CHAPTER 4: Beacon Of Hope

As the basement door groaned open, the morning light flooded the darkness sharply striking my eyes. I lifted my shaking arm to shield them. My entire body felt weighted as if I had ingested rocks. I forced myself to sit up. My legs shook under me.

Mom stood at the stair landing, arms folded wearing the look she always gave me: disdain.

“Leave " she barked.

Her tone lacked any warmth. No sympathy. Not even irritation this time. Just impatience, as if I were a parasite.

I attempted to rise. My knees gave way. I staggered ahead. Grabbed the railing breathing unevenly, my ribs aching intensely. My mouth had a parched flavor and every inch of me felt tender, bruised, or aflame.

Upon arriving at the stairs, Mom scrutinized me with a scowl. My garments, my dirt-covered skin, the recent whip wounds still visible, on my back.

“You, good-for-nothing" she sneered. "Perhaps next time you won’t peddle your pathetic self at a nightclub.”

Her speech struck sharply, than any lash ever could.

A part of me broke.

Something profound hidden beneath years of submission and suppressed anguish surfaced.

“Why Mom?" I yelled. My voice faltered, and I forced through the trembling. "Why do you despise me deeply?!”

Her eyes grew larger yet not from surprise. Rather, from irritation.

“I was once the center of your affection!" My voice escalated, quivering with sorrow. "You once wove my hair… You once embraced me. You once beamed when I presented you with my artwork. What wrong have I ever done to you?”

For an instant just a tiny passing instant, she looked at me.. I examined her expression frantically wishing to find something. Remorse. Suffering. Affection. Whatever.

Yet all that met my eyes was void.

Then she faced away. Strode off.

No words.

No explanation.

Nothing.

It seemed as if someone had grabbed my chest and torn my heart out unexpectedly. I remained motionless trembling, as I observed the woman who raised me leave as if I had never been important.

Indeed the boundary between love and hate is very narrow. I had finally realized where I belonged.

My legs collapsed under me. I lacked the energy to walk normally so I dragged myself. Fingertips scraping the ground, knees aching with each motion. I wasn’t concerned about who noticed or their opinions. I simply had to get to my room.

At last reaching my room, I fell onto the ground. Allowed the darkness to engulf me.

I rested throughout the day…. The night… until the next day.

⸻

Maya was no longer permitted inside the house. Mom ensured that.

That morning her voice had echoed loudly down in the hallway:

“If that worthless girl Maya ever steps foot in my house again I’ll personally shatter her legs!”

But Maya was Maya.

She was indifferent.

That night as the house lay silent and Mom and Dad were away at their church meeting, Maya quietly entered through my window. I was on the floor drained, staring at the pages of a notebook since I lacked a phone or laptop to divert my attention.

“Oh my goodness, Zara " Maya murmured, hurrying over to me as soon as she noticed my slender weary body. "What’s wrong with your back? You appear… You appear awful.”

Guilt immediately overwhelmed her eyes.

“I’m truly sorry " she murmured, dropping to her knees next, to me. "I shouldn’t have pulled you out that evening. If I hadn’t…”

I held her hand faintly. "Maya… don’t. You’re not to blame. This was Lila’s doing. She would have figured out a method to harm me anyway.”

She pressed her lips together, tears gathering at the edges of her eyes. "I hate her. I promise, someday…”

“Maya." I managed a smile. "Don’t. She isn’t worth raising your blood pressure.”

Maya let out a breath, dried her eyes, and stood up tall. "Alright. Hear me out. I’m not here to sob. I’ve brought news. Important news.”

I glanced. "Any updates?”

“Columbia University will conduct a scholarship test next month.”

My breathing caught.

“What?”

“Yes!. Anyone can apply. Honestly the second I noticed the flyer on my school portal you came to mind. Zara, this… this might be your opportunity." She grasped my shoulders as tenderly as possible. "If you succeed at this you’re free. Free from this home. Free from their grip. Free from this nightmare.”

Hope.

Real hope.

The term ignited a spark within me.

I covered my mouth with my hands struggling to hold back tears. ". Maya… I don’t have a phone. I don’t even have a current textbook. How am I supposed to study?”

She smiled victoriously. Opened the zipper of her school bag.

“I brought these to you secretly.”

She placed six textbooks on my bed. Math, English, Neuroscience & behaviour, Chemistry, and Aptitude Drills.

A feeling of thankfulness gripped my chest.

“Maya…" Tears sprang to my eyes immediately. "I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Express your gratitude by moving on " she instructed, drying my tears. "The test is a month away. You must study as if your life depends on it.”

“It definitely does " I murmured.

She gave a nod.

After providing me with directions, timetables, and additional remarks she left through the window with a wink. "I’ll slip in three times weekly. Don’t be scared, your girl possesses abilities.”

I chuckled despite the ache in my ribs. Maya always had a way to soothe my discomfort.

⸻

The next week passed like a blurry mix of studying and surviving.

Each daybreak I rose at dawn tucked myself into a nook in my room and read until the sun came up. Afterwards, I tidied the house as usual. Prepared meals, washed the dishes. Did the laundry. Withstood abuse. Concealed bruises under my clothing.

And then… went back to studying.

It turned into my habit. My refuge.

My whispered mantra.

Before long… before long I will depart from here. Before long I will be free.

Maya honored her word. She slipped in whenever the house was vacant assisting me with topics I found confusing, giving me her phone, occasionally carrying snacks concealed in her bra so Lila wouldn’t detect them.

However, something unusual was occurring at home.

Lila… was radiant.

Each time she came back from school or a trip she displayed jewelry, very costly pieces. One day, she wore a gold bracelet on her wrist. On another occasion, she arrived carrying a designer handbag. Another day she was showing off a brand-new anklet embedded with diamonds.

Afterward, I noticed her holding a pink iPhone 16.

It appeared pristine as if just unpacked with the safety film intact. Sonia walked confidently next, carrying the blue one and they both squealed as if given the keys to a private plane.

I stopped in the corridor holding a basket gazing absentmindedly.

Mom and Dad weren’t nearly that wealthy. Although they could have pampered Lila endlessly but they were simple class. A phone like that was more expensive than what we had for the month.

Where was she getting all of this?

“Why are you looking like that bitch?" Lila said loudly grinning as she tucked the phone into her pocket. "Don’t tell me you’re envious. You can’t even buy noodles let alone an iPhone.”

Sonia chuckled. "See her? She resembles a dog.”

They passed by me, their shoulders grazing mine, and entered Lila’s room laughing.

I looked away.

I refused to allow them to affect me.

Not anymore.

I returned to my books, my source of support.

Each night while the entire household slept, I remained awake holding a torch Maya gifted me jotting down equations studying texts, and working on essays. At times I wept due to stress. At times from suffering. At times, out of exasperation because the problems were too difficult.

I did not cease.

I couldn’t.

If I did not succeed… I was destined to remain here eternally.

Whenever my hands trembled from fatigue I quietly told myself:

Shortly Zara… shortly you will depart from here.

And I kept going.