By: Tabassum Chowdhury
I brushed off the last bits of grains that littered the hat and gently rested it on my head. I used my sweaty palm to straighten the length of my gown. I kept glancing at the photograph which I attached to the mirror. Do I resemble her now?
The day we moved in, I was cleaning up the attic and from an old cardboard box half-chewed by moths, I pulled out a photograph. The photograph. She looked like the woman I aspired to become. There was not a hint of fear, dilemma, or weakness in her posture. Her dark brown eyes radiated a message so deep, it could even conquer one's bones. The tips of her dark hair touched her shoulder blades in an elegant manner. In the picture, she was like a soaring bird of prey.
The photograph depicted freedom, the woman was not tied up by anyone else's orders nor brought down by her own demons. I mustered the courage to pick the pair of scissors and chop off the ends of my hair. I was freed. I was finally letting my present dissolve to build a future where I can speak for myself. The wedding ring fell off my finger and the diamond cushion crashed against the tiled floor. I draped the fur shawl over my shoulders and headed towards the exit door. The keys jingled and made a screeching noise as I unbolted the door. The moment I was on the other side of the door, the air I inhaled felt fresh. I managed to break free from the clutches of my husband. He could no longer prevent me from letting the rays of the sun kiss my face or dance to the rhythm of the very first rain of the season.
Not only did I represent the woman from the photograph in terms of physique but a part of me was already her, strong, independent.
(Image from here.)
Do not let anybody else choose for you. You are the sole proprietor of your body and your soul. Do not let anybody physically or emotionally torment you to stop you from becoming who you want to be. Learn how to let go, walk with your chin up, and not look back.
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