My thoughts on one of lives unfairness

I remember Ayesha whenever I achieve something.I remember her whenever I feel valuable to my employer.I remember her when I proudly answer that I work.Parents push you through school .Give you an incentive to get good grades and a great career.



Ayesha was 3 years older than me.Beautiful eyes, black straight hair .Slim and tall and doing great academically.It was her final year at Primary school.I admired her.Wished I could be like her.She would work hard at home to help her elderly mum and bad tempered grumpy father.He loved her as she took good care of them and she was the youngest.She was always so happy and full of life.



We would spend days talking about our future.We dreamed of having a career,buying a nice car,having lots of nice things to wear and being free to see the world.



Everyone seemed tense as I walked in one morning,chirpy as usual.Ayesha sat tearful folding some towels,hair in her face .Tears were streaming down her face.A family friend sat next to her dad.He said it again maybe for me to hear."She has had enough schooling ,brother.Enough to survive in this world.I am also going to make my daughter stay home from next year".



So proud was he.So sure he was that even we kept quiet.Out of respect for the  wisdom of this man or out of fear I can't say.



That is the last I remember of that day.I saw Ayesha often after then.We did her tasks together and talked heaps but it was about nothing.She was dull to me.Lifeless, no goals no hopes.I saw less and less of her.I may have been too young to console her as we never talked about what had happened.



Years later when I saw her my eyes filled with tears.I had achieved our dreams and she was as usual doing tasks for her new family.I couldn't see the old Ayesha I knew and admired.



I wish I had said something a long time ago to make that arrogant man change his mind.I wish I had protested to her parents.I wish she had what everyone  takes for granted.



I wish we had a choice to live our life.