When I was young, my mother used to cut my hair even though I would beg her not to.
I had always wanted to have long hair.
“Your hair looks like a loofa,” she would always say.
I couldn’t tie it back when it was short.
It looked terrible under the hijab with the school uniform.
I was bullied at school because of my hair.
People would touch it and make fun of me.
My mother then decided to get my hair relaxed.
It burned and smelled awful.
That day at the hair salon was one of the worst days of my life.
Everyone was looking at my hair, waiting for the miracle to happen.
My mother told me not to tell anyone that I got my hair relaxed.
She told me to lie and say that I got it straightened using oils and creams.
I hated lying.
I was worried people would find out my secret.
I was worried they would notice my natural hair growing out.
I worry that my hair will forever be ruined and damaged from all the chemicals I use.
It’s already started falling out.
But there’s nothing I can do about it.
This is what I have to do if I don’t want to get bullied.