windsofchange’s blog

She could hear the suppressed giggles, the constant whisperings. A turn of her head and it would be stunned silence. As she would pour herself again, back into work, the hushed tones would resurface. She adored these people, that is why she had taken her first ever steps here. The multifariousness of her work had made her quite a darling, a rage within months of commencement. They liked her too, each with a different intensity and depth. She too invested heavily emotionally returning each one’s affection sincerely and unabashedly. Life, surely was invigorating. 
 
One  day she arrived late at work. One look at her face and hand and they were shocked.Their kindness overwhelmed her. It was hot steam from the kettle, she told them. Tears welled up in her eyes, yet the smile persisted. An irregular burn just near her left cheek had spoiled the impeccable and unblemished face. She concealed the pain, the visible scar remained.
 
Time flew. She had now become a regular. More mishaps took place. A bruise here, a cut there. She was so accident prone, she would giggle and tell all. They agreed. Although people were still in awe, they gave her affection very hesitantly. They took more than they would give willingly. A constant battle to give her and within her.
 
They would sympathise and say they empathised but she felt the restraint, the stinginess in the reciprocation. Their face often looked sad however their eyes betrayed the glint and gleam. She was no more the perfect one. She was not invincible anymore. Her affection, kindness, intelligence, simplicity did not matter. She had given herself away. She had entered a cesspool of trouble by confiding and considering them her own. They secretly took delight in her fall from heights.
 
Whether it was intentional or her own mind playing dirty tricks, she surely felt things were not the same.
 
She knew. Yet, she immersed herself in the only world she knew.