Remembering G day

A day before graduation, my girl friends and I learned that we were obliged to wear stockings during the ceremony. I immediately panicked because I did not own a single pair—be it black, white or skin tone stockings. I had myriad of socks with different colorful designs; I always made sure I had plenty because I frequently wear rubber shoes. But a pair of skin tone stockings? I just did not have it. When I got home after a brief dinner with my batch mates, the first question I asked mom was, “Meey, do you have stockings?” Luckily, she had and I jumped like a little brat when I found out.

Immediately, I scurried to her room like an elated lunatic. I was so awed to behold so many pairs of skin tone stockings. However, most of them were colored brown and were too dark for my skin. Only one pair fitted my yellowish olive skin. After finding my treasure, I went to bed and hoped for the best on my graduation day.

The next day, I woke up. No. My mom woke me up. She was at the foot of my bed, calling out “…wake up, we’ll be late…” She said so many words but that’s all I wanted to hear. I flew to take a shower. As usual, it took me a long time to finish my womanly rituals. First coating: General antimicrobial soap. Rinse. Second coating: Anti-fungal soap. Rinse. Third coating: Scented soap for finishing touches. Mom knocked on my door again and reminded that we were running late. I did not finish the ritual; but I fled the bathroom and wrapped my body in my pink towel.

After spending some time in my mirror, mom called out again, “we’re running late!” And I was hurrying. “Almost done,” I said. I took the stocking, squeezed my right toes in it and pulled hastily in a manner similar to pulling my socks. The stocking would not inch up my leg. I pulled harder. When I pulled hard enough, I ripped my stocking! I was so shocked, I ran to my mom with tears starting to bead in my lids. “What did you do?” Mom exclaimed. I frowned and said, “Meey, I tried pulling the stocking because it just won’t come up.” “You pulled what?” she asked. “I pulled the stockings!” Then mom started to laugh. “You silly,” she said, “when you put on a stocking you’re not supposed to pull it. Just roll it smoothly.”

I dropped my jaws after realizing how silly I was. And yet I was graduating with honors at that time! How stupid! I collected my welling tears and laughed at the irony. Several minutes after, I found myself already walking in the aisle. I did not wear stockings anymore. But so what? My legs were sparkling without stockings anyway.