Everything they do together is sitting for a meal

Submitted into Contest #100 in response to: Start or end your story with two characters sitting down for a meal.... view prompt

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Romance Suspense Drama

Sidra, wife of Salman, a government employee who spends on night at home and one at his office. Staying in office in alternate days is an obligation of law while feeling lonely at home is an obligation of heart for Sidra. Sidra and Salman has no children but Sidra has a daughter! What? Yes, before marrying Salman,Sidra was married to Ahmed. Ahmad was a gentle man, highly intellectual and an extremely caring husband. After 2 years being in marriage Ahmad died in an accident leaving behind an 8 month old daughter 'Sarah'. Each day Sidra used to went to Ahmad's grave and cry for hours and hours until dusk.She had no idea of what is going on with her life and daughter.Sidra used to be a villager. One day she went to work in the paddy fields after getting taunted by her sister-in-law that she doesn't do any chores. It was exactly 41st day after the death of Ahmad.She went out leaving her little daughter at home with the same sister-in-law. She expected great care for the little baby from her aunt but no such thing happened. This poor unfortunate little baby was lying in the front yard of the house with her stools all around her body . The homies even didn't wash her ,not even for humanity's sake. While Sidra came back she saw her child in an extremely bad condition,cried and screamed but was helpless.Anyway she got busy in cooking and doing all the other household chores.Later that evening when everyone appeared to take dinner she wasn't given any meals.After all the hardwork and toil throughout the day, evenings used to be more than a nightmare for her.She fed the house's cow all day but can't get an ounce of milk for her little daughter. She tolerated everything patiently but one day her in-laws mercilessly threw her out of the house along with her daughter. She had no idea where to go then she thought of going to her father's home.A home which was already divided between 2 married brothers with a poor widow mother struggling between the two. Anyway,Sidra went to the house and told his brothers about the tough journey she was on.Her brothers let her sit under the roof but refused to bear with her and her daughter's expenses. Here starts the journey of Sidra's bravery.Left by everyone she finally decided to wipe her tears and start doing something in order to feed herself and her little daughter.She was a little educated, she decided to find a job and after nights qnd days of hard struggle she found one.Finally Sidra could now earn at least a living. She started working without looking at the tick of clock. Now she used to take care of her widow mother too. Days passed, Sarah was growing older. Sidra admitted her in a nearby primary school.That day Sidra decided to grow her daughter as an independent lady who shouldn't be needing a man but be one in terms of career. She wanted to raise her efficiently .She started to work on her and work for her happiness. In between all this,Sidra somehow lost herself. One day, while she was on her way to her workplace she met a guy from her school days.This guy instantly seemed to fall for her.He used to follow her daily for months until one day he finally spoke up. Ain't you Sidra? The first bencher girl from our class. She said yes! But who are you and why you ask? He said I used to me your classmate back then,my name is Salman!

For a moment Sidra was clueless.She couldn't get to gather what he was all about.

Ohh! So what you doing nowadays. Said Sidra.

I work as an assistant professor in the a government college.I have got a master's degree in science. What about you?Said Salman.

With a heavy heart Sidra anyway managed to say," i am married and i have a daughter but i work too.

Salman was shocked to hear this as Soon Sidra hardly seemed to be a mother in her looks and beauty. The conversation stopped here and both of them left in their own directions. After a few months,Salman appeared again before her suddenly when she was coming back from her workplace late in the evening and he plainly told her that he has came to know about everything which happened to her and her marriage.Hearing this Sidra instantly fell into tears and told Salman everything she had faced till now. Salman offered her a marriage proposal but Sidra refused.

After constant efforts and hardwork Salman managed to convince her for marriage , promising that he will take good care of her daughter and treat her like his own. Marriage happened simply but happily and Sidra went to her new husband's place leaving her 13 year old daughter at her maternal grandmother's place. Being at Salman's house,Sidra used to visit her daughter every weekend.She observed that her daughter is getting more and more introverted and silent with each passing day.Getting thoughtful about her upbringing Sidra decided to shift her and live in a separate home with her husband Salman and her daughter. All the things went according to the plan and they built a home separately and started to live happily.Although Salman didn't knew how to take care of Sarah nor ever he did took care but Sidra was of the view that once he gets to become a father and have his own children he will eventually take care of Sarah too. Years passed but no pregnancy happened. Salman and Sidra worried and cried all the time but they were not able to have a child. They took every medical assistance but all in vein. Witheach passing year Salman's behaviour with Sarah became worse.He started to hate her for no reason.He started to blame her for everything and caused disturbances in the house almost every day.Realising all this, and watching her innocent daughter suffering for no reason Sidra started to catch illnesses which further became a cause of distance between Sidra and Salman.Every day Sidra hopes to see things in a better way but nothing good ever happens to her.Salman is changing to bad with each passing day .Sidra gets one answer for 50 questions.She always gets to hear your daughter and your daughter. Life has become for her a nightmare. Things for her go worse with every passing second.On one hand is her innocent daughter who has no one but her mother and from the other Side is her husband to whom she wasn't able to give a child according to him. Each day she is being emotionally sentenced for being a mother and for not being a mother.Sidra, Salman and Sarah are living together in the same house but EVERYTHING THEY DO TOGETHER IS SITTING DOWN FOR A MEAL.

June 27, 2021 20:47

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1 comment

Mellanie Crouell
16:24 Jul 04, 2021

Good story! Some small grammar/editing that need to be done to make the story read better. I look forward to reading more of your stories.

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