A modern fairytale

It was late at night… she was sitting at her desk thinking… just like she always does. Nothing new this time except for one thing: she changed. Last time she found herself standing at this very desk, writing down her thoughts through rhymes and such things, she was writing about death. Suicidal thoughts. Yes… she was not as strong as she seemed. We all have our weaknesses and therefore even she does. If she were to tell anyone about that "dark age" of hers no one would believe her.

"What do they see in me that makes them think I am so strong?" she thought. "I am merely a child… I'm only 14 years old, what makes me so special in their eyes?" and those were the questions that remained unanswered for a long time.

It's hard to live up to people's expectations, isn't it? We all know how it's like to be forced to think in a certain way or believe certain things.

But who is this girl you might ask. Her name is Ethereal. Ethereal Mist. When she came into this world the sun smiled and the birds sung. Her parents were so happy; she was the family's first born. We all know the story about how important it is to be the first born in a family with lots of children. Sometimes being the first one is a really big drag, because you are older than your brothers or sisters therefore you have to take care of them. And sometimes being the eldest is great; you get to stay up late, tease on your younger siblings, go out more often and mainly by yourself. Ethereal fits in neither of these categories, because she was the only child in the Mist family.

At first everything was going great for Ethereal. She went to the best school in town, she had the prettiest clothes, a lot of toys and all of her wishes were fulfilled. But… at one point this was not enough. She was not greedy, not at all. She realized as she grew up that her parents were more interested in offering her objects, things money can buy, but never thought of spending more time with her. She was lonely.

"I wish you would have more time for me." She said while looking at a photograph of her parents. "I know you work hard to offer me what I want and I don't want to seem ungrateful, but… I wish you spent more time at home. I'd give away all of my toys and pretty dresses just to be able to spend at least one full day with you. No annoying cell phones, no urgent pager messages, just me and you and peace and quiet." A sour tear drop slowly poured down her face.

She was very pretty. All the girls in town envied her. Her hair was long and red, her eyes were green with big beautiful eyelashes, her skin so pale and clean. She liked to dress in elegant clothes. Her favorite colors were red and black, and yes, as you probably assumed, her clothes were mainly in those colors. She was always calm; she thought well before acting in a certain way or saying something. She didn't like to hurt people.

As time passed by the feeling of loneliness grew stronger in her. "What's the use of having all these expensive things if you feel alone?" a haunting question that would not leave her alone. Although she knew she was getting depressive, she didn't tell anyone. She didn't find it appropriate. Everybody around her was working very hard to keep her happy, so she always smiled. Not for her, but for them. These feelings were getting hard to bear. It's so hard to keep inside all that sadness, all those emotions which are screaming to get out, but she locked the door to her suffering; deep inside, where no one would find it.

Some people get over this easier; a good cry-out will do the trick. But not everyone can afford this luxury. Ethereal couldn't. She had too much respect for her parents and loved them more than she loved herself, therefore could not hurt them in any way.

Art and poetry. This was a sanctuary for Ethereal. She wrote down her thoughts in her journal, each and every day.

"Dear diary… here I am again, revealing my true feelings on this blank piece of paper. That feeling that I hate so much has not yet left my mind. Mommy and daddy are gone on a business trip again. Forth time this month. I don't feel like writing today and I'll probably stop soon. I'm sick and tired of feeling the same everyday. I see no remediation and no matter how hard I try I can't make myself happy… and what's worse… I'm starting not to care."

Ah, giving up. Isn't that the worst thing one can do? After you work so hard to keep yourself on track you give up. The question that should pop out in your mind now is "Why would she give up?". Let's analyze this situation a little. She wants her parents to pay more attention to her but she can't tell them that because she's afraid she'll upset them. On the other hand, she's feeling worse everyday. Don't be too harsh on her; she trusts you with her thoughts so you have no right to pick on her!

Her parents starting talking to her about her future. In their mind she would grow up to be a successful business woman, just like her mother. They gave her the names of some very good colleges and offered to give her all the money she needs to start off. She smiled polite and said "I'll think about it. I'll give you my answer tomorrow morning."

It was very difficult for her. She had a passion for literature. She simply loved to write poems and prose. In her mind, she would grow up to be a successful writer, not a business woman. But her love for her parents was greater. She accepted to fulfill this dream of theirs.

College was going great. Success was at hand. Ethereal graduated with remarkable accomplishments. The Mist family was known all over town to be the ones that had the smartest, pretties girl. All the boys were "chasing" her; she was also rich, so that counted as well… sometimes maybe even more than the rest. But Ethereal didn't want a boyfriend, she was fine the way she was.

"Dear, I think you should start going out more. There are a lot of boys that would kill to go out with you. Why do keep pushing them away?" her mother said.

"Oh, mom… I want to focus more on my future and my current projects. I don't have time for silly things such these."

"Silly?" she laughed. "My dear, love is not silly. It's quite necessary at some point. I'm expecting grandchildren." She hugged Ethereal and kissed her on the forehead just like when she was a little girl.

Ethereal went to bed. Her mother's word kept echoing in her head; she was confused. The only love she had ever felt was for her parents and now her mothers tells her that this other type of love exists. She read about it in many books, but never truly felt it. "I wonder how it is… to be in love with a man… to be loved by a man." Maybe she should go out with one of those boys. But wait, what about her projects? She had deadlines for those; she just couldn't abandon them like that.

It might seem strange to you. These concerns of hers about those projects. After all, her parents were powerful and as assumed, they took care of that problem so she could go out. Her father talked to the company's director and they both agreed on giving Ethereal a vacation.

She was off for a month. She started dating different boys but none were at her taste. Some were rude, others boring… none of them attracted her in any way. She almost gave up on trying to find someone to love; a man that would love her for who she is inside not for her fortune or success.

24th of April 1998.

Lovely day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, no clouds at sight. The perfect day for a walk in the park.

Ethereal always had a soft spot for nature. She loved flowers and animals; she even had pets of her own: a kitty and a cute little hamster. But this time she wanted to "go out in the wild". She dressed in her favorite dress, grabbed some money and a purse that fit with her shoes and drove to the park.

The park was lovely at that time of year. The roses were blooming, spreading a scent that she liked so much and enchanting her eyes with beautiful colors. She went by the lake that was in the middle of the park and sat on a big rock. That was her favorite spot. Peaceful and quiet.

"Nature is so surprising. I remember yesterday when I came here, in this very spot, there were no flowers and now… the place is flooded with pretty white and yellow flowers."

What could be more beautiful than a beautiful woman, dressed in red, in the middle of nature? "Nothing." Thought Mike. He was a very handsome man that loved nature as much as Ethereal did and, between us, he was spying on her for quite a few days. Only this day, he would stop spying and go talk to her.

"Hello there!" he said with a sweet calm voice, smiling. Ethereal smiled as a response and kept admiring the view. She tried not to let herself get distracted by this man's presence.

"My name's Mike."

"Ethereal."

"Wow, such a beautiful name. Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, same…"

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I disturbing?"

"No, not really. And even if you were, it wouldn't make any difference. It's not like this is my personal park which would give me the power to tell you to leave it whenever I please." Mike started to feel a little unsure of himself; he did not except such answer.

"Hmm… I see that my presence here is unwanted. I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Ethereal. Good-bye now, hope you have a lovely day!"

She didn't say anything. She turned her head to watch him leave and that's when she noticed that not only his voice was pretty, but he was handsome as well. She started to feel sorry for pushing him away like that. A part of her told her to shout for him and start a conversation, but the other part said that it's best if she lets things as they are. If things should have been different, they would be, wouldn't they? But she must not think of that now. She has come here to rest and put her thoughts in order, that's all. No reason to complicate things, is there?

That night she couldn't get her mind off that handsome man called Mike that she met that day in the park. It was getting a little stressing. Something strange happened that day tough. It was for the first time in years, that she has not felt lonely anymore; just thinking about Mike made her feel better. "It must be love! I can't find any other explication." And there was no need for any other explication, because she was right. It was love.

The next day she went for another walk in the park, this time for two reasons: first of all, the weather was once more beautiful and second, she wanted to see Mike again for some reason. To her delight, she did seem him again. Same time, same place.

"Hello again!"

"Hi!"

"How are you?"

"I'm ok… listen… Mike, I'm sorry about yesterday I was kind of rude, I know, but I was so tired and I didn't feel like talking to anyone and…"

"No need for explications." He said while smiling in a way that made Ethereal feel something resembling that "butterfly sensation" she read about in so many romance books. Yes, she was sure now. She was in love.

Weird isn't it? Some time ago she had a little argument with her mother and she told her that she doesn't want any boyfriend and now… all of the sudden, she think of this Mike person more than her work projects. Love is strange isn't it?

After a while, Mike asked Ethereal if she would like to go to the nearby restaurant and grab a bite. She gladly accepted. They talked about so many things and both felt as if they've known each other for years, instead of minutes. Times passed so fast that Ethereal forgot about the 4 o'clock meeting. When she looked at her wristwatch she was shocked. It was 4:15.

"Oh my God!"

"What? What happened?"

"I'm supposed to have a meeting at 4 o'clock and it's a quarter past four. I'm sure they've notice my lack of presence. I'm really sorry, but I have to go now."

"I'm sorry too… will I ever see you again?"

"If the weather is nice, yes, most probably. Now excuse me, I have to go. See you soon."

She took a cab and rushed to work. How did she forget about that meeting? She just couldn't understand. She finished her presentation late yesterday night and this morning before she left, she repeated her speech once or twice. And still… she forgot all about it. Love is confusing.

"My dear, we were so worried! Mr. Wilson called to announce us that you didn't come to the 4 o'clock meeting. What happened?"

"Well, mom…" she hesitated. She thought her parents would get upset if they found out the real reason. At first she wanted to lie, saying she got stuck in traffic and her cell phone "died" on the way, but she just couldn't lie to them. She chose the hard way.

"Please don't get angry with me, but I met this man in the park, his name is Mike and we went to a nearby restaurant and we talked and time passed by so quick and I didn't realize that and I remember about the meeting when it was too late. I'm really sorry!"

"John! Did you hear? Our little girl is in love. Isn't that wonderful?" Ethereal was speechless. She didn't expect that, at all. She was relived, because she didn't have to give anymore explications and could go to bed after a very interesting and exciting day.

Mike and Ethereal started dating a lot. They were so happy together. Ethereal was no longer feeling lonely and her parents agreed with their relationship. Everything was going fine, until one day…

"My dear, come here for a minute."

"Sure mom, what it is?"

"Although I'm very happy for you and the fact that you're in love, but… my attention is drawn towards your job. You've missed a lot of meetings lately, Mr. Wilson has been telling me and your father about you missing work and such things. Don't you think that your little romance is distracting you?"

Ah, yes… parents… work… these don't fit with love, do they? So sad when things get in the way. That day Ethereal called Mike and cancelled their date saying she wasn't feeling very good and that it would be better if she stayed home. It was a restless night. The problem was easy, but the choice she had to make was difficult. She had to choose between Mike and her parents; the ones she loved the most in the whole wide world. After thinking about this the whole night. She made her choice.

"Mike… I'm sorry to tell you this, but… I think I need some time off."

"I don't understand."

"You see… all this love story is distracting me from work, I can't focus on my assignments and I'm starting to miss out meetings…"

"So this is where it ends?"

"I think so…"

"Well, you said that you need some time off, so that means that it's not permanent, right?"

"I don't know, Mike…"

"I'll wait for you…"

"No, don't… I don't know how long this is going to take."

Poor Ethereal… once again she gives up on something to please her parents. Things would have been so much different if her parents realized that she needed Mike and his love... to replace the lack of love she felt in her childhood… but she couldn't tell her parents that, she loved them too much.

Six months passed since Ethereal broke-up with Mike. Work was going great; she had remarkable accomplishments and Mr. Wilson was very happy with her evolution. Her parents too were more than pleased with their daughter. Everybody was happy except for Ethereal and Mike. She was feeling lonely again… he was feeling lonely…

Why can't people see that they're meant to be together? Is it so hard for them to accept that "our little girl" is now a woman in need of her "one true love"?

Mike still had her phone number. He wanted to call her so many times, but thought it was inappropriate. Other than that she was the one that wanted things to end, willingly or not, Mike didn't know, so she should call.

But in the end… no one of them called. They didn't keep in touch for many years. Ethereal thought that Mike now probably has a new girlfriend or worse, a wife. At the same time, Mike thought that she has a new boyfriend or worse, a husband. And still in spite of all these doubts and insecurities and question that are screaming for an answer… neither called the other.

Days passed by slower and slower… time was a drag for both of them, because after all these years, they still loved each other. Mrs. Mist tried so hard to find another man fit for her daughter, but Ethereal didn't want to date other men. She was acting like she did many years ago, after she graduated from college.

In her spare time she wrote poems or short stories; it was a way to help her get her mind off her failed relationship. "I'll wait for you…" those words were haunting. No matter what she did, she just couldn't get them out of her head.

"Argh, get over it Ethereal!" she said to herself. "It's over and it's been that way for a long time1 he's probably married now to some very beautiful woman and has three kids running around the garden, playing with their pets…" but that was her dream. She was the one who wanted a big house with a garden and three children. And she could have had that if it weren't for her parents. It was for the first time in her life that she was angry with them. "They don't want me happy! They only think about themselves!!" she said while crying. How could she think like that about her parents? After all they had done for her, here she is screaming ungrateful. Oh, how she hated herself for that. she thought that it was a great sin to feel other than love towards your parents, but she couldn't help it.

Too much time alone can drive you crazy, eh? But when a door is closed, a window unlocks. She just had to look for that window. Will she ever find it? It can't hurt to try.

24th of April 2005. New York.

Lovely day. The prefect day for a business meeting. Ethereal had a very important meeting today. Her career depended on that. She rushed to work and on the way she realized that she had forgotten her briefcase at the hotel.

"Great! Just what I needed!"

Since she had no choice, she drove back to the hotel. She ran to the elevator and accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she said.

"Ah, it's ok." That voice… could it really be?

"Mike?!"

Indeed it was Mike. He looked as handsome as when they first met. He looked at her with those beautiful green eyes of his and smiled.

"Yes, it's really me. I must admit, I never dreamt of meeting you here of all the places in the world!"

"Yes… quite strange… I'd say it's fate if I'd believe that existed."

After all this time! They meet in the same day they first met seven years ago! Talk about coincidence! Mike smiled and asked if maybe they could go out and have a little chat after all this time. They had so many things to tell each other… or didn't they? Maybe all they wanted was to know if the other one is still…available.

"Yeah, sure. Long time no see, eh?" said Ethereal and then hugged Mike with a big smile on her face. She was so happy to see him again after all these years. Um… Ethereal? Hello? What about that meeting you have? You're going to be late again, aren't you? Oh well…Ethereal forgot all about that meeting and everything else. She was just enjoying the time she was spending together with Mike. Her love…her true love.

Back in the office, Mr. Wilson was worried, no, not worried, he was pass that, now, he was very angry.

"Argh! Where is that girl?!" as you know this wasn't the first time she's been late at a meeting or at work in general. But that was seven years ago, since then, she was never late again. But Mr. Wilson didn't care about that; she was needed at this very important meeting. Not for them, but more for her. As you know, her career depends on this.

But what is a successful career without someone to share the joy with you? Of course she had her parents, but… I wasn't talking about that kind of "someone". Love…such a complicated thing. It appears in your life when you least expect it and goes away as swift as it arrived. But Ethereal wasn't thinking about that now; no, not at all. This time she wasn't going to let go of Mike no matter what happened or who was going to stand in their way.

"All my life I've been doing everything my parents wanted so I would make them happy. All those fake smiles just for their pleasure. Well I've had enough of it! It's my time to be happy now and if my parents really love me, they'll understand." She said to herself. And she was right; I know it, you know it.

When her parents first heard about Mike reappearing in her life they weren't very pleased. But, fortunately, Ethereal was right. Her parents did love her so they gave their blessing. Oh, how happy that made them! And by "them" I mean: Ethereal, Mike and Mr. & Mrs. Mist. It was like they say… "One big happy family".

Although not yet married, Mike was living with Ethereal at her parents' house. Such a beautiful couple! Both smart and good looking, but more important… truly in love.

A few months later they got engaged and then married. The day they go married was a big celebration for the Mist family and for the citizens. A big wedding fit for a princess and her prince.

This was Ethereal's biggest wish: to be happy. Although life was sad and depressive at first, she was glad to find out that all of that was not in vain. All of us should have faith and will to move on and get up when we fall; nothing is in vain.

We shouldn't let ourselves get tangled up in problems that are not of importance, such as forgetting to buy something from the grocery store or things like that. Live your life the way you want, struggle for your happiness because if don't fight for that, no one else will do it for you for they have their own happiness to worry about.

Another important thing: take some time to "bond" with nature. You'll be surprised all of the things it has to offer. Everywhere you look you see miracles. Like, even right now. Take a short break from reading this and look outside your window. What do you see? There's a miracle there and you can see if you just use yours eyes. What's that you say? You see only blocks? Well that's ok; ever thought about looking at the sky? Look at it now. It's beautiful isn't it? Covered up in clouds or not, it still is beautiful and still a miracle. And you know why? Because it's always there. No matter what happens it will always be there as a special roof to cover up the world.

One more thing before I go. Love is for everyone, don't you ever doubt that. Follow you heart and you'll see I'm right. When it shows up in your life don't throw it away or ignore it, it might not come back. Not everybody is as lucky as Ethereal was. But even she fought for her happiness and stood up to her parents for the first time in her life. Was it worth it? Yes. I know it… you know it.

That's about everything. Remember: have faith and fight!