I stood at the airport, watching them walk away, not knowing when or if I’d see them again. I waved until they became hazy silhouettes and finally disappeared. A deep roar thundered across the sky. I turned and walked toward the exit, silently praying for their safety. The sun peeked through the grey clouds, its golden light brightening the sky.
As I opened the gates to Shakti Nilayam, I felt a deep pang in my gut. My girls greeted me, but their smiles did little to alleviate the sharp ache inside me. The gates to the past opened, and a torrent of memories surged forward, shattering my resolve. My skin burned under the weight of tears.
“Shakti,” I gasped.
Her laughter echoed in my ears, a piercing grief sliding down my spine. My Shakti, with her calm eyes and radiant smile, had won hearts along the way. She entered wedlock, unaware that it would turn into a restraint. His promises turned into a menace, echoing in the silence.
“Amma, please take me away from here. He will kill me,” she cried.
“Marriage is all about compromise. It’s not easy to leave. Try to mend your relationship,” I said, afraid of what others would think.
Six months later, my daughter returned home, wrapped in a white cloth. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I wrapped her in a hug, her cold skin tearing my heart apart.
“Never again will a Shakti be left to suffer this fate,” I whispered.
Since then, I have made it my life’s purpose to rescue women. I transformed my barren home into “Shakti Nilayam.” With the help of like-minded friends, I started an online portal where tormented women could seek help. It wasn’t easy; we faced resistance from the women’s husbands and in-laws. Sometimes, even their own families posed challenges. But we stood tall through it all. Slowly, our work began to gain recognition within the community. Doctors, lawyers, and women from various professions volunteered, helping us expand our reach. Some generous and affluent individuals stepped forward with contributions.
Shakti Nilayam not only sheltered women but also became their sanctuary. It was their doorway to a new life. The women were equipped with essential life skills and empowered through learning and earning opportunities. The firms associated with us even provided overseas opportunities to some of our residents. Our home became a chrysalis where women transformed into their fullest selves, ready to spread their wings without fear of being silenced.
“When will Keerti and Ratna be back?” Neeraja’s voice brought me back to the present.
I didn’t know when or if they would return. A part of me didn’t want them to come back. They were born to fly. I hoped that the new land would become the wind beneath their wings, and they would find a home where their hearts could rest.
Maybe then I would finally be able to make peace with myself.
