Allora

Out of Comfort Zone

Sitting at a breakfast table this big is a first time for me.

This feels like a royal experience. There are many varieties of food on the table and the kitchen staff are running around serving us the food. It's a little bit chaotic.

My father descended the stairs with his wife beside him. He looks happy, I guess. After landing here I don't know about anything. The word clarity is becoming a distant relative to me.

''Good morning Allora'' my father came near me and kissed my forehead. I gave him a smile. The lady beside him didn't look very pleased with our interaction. Do I care? Nope. My father sat at the end of the table with his wife beside him. I sat opposite to her, beside my dad.

After greetings from other members , the chairs were occupied except one which was next to me. I scanned the faces to figure out who was missing.

'' Sorry I'm late'' Rossario entered the room wearing a full black suit with a silver chain around his turtle-neck shirt. He has diamond studs on both ears, which makes him look dangerous and approachable at the same time. The golden watch completes his outfit.

The man knows how to dress.

He started walking towards the empty seat beside me. Each step he took accelerated my heartbeat. I swallowed hard, thinking it was gonna help me calm down. I looked down at my plate, which was filled with food that my father helped me with. There were croissants, fruits and waffles with honey, which looked so good.

At the moment, the food before me seemed like a huge distraction. I took a bite of the croissant and tasted heaven. The greedy me, unaware of my surroundings, got lost in the taste and stuffed my mouth with it. I don't know what the filling is specifically. It tastes like lemon and cream.

''Hello Allora'' I turned to Rossario, who looked like he was holding back his laughter. Well, my face looked like a stuffed turkey, so I can't blame him. I nodded my head at him and grabbed a glass of water to drown my embarrassment.

The place smelled sweet like a bakery, but on Rossario's arrival there was something more to it. It was sandalwood and chocolate.

''Mihjo, where are you headed to looking so handsome?'' tia asked Rossario.

''There is a fundraiser at the townhall for St. Thomas orphanage.'' Rossario replied.

''Why didn't you tell me about this? I could've attended this if I had known earlier'' My father said with a bit of disappointment.

''Well, papa, I only got the call from Father David last night. He did send us an invitation but it didn't reach us. You do have to meet the salesmen today, so I thought I might go alone.''

Rossario calls my dad papa. Interesting... very interesting....[sarcasm noted]

''llora.. Allora..''

''ha dad'' I responded, breaking out of my thoughts.

''You are going to the fundraiser with Rossario. You need to get used to these kinds of things for the future. Let this be a beginning.''

My dad said, which left only one thought in my mind.

''What am I going to wear?''

''Leave that to us, Llora. Now get up we need to start our mission.''Lola said with excitement, which Lissandra also shared.

''What time do you want her ready?'' tia asked Rossario.

'Within an hour'' Rossario said.

The ladies took me to my room and I sat before the dressing table. Lissandra walked in with two boxes filled with makeup.

After half an hour of makeup and hair styling, I was exhausted and excited at the same time.

I wanted to see myself , but the girls didn't allow me.

Tia brought me a deep red satin dress which looked so sexy and outside my comfort zone.

''tia it's not my style. I have never worn anything like that.'' I said hoping she will hear my plea.

''Lora miha try it out. If you don't feel confident in this, we can look for another one, although my heart says this is the one''

I went inside the closet with my dress. I looked at it and felt the silky material. It felt heavenly. I took off the robe I was wearing and looked down at my body.

I'm curvy with wide hips and shoulders. I'm not always insecure about my body. Most of the time I love it, but sometimes a stroke of self-consciousness is enough to pull me into a momentary abyss of doubts.

Is teenage supposed to be this bad? Thinking about all the positive body talk, I pulled the dress up. I'm a woman. The very reason is enough to indicate my beauty. Releasing a deep breath, I opened the door of my closet and stepped outside.

My tia had a proud look on her face and my cousins high-fived on seeing me.

''Wear these miha'' my tia said, handing me golden hoops, necklace and heels.

''you ready'' the sisters said, squealing, and faced me to the mirror.

This is not how I usually see myself in the mirror. I look stunning.

My brown skin looks so rich in this red dress. My wavy hair is in a low bun with some loose hair on the sides. My lips are the same red as my dress.. The makeup looks so good. I love it.

I turned to my tia and cousins with a grateful smile. They all embraced me.

''Here'' Lola said, giving me a golden clutch. ''Inside you will find your phone, a napkin, some emergency money and pepper spray'' she raised her shoulders while saying pepper spray, as if to say you know why.

''Thank you guys'' I said.

''No, miha we are family. This is what we do for each other.'' My tia had tears in her eyes.'' Now let's go down. It's about time. Come on girls.'' I followed them down stairs.

Never in my life thought I would see myself in such a glamourous dress. My life is changing from every corner. Is it for good or bad? Only time will tell.