Topic:Struggles faced by a passionate Netball player
“Cokrakookoo!”yelled the rooster. I snapped out of my dreams and rolled the mat, which I slept on,as all my siblings were already awake. Enjoying the cool breeze which kissed my cheeks,I joined the surprisingly short queue to the public washroom which was a few metres away from my old attap house .There I was greeted by two of my classmates, Leah and Rachel who were also thirteen years old,with a wide smile plastered across their faces, meaning they were allowed to go to school that day.I was glad for them but on the other hand, the green-eyed Monster in me woke and my face turned sullen and gloomy. Twisting, the words which were about to rush out of my sealed lips, into a smile, I trudged back home after I freshened myself.
Most of my hope flew away. I knew my heartless parents would never allow me to go to school. I knew the Netball nationals was coming up but I was not allowed to participate as my parents only felt that I should learn household chores!However,I asked my parents,if I could go to school.
Before I could even mention about having to go for Netball competitions, my father forced the two-letter-word out of his mouth and his eyebrows creased.As soon as the word bounced off my eardrums for the hundredth time, anger and hatred started to burst in me.
The scene of all five of my younger sisters and two of my elder brothers grabbing their mini school bags and leaving for school earlier on that day started to replay in my heart.Anger and disappointment started to pierce through my heart.
At that time, the clock appeared before my eyes. Three in the afternoon. Start of Netball training.
Those days were just so blissful.The passion used to flow in me, wishing for every Netball training to arrive quickly.
Upon that being recalled, disappointment and guilt gripped me tightly.I just had lost the trust in my coach.I yearned to continue training netball
Anger started to build in me.The anger in me was just so tall that it could even reach the sky. I couldn't just let it collapse into the deepest part of my heart. I had to fight for freedom myself.
“Why do you only follow the society?Why can't you care for me despite my gender and age?Mum, I cannot be like you and hide all my dreams for others.”
“We gave you a lot of freedom and is this how you show your gratefulness?We want to protect you and we know what is right.Do not talk about this anymore!”
I threw myself to the ground giving up on myself.It was time for Netball practice and also the nationals was around the corner. But I knew I couldn't participate in it.
“Dam.Dom.” My eyes widened as no one visited our house in the afternoons.Upon seeing that person, my face instantly bloomed into a bright sunflower. I stared at the person with my mouth a little drawn back.Then, I realised I had a pillar of support and my hope started to build in me. Also, I felt very proud that my coach who represented the town in netball ,had come to visit my house.
I was speechless when she explained her life story of how she struggled to manage to pursue her dreams. She also explained how her parents struggled to get a good name in the society but did not mind that as they were proud and satisfied that they made their child happy.Most importantly, coach told that I had a lot of potential and that I should go for practice to participate in the upcoming nationals.
Silence filled the air.Then my coach decided for my parents to give the topic a thought and left.
Hushed whispers filled the air. Knowing they wanted to talk privately, I walked off.The next few
hours stretched into a small eternity as curiosity bubbled in me. I was glad and felt that my parents looked convinced when my coach explained about my passion and potential. I was happy that my coach had conveyed that point which I had been struggling to convey earlier on that morning. My mother would have probably felt that at least I should pursue my dreams as she did not get the chance too.
At the end of that day, my mother embraced me and whispered,
“Pack your bag for tomorrow,Mabel. Good night. Sweet dreams.”
Upon hearing those few words,I just couldn't contain my excitement and felt like god had heard my call for help.I tried to put my happiness into a few words upon noticing my Mother about to leave.
“Thank you for understanding and giving me this chance.
I love you both”
-S.Ishvaryaa
“Cokrakookoo!”yelled the rooster. I snapped out of my dreams and rolled the mat, which I slept on,as all my siblings were already awake. Enjoying the cool breeze which kissed my cheeks,I joined the surprisingly short queue to the public washroom which was a few metres away from my old attap house .There I was greeted by two of my classmates, Leah and Rachel who were also thirteen years old,with a wide smile plastered across their faces, meaning they were allowed to go to school that day.I was glad for them but on the other hand, the green-eyed Monster in me woke and my face turned sullen and gloomy. Twisting, the words which were about to rush out of my sealed lips, into a smile, I trudged back home after I freshened myself.
Most of my hope flew away. I knew my heartless parents would never allow me to go to school. I knew the Netball nationals was coming up but I was not allowed to participate as my parents only felt that I should learn household chores!However,I asked my parents,if I could go to school.
Before I could even mention about having to go for Netball competitions, my father forced the two-letter-word out of his mouth and his eyebrows creased.As soon as the word bounced off my eardrums for the hundredth time, anger and hatred started to burst in me.
The scene of all five of my younger sisters and two of my elder brothers grabbing their mini school bags and leaving for school earlier on that day started to replay in my heart.Anger and disappointment started to pierce through my heart.
At that time, the clock appeared before my eyes. Three in the afternoon. Start of Netball training.
Those days were just so blissful.The passion used to flow in me, wishing for every Netball training to arrive quickly.
Upon that being recalled, disappointment and guilt gripped me tightly.I just had lost the trust in my coach.I yearned to continue training netball
Anger started to build in me.The anger in me was just so tall that it could even reach the sky. I couldn't just let it collapse into the deepest part of my heart. I had to fight for freedom myself.
“Why do you only follow the society?Why can't you care for me despite my gender and age?Mum, I cannot be like you and hide all my dreams for others.”
“We gave you a lot of freedom and is this how you show your gratefulness?We want to protect you and we know what is right.Do not talk about this anymore!”
I threw myself to the ground giving up on myself.It was time for Netball practice and also the nationals was around the corner. But I knew I couldn't participate in it.
“Dam.Dom.” My eyes widened as no one visited our house in the afternoons.Upon seeing that person, my face instantly bloomed into a bright sunflower. I stared at the person with my mouth a little drawn back.Then, I realised I had a pillar of support and my hope started to build in me. Also, I felt very proud that my coach who represented the town in netball ,had come to visit my house.
I was speechless when she explained her life story of how she struggled to manage to pursue her dreams. She also explained how her parents struggled to get a good name in the society but did not mind that as they were proud and satisfied that they made their child happy.Most importantly, coach told that I had a lot of potential and that I should go for practice to participate in the upcoming nationals.
Silence filled the air.Then my coach decided for my parents to give the topic a thought and left.
Hushed whispers filled the air. Knowing they wanted to talk privately, I walked off.The next few
hours stretched into a small eternity as curiosity bubbled in me. I was glad and felt that my parents looked convinced when my coach explained about my passion and potential. I was happy that my coach had conveyed that point which I had been struggling to convey earlier on that morning. My mother would have probably felt that at least I should pursue my dreams as she did not get the chance too.
At the end of that day, my mother embraced me and whispered,
“Pack your bag for tomorrow,Mabel. Good night. Sweet dreams.”
Upon hearing those few words,I just couldn't contain my excitement and felt like god had heard my call for help.I tried to put my happiness into a few words upon noticing my Mother about to leave.
“Thank you for understanding and giving me this chance.
I love you both”
-S.Ishvaryaa
