Stronger Than Ever

My lungs are burning as if there's a fire in me. Each step I took was a step in the past. I put all my past behind me, and headed for the finish line. I am almost there, just few more steps. As each step I took the throbbing pain in my heart increases. I'm there- almost there. I made it- I can't see anything - I don't know what's happening.

As every other usual day I woke up as the bright sun woke up. I started as always I did- cooking and packing lunch for my husband. Abasi- my husband as usual was lost in his thoughts- worrying about the what's going to happen next. The smoke added extra heat to the air. Tanzania is always known for it's dry humidity, and heat. We have rain once in every three months. Not a pretty land to live in if you ask me. My two little trouble makers woke up. If you ask me, the longer they slept the better it is for me.

Me, and Abasi aren't in talking terms anymore. We had several fights for the past few days. The old, muscular, and white bearded man kept on coming to our house to get his money back. All the neighbours knew about this, but did Abasi take any actions about this? No. I wanted to help him by going to work, but all I got in return were punches.

Few weeks later, my whole body was scarred, but mostly my heart. I- we didn't want our kids to find or know about this, but what can I do? Not everything is in our hands. My scars are like tomatoes, and swollen as potatoes. I can't take this anymore, but what can I do? I'm married to him, I must live with him- people will start to judge me if I leave him. They'll probably think that I left him for another man. My parents didn't raise me to get beaten up.

On a rainy night, Abasi came home looking tired and he was acting weird. All of sudden Abasi said " Our children needs education, they haven't gone to school in weeks- months." I didn't know what to say, I stood there clue less. After few minutes in return, I said "I need a job. You can't take care of this family in your own. You- we need help." Abasi shot me a death glare, and went outside.

As days kept on passing by, I got weaker- not from the silent treatment Abasi is giving me, but the scars that he gave me. One hot, bright morning my son came up to me, and asked " Mom are you okay? Do you need help? We can leave him is you want? No one needs a man like him." I didn't know what to say, except break down into tears. Never have I felt this vulnerable.

Abasi haven't return home in days, perhaps weeks. My life is flying out of my own hands, I don't know how to take this all in. I'm planning to leave Abasi- I can't handle my own life anymore. Abasi never speaks with me about anything. I'm just worried about what people are going to say about this, I'm afraid what my kids are going to think about this. As each day and night passed by, I kept on repeating to myself; just few more days. It became my mantra after all.

The day has came... With my two children beside me, with tears in my brown eyes, with anxiety, and sweat dripping down my back, I decided to tell him- Abasi my no longer husband. Atlast I told him " I'm going to leave with my kids. I can no longer take what you're doing. This shall be our last time seeing each other." With my heart pounding I took my clothes as well as my children's clothes, and left the house.

We walked for few miles, I'm lost in my thoughts- not knowing what to do next. Ughhh. The cold sun is melting us to the ground. Aabbi- my brother-in-law saw us sitting on the street, he approached us with a worried look, and of course my son told him everything. Aabbi was so ashamed of his younger brother. He invited us to his house, although I'm no longer his sister-in-law.

Couple weeks later, Aabbi got me a job in a mining place. Aabbi's wife is going to take care of my kids while I'm off to work. I'm trying to help my kids to get a better education, I want them to have a better life than me. I just hope all the hard work pays off.

I don't know what or how is Abasi doing, I'm worried about him, although I shouldn't be. News from people spreads faster than a disease. Everyone knew about what's going on between me and Abasi. Aabbi and his wife are treating me as if I'm their own sister. Nothing ever could have made my heart feel so welcoming or loved. Everything is going really well, I saved some money for me and my kids to get a new house, at least a hut. I don't want to rely on Aabbi and his wife for ever, it's time for me to do things in my own.

Days kept on passing by like a lightning, I heard Abasi had moved out the town or something. Not really sure what's going on, at least I know that me and my children are happy.

I finally got my new house, and you won't believe what just happened- I have met my favourite athlete of all time- the greatest of greatest Kim Gevaert. She had asked me to participate in a marathon. I couldn't believe what I just heard, my heart was beating faster than ever. I accepted the offer- my dream is coming true. Also, I got a new job- a better job, I'm working at a local pharmacy.

My training starts today- my coach is Gevaert. I can't believe my own eyes that this is happening. I just got few days to train, and then I'm headed off to the marathon to compete. I couldn't have agreed to this without my children's encouragement. Just few more days, and my dreams will come true.

It's the day of the marathon; I was looking forward to this day since forever. The marathon is taking part in the North part of Africa- I'm not really sure about the exact place. The marathon is going to start in few minutes; I'm a bit nervous as well as excited. My children traveled all the way here just to see me.

I started off really well, but when I got near the finishing line my lungs are burning as if there's a fire in me. Each step I took was a step in the past. I put all my past behind, and headed towards the finishing line. Each step I took increased the throbbing pain in my heart. I'm there- almost there. I made it- I can't see anything - I don't know what's happening.

The last time my eyes were open I was in marathon- finished a marathon. I opened my eyes, and saw my children standing beside me in tears. I turned to my left, and saw needles as well as a green color curtain. I saw the brightest smile as the sun in my children's face. In unison, they exclaimed " Mom! You won the marathon." Nothing ever could have made me this happy.

They were tears in my eyes as thousand people stood up applauding. The stadium was filled with people, from authors to ordinary people. Everyone was applauding for my work. I never thought the story of my life will reach out to million hearts through writing. Everyone knew me as an athlete, but now a writer too.

And this is the story of me.