THE ONIX

Wandering along the streets, looking at the ground, with tangled thoughts, she felt completely lost although were people everywhere. How deeply she wanted these thoughts dispelled! But the way she had been looked at on that morning by the students made her feel the most deject human being in the world.

They stared at her for a long time, but said nothing. Nothing that could be heard, but soon the whispering began: “Do you believe she´ll be accepted?” “How can they agree with that?” Their voices were quiet, dry and cold. Something inside her breast got bigger and bigger and she had to swallow it, so as not to burst into tears.

Time passed. It seemed a year since she had entered the classroom at the University. Sitting at her desk she saw nothing around her. The cold indifference of her classmates iced her as rigid as a stick. When the bell rang she felt her heart in her throat. It was her desire to go out and disappear immediately, but her feet were stuck on the ground and any effort made would be useless.

“My childhood days are brought to my mind and with them one of those children´s tale, especially “The Ugly Duckling”. I feel myself akin to it this moment: rejected and set aside by everyone. It´s useless try to fight against fate. University education was not for me. How could I deceive myself this way? All lost! I have to change my course”.

Stepping hard, she set out for a new life. The bright lights of a night club twinkled, inviting her. With determination her hands, which now took the command of her mind, opened the door. Everybody looked at her with lustful eyes.With loathing.

Suddenly a person she had never seen before came towards her, looked at her and smiled softly. Rejoicing, she discovered that there were still affectionate persons around who could consider her a human being. This, however, was more than she could believe.

He encouraged her with his eyes, but she did not respond; her complexion changed and all her embarrassment returned. Finally, he took her out gently. Questions arose from him and after waiting patiently for some time, the answers came one by one, and he realized that she could hardly be more deeply hurt. Not a single word of complaint was heard.

Something tender was born between them as she began to fight against her shyness little by little, overcoming her deep unhappiness. Finally she knew the greatest strength in the world: love. The only way to freedom: sharing.

Nowadays, people stop and stare at them. Lots of them incredulous, some indignant, a few touched by the contrast of their skins tightly interlaced.