सपने जैसा सपना...

A rebel was born...

The journey of Ishaani and Arindam now was turned to an unfamiliar direction. Ishaani is now a lone fighter in the battlefield of life and she had to protect her little daughter. All she could think of is to make her daughter a fighter to beat the odds of life and bring back the joys to their lives.

Ishani knew that the next few episodes of her life is going to be bit tougher but she had no idea what is there in store of her future. It was a remote place in the map of India and living there on her own was not really an easy one. It was an underdeveloped small colony town where there were no good school, college, market or even hospital for that matter. Ishani had no intention to let her daughter study there but, she was left with no choice.

As time was passing by Ishani’s daughter was about to be 10 years. She underdstood that Arisha needs correct guidance to grow in life, but there were no opportunities. Arisha was very sharp and intelligent from the beginning but she was unable to even clear her class examinations. She was falling behind in terms of her studies. Ishani was not able to give her daughter personal care as she herself was not sure where is she heading. Due to political influence Ishani’s workplace was too tough for her. And yes Arisha was neglected!! To be precise the little girl was not only neglected but also went thru molestation by her own relatives, at times blood relatives.

The child knew that she is not secure even at her own home. Unfortunately no one was there to save her. Whenever she wanted to scream for help the demons were laughing too loud or pampering her with their bad touch. The bubbly little Arisha started becoming introvert, she hated guests coming home, she hate visiting relatives. Arisha was unaware that what was happening to her was a criminal offense. She started believing that that if she were a boy probably she could have a better life. She could play with anyone without being asked, she could go out with friends or come home late without being scolded by her mum.

Arisha always wondered if outside world is nasty, if the men who are not ashamed to touch a girl wrongly then why the girl is questioned or asked to stay “safe”. The safety was unsure. Her mum used to drop her at her neighbour’s house so that her safety is ensured but she was never safe.

A bubbly, chirpy girl had become introvert. And no one noticed !! Arisha thought may be her mum will ask her one day but Ishani never realized when she changed.

Ishani’s mother was going thru major illness at hearing the sudden news of Arindam so Ishani had to run to see her mother. Ishani then had to actively help them financially and take care of her medical expenses and other expenses too. Ishani now was the cash cow for the whole family. Ishani became so busy and involved into pleasing the family around that she started becoming distant from Arisha. Arisha still tried to protect her mum with her tiny hands, and … ocean of love.

Arisha still could not bridge the gap…. She was a lonely soul, and an unapologetically rebel kid.