“But you know why?” she cried “And I didn’t kill anyone. What about me and what I went through?”
“How does that matter? You nipped a life in the bud. That’s a sin!”
“And what about my sanity?” Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing and that too from her best friend. Elice was the only one, her one shoulder to cry. But it looked like she no longer had one.
“You know I can’t be seen with you anymore. You are nothing but a murderer who took an innocent life” said Elice as she walked away.
For the first time in years after her parents died Olivia felt alone.
But it was not only the cold shoulder from Elice that made Olivia feel ostracized.
As she walked home she could hear the townspeople whispering “Look this is the girl who had an abortion! How can she even live with herself?”
But wiping her tears she kept walking, head held high.
She knew she wasn’t a murderer. She knew she wasn’t wrong.
She was raped and brutally beaten up. And so she didn’t need a constant reminder of that ordeal in the form of a baby. No, she couldn’t have her rapist’s baby.
‘I’m not wrong Elice one day you’ll see it that way, one day everyone will see it that way’ thinking Olivia walked away towards her house.
O is for feeling Ostracized….and that’s the tone of today’s tale…
Linking this to UBC too.
Oh this broke my heart. I am glad inspite of all this, the girl had the courage to walk with her head held high!
Omg! That is so painful. Very well written Nabanita.
Painful …but still dabbed in hope… I liked that…
how do you weave pain and hope with the same thread Nab? good read!
that's what strong women are made of – faith in themselves
Saddening but a good decision!
Oh dear. Tragic, but such a personal decision. It's hard for anyone to judge except the person going through it.
A woman's real ordeal starts after she's been raped. Wondering if it will ever change.
Glad she stood by her decision. This is such a personal choice and so painful either way. No one really has the right to comment at all.
Beautiful written Nabanita.
We are constantly judged…again and again…and have to prove and live up to others rather than self.
What a horrible thing to say to anybody who has gone through such an ordeal! Yet, there are such people in this world! 🙁
Unthinkable that she should have the baby and yet there are people who would blame her. Even if she had the baby they would have pointed fingers and said..there is the rape baby.
A best friend giving a cold shoulder during such phase is unbearable- I hope she remains strong
If even women won't understand this ordeal, who else will? Irony of life.
I really am glad she didnt waver.. she had chosen the best path for her with which she could live abd standing firm was the first step in that direction!
http://swathishenoy.blogspot.in/2014/04/o-for-optimism.html?m=1
a-z participant
Quite a painful decision – either way. And really nobody from the outside can ever understand the pain of having been in such a horrible situation. Nicely written, Nabanita.
Beauty Interprets, Expresses, Manifests the Eternal
Heartbreaking story dear Naba. Hugs to Olivia.
I agree with her thought behind the decision.
Aww. That's sad yet strong. Powerful yet subtle. Great post.
http://jiljilramamani.blogspot.com
This is what happens in real life too because the victim if often victimized more by the society. And if she had given birth to the baby then the society wouldn't think twice before labeling the baby as a Bastard. Sometimes I don't know who is more dangerous, the abuser or the society?
Hats off to her decision…. Where was the society when she was raped ? why could no one save her from her miserable plight ? She decided to save herself and move on; she deserves a better life !
Ouch…….but Outstanding decision as well
PhenoMenon
http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/04/oats-interesting-ways-to-eat/
this is beautiful and I feel very strongly about the subject. People should begin to respect choices. And an abortion is 100% a person's choice. I fail to see why it is a call for judgement!. Very well written.
The 2 AM Writer
It must have been extremely difficult.Yet ,Olivia is right in her own way !
People are so judgmental of each other's choices.. Great write up as always ..
it was touching! how can anyone even expect her to keep the baby!
Nobody has any right to comment on this woman's decision. It is sad that her best friend did not give her the unconditional support that any friend should have given in this situation.
I am so happy that she had the guts to do what was best for her. Society can talk.
So very sad. She had remarkable courage to do what needed to be done. I don't blame her for not wanting a rapist's baby.
New word learnt Naba… The story was touching too!!! Bcos of your story, I will never forget the word!
~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
Well handled the topic..
That was courageous….
How can she carry the memories of such a deplorable thing…
Wonderful post Nita..
Gosh! She did what any woman would have done! Society and its hypocritical ways!
Such a sad story – you did a nice job showing the many different conflicts going on here.
Omg – awful. very touching story . How can anyone judge her.. Think she did what most women would have wanted to do…
Not much of a friend is Elice. And what would society know of Olivia's personal anguish. As they say smile and the world smiles with you, weep and you weep alone – poor Olivia but glad she could walk with her head held high.
Naba, this is so touching.My eyes were moist after reading this.
Oh yes, people judge cruelly and unfairly.
I am glad she held her head high in spite of lack of support. Nicely woven.
She did the right thing, she had to live with the painful memories already why should she have a physical reminder of the attack and trauma for life?
I think she had the right to choose for herself! Glad she stayed put with her decision. Great powerful write!
Ohh poor girl. I totally agree with her choice and her way of thinking. She is very much capable of making a decision for herself and the fetus.
What a sad state of affairs! 🙁 The poor girl certainly has enough to deal with. Hopefully, she can lift her head high and slough off the negativity that surrounds her. She made the right decision.
What a tough situation! I can't say I blame her for going through with it. Society and its lofty views, pah!