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...

[Chelsea Schermerhorn]

Wow.....amazing, and exactly what I was looking for in my imagery contest. You have made it into the first cut of finalists.

[desertraven]

The feeling of this piece is all too familiar. You captured the anxiety and loneliness of a desperate heart. Perfect.
Sandra

[Coffee & Rain]

I can relate to this. And I can say I have a happy ending to it. Only hope this person can.

[Just Manoosh]

The reality of this hits you in the face, the little things we do that carries that person with us, the familiar. This is a great write honey, well structured and elequently said. Mx

[Jamie Fantasy]

That was really sweet and sad. I liked your descriptions and attention to detail. I'm curious why they aren't together anymore. Is it temporary? Permanent?

Beautiful story. :)

[Nya]

Wow! Your words are so sad...so heartbreaking. My heart is heavy after reading this. I feel for your character...it's awful to have to face a life without the love of your life. Just the thought scares me. Very good...thanks for sharing.

[Nicholas Hallows]

Awesome description! The first paragraph particularly appealed to my senses.

I inhale deeply, closing my eyes as I let the familiar smell travel into my lungs - this really took me there.

Despite being an emotional and heart-breaking piece, 'Another' day suggests the narrator (I don't know if this is autobiographical - but it seems like it is) has gotten through days before and will continue to do so until eventually each day becomes a little easier. We all hold on to things and memories that remind us of love, and we cling to these even more when we feel we have lost the love that they came from. But we are always stronger than we realise and can get through a lot of hardship and still emerge with hope in our hearts.

Thank you for sharing this.

NH

[Kara Emily Krantz]

this is GORGEOUS. i adore it.

we've been there.. at least, i know i have. it's almost crippling. almost paralyzing. like if you allowed yourself the slightest weakness, you would be paralyzed with pain.

love it. fantastic piece.

[Monners]

I like this alot. It's thought provoking and brings alot of memories back from past relationships. Thanks for sharing this.

[Jade]

very beautiful and emotional . i love it ;) and i love ur descriptions-theyre so vivid.