Breaking stereotypes

Bonus Chapter

Chapter-2
It's a reunion for our official trio date to the beach we went last summer. I put on a simple long white frock, simple shoes, bare open hair with a sprink of no makeup look. Ryan has his black t-shirt, long jeans and shoes on while Adya has put on a black frock with white polka dots, her new favourite white shoes and a light brown hat with a big sunflower on it. The condition at her home hasn't changed much except the fact that her aunt does less pinching than before I don't know the reason may be her husband or may be she is really trying to change but her attitude towards us still remains the same. Her uncle does pay her a little more attention than before but the end of the day he still is a busy man. But Adya handles everything so well and I feel like a proud big sister or a mom. She has even gotten good at making friends and socializing. She is growing so much as a person. She makes new friends everywhere she goes. Even today she made another friend at the beach and is still playing with them. While she is busy playing with them, me and Ryan sit by the seashore watching the sunset. As we were both admiring the sunset, Ryan looks at me, "I used to live a lifeless life. I just used to wake up, go to work and play video games to feel the void in me. I never thought of meeting someone as amazing as you even in dreams." He stops for a second as we look into each other's eyes and continues, "How did you made your way into my life?"
I start gazing at the sunset again as I say, "You know, back then when I was trapped inside a small room, I used to wait for my prince charming to come and rescue me. But", I turn my face to him, "my hero wasn't making any entry and kept me waiting, so I decided to come and find him instead." I complete my sentence completely indulged in his eyes. "I am a feminist who doesn't believes in stereotypical gender roles after all." I smile. He returns me a warm gentle smile and laughs it off. As he stares at the sunset, "You really are something." And returns the gaze to me.
"But you know I never thought that I would ever be loved. I used to think I don't have anything in me except a pretty face but as I was suffering daily with depression, anxiety, family issues, loneliness and what not it affected my physical health and appearance as well. You know in fiction how they show the most good looking person with severe mental issues and trauma. I feel glad that people are more aware of mental health issues but what they fail to show is how it not only affects your mental health and peace but also your physical health and appearance. It totally destroys everything in your life. The only part of me which I thought was presentable also got ruined with dark circles, fine lines at such an early age, pimples, acne, hairfall, severe weight lose and what not. I thought I lost everything in life. I only had one thing and if even it's not left in a pretty condition what do I have? Who would accept me? Who would love me and why? You know there was a point in my life where I used to wake up at night and look in the mirror to confirm whether I still exist or not or did I vanish to literally nothing. That's when I decided I have to find myself no matter what. I am not living like this. I should love and accept myself first then except anyone else to do and even if on one does, I still should continue loving myself, finding myself, my purpose in life. I started with self care, skincare routine, therapy, meditation, earning my own little money however the way it was possible, healthy eating, I started spending more time in sunlight and nature and every possible thing which could heal me, help me move forward. No one knows how many times I thought of giving up but I had already decided to fight for myself, to find my own happiness and I didn't want to lose to anything and here I am sitting next to you, someone who accepts and loves me the way I am." I pause for a little and continue,
"Remember once you told me that the people at your work and those kids near your building block might only be kind to you because they pity you. That's wrong. I can assure that they love you for who you are not what you are. Stop thinking that way. You are something as well."
He looks at me with that soft gaze of him. "I should." And doesn't say anything further.
The expression on his face says as if he would believe anything I say him at this moment.
As we continue to look at each other under the gaze of red sunlight, we finally have our sunset kiss moment which we failed to create last time.