Make-up (a reason).

She had never been much into make-up and giving much importance to one’s own appearance. For a start, wearing make-up used to make her skin feel trapped and her eyelids heavy. She had never found much pleasure in putting make-up on and she did not even perceive any advantages to it. It cost money, it did not feel comfortable, and one used it to hide one’s natural self.

So she was somewhat confused and curious as to why she found herself paying attention to her physical appearance on the days she went in to work and the days she went to church. To her surprise, she found herself applying a thin layer of foundation, and a subtle cloud of blush on her cheekbones, a touch of mascara and just enough eyeliner to bring out her green eyes. And of course, what she liked best: lipstick. Most often of a fairly neutral tone, but on other occasions, she wore a more bold and deep red.

The only common factor between her work place and church was the presence of this one man, whom she felt had very much to do with her decision to wear make-up. Yet, she had too much respect for him to have as an intention seducing him. And anyway, she was already in love with someone else.

But she did want — something; else she would not be doing what she was now doing.

The motive and intention behind her own behaviour revealed itself each time she stood in front of the mirror. She simply wanted to look pleasing and pretty for this man. That she was a person his eyes liked to see. That the mere sight of her was to him a gift, in just the same way that his presence was a gift in her own life.