SILENT TEARS : BETTER DAYS WITH YOU - CHAPTER 1

               It was pouring heavily. As the rain streamed down the window, she stood alone as a solitary figure amid the storm. Tears rarely seen traced their way down her cheeks filled with sorrow. "Why does God punish me like this?" "What sin have I done for suffering like this?" this question is repeated relentlessly yet nobody can answer for her. Aleyna was left alone with some thoughts playing dramatically in her mind for quite some moments. Her mind was miles away and lost in worries. 

               Suddenly her aunt's voice woke her up back to reality."Aleyna, what are you doing? The clothes are all wet in the rain!!! Go take them down first!" yelled her aunt from the kitchen with a sharp voice. Startled, Aleyna quickly gained consciousness from her deep thoughts. Realizing the situation, she jumped up from her seat and ran towards the yard where the clothes were hanging, hoping to save them from getting wet completely.

Aleyna hurried outside, her heart beating fast with a rush and fear that ran in the back of her mind. Her hands shook slightly as she gathered the soaked clothes, her movements quick but shaky. The rain had played a role perfectly in damaging the situation, and she knew her aunt wouldn’t be pleased.

Mira, Aleyne's younger sister, watching from the doorway, her eyes wide with concern and worries. Mira was so scared of making mistakes herself and felt the same knot of anxiety in her stomach. She had been in Aleyna’s position many times before, and she already guessed what was coming. Nervous, she couldn’t help but worry that their aunt would lose talk with another downpour of harsh words, blaming Aleyna for not being more responsible.

Aleyna could feel the weight of Mira’s gaze on her as she rushed to finish the task. She braced herself, mentally preparing for the sharp rebuke she was sure would follow. It wasn’t just the wet clothes that troubled her; it was the looming fear of her aunt’s anger, an anger that seemed to grow with every little mistake. Aleyna rushed back inside, her hands full of damp clothes. As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, her aunt turned around, her face already set in a scowl.

Aunt: "Aleyna! What were you thinking? How could you be so careless? Look at these clothes—they're soaked! Do you have any idea how much extra work this creates for me?"

Aleyna: trying to explain "I'm sorry, Aunty. I was just—"

Aunt: cutting her off "Sorry? Sorry, I’m not going to dry these clothes! You’re always lost in your own world, daydreaming when there’s work to be done. You’re not a child anymore, Aleyna. Start acting responsibly!"

Aleyna: voice trembling "I know, Aunty, but I just... I didn’t mean for this to happen. The rain came so suddenly—"

Aunt: raising her voice "Excuses! You always have an excuse for everything. When are you going to learn? Do you think life is just about dreaming and wasting time? It’s about responsibility, Aleyna! If you don’t start paying attention, you’ll never amount to anything!"

Aleyna: hurt but defensive "I do my best, Aunty! I’m always trying to help, but you only see the mistakes I make. You never notice when I do something right!"

Aunt: with a harsh laugh "Do something right? When have you ever done something without messing it up? You’re just like your mother—always with your head in the clouds, never focused on what’s important!"

Aleyna: eyes welling up with tears "Don’t talk about my mother like that! She was a good person, and she did her best! Just because I’m not perfect doesn’t mean I’m useless!"

Aunt: coldly "You think you’re smart, huh? Don’t talk back to me, Aleyna. You need to learn your place in this house. I’m the one who took you in, and you should be grateful instead of mouthing off."

Aleyna: voice breaking "I am grateful, but that doesn’t mean you can treat me like I’m nothing! I’m trying, Aunty, but you make it so hard…"

Aunt: sighing in frustration "You think life is hard now? Just wait until you’re out there on your own. If you can’t handle a few wet clothes, how will you survive in the real world?"

Aleyna: quietly, almost to herself "Maybe I’ll do better without you constantly reminding me of my failures..."

Aunt: snapping "What did you say?"

Aleyna: more determined "Nothing, Aunty. I’ll hang the clothes to dry now."

Aunt: grumbling "You’d better. And next time, pay attention. I won’t be so lenient again."

Aleyna walks away, her heart heavy but her resolve strengthened. She knew she couldn’t change her aunt, but she wouldn’t let herself be broken by her words either.

Aleyna’s hands moved automatically as she hung the wet clothes to dry, but her mind was far away, drifting back to the argument with her aunt. The harsh words echoed in her ears, especially the cruel mention of her mother. A deep ache settled in her chest, one that she had felt many times before, but it never got easier.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of her parents. The pain of losing them was still fresh as if it had happened just yesterday. She missed their warmth, love, and how they made her feel safe and valued. Her mother’s gentle touch, her father’s reassuring voice—everything felt so distant, like a dream she could never return to. “Why did you have to go so early?” Aleyna whispered to herself, the words barely audible as she tried to keep her sobs silent. “If you were still here, things would be so different. I wouldn’t feel so lost… so alone.”

She wiped away a tear that had escaped, but more quickly followed. The weight of her grief was heavy, pressing down on her as she thought of all the things she had lost when her parents passed away. Her aunt’s cruel words about her mother stung deeply. Aleyna knew her mother had done her best, just as she was trying to do now, but without her parents, everything seemed so much harder, so much lonelier. “If only you were still alive…” Aleyna’s thoughts trailed off as she felt the crushing reality of her situation. There was no going back to the life she once knew, no escaping the harshness of her aunt’s words, no comforting embrace from her parents. 

All she had were memories and the bitter truth that she had to face the world without them. She paused, the clothes half-hung, and let herself cry. For her parents, for the life she had lost, for the love she missed so much.

to be continued in Chapter 2...