Eden

The girl in the mirror was familiar; yet not.

The long, dark hair still cascaded down the shoulders, reaching the hips; a body still petite in spite of the years.

Eyes, a shade of blue-green, like the ocean, looked similar. Yet, right now, one could notice an unrelenting twinkle, a lone star breaking the stillness of the night.

Eden felt at peace.

She turned to the man on the bed. Like a baby he slept, hair unkempt, face unshaven and mouth wide-open.

Smiling to herself, she recollected moments; meeting Lee, the first kiss, the night he held her in his arms, the walk down the aisle.

Exactly, five years before.

Eden’s gaze fell on Lee’s hand. Her heart ached and mourned. Those hands once caressed the contours of her face, traced the lips, played with the hair.

Soon, the lover was lost, like innocence from an aged face.

The first time, those hands landed on Eden’s face, it wasn’t gentle. Like a whip, it splashed across, leaving marks.

Surprised, she stared for long.

The marks were soon engraved on Eden’s soul.

The person, once understood her silence, became oblivious to the screams.

Why? Her eyes questioned.

Just once his stern voice echoed the high-ceilinged room: “It was a mistake marrying you.”

Mistake?

Devastated, she watched the sleeping on the couch, the throwing of plates and the banging of the doors.

Leave him, the girl in the mirror chided.

Eden couldn’t.

Lee was the only man she ever loved.

With years, hope faded.

______

A tear caressed Eden’s cheek; she clutched the bed-sheet in her palms. She made sure the drink Lee had was his last.

________

She walked towards the mirror. The twinkle in the eyes faded. She wanted to cry, but all tears spent, scream but words muffled in her.

A look at the girl in the mirror, Eden smiled. She shivered, as the shining blade met her wrist.

© Reena Das 2008

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