The day was radiant, bathed in golden sunlight.
Heat shimmered faintly against the windowpane,
but in the cool embrace of the air-conditioned room,
the warmth was barely felt.
Roz sat on the soft sofa cushion,
eyes fixed with quiet intensity on a video about business techniques.
Her mother's voice broke through, loud and insistent:
"Roz, come, I'll take you to the parlor for a whitening treatment.
The boy's family is coming to see you
you'll look fair and flawless then."
But Roz paid no heed to her mother's plea.
Her focus remained unwavering on the screen.
At twenty-three, Roz dreamed a grand dream
to be a great businesswoman, known across the land.
Her dark skin mattered not;
her talent alone would shine for all to see.
Yet her mother Olivia could not understand.
Day and night, the talk was only of suitors and marriage.
Roz had been rejected thirty times
all because of her skin color.
But none of it pierced her spirit.
She was content as she was confident, proud.
No beauty treatment could sway her resolve.
The next morning, Roz's dearest friend Lara called,
"Hey, where are you? Aren't you coming to class?"
Roz answered in a drowsy whisper,
"Hmmm," and hung up.
At breakfast, Roz met her parents.
Her father rose from the table, arms open wide,
embraced his daughter warmly,
and kissed her forehead tenderly.
Simon and Olivia's only daughter
the cherished Roz.
For her, her father would bring the moon from the skies,
if he could, and place it gently in her hands.
"Before your studies end," he said at the table,
"I'll open a factory for you, my princess,
so you won't have to wait after finishing school."
But Roz did not agree.
She wished to carve her own path
without her father's help.
After breakfast, she bid farewell and went to college.
A new professor had arrived to teach statistics.
The corridors buzzed with whispers.
Roz took her seat as Mr. Leo entered the room.
For a single heartbeat, Roz's world paused.
Could anyone be so beautiful?
Like a sculpture of a Greek god
lips soft as rose petals,
eyes mischievous yet profound,
a smile bursting with joy,
yet touched with innocence.
Roz forgot everything else.
Her reverie broke as Leo finished his introduction,
and began asking the class general questions about statistics.
When he called on Roz, she could not answer
though she knew the answers well.
Leo's anger was swift:
"This subject is clearly not for you,Miss Whatever!"
Roz felt no shame at his insult.
Her gaze was fixed only on Leo,
wondering how such beauty could exist.
After class, with Lara by her side,
Roz summoned courage and approached Leo
pretending to seek help with the lesson.
Leo barely glanced her way,
coldly said, "I'm busy. Don't disturb me."
But when he turned to Lara,
his eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Don't you have any questions, Miss?"
Lara shook her head.
Leo smirked, "When God gives such beauty,
he also gives intelligence
if you have questions, come to my cabin."
Without a glance at Roz, he walked away.
For the first time, Roz felt pain
her confidence cracked,
hurt by the color of her skin,
and by a beauty she did not possess.
Roz, dressed simply in a plain top and jeans,
rode home in her car, thoughts swirling:
"Maybe mother was right
why haven't I spent money on beauty treatments?
People don't even truly see me."