The plight of a child

Picture this. An estranged couple raging against each other in the middle of the road. Their only three-year-old staring at them with complete innocence. At his age he even doesn’t know what FEAR is like! Just then the father reaches out for him, lifts him up in the air and threatens his wife that he would hit the kid to the ground if she continued to raise her voice. This wife still doesn’t care to shut her mouth for the sake of her own child.

Last night I went out for a walk with my aunt…maybe just to witness this horrible incident. I grabbed the child from the man’s hands and waited for the situation to pacify and then handed over the boy into some safe hands.

Ten years henceforth, maybe the child would be writing this to heal himself.



Dear someone,

Another restless night!

Sometimes I wonder why two people come together when they were never meant to be… yes I’m talking about my parents indeed. All these years I’ve seen them fighting over every possible issue. Its like they search for reasons to fight. I remember not a single moment of happiness shared or problems discussed. A two-minute talk was enough for them to blow away disgust. And during those times they don’t think of anything or anybody else-not even me. They throw things at each other; they break the costliest of furniture, they use absolute repulsive language. Sometimes I’m afraid of coming under their influence and using such language. You know I don’t want to. I really don’t want to.

Sometimes I even wish I were born in a different family. Just sometimes. They never think of how these things affect my life. I am sleeping and all of a sudden I hear voices from inside screaming and scowling at each other. I try going back to sleep but if it continues I have to get out of my bed and separate them, push them into two different rooms. Though it rarely happen that the situation pacifies due to my intervention. It might even get aggravated you know… specially if I take sides.

Difference of opinions, ego clashes, and superiority complexes – all of them take their toll on ME. I get scary dreams. Maybe I should say nightmares…like you know someone falling off from the terrace or my world devoid of love, people leaving me. My heart beats thrice its normal rate before I realize its only a dream!

I see the worst during exams time. I need some sleep, peace of mind… at least then? My exams mean nothing for them. They never helped me with my studies. Still…they expect me to stand amongst the top in school. Can someone tell me HOW am I supposed to?

But anyway life at school is better. At least I don’t get to see all this during school hours! And after school? Where do I hide? Where? And even If I do? How long? THIS is my home. I can’t run away. This is where I belong!

I wonder what our neighbors think of my family. I understand it is annoying to hear loud voices in the dark hours of the night when everybody is soundly asleep. Yes I understand. I wish even they did.

I thought about running away from these difficulties but then I’m afraid what the situation would be like when I’m not home. It can only get worse.

I can’t deny that I get angry and annoyed for silliest of reasons at times. That’s when they say- Look at other children of your age and look at yourself. I retort –Look at their parents… and now compare them with YOU. Did you give me the love I needed?

At least I have this excuse - Good or bad…for whatever I am, THEY are responsible.