I got excited- maybe a little too excited-- and I remember washing my face with my favorite face wash three times in a row at that very moment; not throughout the day, no, I mean right then and there. one after the other, splash, lather, Rinse, repeat again.
I just couldn't stop.
Back then I loved washing face- especially with facewash my mom used to bring from the market, It was some kind of Garnier one, I think.
There was just something about that moment, that splash of cold water, that scent of lather-- that made me feel... fresh. Almost new.
My mom would scold me for it all the time. She said I finished her facewash way too faster than it should've-- and honestly, I did, though. I used to sneak it when she was not around, thinking she wouldn't notice. but OfCourse, she always did... somehow, she always knew.
I genuinely believed that the more I washed my face, the more beautiful I'd become. that the glow would stay longer. but now... I don't really think that anymore. It's got less to do with facewash and more to do with genes.
Some people just wake up glowing- even if they haven't washed their faces in two days.
I tied my hair into a neat ponytail, the way I always did where I wanted to look... Presentable,
got dressed like I was going to some party.
I hadn't been allowed out in so long that even a simple visit to Kathy's house felt freedom in its purest form.
I was happy, genuinely happy.
I waited by the door, restless but smiling.
Then finally, she reached, called me- just a simple "Hey, I'm here-" and my heart kinda... skipped.
I said bye to my mom, and just as I stepped toward the door, she came out from her room.
"How will you come back?", she asked, arms folded.
"Aren't you thinking about coming home alone, huh?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but Kathy cut in smoothly- confident, like she'd rehearsed it a thousand times.
"No. no, aunty. I and my mother have some work nearby, so we'll be with her. don't worry, aunty, she won't be alone at all."
My sentence hung half-hunged in the air, like it was never needed
"Hmmm...", my mom said, not convinced but not denying either.
Then she looked at me again, Her brows slightly furrowed,
"And what about the time? when will you be back? don't get too late."
"I'll be home on time. It's 4:10 now... I'll come back by 6pm", I said, glancing at my wristwatch.
"Okay....", she sighed.
"Be at home before 6:10, go carefully... bye."
"Okay... bye!", I said, almost skipping.
We walked together-- Kathy and I-- hand in hand, like two little girls who never grown apart.
We pointed at shops we passed, laughed about the oddly shaped buildings, and made jokes out of nothing. The way we used to. just random things. Things that didn't matter but still made us laugh like idiots.
Then came the tall, black door.
Kathy knocked.
we waited a moment. I looked around, then leaned in and asked quietly,
"Is this your home?"
"Ah-huh", she nodded, pressing the doorbell this time.
The door opened-- and standing there was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
She had these partially curly black locks, a soft but striking complexion, and when she smiled, her cheeks blushed this natural red. Her glow wasn't something makeup could fake.
But her eyes... God, her eyes.
Almond shaped, deep brown, framed with long, thick lashes. They looked at you like already knew you, like you were welcome just by being there.
Her nose was perfect-- straight, proportional. Her lips, soft and pink, shaped like poetry.
And just near the outer corner of her eye was a tiny mole-- the kind you never forget once you see it.
I couldn't take my eyes off her. Not for a full minute. She was radiant.
I finally noticed her outfit-- a long, flowing dress paired with slim, straight pants. simple, but elegant. It suited her completely.
"Mom, she's Daisy," Kathy said. "The one I told you about."
"Hmm, I know. you already told me before leaving that you're bringing Daisy. no need to repeat it," her mother said with a smile that made me feel weirdly... safe.
"Hii, baby girl, please come inside. I was waiting for you--- especially you."
I stepped in slowly, glancing around. Her living room was peaceful. I sat down on the sofa, and she immediately turned on both the fan and the AC.
"What's this?" Kathy complained. " You never even let me turn the AC on-- and now you're doing it yourself?!"
'Just shut your mouth for a sec, baby." Her mom said that boldly, with that same never- fading smile.
She returned soon with a tall glass of handmade guava juice, followed by a tray full of homemade snacks-- so many I couldn't even name them. but everything smelled fresh, warm, and... made with care.
She talked to me more than Kathy did.
She smiled more than anyone I'd met. laughed easily, asked questions, made me feel like I belonged there, and I'm the greatest person in the whole planet. Like she'd been waiting to talk to someone like me.
I glanced at Kathy once-- she was sitting quietly at the corner of the sofa, a weird little smile on her face. Maybe a little jealous. Maybe just watching.
Her mom didn't seem like a mom at all. she was so talkative, so full of life-- It felt like I was speaking with someone my own age. Maybe she was 30, or 31. but she didn't act like it.
Then, suddenly, she said,
"Kathy, show Daisy the garden-- and Oreo too."
Just as we stepped out, I heard a faint baby's voice from one of the rooms.
"what's that sound?" I asked. "Is there a baby here?"
"Yeah," Kathy replied. "He's my little brother. He's three."
"You didn't tell me you had a brother!" I said, surprised.
she shrugged. "Hmmm. Anyway, that's the plant planted. cute, right?"
"Hmm...mmm," I murmured, still half-lost in the baby's voice.
"Oreo! where are you?" she called out suddenly. "Come see who's here!"
She finally introduces me to her dog-- Oreo-- and I laughed at the way he barked like he was trying to talk back.
then I checked the time on my watch.
5:50.
"I've got to go back," I said. "Are you coming with me?"
"Yeah, sure." she turned and called out: "Mom! you have work near her house, right? get ready-- she's getting late!"
A few minutes later, her mom came downstairs, holding a little boy in her arms.
"See? say hi Daisy." she told him sweetly. "Daisy, this is my youngest."
I smiled at him. "Hii," I said softly.
and then we left.
Kathy and I-- heading back, just as the evening was starting to settle in.