Bruises Of The Past #AtoZChallenge
Soon her dreams were crushed and imagination was bruised. Her days became dark and her nights were nightmares. As the dates on the calendar changed, so did the color of her skin. She refused herself any glimpse of her reflection. Irregular surprise visits from her in-laws only added fuel to the fire. With conservative set of parents that she had, her voice was never heard by anyone.
One day part curiosity, part courage took over her and she spared herself a glance in the full-view mirror. Her first reaction was to look away when her brain refused to recognize the face in the mirror. But the second time when she lifted her gaze, she stared herself harder and harder. Her skin was different shades of blue.
Just when her eyes began to see the familiar face, the door bell rang. This door bell had been the biggest irony of her life. What had happened only months ago, seems like forever now. The door bell that was meant to ring the bells of happiness in her life became the scariest sound of her life, days and night alike.
Without giving herself another thought she pulled the torn dupatta over her head and rushed to open the door. Bell has already rung thrice in a minute’s time, and he hated to wait. After months of torture, she was only slightly aware what was to befall today. Worse is that I’ll die, was her thought whenever something happened that wasn’t supposed to. Thought of running away never came to existence in her mind. Not that if it had come, she would have considered it.
He entered the house, hurling all the abuses that touched his tongue and pierced her heart. She quietly heard them all and accepted them as they were words of praise. That was the only verbal communication she shared with him. To even think of his touch would send a shudder down her spine bursting every bubble of her fantasy.
It would all end and things will be better, she would tell herself each morning and then the events of day and night would repeat themselves, the only change being the severity of those events. But what she didn’t knew that this day would end it all. It wasn’t by chance that the gas was already leaking when she entered the kitchen to cook the dinner and ignited not only gas stove but herself too.
Three years later
She woke up in the dead of the night. Drops of perspiration all over her face. It had been three years since that fateful day yet the fire hasn’t left her life. Every night it engulfed her like a demon she can’t escape. Visions of that day hadn’t faded yet. Those images of fire engulfing her while everyone else ignored her pleas to be rescued. Then when for a moment when she thought it was The End, she noticed the open kitchen window and jumped out. Her first act of courage ever. This scene never left her mind even when she left.
She got up and poured herself a glass of water before hitting the bed again to gain some sleep before the sun brought in a new day.
~The End~
Written for A to Z Challenge 2016
Read the part yesterday and this part today. So strong narration. I liked the way you described it..Bruises of part often haunts at times and it reminds all the melancholy!
B – The Eye of the Beholder
Yes, past can be a ghost that really leave us.
Thanks for reading 🙂
You have mixed all shades in your story…rainbow to grey…lets see how it unfolds next:-)
Thanks 🙂
This is such a sad, and still such a hopful story.
Really enjoyed it.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – Jazz Age Jazz
Thanks for reading Jeff 🙂
The fate of women is so often not in their own hands, but the moment they decide to change this, that’s when history is created. So glad she was alive and managed to escape.
Loving your A to Z entries 😀
Thank you so much!
Sarah, thanks for stopping by and saying hello. And good lick with the Challenge!
I’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings during the #AtoZChallenge at Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs
well written, some parts really edge of the seat.
Oh man! Such a sad one. But glad she escaped. What’s the point in living and being married to a guy who gave her pain and nothing else.
Yes, sometimes we have to become our own saviour.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Whew! Brilliant! Poor girl! I was with her every step. You have created vivid imagery here Nibha…Kudos!
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
Thank you so much Kala 🙂
it’s sad that not many get to escape like her. Powerful story telling.
Visiting from A to Z Challenge
Pam’s Unconventional Alliance Team
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
Thanks Rajlakshmi 🙂
That is so sad! 🙁 But yes, there is hope! Brilliant narration!
Visit to read Army Wife Tales at Tale of Two Tomatoes
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Thanks Shalini 🙂
When I read such stories, my heart goes with them. Glad that it ended well..
Cheers
Geets
Brilliant narration there! Totally gripping!
– Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Thank you 🙂
What a narration! And what a courageous move by her!
Brilliant 🙂
Cheers,
Srivi
The Piscean Me | Twitter
Thanks Srivi 🙂
OMG! thankfully she got that chance. it was a little symbolic too, having that window of hope when everything looks lost.
Shubhangi @ The Little Princess
Yah, There’s hope everywhere. Thanks for reading 🙂
Awe! Powerful narration. Glad she had that chance.
Thanks Sheethal 🙂
Do not stand oppression, even from your loved ones.
Brilliant story, Nibha. And I loved the window of opportunity! 🙂
Thank you so much Mithila 🙂
Agree on this part. Oppression in any form even if it is from some one you truly love should not be tolerated..
Brilliantly done. Glad that wgewn faced with danger, she had the guts to take the opportunity that presented before herself. As for the nightmares, they will go away too.
I hope so too! It needs extreme courage to act like this! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Window of opportunity indeed! 🙂
I love brave women like this! And so brave of you for putting this up! 🙂
Thank you Soumya 🙂
A heart wrenching story. The fire in her to survive and live her life should never die.
That’s what matters in the end, isn’t it?
The bruises of the past can haunt forever, as a source to keep you down, or a source of strength to push you forward! Love this, so well done! A pleasure to read!
Happy Second Day of the A to Z!
Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
Defending The Pen
Parallels
Murderous Imaginings
Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
I am just glad there was a window in her life. So few have it. Lovely story Nibha.
Thanks Rubina 🙂
Nibha such a powerful piece. My heart was wrenched. I have a friend who has gone through quite a bit. Thank God for the window and thank God for the courage to take the leap into a new life. Hugs
Thank you so much! Sometimes we need is a little hope! 🙂
Glad the lady was able to find courage even if at the last moment. Self preservation rules!
http://totallyinternalreflections.blogspot.sg/
Loved the way you narrated this story, Nibha. So gripping. Well done!