The Two Mirrors

 By Wegat

It is a well known fact that we all see ourselves in a completely different light than how others see us. However there are some that leave us with the question of, exactly what type of mirror do you look into or what voices do you hear in your head when you speak?

Like most things, it started with very good intentions and high hopes. I was told by my well meaning younger sister,

"I have given your email to someone so make sure you don't respond saying, you got the wrong gal, like I know you would."

I asked all the questions of course, what is his name, where does he live, how do you know him and so forth......

A few days later the email arrived. So our story begins.

We emailed back and forth a few times before we exchanged numbers and started talking. We had hours and hours worth of conversation and were amazed on how similar our interests and thoughts were on many subjects. Early on we had decided not to exchange pictures. However we had attempted to describe ourselves to each other verbally. Hmmm....... This is where it gets interesting.

One thing I have to say is if we ladies see ourselves in half the light our male counterparts see themselves in, boy the world would have been a totally different place.

Anyway to get back to the story, the time came to meet in person so I made the travel to his residential city. He asked, "How would you recognize me at the airport?" I answered, "You have my heart don't you, how could I not?" So I flew after making all the necessary preparation to meet my dream man. For the ladies, you know how it goes; the hair, toes, finger nails, eye brow and so forth all have to be done to perfection. For the gents, all I have to say is, you have no idea what we go thru.

I saw him from afar and the first thought that came to my mind was "My friend certainly thinks very highly of himself." And then I convinced myself how that could be a positive attribute in this competitive world today. So I approached him and called him by his name hesitantly. He added a big smile to his face as he put together the name and voice to the face and body that is standing before him. We said our greetings and set our way to his car with a nervous silence as the third wheel.

I gave us a couple of hours to go past the nervousness and start enjoying each other. Unfortunately that moment never arrived. My charming, talkative, confident friend I made over the phone seized to exist. I was not only misinformed about his physical appearance but was fooled by the person he projected to be. All the things he enjoyed doing in theory seemed to no longer interest him in practice.

Well, maybe it will get better tomorrow. NOT. It got worse. Based on conversations we have had, I had an idea of what we will be doing the next day. Which I assumed my new friend will also enjoy. He came to pick me up looking like he was going to a club. I asked if he going to be comfortable in his attire and he stated this is how he dresses on the weekend. OK then. One thing we never discussed was our income level. So I thought, maybe my new friend is loaded and I don't know it yet. A pair of $150 dollar jeans to walk around town and chill is a little to high maintenance for me. But what do I know I am just an Ethiopian girl trying to live the best life she can muster. So we went.

He looked like he was putting too much effort into everything we were doing. When I made comments or enquiries about the area or an object he got very defensive. He claimed he did not have time to do the things he likes to do, so for the most part this is the first time he himself is experiencing some of the things we were doing. So I said no problem it will be a great memory for both of us. But I thought that is not what you said over the phone.

After lunch, I claimed I was tired and would like to go back to the hotel room and rest. Once I got there, the first thing I did was changed my flight from evening to morning. And then I called my ride and let her know that I will be arriving about six hours early.

I gave some lousy excuse for my early departure at dinner and he still offered a ride and refused to let me take a cab to the airport. What a gentleman (sincerely). So Sunday morning me, my guilt and my luggage got a ride from my new friend to the airport and as we were saying our goodbyes he handed me a gift box. I thanked him for his hospitality and generosity put the box in my bag with the assumption of it being candy and boarded the plane with a sigh of relief.

I had forgotten about the box until that evening when I was unpacking. I walked toward my friends to share some chocolate as I unwrapped the box. In it there was no chocolate but what looked like an engagement ring. Nothing fancy but still an engagement ring. All I can say is "What was he thinking?" or "Am I that good of an actress?"

You be the judge. Go easy on me please.