Silence

The nurse, after examining Mr.Shahid, a man of nearly an age very close to retiring, went out.Sitting beside her husband, Miss Shamim, went to shut the door, left ajar by the nurse.For last two weeks, Mr.Shahid was lying on the stretcher; in an attempt to cope up with a recent heart attack. Miss Shamim was engaged in her own brown study. A flash back towards her entire life-remembering the indelible scars left by the bitter past.

Her marriage was no different from many in our rural areas.Despite her desire to get higher education, despite her immature age- just 17; she was made a bride.Bride who was told by her mother of a peaceful married life, an extremely loving husband and all that could dillute Shamim's grief of sacrificing. In lieu of marriage to a divorced, a father of two children; her father received huge sum of money.And 'an unnecessary burden' was ended,as per her father.Afterall, who could change the perspective of our orthdox, conservative part of society.Education seems to be an exception in this regard.

Without any opposition, Shamim quietly accepted Shahid as her husband.Rather her financially much weaker family demanded this from her.Untill then she was living in a fool's paradise to anticipate a happily married life.Shahid had a quick temper and elements of Scizophrenia were also later discovered by Shamim.Then began a journey of torture, violence and restless years.

Shamim was left abondoned and alone on an island-from where there was no return. Shahid used to mercilessly beat her on petty issues, he restricted her in the boundaries of four walls of the house. The pits of domestic violence were to follow when Shamim gave birth to the twin baby girls.Shahid was of the view that daughters were a mere burden. As they need to be sent away after their marriage. Thus, sons, who cld care in old age were his preference.

Every single inhumane act of Shahid was accepted tongue-tiedly by Shamim, considering it her destiny.Neither her parents supported her nor she could become an independent woman. It was her sheer presevrance that she left her life on the Divine authority.Then, the whole of her attention was diverted towards her two daughters.A prosperous future for them was her only dream.

Her one daughter was bestowed with a scholarship at a foreign university. On her arrival after four years; she somehow managed to win freedom for her mother.After three days Shamim received a phone call informing her about the critical condition of her husband.She rushed to the hospital much at the dismay of her daughters.She opened her eyes and removed tears which rolled down from her face.

Meanwhile, Shahid opened his eyes and with regret evidnent on his face; joined both of his hands, asking for Shamim's forgiveness.And certainly, she did.Her daughter came from behind and said, "Mom  I never understood your silence"."You need not to, you are the fruit of that.God does not like grumblers",Shamim replied.For Shamim when there was no way, God carved it but patience is the key to access that path.