In the serene yet turbulent city of Srinagar, where beauty and conflict often coexist, my mother’s journey has been nothing short of a battle. A well-read, intelligent, and accomplished woman, she was the pride of her family, celebrated in both social and political circles. Brilliant through her school and university years, my mother was someone whose future seemed destined for greatness. Her bond with her father, a man of high standing and immense influence, was one of deep love and mutual respect. But life, as it often does, had a different plan for her—a plan that would test her strength in unimaginable ways.
My grandfather, a prominent officer, was the pillar of our family, and his decision to arrange my mother’s marriage to a man from a seemingly respectable family was meant to secure her future. But behind the facade of respectability lay a world of deception. My father, the man my mother had been married to, turned out to be a fraud—he would steal her jewelry, take money from her, and abuse her physically. The man who was supposed to protect and cherish her became the source of her pain. The bitter reality of their relationship became evident after I was born. It was then that my mother, who had once been full of dreams and ambition, realized that her life had been derailed by the very man she trusted.
In a society where women are often expected to endure, my mother’s courage shone through. Despite the overwhelming odds, she made the brave decision to leave the house of my father. Her own family, once so supportive, turned their backs on her. They could not fathom why she would break the ties that bound her, and so, she was left to face the world alone. With no one to turn to, we moved into a rented accommodation. My mother, who had always been known for her intellect and potential, was now working with a modest income. The monthly expenses of running a household seemed impossible to meet, but my mother was determined to provide for me and ensure that I would never feel the weight of the world’s cruelty.
Though no one offered financial help, some of her friends stood by her emotionally, providing the support she needed to keep going. At times, it felt like the world had abandoned us, but my mother’s resilience never wavered. She would work tirelessly, doing everything she could to ensure that I had a future, even when her own dreams had been shattered.
Amidst the challenges, my grandmother’s mother, or Nani, became a source of love and support. She would care for me when my mother was at work, offering me comfort when the world felt too harsh. But in 2019, we lost her. Her passing was not the end of my mother’s trials. That same year, my grandparents, who had already severed ties with us, caused yet another heartbreak. One evening, they came to our home and, in front of one of my mother’s friends, they beat her, hurled insults at her, and demanded that I be sent back to my father. My mother refused, knowing that I was better off with her, even if it meant losing the last remnants of her family. From that moment, they cut all ties with us. They never came to see us again, and for my mother, the wound was deep.
However, despite everything, my mother’s heart remained compassionate. When news came that my grandmother had fallen ill, my mother did not hesitate. She took care of her, bringing her home and covering all her medical expenses. But my uncle, who had never supported my mother, took my grandmother away from us, and that was the last time we saw her. A month later, my grandmother passed away, and my mother was not allowed to be there for her final moments. She never saw her mother’s face again, and the pain of that loss is something I know she will carry with her forever.
In the wake of these tragedies, my mother made the difficult decision to divorce my father. It was a choice she made not for herself, but for me. She chose to fight for our future, even when everything seemed to be against her. Yet, her struggles were far from over. The court battles with my father have been dragging on for years. Each time she attends the court, she returns with a heavy heart, her hopes dashed as my father continues to avoid the hearings. It has been three years of disappointment, and the emotional toll on my mother is unbearable. She has endured this legal battle alone, with no support from her family or her ex-husband.
My mother’s health, both physical and emotional, has deteriorated over the time. She remains the pillar of strength for our household, managing to keep us afloat financially, but the weight of the world is slowly wearing her down. I worry for her constantly. If something were to happen to her, where would I go? My father has not seen me in seven years, and in all that time, I have received only three calls from him. The last call, two months ago, was full of empty promises. He said he would call again the next day, but that tomorrow never came.
Yet, despite everything, my mother remains unbroken. When my grandfather fell ill, my mother, despite all the pain and resentment, rushed to his side. She took care of him as like a child, providing him with love and care in his final days. In less than two weeks, he passed away, and for the first time in years, my mother was by his side when he died. The healing she sought for so long was not to be found, but at least she could give him the love and care he had denied her for so long.
After his passing, my mother retreated to her parental home, hoping for solace. But once again, differences arose between her and her family over property matters. These disputes, though not fully known to me, only added to the weight she carried. Meanwhile, the court case with my father continues, and my mother’s health worsened. Each day, I watched as the woman who had once been full of life and strength became more and more frail, emotionally and physically. I am terrified of losing her, of the day when I might have to face the world alone, with no one to turn to.
But my mother’s spirit remains unyielding. She continues to fight, not just for herself, but for me. In the face of unimaginable adversity, she has shown me what it means to be strong, to be resilient, and to never give up, no matter how difficult life becomes. Her love for me is the one constant in a world that has given her so little. And no matter what happens, I will always be grateful for the sacrifices she has made, for the strength she has shown, and for the love that has never wavered.
- The writer is a student of 6th standard.
