“Mother, light up the fire when I die because I would hate it if my lips turned blue. Don’t fear loneliness, mother, for you have many children who might sympathize with you after my departure.”
This was the letter penned by Maryam, a young woman divorced at 18, to her mother as she considered putting an end to her life if she is to be forced into marrying a married man with children.
Maryam’s husband-to-be was chosen by her uncle who brought the unknown man from a distant village. Upon introducing him to her, he said: “I know that he’ll be a good husband, Maryam. And who knows, you may even find happiness with him.”
Maryam mentioned that her terribly ill mother wanted her to get married with this man since she has a viable chance for a happy life with him. The future husband also claims that he had abandoned his first wife but couldn’t officially divorce her because she is the mother of his children. And at any rate, his first wife will not inflict any agony upon Maryam.
English
Maryam and her Golden Bracelets
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