The Mask I carry

It was Tuesday morning, March 2nd. I had gone out to check my mailbox when I saw a letter tucked out of the box. I pulled it out and realized it was a letter from a city in an Iceland, it was an invitation to come to a masquerade ball it was hosting and just below the box was a blue mask specially designed for me.

The idea of wearing a mask excited me, I could be anything without anyone knowing who was behind the mask. Just the thought of it made me long for that event. My blue suit was well pressed- I had always saved it for a special event like this.

The news of the event spread abroad, becoming the talk of the town. Everyone was as excited as I was. We talked about it with everyone we met and wondered what the event would look like.

"Why do you think she hosted this event?" Someone had asked, he wasn't sure why the queen wanted us to wear masks, but the excitement in his face showed the idea sat well with him.

"To be free and be whatever you want to be without the fear of being judged," another responded.

We continued the discussion until it was time for everyone to go home.

Image generated using Gemini AI

The day of the event came, everyone was well dressed and in masks. I spoke to people freely, danced , and ensured I tasted every meal that was new to me. For the first time, I felt truly free. I had always seen myself as an Introvert and not well spoken, but behind the mask, I talked more than I had always imagined I could and I never cared about how fluent I was, just me having the best time of my life.

There I met a lady I wished I could meet again, but this time with our mask off. We talked about many things, our past, happy moments, sad moments, regrets, and things we wish we could change. They were things I've always held to myself, but discussing with someone gave me some relief I have never felt in years, not because they were solved, but because someone was there to listen and make me feel I was not in that mess alone.

I went home after the event feeling fulfilled, and I discovered a part of me I never knew existed- The extroverted me. But what made me feel lighter was the burden I have shared, a burden I have carried alone for years while hiding in my closet.