DEFINITELY, MAYBE
The wall clock ticked away
softly, and my heart beat aligned itself to it. It was strangely calming.
Without looking, I knew it was a few minutes before 12 AM. I had never been
allowed to celebrate a birthday, because my parents did not feel it was a day
to revel with joy on. On most days, I agreed with them. Not today. I felt
apprehensive and excited. It was not everyday that a child turned eighteen, an
adult according to the law of the land. For me, it meant more than just having
the opportunity to vote, drive a car or marry. It translated to freedom.
I shivered a little, pain
shooting down my back at the movement. I had been careful to keep still, in the
hope that the wounds from earlier that day would magically heal. Mother had
found me standing in the balcony, listening to the music being played by the
neighbours. I had barely listened for ten seconds, before I was dragged inside and thrashed, until I passed out. She used Father’s belts, and by now, my skin
had become used to the metal tearing through it. I had bandaged it, after I had
regained consciousness. Seventeen years of living in this house had trained me
to be careful, and the beatings had reduced to twice a month, now. I slipped
sometimes; I couldn’t control it.
I did not know if my parents
preferred discipline, or if they were simply cruel. Even when I went to school,
they attached a small body camera to me, to make sure they knew exactly where I
was going, what I was doing and who I was talking to. Perhaps I would have
accepted this life, if I did not hear the things my classmates talked about.
Their lives sounded so remarkably different from me I was worried I had begun
hallucinating. I was ignored by them, and I preferred that. I did not want to
answer questions about the limp I had because I was made to stand on one foot
as punishment for eating too slowly during dinner, or why I always kept my eyes down and
hands tightly gripped together. They would not relate.
One minute to go. I closed my
eyes, counting down the seconds. They would understand. They would
understand. They would understand. I whispered, consoling myself. After
eighteen, I would no longer be under their care, and would not need to return
to them, even if I was found. They will accept that and leave me be.
Definitely, maybe.
Tick, tock. Ding. ‘Happy Birthday’, I gasped and blew out the candle.
Goosebumps!!
ReplyDeleteHow on earth do you get these ideas, sweetheart?
Terrific writing, as usual.
Though it does seem really dark...
It's mindblowing how you describe the details and emotions. Your words make the story come alive. 💕 A very engaging plot!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! :))
DeleteAbsolutely an honest piece of writing. Thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteThis has the potential to be a full-length novel! Brilliant writing, I got shivers.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!👍🏻❤️
ReplyDeleteSuch talent for writing!This is an amazing piece Hina, Good job..
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
DeleteHow you can think so different and put into words so beautifully .too good keep it up
ReplyDelete