“Mirror ,Mirror on the wall –
Who is the prettiest of them all?”—Reflections.Near & Far.

“Am I looking pritty? You pomishe? Tell me, are the nibbons mommy tied on my piggie tails are those nishe?” Every morning starting from her very first day in Kindergarten until that day while she still allowed her mommy to do her hair for school, I kept reassuring pretty Nanu every single time.

I took it upon myself to make sure that Nanu was always happy.Not to mention (surreptitiously though) I stood testimony to each and every emotional outbursts that she ever had.

The next phase – Nanu transitioned from elementary to middle to high school to college and beyond.From pig tails to straight long style -to pixie cut – school uniforms to party wears to trendy outfits,casual wears to prom dress to ethnic wears- She blossomed into a beautiful young lady. But every single time it was me who singlehandedly kept reassuring Nanu how beautiful,smart, pretty,angelic and elegantly attractive she looked.

I almost became her confidante, a forever companion to wherever she would go; an almost permanent totemic mood lifter for her.

Whether she was in a fiesty fight with her best friend in school or her first liplock with the highschool crush or the “It’s Over“ First Break Up meltdown, it was me who was the receipient of Nanu’s different strokes of flares of passion, over these years.

I had been a privileged companion of Nanu over all these years. Sheepily let me confide in you-I had seen Nanu through ups and down, in her merrily best, fiery angst,as well as in her melancholic worst. Each time she would come in front of me, shed all her pretensions and would exorcise unabashedlly.

Just the other day as she stood in front of me carrying her hair styling accessories in one hand and the glittery makeup bag in the other,looking radiant and happy as ever, I was reminiscing to myself how chirpy this same Nanu used to be eons back.

My thoughts got interrupted by the familiar voice; by the known question-“ Okay. So , Do I look good? Really , do I?” And like every other time I smiled and gave her my wholehearted nod of approval ; a submission of go ahead.

Nanu – through my lenses was beautiful in every senses-unblemished in looks, aesthetic in tastes, pure from soul,comely in nature and kind in her heart. That’s what made her stand out in the crowd amongst others – that’s what made her presence felt by radiating positive vibes.

I had always loved to wait for Nanu to come back at the end of the day,when she would just let go of all her embellishments and called the day off looking at herself through me just being her trueself. The real she.

That night when she got back was no different; and then she came near me; but wait I saw pain in her eyes, a dull grey tinge had engulfed her face. Yes she had tears . She came even closer to me and spoke to me with no any hesitation ; no quivering voice ;

“ All these while I had believed you. I thought that you never lied.So I always took your words as my words of solace . Then why did you do this to me ? “

I did not utter a single word. I allowed her all the time and the space that she needed.

She continued. ” You nodded and reassured that I looked good. I looked beautiful. I looked radiant . I looked everything what I wanted to be. Not for once did you caution that my eyes no longer emanated the agility , spread the freshness of youth, the warmth of new beginnings? Why?

Why couldn’t you remind me in my ears that there were these years in between which were the bridging gap between what I still yearned to remain and what I truly was? Just why”

“I looked worn down. I looked wearied from the mediocrities of life. Years in between got the better of me.”

Nanu stood in front of me , crying silently – probably waiting for me to comfort her. Just like when she was a child.

And gradually introspection led to retrospection leading to deep realization.

The grey strands which refused to stay hidden beneath the deep burgandy streaks peeked out, the eye bags remained shamelessly exposed despite various branded concealers simply bore testimony to the fact that the mother that she was, stood in the pivotal juncture of her life. Middle age- which tried to link the earlier life and the future life of further aging.

“Middle age is a pause to re examine what we have done and what we will do in the future.”

Somehow deep down without me uttering a single word, Nanu realized that nothing did actually fade away ,passion changed to yearning which turned to routine which in turn unknowlingly transformed into the very basis and essence of living over all these years.. The ultimate truth of life settled in Nanu’s thoughts and seemed to calm her minds. She now coyly smiled and repeated””Mirror ,Mirror on the wall – Tell Me .Who is the prettiest of us all? “

And with this I saw the grey haired , smiling gentleman , her friend,her husband,her companion for the last twenty two years gently embracing her by the shoulders,kissing her gently on the forehead, wiping the pearls flowing down her cheeks and softly saying- “You look beautiful and elegant tonight. Happy Birthday , my Love. Here’s to one more year of growing a little more wiser, a teeny weeny more immatured and a lot more prettier. Want to grow old with you .” … and with this the two walked into their bedroom, dimming down the lights , fading into their world of snuggles and love.

Meanwhile,I stood there happy,contended, wishing my friend a very healthy, happy,long life ahead..

And over all these years I didn’t ever realize for once when and how the mirror in me had blended flawlessly with Nanu’s inner soul…

Afterall ..

“Mirrors reflect all objects without being sullied.”…..