Behind the Mask

AAM: Name Vignette

Hello friends.

A couple weeks ago, we got an assignment at school that made us write a vignette about our name, based on a short story, "My Name" by  Sandra Cisneros. So, after a while, I thought: "Why not share this on Wattpad?"

Here I go:

Timothy.

It's a blend of understanding and will and grace. It's a crisp flick of the tongue under the roof teeth—both mysterious and sharp. Timothy is the kind of word that you say to make a point in an argument, but also to reassure other's pain and sorrow. In its own way, the name stands out. Like a field of rice in a rainy day, there is a sense of ambiguity of the unknown, but also a glowing, nurturing sensation.

Timothy means, "honoring God" in Greek. Ironically, the Ancient Greeks gave such a name to honor Monotheism, despite their countless gods and goddesses. However, I am the plural form. I am like Zeus, with his enormous, echoing voice. I resemble Apollo, as my music and creativity shine brightly. I am a man of many shapes and views. I am Timothy.

Timothy quite fits my personality, but strangely, a quick flip of a page could have spelt T–O–N-Y or T–O–M-M–Y in my Birth Certificate, and my eternal fate. A glance past could have meant 2 seconds saved for every time I wrote my name. A distraction from reading that book may have resulted in misplacement in their finger position, and eventually a displacement of my soul from my present self. How they came up with my name though, is pure genius.

You see, my parents firstly gave me my Vietnamese name, Tam—meaning "pure heart". They wanted my English and Vietnamese names to mix smoothly. So, with a spark of word-play and a creative imagination, they thought of tim, or "a heart" in Viet. Combining the soulful, emotional organ with a y ending, they discovered my predestined title.

After hearing the melody of the word, one can say that he has been hypnotized. They become swayed with the meaning of the name. Perhaps Timothy is too dominant for my control—its grandeur makes the rest of me look small. Maybe I should be named Rice or Sky; that way, my uniqueness matches with its popularity. Then again, such a name resembles my true, inner self. Maybe, I shouldn't defy the Rice God. I'm fine with the reputation I currently have. I still want to listen to the "fields of rice on a cloudy day". Because, after all, rainbows only come alongside a storm of clouds.

Timothy.

By the way, I got a full 20 points. I take pride in this thing. :D

Bai now, 

@TheNinjaReborn