She Had It All, page 1
She Had It All
Yalda Afshoon
Austin Macauley Publishers
She Had It All
Dedication
Copyright Information ©
Preface
Chapter 1: The Comeback
Chapter 2: The Great Reveal
Chapter 3: The Backstory
Chapter 4: The Next Day
Chapter 5: The Return to Farm Life
Chapter 6: The Mysterious Kate
Chapter 7: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Chapter 8: The Fresh Family Bondings
Chapter 9: The Family Tree
Chapter 10: Onward and Upward
Chapter 11: Unfolding of the Secrets
Chapter 12: Life’s New Chapter
Chapter 13: Warning of an Impending Doom
Chapter 14: Unexpected Turn of Events
Chapter 15: High Fall
Chapter16: The End
Chapter 17: The Beginning
Dedication
To my Angels and guiding lights, Anusheh and Aniseh.
Copyright Information ©
Yalda 2022
The right of Yalda to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Federal Law No. (7) of UAE, Year 2002, Concerning Copyrights and Neighbouring Rights.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to legal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The age group that matches the content of the books has been classified according to the age classification system issued by the National Media Council.
ISBN 9789948825531 (Paperback)
ISBN 9789948825524 (E-Book)
Application Number: MC-10-01-0799556
Age Classification: 17+
First Published 2022
AUSTIN MACAULEY PUBLISHERS FZE
Sharjah Publishing City
P.O Box [519201]
Sharjah, UAE
www.austinmacauley.ae
+971 655 95 202
Preface
I had just turned 13 today and my mom told me, “I need to take you to the market and get you women’s clothing which can present your body properly!” I wondered what it meant. We walked around the market, went from one shop to another, and tried so many ladies’ clothing with corsets that I could hardly breathe in. Finally, she decided to ask the tailor to take my measurements and customize a corset for me. I stood there while the tailor taped and measured my body up and down. A couple of minutes later, I was tired of staying in the tailoring shop, so I walked out of the shop while my mom was still busy.
I wandered into a bookstore nearby. I had never seen so many books together in one place before. While I picked up a book and started looking at the pages, I noticed a lady sitting at the corner of the book shop, signing books for people. I didn’t quite understand why people were so happy upon meeting her. I tried to take a closer look and the woman saw me creeping, she pointed at me to come to her. I felt shy and looked sideways to escape from the place, but she stood up, walked toward me, and asked me to join her for tea. I thought I had done something wrong by trying to sneak in on her, told her that my mom might be looking for me outside; however, she paid no attention to my fear and went on to introduce herself, additionally enquiring if I had ever read any of her books! Until that day, I didn’t even know women were allowed to write! I told her that I was not supposed to be there in a bookstore, she looked perplexed upon hearing that. I asked her why was she signing all those books and who were these people.
She laughed and replied, “These are the people who have read my books and enjoyed them. I got an invitation from the bookshop owner, to come and meet my fans and to sign a few copies of my new book for them.”
Out of nowhere, my mom came into the shop, saw me with the lady writer, and in a gentle yet stern voice exclaimed, “Please don’t spoil my daughter’s head because she has other important things to do in her life! She needs to prepare for marriage.”
I thought to myself, This is what they have trained me for, this is going to be my whole life. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to the writer. I left the shop as I followed my mom.
That night, I sat on my bed, wondering how does it feel to write. What to write? Is there something I can write about? Is there anything I can share with others? I could not sleep until morning as I kept thinking about the writer. The words that my mom said to her kept repeating in my head. I understood that the only purpose of my life was to get married, bring babies to the world, sit at home, and take care of my husband. I was disappointed but I had to accept this truth. However, I did not want to be bound to set roles, I did not want to adhere to the constraints I was supposed to live under. After that day, I made up my mind to start writing for myself. I always looked for a place to hide and write about anything that came to my mind. At the age of 15, I made up my mind that I would write my first full-fledged book.
This book is my first experience of writing. I hope you will enjoy reading it.
Chapter 1
The Comeback
It is almost the end of spring. The sun is just about to set on the farm, the birds are returning home, the flowers are going to sleep, and over the green expanse of land, you see a cottage, right next to the flowing river.
Kian:
Sarah! Sarah! Sarah, why are you not answering? I have been calling your name repeatedly.
Sarah:
I am sorry, I did not hear you properly. I was looking at the other side of the river and saw a pretty tree there. I remember there was a house or maybe a room next to the tree.
Kian:
You are correct. A few years ago, there was a room. We dismantled it as it was old and out of use.
Sarah:
The last time that I was at this farm was around ten years ago. Now that I am twenty and have been away for so long, I can hardly recognize the place!
Kian:
By the way, why did you and Aunt Nayomi never come back to the farm? Why did you two vanish into thin air? Nobody knows the reality.
Sarah:
After the news of my father’s passing reached us, Mother and I were lonely. Everyone in the family thought since I have lost my dad, we will be rendered less fortunate! People felt pity for us. Neither did I like that feeling nor my mom, so we decided to stay away from the whole community and start our new life. Although I am standing here, I am not comfortable at all. I want to go back. I want everything to come to a full stop immediately.
Kian:
I do not want to make any judgement about the decision which you made. Always remember my father – your beloved Uncle Peter – loved you more than any of us, and he always respected your mother. He used to get nostalgic and mention that you were one of the prettiest girls he had seen. He reminisced about your long, dark hair; your tan, and green eyes. He described you as the most beautiful, living barbie doll. At the same time, he felt responsible for you.
Sarah:
I know that, Kian. I missed Uncle P dearly too. Terribly sorry for my absence. Can we go somewhere else? I am interested to know what are the changes that have happened over these years here.
Kian:
No problem at all. Would you like to see the workshop? I would love to take you there.
Both started walking toward the workshop. There was a nice breeze outside and an old tree canopied over the workshop with all the branches and leaves. Sarah thought if one more year passed, the tree would grow more, and its branches would grow longer to hide the workshop forever! When they reached the workshop, Sarah had a childlike excitement. She could not believe her eyes! She was back at the place which she was always running away from.
She looked at Kian, and she found him staring at her.
Sarah:
Can I open the door?
Kian:
Let me give you the key, please.
Sarah opened the door of the workshop, got in, and Kian followed. She looked everywhere carefully, trying to remember what was there before, while comparing to what she was looking at right now. She could not believe the changes that had taken place in the workshop. It was a modern workshop now, but in the past, there used to be only one machine of clay craft that her dad and uncle used to work with.
She remembered Uncle Peter always asked her to tie her hair before entering this room to not get any clay in her hair. Right now, the workshop had around five clay-making machines and one big black sofa in the corner, and lastly, a dining table for four.
Sarah:
Everything has changed. (She stepped out) So strange that Kian went unnoticed walking behind her.
Sarah (murmuring):
Where to go?
Kian:
You were leading the way, so I did not stop you.
Sarah:
Oh yes, you are right, I was the one who was guiding you through.
This time, Sarah stood aside and asked him to lead the way. The fresh smell of clay reminded her of her childhood memories; back to when she eage
Sarah:
I remember this one time when Mom called me while I was hiding in the workshop without her permission, I got scared and started running. My hair was so long that it knocked down so many of your father’s clay statues. After that day, he always asked me to tie up my hair and then enter the workshop.
Kian:
My father loved you so much. Every summer, he waited for you to visit the farm. He returned disappointed. I wish he had the time to catch a glimpse of you. Is it true, what everyone is talking about? Please do not mind me asking.
(She was looking far away in the distance.)
Sarah (in a whisper):
I don’t know; sometimes, I think after all that happened here on the farm, my mother and I decided to go away from here. How could a sixteen-year-old boy fall in love with me? I was only ten. I truly think this was the primary reason my mother took me out of the place.
Kian:
Why do you think a boy cannot fall in love at sixteen? Do not forget that our fathers got married at the same age and started their own family.
Sarah:
A hundred years ago, it was probably acceptable. But for our generation, obviously no!
Kian:
I didn’t know people’s feelings should be based on their age or the era they are living in. Never mind.
Sarah:
I was only ten at that time! My whole world was running after butterflies and chasing cats on the farm. I did not have any idea about love.
Kian:
Have you ever seen him?
Sarah:
To be honest, I neither know his name nor how he looked. Until last year, I was absolutely unaware of why we do not visit the farm anymore, why we have completely discontinued our relationship with your family. I honestly thought we moved out of the farm because my Aunt Princy needed assistance in taking care of her sick husband. Even right now, if Mom were alive, I would not be allowed to step into the farm.
Kian:
Please don’t mind, but they always spoke of Aunt Nayomi as a stone- hearted woman.
Sarah:
My mother was hard-working and caring. After my father passed away, she became more sensitive to issues related to me.
On the other side of the workshop, people were waiting. Kian started walking and Sarah followed. Kian’s two brothers, a sister, and a sister-in- law were there, waiting for Sarah to join them.
Kian’s Sister (excitedly asking Sarah):
Would you like to sit with us by the river and have barbequed potatoes?
Sarah looked at Kian’s keen face.
Sarah:
Sure, why not!
She followed everyone but saw Kian sprint to the cottage.
Kian (shouting back):
I will join you shortly.
Everyone had gathered around the fire. Petros, next in number to Kian, asked his wife Mary to join him, then gave his jacket to keep her warm. Paul, youngest of them all, asked their sister Pearl, who was the third-born in the family, to join him.
Pearl (loudly):
You feel shy to ask Sarah to accompany you, that’s why you are pulling me?
Sarah felt her cheeks turn red, but she couldn’t react. She wished she could leave or at least Kian would return to stop them from teasing her.
Everyone was gazing at the firewood when they heard a sound.
Petros:
Finally, I can see Kian walking down. I hope he got the salt, otherwise, potatoes without salt won’t be tasty at all.
Sarah stood up and started walking away. Upon Mary asking where she was going, she replied that she was going to fetch the salt. It was quite dark in that area, and the weather was getting cold. The sky was clear, and the stars were doing their job of sparkling. Sarah was following the light from the cottage, like a lost boat following the beams of a lighthouse, when she heard Kian’s voice.
Kian:
Be careful, there is a big hole next to that tree! Where are you rushing to?
Her reply was off. Kian knew something was wrong.
Kian:
There are other people in the house who can do these chores. You are our guest, please refrain from doing all this.
He paused and studied her expressions in the dark.
Kian:
Sarah, tell me what were you running from? Did someone say something that bothered you?
Sarah:
No, nothing like that. I am just not in the mood for fun. I would love to go somewhere with no people around.
Sarah started walking toward the cottage, and Kian followed her.
Kian:
My apologies! After so many years, you have returned to us. Sorry if we let you feel uncomfortable. I do not know what has happened, but I will make sure it won’t happen again.
Sarah:
Please do not apologize. No one has said anything to me and I am not upset with anyone. It is me who is not normal and cannot sit and have a proper conversation. It is because my childhood was different than yours. It will always be difficult to accept that a 16-year-old boy fell in love with me! It is more painful to accept the happenings of that night, when our parents were arguing. Uncle said, “If you leave this farm, you will never be allowed to come back.” I always wondered about what my mother has done wrong for such an argument to have ensued. The next day when we were leaving, Uncle hugged me tight and said, “Do not forget that we all love you,” and I kept thinking what kind of love deserves an end like this? On our way to the city, my mother sternly said, “Your new life begins now. Forget all these people, this place, and start a new chapter.” I did exactly what my mother expected of me.
Forgot all the ten years that I had spent living on this farm and went on to write a new story of my life. Now look at me, I am back again to the farm amongst all of you. The games the universe plays!
Kian opened the cottage, got in, and directly went to pick up the salt.
He grabbed it and walked back toward Sarah.
Kian:
Would you like to have a cup of tea with me, or you want to join the others?
She wanted to stay and have tea with him in peace.
Sarah (instead):
Oh, it is better to leave, they are waiting for us.
Kian (while walking back):
After talking with you, I have come to know that no one has told you anything about what has happened.
Sarah:
What do you mean?
Kian:
I meant the story of Patrick.
Sarah:
Patrick, who is Patrick?
Kian:
Patrick was the boy who lived inside the workshop and made you different types of toys with clay.
Sarah (suddenly recollected):
Oh, now I remember! The chubby boy with sparkling eyes, curly hair, and fair skin? I remembered how much he liked to take care of me, he was very kind and understanding and quite different from all of you. We used to play by the river and he always used to win games against Paul, especially stone skipping on the river to see how far the stone would bounce on the water. Oh, those were some good old days! I am surprised at how I could forget his name! What is he doing now? Is he married? I am sure he has kids!
That very moment, Kian answered with an abrupt “No.” They had reached where everyone was sitting.
Chapter 2
The Great Reveal
Sarah is about to be hit by a guilt-rock. The biggest event of her life that changed everything for her family is going to shake her ground.
Pearl saw them coming and looked at the fire.
Pearl:
Look at that! Our potatoes are burned, they won’t taste good anymore!
Kian just put his hand on Paul’s shoulder and whispered into his ears.
Kian:
Brother, all this time we were wrong.
Paul:
What do you mean?
Kian looked at everyone and whispered without Sarah hearing.
Kian:
All our plans must be stalled at once! Everyone heard what I said?
