the ugly swan

✿ Day 13

[Note]

I really hope you enjoy this ending. This story has been an enlightening journey for me. Now, I want to tell you the reason why wrote this story before we end it. This story was for a seven-year-old girl and for my friend- both who believed they would never be beautiful to be adored. Often, in our hatred for ourselves or comparison with others- we forget our best traits.

Just a friendly reminder, you are special.

Day 13

It was the day of Mira's surgery. The day when Mira had thought everything would change, her life would suddenly become better. This was not the case though. The past thirteen days had been a journey of sorts for Mira- there were ups and downs.

If Mira said that she had discovered herself in the last thirteen, it would be a terrible lie. She always knew who she was- even when insecurities raged in the form of her mother or Atul. She always knew who she was- she was a girl who just wanted a little bit of love and happiness in this big, wide world.

She was still the same Mira.

It was just that this Mira- like bird taking flight for the first time, testing the air, fluttering its wings in the wind, hoping to catch the right direction- she was beginning to accept herself. Not physically only but as a person too.

She was accepting herself.

It was okay to be insecure sometimes.

It was okay to want love.

But it was not okay to let those brief moments of negativity contrive everything the universe has gifted to you.

Mira traced the metal nameplate outside Yuv's cabin.

Yudishter Chandra

Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon.

The metal felt just as icy as her hands. She let her hand drop to the side and stepped inside his cabin. Yuv was sitting by his desk, studying the mold of a symmetric human face. He looked up and smiled calmly at Mira.

"The operation theatre should be ready in a few. Until then, why don't you take a seat."

Mira gripped the straps of her purse tightly. Her heartbeat quickening.

"Actually, I can't. I'm leaving." She breathed in a deep breath, registering Yuv's surprised expression, the worry in his eyes. "I came here to inform you that I don't want this surgery. I'm sorry if it is last moment."

Yuv rose from his seat and closed the distance between them in quick strides. "Mira, while I am very relieved about your decision for opting out of the surgery, I must ask- where are you going suddenly?"

A second later his hands were curled around her waist, pulling her in the cage of his arms. This was going to be a-lot harder than Mira originally thought. Painfully swallowing her raspy breaths, she bit the corner of her lips.

"I'm going to India. My mother is being released from prison in two days

The realization was quick to fill his expression. "Where is she right now? Maybe I can help-"

"No. I'll be fine." Mira pressed her hand against his chest. "Calcutta. That's where I'm going." She gripped the fabric of his scrubs tightly- hoping to cling onto him a little longer, a little bit more. "She has uterine cancer."

"Will she be alright? Can it be treated it?"

Mira tried holding back the tears. A single tear slipped down her cheek nevertheless. Yuv quickly brushed it away with the back of his thumb.

"I don't know...I'm just.... I just want to be with her. She called this morning- there was so much guilt in her voice- she was apologizing over and over...." Mira tightly closed her eyes. This is the part- she must break it to him now. "I'm not coming back to New York, Yuv. I want to be there for her in her last days."

"I understand."

"You do?"

Yuv wove his fingers through Mira's curly hair, caressing the strands against her jaw. "Yes. I lost my mother yesterday. Only Gods knows what I'd give for one more hour with her -so I won't blame you for wanting to spend more time your mother."

"I'll miss you, Yuv."

Mira wiped her eyes with sleeves of her petal pink sweater.

Yuv pressed his lips on her forehead, breathing her in, taking in the feeling of warm skin against his, the smell of strawberry shampoo and foundation.

"I'll miss you too." He finally whispered, pulling away- freeing her. "Terribly."

"Goodbye Yuv."

"Bye Mira."

With that, she left. He watched her shoulder's shake and his heart clench, his fist furl themselves around the chairs edge. Yuv collapsed onto the chair. He exhaled, massaging his temples- staring blankly at the ceiling of his room. Few minutes passed and Yuv seemed to have arrested himself in time.

Suddenly, his cellphone stared blaring.

He stared at it, the international number flickering across the screen. After a moment of hesitation, he picked it up.

It was Dr. Tripthati, his mentor in Calcutta. Dr. Tripthati had charity hospital called happiness for all. Yuv hadn't spoken with him in ages.

"Yuv, my boy- how have you been?"

Yudishter straightened up in his chair, his eyes lighting up. "It's been rough, sir"

"Well, son- when has life been easy."

"True."

"I have a favor to ask of you. You know that I'm old man and I'm planning to retire soon - I was hoping Yuv that you could take over happiness for all."

It didn't require Yuv a second thought- he loved that hospital and its mission. "It would be an honor, sir."

"Okay. It's settled then. Book the first flight to India, I want to see your lazy bum here soon."

"I beg to differ. I am not lazy."

"It's best if you don't argue with on that." Dr. Tripthati laughed, well-naturedly.

"Yes, sir. Soon then."

Smiling, Yuv ended the call. He looked at the mold of human's face sitting on his desk. The afternoon sun was casting long shadows on the floor.

"Looks like I'll be joining you soon Mira."

THE END