The Promise

 It was another mundane morning. Andrew got ready for work and sat at the desk in his bedroom. He made a list of tasks to be completed that day. He reviewed the list and threw his pen down in frustration and put his head down on the desk.

“Another day where I find no time for myself,” he thought, his head still down.

“What is the matter my friend?” asked a baritone voice. Andrew was shocked because he was alone in the room. He looked around, but couldn’t see anyone.

“Don’t look here and there,” said the voice. “Look inside, you’ll find me there. Let me make it easier for you, look into the mirror.”

 

Andrew looked up to find himself looking different, to say the least. His hair was a mess and he had a stern look on his face. He quickly combed his hair and smiled, only to find his hair messy again.

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid of me?” asked the voice again.

“Who are you?” asked Andrew.

“Don’t you recognise yourself Andrew?”

“Myself?” enquired Andrew.

“Yes, I am you. I am your alter ego.”

“What do you want from me?” yelled Andrew.

“Calm down now, I’m here to help you.”

“I don’t need any help from you,” replied Andrew.

“Hahaha,” he laughed aloud in his baritone voice.

 

“Doesn’t seem like that to me,” said the alter ego.

Andrew broke down. He wept for a few minutes before regaining control of himself again.

“Long ago, you made a promise to yourself Andrew. Do you remember?”

“Yes,” replied Andrew. “To be happy, to do the things I love, to make myself a priority.”

“Have you kept your word?”

“No,” replied Andrew. “I have not.”

“You keep all the promises you make to everyone else, don’t you?”

“Yes, that I have always done,” said Andrew. A smile appeared on his face.

“Stop smiling Andrew!” yelled the baritone voice and that wiped the smile off Andrew’s face.

 

“Why do you keep promises made to everyone else Andrew?”

“Because, that’s my nature. I am a good person and,” before Andrew could complete the voice interrupted. “Nonsense!”

“What do you mean?” asked Andrew.

“You are a people pleaser. You want to make everyone happy because that feeds your ego. You want to be known as that ‘good guy’. But inside we suffer, we suffer because you don’t prioritise yourself.”

Andrew was quiet for a couple of minutes. “I guess you’re right. What should I do? Help me, please,” he said and sighed.

“That’s why I’m here. Start by saying no.”

“No?” enquired Andrew.

“Yes, learn to say no. Remember, every time you say yes to someone, you are saying no to us. Every time you say no to us, I get a little more frustrated. Make time for yourself Andrew. Set boundaries and don’t let anyone intrude. Our personal space is ours only. No one should be allowed to intrude.”

“I will do that,” Andrew said softly.

 

“More energy Andrew! Say it loud. I will learn to say no, I will set boundaries!”

“I will learn to say no, I will set boundaries!” Andrew said out loud.

“Louder!” shouted the voice.

“I will learn to say no, I will set boundaries!” yelled Andrew.

All this while, Andrew’s wife was listening from outside the room. She got worried and couldn’t hold herself back anymore. She threw open the bedroom door. She was shocked to see Andrew sitting at his desk, drenched in sweat with his hair all messed up.

“Are you ok Andrew?” she asked.

“I’m ok, just give me some time. I’ll change and be out soon.”

“I heard two voices from the room. What’s going on?”

“It’s fine, It’s ok.”

“No, tell me what’s going on,” she insisted.

“For some time, please leave us alone,” he said.

“Sure honey, you take care okay,” she said, closed the door and walked away. Andrew turned his attention to the mirror again.

“Will I see you again?” asked Andrew.

“If you keep your word, you won’t. Otherwise, I may have to come to remind you again,” said the alter ego. Suddenly, Andrew felt light and liberated. He breathed a sigh of relief. He felt as if he had been awakened from a nightmare.

After the episode Andrew took a cold shower. Thinking about the entire episode, Andrew felt awakened. He dressed up again and left for work. This was the beginning of a new life for Andrew. A life where he gave as much importance to himself, as he gave to everyone else. You can say, that day, a new Andrew was born.