The Mirror I Forgot To Look Into

The other day I looked into the mirror. I didn't recognize the person staring back at me.

I looked deeper and deeper, into his eyes, stared at the reflection for hours trying to find out who it was. I stood there, frozen with deep thoughts wondering whether it could be me. But if it were me, why could I not identify him? He definitely is not me. How stupid of me to think that.

Eventually, exhaustion hit. My mind felt heavy, and the night had grown late. I went to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to a strange dream, the one I had as a child. It was blurry, slipping away even as I tried to hold onto it. I did the usual chores, got ready, and just before leaving, I found myself standing in front of the mirror again.

Hoping, maybe this time, I would recognize the person.

Just like the day before, I stood there silent, calm and composed, and lost until the day ended.

Days passed this way. Then weeks. Then months. Before I knew it, years had gone by.

And later, one morning, I woke up to the same routine. But this time I decided to do something different. Instead of walking to the mirror, I walked straight out of the door. I walked past the city, then through the nearby town, and then further still. I walked without direction. I didn’t know where I was going, and I didn’t plan to return. I just kept moving, until I reached a place I had forgotten existed.

A small, charming stone house surrounded by the lush meadow. Its thatched roof weathered by time but still holds the rustic warmth. The front porch has a couple of chairs. Beside the house, a river flows gently by, it's crystal clear water sparkling in the sunlight as it meanders through the valley. The sound of the water is soothing, a constant peaceful murmur as it splashes over the rocks and winds it's way past fields of tall grass.

Surrounded by canopy, the fresh air, the scent of wildflowers, all under the blue sky, and bird chirping and rustle of tiny little foxes under a small bush.

I stepped inside the house, looked at the mirror, and finally i recognized him. I had known him for ages but forgot him along the way.

And later, I went back... I went back to the place I was supposed to belong... The place that made me unrecognizable. Not because I wanted to but because I had to.

Sometimes, it matters less who you believe yourself to be, and more who the world believes you are.