At that moment, only one thought ran through Erika's mind-she had to look gorgeous. Her mind was fully concentrated on the task at hand, the one task that formed a crucial and exciting part of her otherwise mundane everyday life- choosing the right outfit. Erika beamed as her hands squirmed through the dresses on display at the shopping mall. Georgette, linen, satin and denim were her only true love. The thought of shopping filled her heart with ecstasy. She knew way too well about the comments of the psychologists, philosophers and poets on the mad rush for materialistic pursuits, the useless chaos and haste resulting from the never ending covetousness of man to acquire the one penny beyond his reach. Erika never minded them. She lived to fulfill her desire, her desire for an exotic profligately lavish lifestyle and to quench her insatiable thirst for pretty outfits. She wasn't rich, she was a spoilt brat. Born in an upper middle class family, she was the favorite child of her father out of his three children and the very reason why she always got what she wanted. But there were still things that Erika could only earnestly crave for. Erika's eyes fell on a beautiful purple skater dress with a cold shoulder. The one look and she knew it was exactly what she wanted this time. She left the mall later with a look of deep contentment on her face and her new found merriment.
After shopping, Erika entered a cafe. She gave the waiter the order and looked around. She smiled and thought to herself, "What a lovely day! Having a little break from work is such a relief". She took out a little mirror from her purse and looked at her reflection. She looked pretty. One couldn't really call her beautiful but her face was cute with the innocence of a child. Erika worked as a secretary to Mrs. Benkins at a software company in Bangalore. Her boss was away on a vacation. Erika having completed her assignment in her absence, took a two days' break. Erika was looking forward to this weekend for a long time since she would be meeting James this time. James was charming, handsome and of course rich- all that she ever wanted. To look gorgeous in front of him was a top priority for her and that's the reason she decided to shop. For the few moments they were together, she wanted to make sure James wouldn't think about anything else but her-his eyes stuck on her.
Erika reached home and put the bags in her bed. She looked at the mirror. Eyes covered in mascara, the red lips, the Georgette dress that covered her, the shopping bags in the bed behind. A tear ran down her mascara clad eye- a tear that narrated a story of her melancholy solitude, lack of love and attention and a broken heart. She sat down on the floor. She was now the person she once feared. The painted face said it all-bliss was ephemeral.