ILLITERATE

ILLITERATE EPISODE 02

Beneath the deceptive guise of maternal affection, Muzammil’s aunt wields a heart steeped in cold calculation. Her feigned concern cloaks an unrelenting exploitation of Muzammil’s labor, reducing his existence to that of a servile drudge. She crafts a facade of care, ensuring the world sees her as a benevolent guardian, while within the confines of her home, she strips him of dignity, subjecting him to a relentless cycle of toil. Each task, however menial, becomes a testament to her callous indifference toward his dreams and aspirations.

Compounding his anguish are Laiba and Maham, his cousins, whose disdainful treatment sharpens the already jagged contours of his life. With hearts devoid of empathy, they seize every opportunity to belittle him, hurling barbs that cut deeper than any wound. They do not merely mock; they desecrate his scant possessions, an act emblematic of their utter disregard for his humanity. Their cruelty manifests not only in words but in actions designed to break his spirit.

Laiba, her voice dripping with venomous mockery, embodies this torment. “Look at our little maid,” she jeers, her tone laced with derision, “always dreaming about school.” The words, sharp as a dagger, pierce the fragile veil of Muzammil’s hope. They echo through the air, a bitter reminder of the chasm between his aspirations and the grim reality imposed upon him by his so-called family.

And yet, amidst the cacophony of scorn, Muzammil’s silence becomes his armor. Though their taunts reverberate like thunder in his ears, his resolve remains unbroken. For every name they call him and every belonging they destroy, he clings tighter to the embers of his dreams. In the shadows of his despair, a quiet defiance brews, a promise to himself that he will transcend the oppressive confines of this fractured household.