Just another day

Based on my life.

Looking into the mirror I add the final touches of color to my cheek. The softness of the brush reminds me of the feel of your fingertips on my cheekbones. I feel a lump rising in my throat. It dies within seconds leaving me empty again. I run the brush through my short hair, then like always, I turn my head both ways to check whether it looks fine. As usual, every strand is sitting obediently in place. My long fingers wrap themselves around the pale-blue bottle of perfume as I gently spray a bit of it onto my skin. Very cautiously, I place it back. I inhale deeply, closing my eyes as I let the familiar smell travel into my lungs. I imagine it traveling inside my body, through my veins and straight into my heart.

Will this perfume rejuvenate my soul?

 

Then I pick myself up from the stool and look into the image starring back from the mirror. Our mirror.

My petite frame looks fatigued. I am surprised at how my eyes look, despite my best efforts to conceal the tiredness in them with the help of make-up. The maroon lipstick compliments my pale skin. I wonder am I looking paler than yesterday?

I try to force a smile to hide the frown. Without much success.

The image gets a bit blurry now. I blink repeatedly to stop the tears. Then, I spin around quickly and walk to the far end of the room. The two drawer handkerchief box sits on the Mahogany Chest. Our Mahogany Chest - our first purchase together. I open the bottom drawer first and take out a large checkered handkerchief that I rub against my lips and down the length of my neck before folding it neatly and placing it in my pocket, alongside my heart.

Can this lifeless piece of cloth communicate with my heart?

 

From the other drawer, I pull out another piece casually and drop the hankie (mine)into my purse. Finally, I draw my wallet out of the purse and open it. There’s your picture in it. I love the way you smile.

Are you smiling at me?

I kiss the picture of you and put the wallet back.

 

Your perfume

Your handkerchief.

And your picture.

 

As I leave the house with the smell, the touch and the image of you, I assure myself that I will be able to go through this day…

I do not know if I can but I still try to convince myself that it's possible to live through another day...

Another day without you.

 

Reviews

[Carole]

Ah....this is sad and touching and heart retching...Are you sure this is meant to be?? Can you go get him??? Sounds like a love story that needs to be rejuvenated. It reminds me of a love story where the couple breaks up but ends up back together...Makes me think, maybe this needs to have a happy ending,...but then, who am I? "-) Very heart felt...

[poddar kushal]

this is really important piece of work. touching yet not overflowed with emotion to disturb the element of good writing

[Dezaraye]

This is such a sad and heartwrenching piece. The little things that make you feel close to him ... it makes me want to cry. Beautiful writing.

[V. K. Harris]

Very tearful read, the loss is torturous in every waking moment, an emotional read. Well written.

[Rain]

Very touching. The holding on to love with material things that remind you of your love. Sad, but also someone trying to get through. Rain..

[Nicole Renee]

This was very lovely, and I could see the emotion in each word. Great job!

-Nicole

[Kevin Andros]

Such detailed description! I am awstruck. You sure can describe stuff very accurately and in a detailed manner. Each and every sentense used in here is useful and it helps the reader see you in front of the mirror and your thoughts. Nice job done. ~KA~

[Cece]

amazing detail held me in suspense
love the use the senses
the sense of smell does
bring up the strongest emotions
also memory cause strong reactions
i prefer reading poems but
in this case it was a delight

[Jofer Serapio]

You entertained me while making me think deeply. I can reflect well with this piece. The imagery and the delivery of the thought are very real and expressive. I admire the clarity of this writing. Love is never certain is it? Sometimes, you sacrifice more than what you get.

[Serendipity]

Like always, simply amazing.

Holding him within you, "the smell, the touch and the image of you." So painful, yet so necessary to take another step, to "live through another day...Another day without you." And you will be able to make it through the day, even if its just with the hope for a better tomorrow ... with him.