I went straight to their house, holding Rafir’s hand. Everyone there already knew about my visit. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law welcomed me warmly into the house. I spent the first few days quite happily with my in-laws, husband, and sister-in-law. But as the days passed, Rafir and his family started to change. Rafir’s mother and sister started treating me badly. They would find fault with me for no reason. At first, I endured it for a few days, but gradually, everything started to become unbearable. They made me do all the household chores. And if I made even a small mistake, there would be no peace.
I finally told Rafir about it. He listened and said, ‘In a love marriage, you have to adjust a little.’
I tried my best to adjust according to his words. But nothing worked. Rafir’s mother and sister’s torture seemed to increase. Once, I thought, whatever happens, I won’t tell Rafir again. But I couldn’t anymore. Finally, I was forced to tell Rafir again. After hearing everything, Rafir said with a kind of annoyance, ‘If you can’t tolerate this much, how will you manage a household?’
Since then, I have become completely silent. I have no complaints against anyone else in the household. I do whatever they say. When I can’t bear it anymore, I cry into my pillow in the dark. I feel very helpless then. My mother and father’s faces float before my eyes. I really want to rest my head on my mother’s lap and cry to feel a little lighter. But I myself have closed that door. And that’s why, maybe, I’m in this situation because of my parents’ curse!
Rafi often uses the excuse of job hunting to distance himself from me. He constantly gets angry and yells at me. I endure everything and silently retreat to a corner of the house.
One day, I overheard a conversation between Rafi’s parents. As far as I could understand, they were greedy for my paternal grandfather’s property. Their love for me was merely a facade. They thought that with time, my parents would accept everything, and they would achieve their goals. But I know my parents well. They might break, but they won’t bend. And as long as they live, they will never acknowledge me as their daughter.
Gradually, they too realized the situation. That’s why they treat me with such disregard and neglect today.
I was no longer allowed to enroll in my second year of college. My studies were completely stopped. Helplessly, I accepted everything. Who is there for me here? Whom can I tell about my hopes and dreams? Against my will, I was forced to have a child within a year. They thought that even if it wasn’t for me, my family would accept our marriage for the sake of my child. That’s why they rushed to have this child. I am now a mother of a daughter. The pain I endured during my daughter’s birth made me realize how precious I was to my parents. Yet, I have hurt them so much by leaving. I now understand the gravity of my sin. And I also realize that even if they forgive me, Allah may not.
I’ve tried my hardest, against all odds, to protect my daughter. I find solace in the hope that she’ll achieve what I couldn’t. As I gaze upon her innocent sleeping face, I find myself lost in daydreams. But then, a sudden dread grips me. What if my daughter turns out like me? What if she shatters all my dreams, just as I shattered my mother’s?
I have no future now. I don’t know what fate holds for my daughter. Perhaps Allah has something better planned. That’s the only hope I cling to now. It feels like I’m just a living corpse. This family is a coffin, and I’ve nailed myself inside.
To everyone, I urge you: never marry for love. When we love someone, our expectations soar. But when those expectations crumble under neglect, we’re left to die a slow, painful death. Focus on your studies and career while you’re young. Always prioritize your parents’ decisions. If you face any problems in your marriage or social life, at least you’ll have your parents by your side. Parents never wish harm on their children.
