The Broken Tale

Strong or not

Song: The Truth Untold by BTS

Layla's whole body hurt. But it was not the same pain as the other times she was hurt. Now it was a sore pain that froze her body, she was so stiff, her limbs were all frozen in place. A cold pain sat like a rock in her stomach. Her new chopped hair tickled the bottom of her chin, her cheeks felt slightly frozen over with dried tears. After they had beat her to their hearts' consent, Tariq had dragged her off of her feet and shoved her to the basement. Not caring if her legs were numb and jelly-like or if she could not stand or feel her body anymore. She was left alone, locked up in the dark and cold basement all by herself, unable to move and in excruciating pain both in mind and body. Shivering as tear after tear raced down her face. She sobbed and wailed.
Cried for her broken bones.
Cried for her own foolishness.
Cried when she remembered how she felt that happiness was closer by.
Cried for the harsh reality of how far and impossible her dreams seemed now.
Cried over how helpless she felt, now when she could not move without screaming in pain.
But no matter how hard she wailed and screamed, there was no one to hear her cry, no one was there to hold her or rub her aching limbs. The people who were supposed to love her more than anyone else had held a gun to her head, shattered her dreams and hopes again but this time they threw the broken pieces at her, something they had surprisingly refrained from doing for her entire life. The only man in the world who loved her was away probably leaning against a wall worrying about what was happening to her, her friends who genuinely loved her could not do much anymore. They could heal her wounds but they could never stop new ones from forming.
It's amazing how time can change when you are alone in the dark and quiet. The dark is what sends one's thoughts raging at them, with nothing to distract them, people usually drown in their thoughts in the dark. For some, thinking and going through endless horrifying thoughts may seem like it lasted a lifetime but for some, they get so caught up that time merely flies. Even though only the same amount of time has passed, it feels so different.
Soon, Layla's voice weakened and she could no longer scream. Her tears dried up, her muscles were worn out from wailing so much. Her exhausted mind caught up to her mind. She stayed there alone in the dark, unable to hear anything but her own heart beating for what seemed like years before she finally saw a ray of light. The door creeped open, she could see some light beaming through the darkness her eyes had gotten used to, she could hear someone walking down the creeping stairs. But Layla was too tired to move, her body could no longer move even if she wanted it to. She heard the steps approach her until the last step was right by her side. She felt someone kneel and a hand run through her chopped hair.
"Oh, sis."
Layla was shocked to hear Jamila's voice. Jamila had distanced from Layla and everyone else when she got married. She too became just another battered wife that was so common back where she lived.
Jamila stroked her hair and sighed, "You still look beautiful even with shorter hair.... I'm so sorry, little sis. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything... I really wish I could but- I can't. Whatever I do now won't get me beaten, it will get Amal hurt as well."
"I... I don't blame you." Layla mumbled with a groan.
"It'll be okay though. Your husband forgives you, you can start over. Everyone makes mistakes, Laili-"
"Please, Jami, don't." Layla interrupted, "Just go."
"Layl-"
"Go."
Jamila let out a sigh. She nodded and stood up.
"I love you, sis, please don't forget that." She said, "But I didn't choose to be born into this culture. All I can do is try to survive it long enough to raise my daughter away from the clutches of the bastards around her. Something our mother couldn't do for us."
"I don't blame you, Jami." Layla replied calmly, "I'm proud of you though... for being so strong."
"I love you."
"Go."
Layla did not even bother looking back at her sister. She had no doubt that Jamila was only the passive she'll of a woman she was because she was too held down and broken but now it did not matter. After tonight, Layla reliezed all too well who and what she could depend on.
"Your husband will let you come out soon." Jamila said at the door, "Goodbye, sis....stay strong."
Even though Layla ignored her, the shutting of the door and the ray of light disappearing sent shivers down her bent spine. She spent another few minutes in the dark, but those few minutes of anxiety at the thought of Ali returning to touch her hurt more than all the pain she had went through. She had not even noticed that she had half dozed off into sleep until she felt a hand stroke against her cheek. She jumped in startle, turning around, she found reason to be started.
"Scared?" Ali asked, "How come you weren't scared the past ten days?"
She pushed herself  up against the wall, putting as much distance between them.
"Wh-what are y-you going to do t-to me?" She asked fearfully.
He laughed, "What do you want me to do to you?"
Layla shook her head, "Let me go. Don't hurt me, I'm begging you. N-Nothing happened between u-us, I pro-"
He grabbed her face, digging his fingers into her cheeks. 
"I've done enough to you, don't you think?" He asked menacingly.
"Don't hurt me..."
He smirked, "We'll see if you can persuade me."
Layla swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes.