THE SILENCE BETWEEN US

The clock on the wall blinked 9:46 PM, but in the house, the night was far from quiet. Baba’s voice thundered from the living room. “First position?! What will she do with it? Frame it? Feed the house with it ? I told you not to let these girls study too much. Next, they’ll talk back. Then what?” Maryam sat on the stairs, knees pulled to her chest, her heart pounding with a rhythm too familiar. The words weren’t new — just louder tonight. Because this time, it was about Farah, the eldest. She had just brought home her result: 1st position in college. Their mother’s voice came next — tired but firm. “She got first, so now it’s a problem too?” “You’re angry because she succeeded?” “I’m angry,” Baba shouted, “because I know what will come next! You will want the same for Tayyba and then this one—” He pointed toward the stairs where Maryam sat — “Another one, wasting time, dreaming big, like we have money growing on the trees!” Maryam froze. A lump rose in her throat. Not because of the shout — she was used to that. But because deep inside, she did dream. Quiet dreams. Hidden ones. Ones even her mother didn’t know. Downstairs, their mother tried to defend. “They’re girls, not burdens. Let them study. What are we saving by crushing them?” But Baba didn’t listen. He stormed out of the room, muttering curses under his breath, lighting another cigarette like it could burn his frustration away. That night, the house didn’t sleep. It just pretended to. Maryam side by side with her sisters, Farah on one side, Tayyba on the other. No one spoke. But when the lights were off and the ceiling fan hummed overhead, Farah whispered: “Sorry” Maryam turned slightly. “For what?” “For doing well. For making him shout.” “Don’t be sorry,” Maryam whispered back, eyes stinging. “Be proud. One of us has to be.” In the dark, they held hands — silently promising each other that one day, they would break free. Even if it meant walking through fire. Even if it meant walking alone.