high society concert my dear niece...You will never be able to don such a beautiful gown as i am.At your age you should already know your place.In this world my dear there are two types of people;queens like me and swines like you."She goes on and on senselessly.

And just like that she was gone out the door locking it from outside

I slowly collect myself and back away fom the wall towards the mirror.I stare at my tear- streaked face and smile.I pick the red lipstick on the table and wipe at the bleeding bruise on my lip with the edge of my hoodie.

I then apply a faint sheen of the lipstick over the bruised lips and stand back to admire my handiwork.I smile again,"I'm not a swine aunty." I spit out at the image staring back at me.
*****
I'm clutching at my chin.I let the memories wash over me and i drop my hand to my side and pick the vase on the nearby table.

I look back at the mirror and the image of my beautiful brown face and black flowing hair is gone.Staring back at me is her.Her usual dissapproving eyes looking down at me.

I pull back my hand and hurl the vase at the window.Theres an ear-splitting crack and slowly the window starts falling apart.

The door at the end of the hallway shoots open and I see Sultan and my little girl hurrying towards me almost as if on slow motion.

"Snap out of it Jas!"Sultan shouts at me just few steps away from where I am.

"Mummy are you ok?"my little girl calls out to me as her father is struggling to hold her back from running across the glass

"Why did you break the window you crazy woman?"he shouts again

"I guess i didnt like the way my image looked."I answer back dispassionately.

"What!"he makes to grab me but i move out of the way and he steps on the glass behind me and howls in pain before tumbling towards the window and falling out of our three-storey-high mansion.

I turn to my little girl and meet her horrified little eyes.

"Sweetie,dont you just hate it when daddy shouts,ugh"I say to my frozen little girl.

I turn and look out the window.Sultan landed in the pool.

"Pity,the swine might actually survive."

Servants scramble from all directions towards the pool.