FADED PETALS (On Hold)

1.

What is power?

For some it is self control while for others it is control over others.

This realm was cavern replete with people ravenous for power or should we call it oppression?

It was not dark. It emanated enough light to blind the people of the nation.

"We want freedom. We won't let the government use the nation for their ulterior motives" A coffee complexion skinny man of about thirty screamed on the microphone.

"India is a democratic country and we have full fledged rights to choose our leader" A blue dressed reporter spoke on the screen with drooping eyes.

"The parliament has been dissolved and India is rooting for fresh elections."

Shehnaaz switched off the television fed up with the same news circulating everywhere. Well it was definitely a matter of concern because it is not everyday that the government collapses in the world's largest democracy. But shehnaaz detested politics. Being brought up in a household filled with corruption, where communalism was served in breakfast and apathy was fed in dinner, Shehnaaz had seen all shades of dirty politics. When now she was away from the despotism, they were calling her back.

"Aapi,will you please help me with my homework?''

"Not now Sitaara, I am busy." Shehnaaz spoke in a rather rude tone being agitated about the upcoming scenarios.

Sitara's eyes were filled with tears not being used to the bellowing nature of her sister. When Shehnaaz turned her face towards Sitara realising that her mood swings were taking a toll on her nowadays, the sight broke her heart. Sitara was biting her lips to stop her tears from flowing while her head was turned down, shoulders loosely hung.

"I am sorry baby. I didn't mean to shout at you". Shehnaaz spoke pulling sitara towards herself. Only one person had ever mattered to Shehnaaz and that was Sitara. What about Agastya? Her conscious mocked.

"I know that aapi, I am sorry for making a fuss out of nothing", mellowed Sitara.

Shehnaaz kissed Sitara's forehead.

She could never think of hurting this six year old goofball wrapped in her arms.

Sitara had always been emotionally vulnerable. Though Shehnaaz loved her without bounds, lacking parental love had taken a toll on her. It is never easy for a six year old to accept the fact that they have no one to call mom and dad while rest of the kids come to school clinging to their parents. Still Sitara tried to act a lot more matured as expected from her age.

Shehnaaz had tried her best to save Sitara from the cruelties of this world but circumstances had never been in her favour. When today she saw Sitara biting her lips inorder to refrain from crying, her heart pierced in a million shreds. She saw her shadow, an eight year old Shehnaaz muffling her cries with blanket so that no one could ever know what she is going through.

Shehnaaz's adulthood was almost as inconspicuous as her childhood. There was no one to care for her then and there is no one to care for her now. What a beautiful life to live.

Shehnaaz and Sitara lived in Trondheim, Norway. Managing basic needs meanwhile funding for Sitara's education had turned out to be really tough for Shehnaaz, especially with a low wage job in a publishing house. They lived in 1 bhk rented apartment lowering their expenditure to be minimal. Existing had been so arduous to shehnaaz that she had almost turned into a living corpse.