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“Be strong even when your bones feel like they cannot carry the weight of your soul.” [Jacqueline]

….

[Jacqueline’s Pov]

After Rohan’s weird words, Mrs. Reina found me and she took me to the principal’s office, requesting a half-day for me given my knee as well as elbow wounds. And for that I was thankful. She even helped me to hail an auto-rickshaw for home. She was too kind.

The moment I returned, I found my parents fighting. Again. I looked through the window as daddy slapped her twice resulting in her falling on the cemented floor. Her clothes were disheveled while her eyes filled with tears.

Without my permission, my feet took me over to them and I found myself standing in front of my father. I looked up to his 5’7 form.

“Please Stop Daddy. Don’t hit her.” The moment my words ended, one slap landed on my jaw and I staggered back.

Another slap landed on mom’s face but I replaced her just in time as it landed on my back.

“Jacqueline Go away. She is not having her medicines and she has irritated me beyond the limit today. Today I will make sure to relieve all ghostly souls from her. That is If she ever had one.”

Tears fell from my eyes, but I managed to glare at him. As I yelled.

“Stop hitting her.”

He slapped me again, his black eyes flooding with fury.

“Who do you think you are to scream at my face?”

“I am not paying for your school if you learn to scream in front of your parents there.”

Another harsh slap landed on my backbone and I landed on the bed.

“b****.” Another slap landed on my face as I tried to cover myself from his harsh beatings by my hands. Sometimes I couldn’t understand the concept of respect in elders.

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respect someone who physically abuses us? Just because he is paying for our bills? Can money make people so powerful? Can age make people respect them? Whatever it was! I

up.” He yelled through gritted teeth and my body immediately followed his command

He glared at me.

back at

He sighed,

a**igning you this duty to get her to have her medicines. And if you fail, you and she both

body shuddered at his threat. But I still maintained my gaze with him. Sweating started. Daddy hated

“Okay.”

banging of the door. While I helped

okay?”

wants to kill me. You are one of them too. Huh?

neighbor I am your you neighbor, we ate biryani for a

eyes moved on my body and

to kill me.” She placed her hand on my lap

cannot hit you,

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she only cried harder, clutching

she had

“I am hungry.”

the food for

“Okay.”

you have to eat these

as his messenger I

in my forehead increased and

I will just have to add

…..

2 hours later…

look around. It’s 5 pm, and the orange sun is enveloping me in its color. I kept my eyes on the street, watching as a few cars pa**ed by creating white noise. I cough hard as the dust settles inside my nostrils. Besides