Secrets, whispered in the shadows, yearn for the dawn
In the quiet town of Lareen, where the wind whispered secrets, lived Ohda, a young woman with a hidden truth. She was close friends with Ameena, an artist with a big heart; Shazmeen, a funny storyteller; and Itemaad, a reliable friend. Even though they were a tight-knit group, Ohda kept something important from them.
Ohda's secret was very personal: she had been writing letters to her mother, who had left years ago after a big family fight. These letters helped her cope, but she never sent them. She was afraid her friends would judge her or feel sorry for her if they knew about her broken family.
At first, Ohda managed to keep her secret, but over time, it became harder. She grew more distant, often lost in her thoughts. Ameena, always observant, was the first to notice something was wrong.
"Is everything alright, Ohda?" Ameena asked one evening as they walked by the river.
"Oh, just tired," Ohda replied, forcing a smile.
Shazmeen and Itemaad also sensed something was off. Shazmeen tried to cheer Ohda up with her stories, but even that didn't work. Itemaad, always watching, grew more worried about their friend's change in behaviour.
The tension finally peaked during a casual get-together at Shazmeen’s house. As they chatted, Ameena, unable to hold back her concern, confronted Ohda.
"We care about you, Ohda. Please, tell us what's wrong," Ameena pleaded.
Surprised and overwhelmed, Ohda finally broke down. "I've been writing letters to my mother," she confessed. "She left years ago, and I never told you because... I was ashamed."
The room went silent. Shazmeen’s eyes widened in surprise, while Itemaad’s face remained unreadable. Ameena reached out and held Ohda’s hand, her eyes full of empathy.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Shazmeen asked gently.
"I was afraid you'd think less of me, or pity me," Ohda replied, tears streaming down her face.
Ameena squeezed her hand. "Ohda, we’re your friends. We’re here to support you, not judge you."
Itemaad finally spoke, his voice calm and steady. "We all have parts of our past we wish to keep hidden. But hiding it only makes it harder."
In the days that followed, the truth brought mixed reactions. Ameena, true to her nature, was a constant source of comfort. Shazmeen’s initial shock gave way to understanding, and she began to include themes of family and reconciliation in her stories. Itemaad’s quiet support gave Ohda a steady foundation to lean on.
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Published on 8/28/2024
Aadhya Shri Poudel is a student at Deerwalk Sifal School who loves writing articles, exploring diverse topics, and engaging in creative discussions.
Aadhya Shri Poudel
Grade 7
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