Transitioning

By Sidak Singh Narang

I graduated High School as Valedictorian.I had my extracurriculars in order, I was in the right path to get into an Ivy League and get a high paying job.

I was doing everything by the book..and I liked it.

I come from an extremely religious and traditional family.My parents are both doctors.And since the day I was born I was told to follow what they said; Bachelors at 22, Masters at 24, Job at 25, Married at 26 and kids at 30.Ironically the thing I was supposed to do last, I did first.

I got pregnant at 18.

I found out that I was pregnant the same I day that the Ivy League application results were out; I didn’t even bother checking them.

I told my parents I needed to talk to them, they were probably expecting me to announce that I got into Stanford.Alas,their expectations could not have been more wrong.

I got kicked out of my home.My parents were very Christian, and a baby out of wedlock was not something they would support.Since I had no place to live, I went to live with the guy who did this to me, Nic.

Nic had dark long hair,eyes as deep as the ocean and a trimmed stubble.He worked as a bartender.

I was very surprised with his reaction to the news.He let me live with him in his trailer and was very supportive throughout.

When Addy was born,it made me feel like my work decision was my best decision.Getting kicked out of my home, countless throw ups, living with someone who was practically stranger; all seemed worth it.The minute she wrapped her soft left hand around my pinky finger, I knew I loved this little girl more than anything in the world.

2 years had passed and my new life was turning into a good life.I was enjoying life as a mother.Love is such a strong word yet I feel it isn’t strong enough to describe my adoration for Addy.I had a good relationship with Nic too.

That was until life hit me like a freight train..again.

I was putting Addy to bed when suddenly I heard a loud noise.Clang!

I gently placed Addy in her cot and slowly walked to living room where to sound originally came from.I was concerned.

The banging intensified as I was getting closer.I looked and it was Nic, who was breaking all the furniture with his bat.I was terrified.He looked towards me, his eyes were raging red.He was drunk.I was shivering with fear.He started to walk towards me, he grabbed my neck and started to choke me.I was struggling to breath and tried to break free.And that’s when I noticed,Addy was watching him abuse me.The fear turned into pure hatred and anger.I broke free and pushed him away.I took Addy and drove away from the trailer,far far away.

Since then Nic has apologised multiple times, but I never want my daughter to witness that again.I have been diagnosed with PTSD(Post traumatic stress disorder)

I have been taking therapy from the in house therapist in the Domestic Violence Shelter.Luckily,Addy has found friends of her age in the shelter.

Life is not the best currently, but we are healing.

The end

By Sidak Singh Narang