Right To Peace

Since last twelve years anxiety and restlessness are my constant companions. In my pursuit of peace, I joined "School for Specially Abled Children" as a part-time dance teacher. With time, I became so involved here that I left my well-paying job and swanky flat. Eventually, I shifted in a room in the school itself and started working full time, taking care of the resident kids. I feel better here, but somehow peace still eludes me.

It was the annual function day of the school. I was all busy with the arrangements and preparations. The program started. School’s name and date of the function was written in floral letters on the backdrop of the stage. Looking at the date, I felt a strong pain in my heart. How could I forget this date? It was the seventeenth birthday of my only son. I started feeling dizzy. Memories flashed before my eyes. I was a single parent. My live-in boyfriend eloped as soon as he came to know about my pregnancy. By that time, it was too late for me to abort. It was hard for me to take care of my son, single-handedly. I felt a lump rising in my throat.

The announcement of dance performance brought me back to reality. I composed myself and rushed towards the stage. All the kids diligently followed my hand gestures with their flawless dance moves. After their wonderful stage performance, amidst cheers and applause, they all came close to me and hugged me. Smiles on these innocent faces melted my heart. With tears in my eyes, I once again prayed god for his forgiveness.

I was at peace for a while. I, then suddenly started feeling nauseated. I ran towards my room and locked myself. I screamed, slapped myself multiple times and cried incessantly. Guilt overpowered me. My specially abled son was a hindrance to my otherwise jazzy life. He would have been seventeen today, had I not killed him twelve years back.

God rightfully denied me my “Right to Peace”.