“Wake up!”
The harsh voice of her aunt pierced through her sleep, forcing her to sit up in panic. Her aunt continued scolding while walking out of the room, muttering under her breath before switching off the fan. She paused at the door, turned back, and glared at her angrily.
It was 9 in the morning.
“And this girl is still sleeping! I’ve told you a hundred times—even on holidays—you should be in the kitchen before I wake up!”
She watched her aunt with half-open, sleepy eyes. As the door shut, she slowly got up and stood in front of the mirror. A faint, sad smile appeared on her face—one that had long become a permanent part of her identity.
She wasn’t allowed to cry.
Not for her mother.
Not for her father.
Not even for herself.
Her aunt used to say:
“You are the result of sin. Your mother stained our honor and left you behind as a mark of disgrace before she died. Why didn’t you die with her? Why are you still here to burden us?”
Since childhood, she had grown up believing she was a mistake—a sin, a consequence, or perhaps a symbol of forbidden love. Every single day, she was reminded that she didn’t belong.
She existed—but she didn’t know why.
Who was she?
What was her purpose?
Why was she even in this world?
Her uncle, at times, showed her small moments of kindness. In those rare instances, she clung to him desperately, like someone starving for affection. But those moments never lasted. Her aunt would appear, and her uncle would lose himself in her green eyes.
Green eyes…
She had them too.
Deep, wild green—like a forest untouched. Like grapes freshly plucked and placed on a plate.
She adjusted her long braid and stepped out of her room. The house felt unusually active today.
Hesitantly, she asked,
“Aunt… is someone coming?”
Her curiosity was evident in her green eyes, but it only irritated her aunt further.
“It’s none of your concern,” she snapped.
“Go pack your things. You’re being sent to your elder uncle’s house. Once the guests leave, we’ll call you back.”
She was confused.
Why send her away?
What was happening?
Before she could understand anything, a phone call turned the entire house into chaos.
Her aunt’s loud cries echoed through the neighborhood.
Her uncle had gone to pick up the guests.
But he returned… as a lifeless body.
She sat beside his funeral, her mind completely blank. She stared at him, unable to process reality. He was the only person who had ever shown her even a hint of care.
Now… she had no one.
Her aunt’s words echoed in her ears again:
“I only tolerate you because of him. Otherwise, I would have thrown you out long ago.”
Fear gripped her heart.
What would happen now?
Where would she go?
Who would accept her?
Her thoughts were interrupted by her aunt’s voice, now filled with grief:
“Brother… you went to bring him… what happened?”
Her aunt clung to her own brother, crying uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, she sat in a corner, hugging her knees, preparing herself to face an uncertain future.
Someone pulled her aside as the funeral prayers began.
She tried to walk with the procession but stumbled. A man held her to steady her.
She looked up at him.
He was staring at her… in shock.
His eyes…
They were green.
The same deep, forest-like green.
Like two grapes from the same cluster, separated yet identical.
But in his eyes—there was recognition.
For the first time…
Someone looked at her like they knew her.
Her green eyes had finally found their reflection.
