She is going to reunite with her old friends after two years. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast soft shadows on her face, highlighting the features she had always been conscious of - her specs resting on her nose, the small clip fixed to her teeth, the pimples dotting her cheeks, her slim arms peeking out from her dress.
She adjusted her dress, but the uneasiness in her eyes remained. She wanted to look good, but no matter what she did, she felt something was missing. As she stood there, voices filled her mind—whispers from the old college days past, words that had once shaped her insecurities.
"Try wearing a padded bra! It'll hide your flat chest!" one of her friends had laughed.
"Yeah, at least people won't mistake you for a school kid!" another had added.
Her mother's concerned voice followed. "Your pimples are getting worse. Try some home remedies, dear."
Then came the strangers, the ones who didn't even know her but still had opinions.
"She looks so weak? is she even eating?"
"Her specs cover half her face. Can't she wear contacts?"
"She's cute, da. Should we try getting her number?" a boy at the bus stop had smirked.
"Forget it, man? she hides everything under that long dress!" another had laughed.
Each word played in her mind like an echo, making her grip the edge of the table in frustration. Her eyes moved to the two bras lying there - one padded, one normal. She hesitated, fingers hovering between the two. The padded one would make her look fuller, more "normal" in others' eyes. The normal one was just... her.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts.
"Got ready?" the message read.
It was from him.
She sighed and typed back, "Not yet."
"It's late? party at 7:30. Don't overthink, just wear what you like."
She hesitated before replying, "I'm confused? Hope my dress suits me. Specs, slim body?"
His response was quick. "Two years of loving you, and you STILL worry about how you look? That's disappointing, darling."
She felt her stomach drop. Disappointing? She never wanted to be that for him. Her heart pounded as she stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
"You made me sad."
A lump formed in her throat. She bit her lip, feeling guilty. But before she could type a response, another message popped up.
"Wear what YOU love. Come fast. Love you. Waiting."
She exhaled, something in her chest loosening. A small smile broke through her doubts.
She began getting ready, choosing a dress she liked - one that made her feel good, not one that covered her insecurities. She adjusted her specs, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and straightened up.
Confidence.
As she stepped out of the room, the door slowly swung shut behind her.
But the story didn't follow her outside.
Instead, the story would have stayed inside, moving slowly toward the table.
The padded bra lay untouched.
Beside it, a photo frame held a picture of her, smiling - a real, unfiltered smile.
