Shreya woke up, startled, to the sound of heavy footsteps on the wooden floorboards. It was 2 am.
While the world slept, she shuddered at the thought of facing him. Never quite prepared for the arm-twisting, the yelling and the thrashing that followed every night.
Oh, how her bones were hurting from yesterday! No longer coping to survive, but willing to escape, anyhow.
But, how?
His alibi is that he loves her to obsession!
Every morning, after the worst is over, he profusely apologises. Can’t she forgive him this one last time?
After all, he loves her truly, madly, deeply.
(100 words)
(This post is a response to Julia Skinner’s 100WCGU (100 Words Challenge for Grown Ups). Her prompt is ‘Truly, madly, deeply….’ in honour of the late Alan Rickman. Do click the badge and join in if you wish to participate)
This post is dedicated to the millions of women all across the world who have been/are victims of domestic violence. The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.“
Violence against women is a serious problem in India. Overall, one-third of women age 15-49 have experienced physical violence and about 1 in 10 have experienced sexual violence. This figure translates into 27·5 million women who have suffered, and continue to suffer, at the hands of husbands and other family members.
Although most societies look down upon domestic violence, in India it is often endorsed under the guise of cultural practices, collective norms or religious beliefs. Indian families tend to view marriage as a private affair, much like the law did before the 2005 Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. Before this law, there was little legal respite for a victim of domestic violence. Even to this day, marital rape continues to thrive in India.
Anything out of proportion, be it love or food is bad! Hurting somebody in the name of love and then apologizing is just inhuman. Reality of so many people! Why people stay in such relationships, only they know.. Could be hope, could be helplesnesses, could be n number of reasons.
So true…I guess people stay because of a false sense of hope that things will change and also because the perpetrators often camouflage their behaviour with a nice exterior that confuses the victims. Sad reality of life though that such alarming numbers of women are prey to such criminality.
I totally agree Vinitha! Have come across people who think women stay in such abusive relationships out of choice! Nobody except the wearer knows where the shoe pinches…People pin their hopes wishing that things will change for the better…truly heartbreaking and shattering 🙁
Recently I read accusation that why the women stay in abusive relation if they are actually being abused. The whole tone was that women are making up the abuses. It is sad that people aren’t aware about the struggles. It is sad that the victims of abuse conjure up the strength to hang on a bit more in the hope that tomorrow is going to be a better day. It is heartbreaking!
Personally very touching for me to read. Its like being in a prison. May many more women find the strength to get out, get free and make a life for themselves without violence and horror. Great post!
You’re right , Eli. I’m sure the victims feel that way too! I think it’s one of those horrendous situations that I wouldn’t wish anyone has to ever go through! Thanks for the appreciation btw 🙂
That’s so true and happens all over the world. Beautifully worded.
Yes, Parul, the numbers are quite scary! Calls for more stringent laws that can empower women. Thanks for the appreciation.
Thanks, Alana. More women need to come forward with their stories as legal provision to provide a safety net is very limiting in these cases.
Yes, an awful reality of many here in the United States, too. This story is most worthy of sharing. Well done.
Such a sad story and the awful reality of so many women around the world.
True, Corinne. Yet another story for some and a painful reality for many 🙁