Introspection : Sahiba (Drabble)

Introspection

The streets were silent. The night sky was slowly staring to loose it's black colouring. Shades of white, pink and red heralded the beginning of a new day. Early rising birds chirped in happiness as they started their work. Yet, the people within their homes slept calmly.

In the huge estate, which overlooked all the spattering of houses far away, was a small storeroom. Compared to the opulence of the building it resided, the storeroom held the touch of simplicity. The dawn light sneaked in from the half-opened window, caressing the figure working on a new clay art with a determined expression.

Wiping her hands on a stray cloth lying beside her, she kept the newly designed pot away. She huffed as the final order of an important customer finally finished.

The woman stood up from her seat on the ground to quickly wash her hands from a bucket of water. As she came face to face with the her reflection on the only mirror of the room, a humorless smile quirked on her face.

She observed the many changes that had occurred in the last week within her.

The woman who was like a free bird, shouldering the dreams of her family and nurturing her own, was caged.

The woman, who had never backed down from a challenge, had to mince her words because of her family's deeds.

It had been the few of the hardest days of her life from the time she had been cajoled to sit in the place of her sister. Even when she worked day and night to finance her sisters education and bring food to the table, she had never been so battered.

So bruised and bleeding.

From denying the basic necessities like clothes and food to attempted assault on her, she had been stretched thin on all sides. Atrocities, the like of which she had never anticipated in her life, had been inflicted upon her.

Which sane woman locks another inside the room?

Which idiot blames the victim for his own felony?

She gently opened the knot of the handkerchief she tied on her hair. Once, the bountiful locks of bright black, were dull. Her glowing face, flushed with colour were waxy and tensed. The smile had disappeared, replaced with frowns and scowls.

How much can she endure? How much should she endure?

Everyday in the house she stayed in was a battlefield. Majority against her. Every word spoken, every glare exchanged, venomous insults hurled and the casual indifference showed made her bleed.

Wasn't that lovely?

Since the last three days, she hadn't slept.

Her dreams had never been pleasant before. But now the fear of failure of survival in the cruel society was replaced by something worse. The first night after that incident was terrifying.

The seizing grip.....the weight of something much larger, much stronger than her feeble self.

Splash!

The water calmed her hyperactive mind down. Her hands shook as she griped the dupatta to use it as a towel. It was hard to keep track of her thoughts at the moment.

It was harder to not think of the abuses inflicted.

Gripping the sink, she glanced at the mirror. Her golden flecked eyes flickered with the dying embers of courage and determination. It hid the fragility within with a proficiency that a girl her age shouldn't have.

One more time, she muttered to herself, eyes burning with the tears as she bit her own cheeks to stifle her sobs. As the dawn light changed to the rising sun, she whispered, One final time.

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Hello everyone!😃

I just penned this piece down after going through the recent written updates of the past few days; not to mention the discussions (most of which I agree with). I think it's a drabble not an OS. It's less than 600 words. Am I right? I have no idea about what classifies as a drabble. 😊

Thanks for reading this small contribution to what some amazing writers had already contributed to the forum! ❤️