Chapter 1: Deep Grief
The rain poured heavily, as if mourning the loss of someone dearly loved. The sky was overcast, mirroring the shattered heart of Saraswati. In front of the modest house that now felt unbearably empty, she stood with swollen eyes, gazing at the freshly covered grave in the cemetery yard. Her husband, Arman, had just been laid to rest. The man who had been her protector, her pillar of strength, and the father of their little daughter, Amara.
Saraswati still couldn't believe that her husband was gone forever. Just yesterday, they were laughing at the dinner table, talking about Amara's future. But fate had other plans. Arman had been taken from her suddenly by an illness they never realized was silently consuming him. A heart attack, the doctor had said. A simple phrase, yet one that shattered her world.
Her hands clenched tightly. She wanted to cry louder, but the sound of Amara's sobs in her arms held her back. Her little girl kept calling for her father, hoping that the man who had just been buried would come back. "Daddy isn't really gone, is he, Mom? He will come home, right?" Amara's small, fragile voice only made Saraswati's chest tighten.
"Daddy is in heaven now, sweetheart..." she answered, trying to smile through her tears. "But he will always be in our hearts."
Amara continued to weep, and Saraswati could only hold her tightly. Her heart wanted to scream, to rebel against this cruel reality. But what could she do? Now, she was truly alone. No more Arman to hold her when she was weary, no more warmth waiting for her at the end of a long day.
As the burial ended and one by one the mourners started to leave, Saraswati felt an overwhelming fear creeping in. She felt as if she was being left behind in a cold, lonely world. She knew that after today, she would have to face everything alone. How would she provide for herself, Amara, and her aging mother? Arman had been the sole provider, working tirelessly to support them. Saraswati, who had been a housewife, had no steady job.
"Saras... if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to us," a gentle voice broke through her thoughts. She turned and saw Bu Rina, a neighbor who had always been kind to her. The woman looked at her with sympathy.
Saraswati nodded slowly. "Thank you, Bu Rina."
But deep inside, she knew that sympathy would soon turn into whispers. Society always found a way to view a widow differently. Saraswati had not only lost her husband but would also have to endure the pitying looks and perhaps even judgmental gossip.
"Saras, let's go home," her mother's voice pulled her back to the present.
With weary steps, Saraswati took Amara's hand and walked toward their home. The rain had begun to subside, leaving behind the distinct scent of wet earth. But nothing could wash away the sorrow in her heart.
That night, their house felt emptier than ever. Usually, there would be the sound of Arman playing with Amara, the television broadcasting the news he always watched. But now, there was only silence—an unbearable, deafening silence. Saraswati sat in the bedroom, cradling Amara, who had finally fallen asleep. She gently stroked her daughter's hair, trying to calm herself.
Her mother entered the room and sat at the edge of the bed. "Saras, you have to be strong. This is not the end of everything."
Saraswati lowered her head, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm scared, Mom... I don't know what to do. Arman was the one who worked, and I... I don't have a job. How will I take care of Amara and you?"
Her mother held her hand tightly. "We will get through this, my dear. What matters now is that you stay strong—for Amara."
Saraswati nodded slowly. She knew she had to be strong. But how? The world was cruel to women like her.
At that moment, she made a decision. She could not afford to give up. No matter what, she had to find a way to survive. For Amara. For her mother. For herself.
That night, Saraswati cried in silence. She knew that from tomorrow onward, her life would never be the same. But she also knew she had no choice but to keep going, no matter what challenges lay ahead.