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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Wintering Over” Down in the Dirt v214 (12/23) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Instant Karma the Down in the Dirt September-December 2023 issues collection book		get the 422 page September-December 2023 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Onerous

Srihith Jarabana

    Up to her sophomore year of high school, a working-class sixteen-year-old Indian girl embarked on a daily trip to school, traversing the vast distance by foot. With each step, she could feel the wear and tear on her shoddy sandals, acquired from the bustling local bazaar. Still, the soles were paper thin, allowing every pebble and sand grain to pierce the foam, leaving her feet sore.
    However, the weight of societal expectations bore down heavily on her, and the pressures from her family became too immense to bear, and eventually, she succumbed to their demands, reluctantly dropping out of school at the young age of 16. As she said goodbye to her backpack and peers, a sense of defeat and resignation settled deep within her, as she grappled with the fact that the world seemed devoid of purpose for someone like her.
    Born and raised in a village where everybody knew each other, it was difficult for her to come to terms with her new reality. The village, with its population of only a few hundred, had this backdrop where she had to confront the disheartening truth that she was now expected to settle for a life that fell far short of her dreams.
    Still, fate had other plans for her. At the age of 21, she found solace in my grandfather, a man whose tender and gentle nature overshadowed his slight social awkwardness. Fortunately for her, he hailed from a well-off family, and although their marriage seemed an unlikely match at first, his deep emotional support proved to be a lifeline for her. Together, they started a business buying five acres of land and establishing a farm, growing whatever crops they could muster.
    Within the boundaries of their farm, she discovered an unexpected facet of her skills—one that defied the traditional gender roles assigned to her. As she actively engaged in the process of financial transactions and meticulously counted money, her passion flourished. It became evident that her true calling lay not in being a mere supporting housewife or a laborer toiling in the fields—the latter of which her husband loved, but in the realm of commerce and finance. While she recognized her blessings, she, ever humble, attributed her achievements solely to factors out of her control, humbly overlooking her own unwavering determination and resilience.
    Although denied the opportunity to complete her education, she became an indomitable force, instilling dreams within her daughter that surpassed the boundaries which had defined her early life. Her daughter—my mother, breaking free from the shackles of tradition, became the first woman in the family to graduate from university, a testament to her spirit and the power of dreams.
    My grandmother’s story, a reminder to the boundless human capacity to adapt and overcome, stands as a radiant beacon of hope. It lights the path for those trapped in a labyrinth of limited opportunities, telling them that they too possess the strength to forge their own destinies. Her journey serves as a clear example to the enduring power of the human spirit and the triumph that awaits those who dare to dream.

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