I was twelve when my family forced me to into marriage. I didn’t even know what it meant in the true sense. My husband was almost ten years older than me, patriarchal and orthodox. Where I come from, women are simply creatures that exist – ones without any rights, choices, dreams. I remember when my husband abused me physically – my neighbors often tried to stop him, but a single statement like, “ Meri lugaai hai, m chahe uske sath Kuch bhi karu” is enough to pull them back. I tolerated all the tortures imposed upon me for almost nine years, with no or very little help from even my parents. I didn’t go near my husband for many years, but eventually, I gave birth to a son.

Being a mother is strange – I never wanted to be one at twenty-two, but it was the most beautiful thing in my life when I did. My son gave me the courage and strength to fight, to stand strong. And finally, after thirteen years of marriage, I ran away from my husband’s home with just rupees 2000 with me. Just after a day, I reached my aunt’s home, Refresh happened. Now not only do I  have a source of livelihood but also a hope that someday I might have a job. On my first day at work, the previous batch was celebrated for being placed in a factory. I can’t wait to see the same happiness on my face a few months down the line.

– Nikhat