I am Albel. I'm seventeen years old. I'm here to narrate my side of the story...
They say I am a trouble maker. One even hoped that I die. But, I know I shouldn't let them get to me; because if I did, I can never be true to myself. They say they saw me eating the meat of the cattle they bought for the festival last year, and it also seems like I plucked out a chicken's feathers and killed it and watched it suffer as it died.
I just don't understand what's wrong with these people. They despise me so much. "I hoped I could get to see their loving and caring side in the future..." is what I told to myself and that comforted me... I am tired of these people trying to chase me away. Before, I was scolded or shooed for an apparent 'mistake' that I made but now it's only gotten worse as they hate me for no valid reason and that's that. So, I have given up my hopes and started living life in a detached manner in the secluded and remote part of the village with my kind, caring and loving mother, Anagha.
She was and is the only one who stands by me and defends me no matter what they falsely accuse me of. They have accused me of it so many times that I don't even remember any of it, but, their words and the abuses hurled at me by them are still fresh in my mind... I hope I'll be able to forget that as time goes. When our village head, Haqikah took the decision she took that day, mother came home later than usual, at midnight.
She came in and sat me down after she freshened up; She said, "Dear daughter, how are you dealing with the current situation? I know it must've been hard for you." then I said, " I am fine, mother. Please don't concern yourself with me and lose focus on your work. The work you're doing is a lot more important." she then said with a concerned smile on her face "How can I not worry about you? You are my daughter after all. You are really precious to me. I can't let anyone live after harming you, can I? I don't think I can spare them. Please be strong, this will be over soon..."
I felt a deep sense of comfort and warmth when I heard those words coming from her. I felt like I could finally breathe. But what she said after that was not comforting at all. "The verdict was announced today at the meeting. It seems like you have to isolate yourself for 15 days and reflect on your actions. I know this will be hard for you, staying away from me and living alone, but don't worry sweetie, I will not let anyone harm you and put an end to this...forever." said she.
As she was saying it, she was trying her best to hide her tears from me and kept putting up a smile but I could tell that it was hurting her more than it was for me. I know we had no other way out of this situation but to accept the punishment if we want to live peacefully. So, I agreed to it as I did not want to concern her too much.