By Swetha K.
I wasn't supposed to have a reflection
And yet, the image staring back was definitely, undoubtedly, me
The realization had me momentarily paralyzed
What had happened? What had changed?
Had I fallen through a loophole of time?
Or had I broken out of my reality?
I watched as a dainty hand reached out, caressing my reflection
This couldn't be real, it couldn't be
Was this another cruel memory?
Lifeless eyes looked at the curious hands in the mirror
They were moving, but they were bound
Ruthlessly shackled to torment the girl on the other side for eternity
It was a punishment that blossomed from my immaturity
Of not having seen the life that lay beyond my own vanity
I had erased her from existence for a mistake that wasn't her own
And she had been deprived of seeing the beauty that the world had to offer
Guilt engulfed me at the thought
She deserved more, she deserved infinitely more
But before I could dwell on it, she smiled
A gentle, yet stunning smile
An indication that she had indeed seen
All the beauty and greatness my world had to offer
The poised hand caressed the reflection again
And as it did, my guilt faded
She had seen everything that there was to see
She had seen me