Being the odd one outI took a final look at myself doc

Being the odd one out I took a final look at myself in the mirror before I put on my high heeled shoes.. I was nearly in tears because I thought the barbecue was to be held at friend’s h

Being the odd one out

I took a final look at myself in the mirror before I put on my

high heeled shoes I thought I looked presentable enough

My brother was furiously sounding the horn hurrying me

up I went down the steps with difficulty due to my shoes

The minute I stepped into the car, he sped off, not caring

that my heart had leapt into my mouth

He was to meet his friends for a barbecue He hated to

take me along on such occasions He said that I was a

spoil-sport tagging along behind him However, he had to

bring me because my mother insisted She said that every

time he needed to use my father’s car at night, he must

take me along Well, whether he liked it or not, he had to

oblige I was to one who had to bear his deafening nags

while we traveled to and fro in the car

He stopped at the East Coast Park and told me to get

down I was nearly in tears because I thought the

barbecue was to be held at friend’s house If I had known

that it was to be at the beach, I would have at least put on

my pants and flat sandals I would never dream of going to

such an occasion in party skirt and high-heeled shoes

Oh… why didn’t he inform me? Although I was very angry

with him, I kept my peace I knew better than to say

anything

I hurried behind him towards the beach When we reached

the location, I was utterly shocked to find that there was

not a single female soul around His friends stared at me I

felt strange, although I still cannot interpret their stare I

looked down shyly, and my eyes met my skirt At that

moment, I felt like tearing it to pieces

The boys did not say anything to me I realized that my

presence was not welcomed I felt admixed feeling of

embarrassment and anger Who should I blame? I thought

everybody was to blame; my mother, my brother and I My

thought was rudely interrupted by a rough voice offering

me a seat on an overturned pot I thanked him and sat,

looking at the pitch black, moonless sky against the dark

blue, calm waters

I had been in the company of boys for a number of times

but the occasions were never as forbidding as this one At

home, my mother and I live among seven males They are

my father, two of his brothers, my elder brother and three

younger brothers I love their company

I was again interrupted by the rough voice This time he

offered me some mutton cubes pierced in an iron skewer

Without thinking, I took it and began to eat I shouted in

pain when the burning skewer touched my lips My

unsympathetic brother turned around to look at me

Instead of doing something, he gave me a threatening

look and turned away I heard him telling his friends that I

was a spoil-sport I felt tears in my eyes but I would not

permit them to fall

I waited patiently till 11.30 p.m At exactly 11.30 p.m my

brother signaled me to go to the car I walked away alone,

without saying goodbye to anybody This time warm tears

really poured down my cheeks I quickly wiped them away

as I heard my brother coming up behind me Then, I

realized that being the odd one out was indeed trying I

thanked God that it was all over