He Praised Me

Alice said, “Tyler did not let anyone sit on that bench saying that it was reserved for Sarah. So everyone forced you to sit there." I was shocked at first. I replied, “Why would he?” Inside my heart I asked myself, why would he do that, why for me? Many thoughts crossed my mind. I thought if I was the next target like Jazz and Tanie. But I also felt touched for his actions. I do not know I was happy maybe. No one had ever done that for me. After thinking for a while I remembered I had taken notes for him last time. Finally I thought that was the reason. But again I was late in fact so he had his notes by himself why would he keep the seat for me. Ha-ha I also thought if he liked me. Well maybe it was this moment I started liking him. I do not know the reason but I started noticing him since then. I was swayed away by my thoughts until Alice replied me.

She obviously started teasing me saying that he liked me. I said it did not make any sense. Since that day the only name my friends started teasing him was mine and me was his. Then maybe because they teased I started feeling for him more. Well the days went as usual. It was the final term and everyone got busy. This time the competition was tough. It was between Jazz and Alice. I hoped Alice to get on the top. The exams went on. I also did okay as usual. Then it was time for the break until next session started. It was a month's holiday.

At home I spent my time just like that lazily eating sleeping watching TV, playing games. Then in the middle of the holiday it was the result day. I went to school with my mom. I was happy for my result. I had increased my scores a lot than before. I always came sixth in position before. This time I got the fourth position. So, I was happy. Teachers also praised me. Then I saw that Alice was on the first position. I was happy for her. After her it was Jazz and then it was Tyler. So after results I was returning home. Then I saw Tyler also returning. I congratulated him for his good results. Then he also praised me. He said I was doing well. I felt happy with his words. Then we returned exchanging goodbyes. At home also everyone was happy for my result.

After few days we had a family gathering. I had a big family. My aunts had come. So it was a busy day. I was with my sister and my aunts in one room. They were chattering and as I was the smallest one in that room I did not speak much. Then suddenly one of my aunt said out of the blue, “Rozie is the most beautiful girl present in this room." Well everyone clearly heard that.

I knew I was always compared to her in every aspect. She was always better than me. I knew that myself. But when my aunt said that directly I somewhat felt sad in my heart. But I forced a smile. Maybe another aunt, young aunt thought about me so she said I was also pretty. I knew she said that just to keep my heart. I could not show my expression. Then the topic got changed. The day passed. At night that day I remembered the facts. I cried alone for a long time. I loved my sister but why was I always compared with her every single time. In fact my sister was a model for me. She was my idol. I remembered the facts that she was better than me in every facts. I asked god that why it was me without any beauty, without any talents. My sister had talents, beauty and she can even talk to the relatives in a well-mannered. I was exactly opposite from her. I had stretch marks in that age not only in my stomach but on my arms and legs too. I always think it as a scar. I am not beautiful. I am fat and ugly. Thinking all these I cried. I could not cry loudly because I was afraid if my parents would know that I was crying. I cried until I felt asleep. Well I am always like that. If anything bad happened in day I would cry at night until I slept without letting anyone know that I cried. So it was like a habit for me.

Author’s note: You are beautiful the way you are. Everyone has their own charm.