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CHAPTER FOUR
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
LIFE IS CRUEL
The following morning, I woke up to bright exterior sunshine that lit up my room. It shone on my face so brightly that it got me squinting the moment I tried opening my eyes. I bent my head to shield my face as I turned away from the direction of the sunrays. As I moved, I felt a pulsating pain in my temple which I supposed must have been from last night's cry. I held my head and shifted my gaze to where Mum laid; she appeared to be deeply asleep. 'Poor woman...,' I muttered as her plight moved me with great pity for her.
Just when she thought Life smiled at her, it hit her more badly, leaving her worse than it met her! I couldn't bear to imagine the number of intellectual scars she bore, not just from losing a family, but several others. Growing up with dysfunctional families must have denied her the fun of being a child. She probably lacked unconditional love, too.
I hissed at whoever handled her pain. "Life can be cruel," I muttered, as I recollected about the stories that she told me about her life. 'What joy does it derive from seeing this poor soul in pain?' I questioned, and grew more specific with my internal dialogue, 'Why would God even add to her pain by snatching away the major source of her joy?' I muttered the second time, 'Why?' Hoping to hear Him this time, I got more direct with my question, 'God, why?'
Feeling helpless and frustrated with his silence, I angrily voiced out, "I knew You won't answer me." I furrowed my brow and looked up at the ceiling as if I could see Him up there. With a sad pout, I gave 'Him' a hard look. If my eyes were to be a javelin, it would have... Anyway…
I fizzled out amidst my thoughts again unintentionally; this time it was loud that it almost woke Mum up, but she just changed position and continued with her sleep. 'Life forestalled that propitious moment from lasting long, offering her just two years to have a taste of true happiness and love. It took away the chance for her to present her husband with their beautiful baby she carried in her womb, as a 'thank you' gift for all his kindness towards her. It smashed the long anticipations of her life to witness the excitement exuding from her man on carrying their baby. Life didn't let her witness that winsome joy that would have enveloped her husband as he welcomed their most precious gift ever given to them. Life couldn't even hold on for him to at least see his only child,' I wept again. My sniffling got my Mum's attention, and she woke to see my eyes wet and puffy.
"Amara, are you fine? Please, tell me. Is anything the matter? What's bothering you, my dear?" She asked, searching all over my body to see if I have a physical injury. But sniffles couldn't let me explain because I suddenly developed nasal congestion and lost the voice to talk. I dropped my shoulder as if saying I was giving up. "My baby," she continued as she held my hands to encourage me, "Whatever life throws at you, see something positive about it, and avoid anything that might push you away from your lot. We all have a purpose for our creation. Daddy has fulfilled his and gone, leaving us to complete ours. The bad things that happened to us shouldn't distract us from where we're going. Life is a journey, you know?" She searched through my eyes to know if I understood what she was saying. I simply nodded, and she continued, "There's a reason for everything. Daddy left for good reason, though we might not know exactly what. If you have to survive in life, dream big and avoid negativity. Trying times would come, but you just have to stay focused and fight for your vision. Develop your ideas and uphold your dreams. Bad things don't always last forever, never forget that. Life is in phases. You can only pull through if you're hopeful and focused. Whatever happens, please, nowise give up. God bless you, my child," she pulled me towards her and kissed my forehead, then gave me a tight hug while rubbing my back with her palm, as she concluded.
"You're my hero, Mum. I really love you," I said as my nasal pit cleared, and I cheered up again.
She rubbed my back with her palm again and gently tightened her clinch in response, "And you're my sun." She released her clinch and pushed me back gently to face her. "I do not want to see you being so temperamental because of the past. I shared my story, not to make you sad but to prepare you for what's ahead. My life story should teach you that tough times aren't a death ruling. It should give you hope about the possibilities to soar high above your past. Let my story encourage you to keep pushing through. One day - I said one day, we will smile again!"
"Mother, I find it tough to describe you rightly in words. You're too good to be true! I do not think you belong here (earth). I am proud to have you as Mother. You're simply the best, Mum," I pulled her towards me and planted a kiss on her cheek.
She smiled and kissed my forehead. "Yes! Get up and get things set already. We're behind time. Buyers are up in the market, and we can't sell if we're here in the house," she said as she rose to her feet, pulling me alongside.
Mum and I live on food produce. We work for people on their ranches, and they pay us with a few cash and reward us with some of the harvested products, part of which we sell. It was our only means of survival after my extended family forcibly took all that we had. With the right mood set, we swung into action to set the day rolling.
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THE FAMILY RIFTSMum didn’t press charges against my paternal family for sure reasons best known to her. We had to move to a faraway, remote area in Uttar Pradesh, to start out life afresh. I remembered vividly how she told me the story about what happened after Daddy’s family got the news about his demise...“This may be a bad omen! My family has mixed itself with hostility. I actually have never liked her a touch from the very first day Aadi introduced her to us. She has this inexplicable dispelling presence, and now she has killed my son together with her witchery. Darling, please visit the seer before she comes for us, one after the other. Visit him to guide us on the way to set about the cleansi
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER SIX
LET PEACE LEADMy grandfather received the Letter of Administration as the legal heir to my father’s assets a few weeks later. The next hurdle was to find out where my father lived before his demise. But it wasn’t easy for Grandpa, who became frustrated and angrier at some points. With the likes of aunt Adhira nudging him on, he persevered with his search.Three months later, Adhira came with the news of figuring out where we lived, after sighting my mother at a supermarket and trailing her to my father’s house in Delhi. Seeing her going in and out of the house many times, she knew she had come to the end of her search. Soon my grandparents knew about it. Everyone was glad about the good news and flung into actio
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The Power of WordsI relaxed on the bed, amazed at how many sales we made. Mum’s spoken words of positivity for good sales before we left the house had brought us good fortune. Unlike other days, I didn’t strive for buyers to patronise us. They just walked right to us, despite calls from other sellers with more attractive food items. ‘Mum is a rare breed!’ I thought aloud. Before we left for the market, she talked about taking charge of my thoughts, and not allowing Daddy's demise and loss of inheritance affect my t
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The DreamOne morning, I sat on the edge of the mattress with my elbows on my knees and my face in the palms of my hands, as I tried to create the strange dream, I had last night…'I passed by a crowd of people inside and outside, crying and cursing God for taking the life of a man and his wife after the death of their four children who died mysteriously, six years ago. I kept wandering without stopping when I heard a loud voice say, "People are quick to call me many inappropriate names for something they think scares them. But the truth remains that I am the Alpha and the Omega; They are my children and I love them. Their work on Earth is finish
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER NINE
FAMILY COMES FIRSTNews about my scholarship reached me and I couldn’t contain my joy, as I screamed and jumped all over the place out of excitement. Months later, I was posted to Delhi Public School in Delhi. On getting my admission card, I was happy and sad at the same time.I was happy because of my admission, and sad, because of the distance of the school from Uttar Pradesh where we lived, but which was quit
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER TEN
THE VISITThe mission of reconciliation to my paternal home in Mumbai turned out in the manner we least expected. On sighting Grandma from afar, Mum knelt down, touching her ears as she moved on her knees from the gate to where she was, begging for mercy in tears. Her knees bruised as she moved along, desperately in need of peace. It would take the devil himself to be unmoved at the sight of this scene. Grandma never saw this coming, as she was motionless throughout and quite difficult to tell her next line of action. Mum was obviously in pain, and I hated to see her in that manner. I gently wiped away the tear that dropped my cheek. When she got to her, she bowed and touched her feet, kissing them
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER ELEVEN
LIVING WITH MY AUNTThe unfriendly reception I got from my aunt gave me a hint that I was in for trouble. She showed me the way to my room and asked me to meet her in the kitchen after showering. It was too early to miss my mother, but I did it anyway. I compared her reception with what Mum would have done on my arrival - the embrace, the kisses, the pampering, the list would be endless. I exhaled to let out negative energies when I said, ‘I’m already here, and there is no going back. So, stay focused’.I joined my aunt i
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MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOLDelhi Public School (DPS) was a famous society in India with twelve of its private schools spread across Delhi alone. My school, particularly, stood out of them all by strictly following its original mandate to set up higher standards of education, making conscious efforts to turnout outstanding scholars with balanced personalities. DPS, R. K. Puram, was the best in spicing up teaching with games, like Sports and other Extracurricular activities.My first time in school was fun-fil
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THE REFLECTION‘Mind power is the most useful tool gifted by God in human’s possession. It can yield the greatest physical force one can ever imagine. With one’s mind and imaginative powers, anything can be created - obstacles or opportunities, failure or success, setback or progress, unhappiness or happiness, you name it. The thoughts that pass through your mind are responsible for almost everything that happens in your life. It all lies in your hand to choose the ones you want!’These re-echoed words from my mother had kept me going even as I stared at my Ninety-Seven-year-old mother on her death bed. I have passed this message to my children, my children to m
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ONE HAPPY FAMILYLife got better after my discharge from the hospital. It really feels good to be home with Mum; a dream that came sooner than I expected!My grandfather was as good as his words; he released the Mother deed through his lawyer for us to reclaim the ownership rights to all my late father’s properties. His volition to hand over all that he forcefully took away from us was borne out of his deep affection for us, not necessarily to compensate for what aunt Adhira did to me.After signing the documents, Mum and I had moved back to Delhi. We shouted out of joy as we playfully ran around the house to feel the cool breeze of its surroundings with pride, of course, as its lega
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THE SURPRISEThe hospital declared the private wards open for visitors, with rules stating they do not permit more than two visitors at a time. They advised the visitors not to stay longer beyond the visiting hours. Strictly adhering to these rules would provide the patient with an ample amount of required time to rest.Mrs Ava walked in first to see Amara, followed by Sarah. The rest would take turns to visit afterwards.“Hello, Amara! How are you feeling?” Mrs Ava asked. Without waiting for my response, she continued, “I sincerely apologise for our inability to help you out without any evidence against Adhira. On matters like yours, the authorities cannot swing in
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THE STOLEN TWIN"Please, pardon me for this mess," the midwife said after two minutes of sobbing and clearing litters of tissue papers on her table.So, back to the story..."Later, the hospital management asked me to see through the case of a pregnant woman with prolonged labour in Ward 5. I met her in the ward when her husband had already left to fetch some baby items necessary for delivery. After carrying out a proper check on her, I realised she wasn't dilating fast.It was when Amira barged in to see me that I discovered she was Aadi's wife we had been talking about. The more interesting part was, she was having a twin pregnancy!Going through
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
THE APPOINTMENT WITH THE MIDWIFEIn the waiting room, Chan opened up a conversation about Nosocomephobia, which charged up the atmosphere with all kinds of emotions. Everyone had a thing or two to share with their medical phobias. Each experience came with either some cringes at some bizarre phobias or jesting at someone for the experiences that sounded ridiculous.Chan, especially, picked on Sarah after she shared how the name ‘Hospital’ made her feel sicker. “I have never visited a hospital, even when pregnant until the compulsory day of labour came. I had no other choice than to visit it for the first time just to have my baby. Here I am in the same hospital I gave birth, not feeling cranky at all. Maybe family matters have their unique way of t
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THE DISCOVERYAfter the exchange of greetings, Chan explained to the midwife they were in the hospital for Amara and would like to know her state. He didn’t want to disclose the primary reason for their visit.“She would be fine and should be up after the stitches. I have to go now,” the midwife replied politely. It was obvious she didn’t recognise them, especially Chan, who was her late friend’s husband. They liked it that way to avoid raising any suspicion that might ruin their plan. It is possible she might escape in an attempt to avoid being caught if she was guilty. So, everyone had to apply wisdom, and caution too, till they could get her to talk
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SARAH IS ALIVE!Friday was here, and all roads lead to Gechiya Hospital in Delhi. There were lots of delays and disappointments before Kamala and Sarah got to Chan’s place. At the time they arrived, Chan couldn’t hide his feelings of being upset with them for not keeping to the time. They had planned to meet at his place at 13:00, putting into consideration the distance from Koli village to Delhi before proceeding to the hospital together with Anika. But Kamala and Sarah arrived an hour behind time.At 14:15, they were already at the hospital, making enquiries about the midwife when they saw a group of people rush in with a girl on a stretcher. The manner with which they br
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WELCOME TO MY WORLDGoing back to school welcomed me with the news that Mrs Ava was no longer my class teacher. The school management posted her to a higher class, which should have been the right position in the first place because of her level of academic qualifications. I had the privilege to have her as my teacher because she was standing in for my present class teacher who was yet to take up his post for official reasons, while also awaiting her retiring predecessor to clear her table as she relieves her from duties. So, the management took her to my class to close the gap left by my supposed class teacher till he was ready to take up his post. I don’t have details of why this arrangement had to
THE HIDDEN PIECE : MOVING FORWARD IN THE EYE OF THE STORM CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE JOURNEY TO DELHIAfter five months, Delhi had not changed from sending good vibes. It was still bubbling with life as ever. Typical of the city, Delhi keeps its visitors captivated with interesting sights and entertaining activities throughout their stay. There is never a dull moment in Delhi, as Amira with Kamala could sight people at different points on the streets enjoying life to the fullest. The city’s unique distinction of having fun places all around did not cease to amaze them as they share their experiences. It is always full of life that it could give other great cities a run for their money.The houses were well arranged on the streets, and easier to identify despi
