Out Of Wreckage?

Chapter Forty Two

It was as if I was back in time. Time before the pain had started filling it's place.
The good phase of my life was my childhood, my life before the wedding.

And why did it change?
I was happy, contended with what I had but I decided to give the reins of my joy in someone's hand for the sake of my father, to save him from the embarrassment of the society.
Infact all my life, I've let people decide for me.
Not anymore.
I'm capable enough of living my life on my terms. To decide for my sake and for the betterment of my daughter.
But there was one promise I made to myself,
That I would not let Bushra turn like me.
She would grow strong and independent.
And for it, I had taken the very first step.

Moving back to Adilabad was the biggest decision, I ever made.
It was difficult at the beginning but then I had some help from Sameera, my old neighbour who rented me her flat.
She lived in Mumbai with her husband. She happily agreed to let me stay in Adilabad until I discovered that I had somewhere better to be and without thinking much, I agreed in an heartbeat.

It was a big step but what options did I have.
It was heartbreaking to not move to my old home but I couldn't do anything about it as there's a  family who bought that place and are happily living there.
And there were some other neighbours like Rukkayya Auntie who at the beginning was disgusted to hear about my divorce but not more than despising Sameera for marrying a boy younger to her.
Well, some things never change and breaking stereotypes still remains.
Our beloved prophet married a woman elder to him.
No one judged him so whom am I to judge,?
But this simple logic can't be explained to some people with backward thinking.
This was one of the reason, I couldn't find a job that easily in Adilabad.
According to them, a woman can't raise a kid and work simultaneously.
Well, they can and yes, it's challenging but not impossible.

All one needs is encouragement which most of the time, our surroundings lacked.
Our society needs more people like Sameera who would not judge someone for who they are or what choices they make.

I was upset as my I was running out of money.
When Sameera asked me if I would like to visit her, I couldn't bring myself to deny.

Apparently, Sameera worked for a multinational company which believes in gender equality and women empowerment. Their women's refugee home was a classic example for corporate social responsibility for many huge firms.
Women of all ages who had been through social cruelty of any kind lived there while supporting each other.

When I came to stay with Sameera in Mumbai, she asked me if I wanted to go to this place, I was a bit sceptical at first.
It was as if I was going to revisit my past. It was as if I was going to rub salt into my wounds.
On the contrary, she was positive that the place would cheer me up.

She told me that there was some celebration going on and they'll be happy if I'd be a part of it.

Eventually I agreed and now here we were, sitting in Sameera's car while she was driving it.
I looked at my daughter who was looking out the car.

Sameera was sure that even Bushra would love this place.

"Here we are." Sameera announced after she stopped the car.

"Hello, welcome to our home." A woman greeted us the moment we stepped out of the car.

"Thank you." I smiled nervously as she handed each one of us, a white rose.
I was hesitant.

"Rabia, it's okay. You'll be fine." Sameera said, giving me a light nudge.

"Hi, I'm Lata. Thank you for coming. Our housemates are waiting in the main hall.

"Great. Let's go then." Sameera said, clapping her hands in excitement before taking Bushra with her.

I exhaled sharply before following the two women ahead of us.