On one of winter Sundays, as dusk settled in, Otelia found herself pulling over on a quiet stretch of road, the kind where the world seemed to fade away. She took a moment to gaze at the drab winter sky, relieved to be alone, escaping the hurried bustle of passing cars and pedestrians. She watched as the trees swayed playfully in the chilly breeze, their branches dancing to a melody only the winter wind could compose. Then, her eyes were drawn to her favourite cloud dull yet familiar, winking at her like a cheeky friend. Embarrassment washed over her, prompting Otelia to glance in her car’s mirror, seeking a momentary refuge until the audacious cloud drifted from view.
To Otelia, these clouds felt like old companions, sharing her tales of discontent with the human race. For a heartbeat, she concentrated on the mirror, hiding her daily battles behind its reflective shield. She had sworn not to burden the sky with her struggles. Yet, in that reflective surface, she found an honest observer waiting for her to confront the day’s truths. Peering into the mirror’s depths, she noticed her own expressive eyes—large yet not almond-shaped, with pupils that sparkled like starlight. Long lashes, reminiscent of the graceful sword of Queen Zenobia, shielded her gaze, adding a hint of majesty.