What makes a woman strong?

Days passed as they always do and life went on. Without Oliver, she didn't die. When he had left her without a reason or a word, she had thought that maybe she wouldn't be able to survive this heart ache but she did. She did it so well. 

One day, she asked Amber, her best friend – what made a woman strong? She wanted to be like those strong women in books and movies who wouldn't give up on their life just for a man. 

Amber's reply was, "A Strong woman doesn't just mean she is physically strong. It means she doesn't cry at every turn, knows what belongs to her and how to take it, doesn't crumble down and stands up for herself."

Such a simple reply but Esmeralda only learned the real meaning that day. 

She vowed to be strong for her own sake. 

Should she snatch Oliver from Kierra? 

No, he never belonged to her. If he had, he wouldn't have left like that. 

She would not crumble like a piece of paper for him. She would write her future on the blank space on the paper that he left behind. 

She stood up for herself. She wiped her tears and came back to work. He would not be the reason she would stop doing what she loved. She loved acting and so she wouldn't hide in four walls. 

Today, Esmeralda was on the set of the movie that she had recently signed. She had back to back scenes since the morning and currently, she was resting with her eyes closed while the makeup artist was applying makeup on her face. It was a new scene and she had to change her makeup and costume.  

"Did you know Oliver Is marrying Kierra this valentine's day?" The makeup artists asked. "It's so dreamy to marry the woman you love on valentine's day. He will never forget their wedding anniversary." 

The jerk was good with dates, Esmeralda wanted to tell them or else how could he remember all of their special dates. From their anniversary to her birthday to her family's birthdays, he remembered everything. He was so good with his dates that she wondered how many other girls he was fooling around with. 

She pitied all those girls in her heart. 

"What?" The other makeup artist asked in surprise. 

 "How come I didn't know?" 

She hadn't known that Oliver Jenner was going to marry an heiress. Not just any heiress but Kierra Jade. Jade Enterprises were next to no one. For years, Westbury Industries and Jade Enterprises were trying to subdue one another but their ranking was almost similar all the time. 

"They are trying to keep their wedding under wraps but who can hide anything from paparazzi these days?" The first makeup artist said, much to someone's dissatisfaction. "They knew everything from the designers that Oliver and Kiera are wearing to what they are serving in the wedding venue." 

Esmeralda had an urge to tell them that she had hidden her relationship from everyone for a whole three years but she had a feeling that if she told them Amber was going to make sure that she was blacklisted in the entertainment circle. As much as betrayal and broken heart hurt, nothing was more important than having a means of livelihood.  

She knew that her mother didn't need her to provide for the family but she still wanted to be useful to her family. Her mother was already worried about her ever since she had seen the news circulating on the internet. Until this day, she had been trying to be strong but she didn't know for how long she would be able to hold on. 

Being a strong woman didn't mean that one couldn't have a meltdown, right? A strong woman would cry but she would never let those tears be a stumble in her way. Tears could be a symbol of strength too. 

Who said only weak cries? 

Her mom had always taught her that strong people shed tears too but after that they always pick up their swords and weapons and fight again. 

It's just that sometimes she feels weak. She thought of all the possibilities. Those what ifs. Hell, she even thought that he has cancer and he was leaving her to save her from the hurt his illness would bring. This was what she had thought after seeing a movie on this topic but Amber and Hazel had looked at her with a look that said she was being stupid. 

Again, strong people are sometimes stupid too or they tried to become stupid to feel good or lessen the hurt. 

A Month ago, when Oliver suddenly announced his marriage to Kierra, not at all believing that he needed to give his girlfriend an explanation.  

Esmeralda had believed that he would come to her, begging and explaining how his family was forcing him to marry someone of their choice or something else but the man never came. It was as if she never existed for him.

No, she was not looking for a reconciliation but an explanation. She believed that she deserves an explanation. 

_____

A/N: You must have heard everyone talking about a strong woman. In your opinion, what is your definition of a strong woman. Amber's words in actuality is the answer given by very close friend who I asked this question. Her answer made sense to me.

Do let me know what your answer is.

Once again-- What makes a woman strong in your opinion?