Epiphany.

Ready?

"Finally, you're ready love!"
My aunt exclaimed.
She turned my upper body
Towards the mirror.
Sitting there
Was a girl in her late teen years.
Her hazel eyes
Staring at me
But they were different
Although lined with eye liner
And surrounded with eye shadow
They were filled with tears
And sadness.
Her normally glowing face
Now filled with concealer
And lots of blush
Still looked dull.
Her usually bright smile
Was turned upside down.
And her plump red lips,
Were transformed
Into a shade
Of soft pink peaches.
I slowly stood up,
The girl in the mirror
Eagerly trying to keep up with me.
I gasped at the reflection
The long white wedding attire
Hugged her tight
From her breasts
Till her petite waist
And flowed down
Till her feet
Which were clad
In 5 inch stilettos.
The white veil
Heavy with diamond stones
Was placed on my head
My hair tied in a bun
Hidden inside the beautiful veil.
I took in long breaths,
Not believing that today
Is the day.
The day I lose my freedom
The day I leave my parents
The day I become
Fully committed to stranger
The day I become somebody's partner
The day I become somebody's
Daughter-in-law.
But,
Am I ready to give up my freedom?
Am I ready to give up my comfort?
Am I ready to be a real woman?
Hell no
I'm not.
I still have so much to do
A long way to go
I still have to travel the world
And take silly pictures
I still have to make new friends
And party around
I still have to study abroad
And become a great personality
I still have to feel the alcohol in my body
Burning my throat
I still have to find my true love
And kiss him under the mistletoe
I still have to find myself
Who I am.
"You look beautiful child"
My mother said softly.
"Are you ready baby?"
She put her hand on my cheek.
I gulped down my fear
And guilt
"Yes mom"
I replied.
-r.f.