"Tell your story#80"

I Never Wished to be like her, but I am her

I never wished to be like her, I am her
alas.

Awake when the snoring of humans were still heard at the odd hours of three am. I watched her from the door way grinding her teeth, eyes sleepy, body tired but she couldn't quit.

I watched her stare at the mirror first from the dim light that shone. Her eyes were
hollow and her jaw clenched. She wore exhaustion like her second skin as she went in to prepare the meal.
The birds chirped and sun shone.
It is morning our meals stared at us, our clothes well arranged, her voice raising sharp and worn. There, I promised to walk another route.

I promised never to raise my voice like that, never to let dishes stack into walls and not carry weight that bent my knees.

Often times, I watched her sacrifice alot for siblings who took and took till nothing was left. I promised I wont sacrifice that much and leave myself unattended to. I wished never to be like her, but here I am in the same cycle tired, giving till there's nothing left, swallowing pride for people who won't notice and calling it love.

I realized, I became the same woman whose character I once hated not knowing she was one who carried and wore strength like armor, who hoped, became patient and fought to protect whom she loved, her family.