Magic, I have seen it happen
Pushpa has two daughters and has been married ten years. Her parents got her married off, while in her teens to the first person they could find-never bothering about her choices, or the character of the man they were giving her away to. She had had to leave her education midway while her future husband was even less literate than her. Her husband was a drunkard and beat her every night in front of the kids. Ten years had numbed her deepest senses and she was almost immune to this torture.
Pushpa works as a maid at Amina madam’s house. She enjoys her work as it takes her away, albeit for some part of the day, from her harsh reality. Her husband, apart from beating her without reason, takes away her earnings to splurge on his daily drinking and gambling. She still manages to save some for her children, for she has no needs of her own. Pushpa thinks whether it would be better to leave but is held back by her children and the pain of survival in society without a man. She believes in magic and is hoping for a miracle to relieve her of this situation.
Tears rolled down
Amina lives in a joint family with her in-laws, husband, her two year old daughter and husband’s younger unmarried brother. She had been expected to bear a child in the first year of her marriage. On failing to do so, she had been severely castigated. After many rounds to the doctors, she had finally become pregnant and delivered a girl. But her in-laws were not happy as they wanted only sons for their sons. The question that who would carry forward the family name had become a huge cross that Amina had to constantly carry.
Her daughter was growing up to be adorable but did not get any love from her paternal grandparents- something her innocent mind could never comprehend. Amina had spoken to her husband about this but he had advised her not to confront anyone at home lest the peace of the house be disturbed. She had recently started working part-time in a job her friend Sushma had arranged. But she was spending sleepless nights thinking about how her child would be treated at home, in her absence. Tears rolled down her eyes as she shuddered at this thought.
Sibling rivalry, how far can it go?
Priti was Amina’s boss. Amina admired Priti’s life. She had a complete family with a son and daughter. The few times she had interacted with Priti’s husband when he came to drop her, he had come across as very supportive and loving towards his wife and children. But in reality, Priti’s life was far less perfect. A few weeks back when Priti accidently checked her husband’s phone she realized that he was having an affair with her close friend. She is in a dilemma whether to confront him or let things be the way they are. Wasn’t it easier to pretend everything was ok than walk out and face life? She envied Sushma, her sister who got married into a rich business family recently.
Living in a Golden cage
Sushma is married into a prominent business family. Her greatest wish was to have a child but doctors have told her there is a remote chance that she will ever conceive. This has torn apart her relationship with her husband and the larger family. She had suggested adoption but was rebuffed summarily. She overheard talks in the house about a divorce and remarriage and could not believe her ears. Lost in this thought, she noticed Pushpa cleaning the house and wondered whether she would trade lives with her- the love of a child against money that couldn’t buy this simple joy.
And that’s just the beginning
Sushma, Priti and Amina have met for tea today. Pushpa is serving them in the garden. On the face of it, all four of them have a façade of happiness. Yet as the evening shadows fall, their hearts are fighting demons no one outside can know. Their thoughts are interrupted by the sight of a caterpillar trying to break free from its cocoon. As it struggles to liberate itself, all four ladies sigh visibly reflecting upon their own lives. Seen in one perspective, nature has given the caterpillar no tools to fight the layer around it. But the caterpillar does not give up still. It continues persevering until it emerges as a radiant butterfly soaring strongly into the wind.
At that moment, Sushma, Priti, Amina and Pushpa realize giving up without a fight can never change status quo. Metamorphosis into a butterfly requires struggle just as the finest steel is tempered in the hottest fire. They disperse, each one knowing the choice they have to make tonight.
This post is written for Storytellers BlogHop FEB 2021 hosted by talented writers – Ujjwal & MeenalSonal.
My short story incorporates 5 of the given prompts.
Prerna, how beautifully and metaphorically you explained the lives of Amina, Sushma, Priti and Pushpa. Loved the way you mentioned about caterpillar. All these stories might be different but they we intertwined. The concluding paragraph was bang on….
Thank you Alpana. i am so glad you liked it.
Wow, how wonderful.. It’s so amazing you could bring 4 stories in one. I was struggling to have one and that to complete it I was lost. You not only included stories but comprehended it so nicely to end. So much to learn from you..
Thank you Urvashi – you are too sweet!
Wow this is unique..I had never thought this. you had used all prompts and create beautiful stories around it. I liked all but most like the last one. indeed great take to prompt.
Thanks Surbhi.
Wow Prerna! You have beautifully portrayed the chain of characters of four women, had their own struggles yet interconnected. Brilliant! Also I am amazed with the perfect use of four prompts! Every story is so real and touching! Kudos girl!
Thanks archana for your kind words. I enjoyed writing this piece.
Our life is more intertwined with people around us than we think. You have connected the stories very well. Great to have you in the hop.
That’s is absolutely true. Tried to draw inspiration from reality in this piece of fiction.
The grass always appears greener on the other side. Each woman has something the other doesn’t, but also has untold challenges that each one bears in private.
That is so true!
Love your writeup!! We all have these same feeling by seeing others. A fact that, everyone’s life is perfect outside. But on the inside, its always the battle they deal and we don’t know a things about it.
True that. i am glad you enjoyed this piece.
A beautiful connection of four lives and four perspectives. Loved the simile of the butterfly in the end.
Deepika Sharma
I’m glad you liked it.
This is like a mixed bag emotional ride, from one story to another and yet linked with a single cord. Hope for a better future.
Thanks Dipika.
This amazing life cycle of a butterfly of which you have given an example of is really a great lesson for everyone to learn and it is not only a lesson that is restricted to an ever-changing butterfly, but it is applicable to ourselves as well.
Romila you are so right – we need to adapt and change as per changing situations.
The grass always seems greener on the other side, doesn’t it? Your wise stories show us the other side of it. Very insightful observations and stories, Prerna.
Thanks Mayuri – tried to depict real lives through this fiction.
Wow, what a beautifully weaved story with all the prompts. You have connected the characters so well and I as a reader can see the characters coming alive and blending together with a strong will.
The title emerge as a butterfly is so apt, when we have determination in us to turn things around.
Thank you – I am so glad this story resonated with you.
Lovely story. The connection made to each of the stories is brilliant. Loved reading it.
Im glad you liked it.
Prerna your story showcases the struggle of a a woman that goes deep down in one or another aspect of life. We always think that other person is in luxury state unless we get to know the reality.
That is so true – a message that I have tried to bring out through this piece.
So wonderfully and seamlessly you have showcased these young lives and the challenges they face, Prerna.
Great use of the prompts.
Life is tough. Great lesson at the end. Positive happy ending.
I remembered the movie- ‘Life in a Metro’- not that there is any story similarity. A feel-good and coming-to-terms story.
Oh yes – I loved that movie too. My story also tries to bring struggles of each woman to light.
Very nicely integrated all the prompts. Liked the way the tales intertwined with each other. Good Narration
Thank you Suhasini. i’m glad you liked it.
Kudos Prerna for bringing into light the most important issue in a woman’s life – finding her identity in the male-oriented society.
Thanks Aditi. I’m glad it resonated with you.
You have four different stories and characters and have made a beautiful compilation of Idea.
Thank you!
I like how you included multiple prompts and connected them with each other. This story had a Lipstick Under my Burkha kind of vibe and sends out a strong message. A caterpillar is a fighter and will turn into a butterfly without any external help.
Thanks Varsh. I havn’t seen that movie but think I now will!
What an incredible tale.Sometimes the grass looks greener on the other side and we forget to count our blessings.
That’s so true Amrita. We don’t know the struggles of others when we think they have it all!
Woah Prerna?You’ve impressed me thoroughly with this empowering writeup!! This is a winning entry for me, a tale of struggling women… struggling in their cocoon for an identity, freedom from dogmas and patriarchy. Struggling for a space to call their own and a mouthful of sky to raise their wings!! That last line was the icing on the cake ? I almost picturized it in my mind like a web series ?
Thank you for your kind comment Daisy and I’m so glad that you enjoyed my story!
A lovely tale of each person’s struggle and the way they envy the other. I agree metamorphosis cannot be without struggle.
Thanks. that’s true!
Evey woman is different in her own sense and has different life stories. We always envy the other women thinking their life would be better but reality is far different.
Very true – hoping this message gets across.
Short and sweet. Telling everyone how the grass always looks greener on the other side, everyone has its own challenges. I enjoyed reading every part of it.
Thanks Neha – happy to note that you enjoyed it.
What a wonderful take on all the prompts. You have woven the stories so beautifully keeping them interrelated. Loved the ending of how all the women are together at the same place and decide to take a step towards changing their fate…
Yes Seema I tried to use real life stories for this piece. Thanks
How beautiful is your take on these prompt all weaved together yet apart. Prerna this story telling of superior level. Kudos. Loved how you showed each character’s life.
Thank u – I’m glad you liked it!
Wow! A beautiful lesson conveyed in a beautiful way, Prerna. No matter how hard the fight get’s, giving up can only increase the misery.
Also, Loved your take on the prompt. The way you conveyed different stories with different themes and connected them all together in the end is commendable.
Thank you – I am so glad that you enjoyed it.
A unique take on the prompt and how seamlessly you have narrated this story ! Life is challenging and all we need is the positivity to survive ! A nice read !
I’m glad you liked it!
Each story made me think of a person I knew or have heard off. This is true and we all think the grass is greener on the other side and are willing to trade our lives during a weak moment, but nothing like fighting it out and reinventing oneself.
So true – yes this one draws inspiration from real people.
The tale of Sushma, Priti, Amina and Pushpa truly depicts sibling rivalry and more.. It is quite relatable.
I’m glad you thought so!
I like your creative use of the prompts, as well as your bite-sized stories that are poignant and touching on so many levels.
Thanks Noor for your generous compliment.
You have used the prompts very well and your stories resonate with the society we live in. Good job Prerna, inspiring and very near to reality.
Thanks Ila. Glad you liked it.
Connecting stories together is really tough and the way you have done is really commendable. These stories remind us of the society we live in!!
Thanks Ruchi – these draw inspiration from real stories.
that is such a relatable read! lovely stories knit as one.
Thank you Prisha.
Beautiful message :). Nicely narrated! Glad to connect with you once again, through this blog hop.
Thank you so much!