Anayra

Anayra could never understand why her mother despised her so much. 

Anything that Anayra did or enjoyed doing was subject to ridicule. She was being measured against parameters which were not hers. She had no desire to be the best cook or seamstress or pious person in the colony, or the most obedient daughter in the world. She enjoyed reading and writing, but perhaps her not-so-educated mother did not see value in it.

Anayra gave her the benefit of doubt. Her maternal grandmother had died when her mother was nine years old. Perhaps, she had no role model to understand the concept of a friendly and understanding mother.

On growing up, Anayra looked for answers in past life regression. Maybe there was an enmity carried over from a past both did not remember. The competitive or adversarial attitude continued. Her mother spared no opportunity to humiliate her, and say she was worthless, not the kind of daughter she had hoped for.

In the process, Anayra came across many more daughters who suffered the same fate. But they were young and made efforts to win their mother’s affection. Anayra wanted to tell them that the pursuit is of no use. The situation will not change, but she chose to stay quiet, in an effort to remain positive.

Then, came the eye-opener from a casual acquaintance. She said,

“Each person is on a different stage of the evolutionary ladder. You will have to give them time and space to learn their own Karmic lessons. You cannot force the evolutionary process to move fast.”

On her mother’s death, the only thing that came to her mind was

“May your soul rest in peace, and may we never cross paths again. I’ve learnt how to survive under the same roof with toxicity. I hope you are able to release some of that, and find a better life elsewhere.”

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Written for Story Swap #2 at MLMM