Nandi looks at her reflection in the mirror, admiring the purple off-shoulder, knee-length maxi dress she has just bought. She loves how it hugs her body and brings out her curves.

Just then, her mother walks in. “Oh, come on Nandi, you know you cannot wear that dress! It really brings out your big hips and curves. You look awful. Though, I’m sure it would look better on your sisters with their perfect figures.”

Nandi’s sisters, Zinzi and Jane, follow their mother in and giggle.

“I’ve been meaning to get that dress actually. I’d take yours but it’s too big,” says Jane, Nandi’s youngest sister.

Her sisters seem to find comfort in the things their mom says to Nandi. Mrs Jacobs always takes them shopping and to parties, while Nandi is left behind and always excluded. Zinzi and Jane are very popular at school. A lot of times people are shocked to hear that Nandi is their sister, because she looks so different from them.

Nandi stares into the mirror, heartbroken and shattered by her mother’s words. You would think I’d be used to it by now but each insult hits differently, she thinks. “You’re probably right, Mama,” she mumbles and quickly changes into big jeans and a hoodie to cover her body.

Her mother nods approvingly. “That’s better. Come Jane and Zinzi, we’ll go shopping and get you a maxi dress each.” She and Nandi’s sisters leave the room.

*****

Aunt Rose, the housekeeper, walks by and hears Nandi sniffing and crying on the edge of her bed. She enters the room and sits down next to Nandi, taking her hand. “Nandi, my sweetheart, talk to your dear Aunt Rosie. What is it that they have done to you?” Aunt Rose asks, concerned.

“It’s nothing new Aunt Rose,” Nandi replies in a low tone, “it’s what Mom always does to me. I don’t understand how a parent can hate their own child like my parents hate me. It’s always about my sisters and what they do. Life is so unfair.”

“Oh my child,” Aunt Rose says and hugs Nandi, “everything will be alright. You just keep being good and kind and remember that there is nothing wrong with you, you do not deserve this treatment.”

Nandi smiles. Aunt Rose has always been like a mother to her. She was the one person Nandi could turn to. If only she could understand why her parents are so negative towards her. Her father wanted Nandi to be a boy and now he uses every chance he gets to remind Nandi of this. But he calls Zinzi and Jane his princesses, even though they are also girls. What can she do to get her parents to like her? She can’t wait to finish school in a few weeks. As soon as she is done, she’s going to leave the country and find her dream job somewhere far from here.