A Quiet Place

On a beaming sunny day, Nisha was coming from her school to her home. On her way home all she was thinking about was how her family’s lack of finances affected her, silence in life, privacy as a 16-year-old, her clothes, and her friends like she had been thinking for the last 8 months since her dad lost his job.

On her way home, she saw a child crying for his mom. The child was wearing ripped clothes and had mud on them. She was about to go help the child as it reminded her of a time when she was lost and couldn’t find her mom. Her mind was unstable and her heart was racing. In the meanwhile, a woman came rushing and hugged the child. She could see the eyes of affection with the glory of finding a missing treasure piece. She saw an unusual duality in the child’s expressions that went from sad to satisfy and happy. The woman took the child inside a tent near the tree which seemed like their home. A home smaller than Nisha’s home yet they seemed so satisfied than her.

She had a thought,’’ Why do they seem so happy and satisfied even though they have fewer facilities than me?’’ She wasn’t in the same situation as them but she felt as though she was carrying a burden.

She reached her home and everything was very silent and dark and that’s what she loves when no one is at home. But it was unusual that Nisha started crying and just in a while her parents arrived with her siblings. Seeing Nisha cry made them question themselves thus they held her gently and asked what happened and she answered sobbing,’’ Mom and dad I am okay with everything; my clothes, my shared room, my friends but please don’t leave me alone. I don’t want to be in a quiet place.’’