1. twins

narrator Alice waddled across her room. Non-stop housework has completely exhausted her, in addition to the extra weight that she was carrying. She cradled her tummy and let out a huge sigh. She had not gotten even a moment for herself. How was she going to manage all the work after she gives birth? She was now counting the last days of her first pregnancy. She sat down on her bed and once again, sighed in exhaustion. When she was married off to her now-husband, she was told that her husband would be her everything. She will have to obey him, make him happy and try to please him in every possible way. In another word, she will have to live for him. This was the norm of the society she was living in. No one has gathered the courage to stand up against it yet. In her village, girls were wed off as soon as they as the father saw that it was suitable for her. Is this the life of a woman? Is this how it has to be? Was it a crime to be born as a female? Why was it that a girl has to stop her dreams of getting a good education and live the life of a slave? From sunrise till sunset, she will have to keep the house clean. If she fails, she will have to face harsh beatings from her husband, Jack. The nights were not any better. Jack won’t let her rest until he is fully satisfied. Her pregnancy didn’t make much difference, except that he didn’t beat her that much. But one more thing bothered her. What would happen if she gives birth to a girl? “Alice!” She was startled by her husband’s loud voice. “What are you doing here? Come and give a foot massage. I deserve it. After all, I work hard so that you won’t go hungry.” He demanded. Alice grunted and she stood up and made her way towards him, who was sitting comfortably on the other side of the bed. How she wished that someone would give her a massage. It sure would relieve her aching feet and back. But she dare not express herself. She was not ready for another round of harsh words spat down at her. She sighed and tried her best to hold back her grunts and groans because of her aches and the constant pain. She was barely eighteen when she was wed off into this loveless marriage. “I sure hope you give birth to a boy. I want a son. And not a daughter.” Jack murmured. Alice gulped down her saliva. She didn’t want to imagine what she would have to go through if she was to give birth to a girl. Jack always wants to have his way with everything. If anything goes against his wishes, he would vent it out on her. She was like his personal punching bag. She certainly was not ready for his cruel slaps and beatings, which would leave black and blue bruises all over her body. Her pregnancy had made him stop the beatings but it never stopped him from making rude remarks and comments at her. No one would come for her rescue. No one would even care to check on her. Who would? Even her own family doesn’t care that much. It is the life of a woman. Her mother would say. We must bear with it. But why? What is their fault? Those were the unanswered questions Alice would dare not ask. She must never say a word against the societies norms if she wants to stay alive. “If you cannot give birth to a boy, I warn you, I swear I will divorce you and kick you out of this house with it.” He threatened. Alice felt her heart skip a beat. She gulped hard as she felt an unexplainable uneasiness in her chest. It? Is that the status of his little daughter? Was he even denying to give her the honour of being a human? She tried to keep her breathing steady as she felt her baby kick her uterus. Jack looked at his wife, no empathy or kindness can be seen on his face. “I mean it.” He whispered. “I want to sleep. Now go and get some rest. I expect you to prepare breakfast before I go to work.” He said and went to sleep. Alice gulped down the lump that had formed in her throat. She let the tears that were fighting to hold back all that time, roll down her cheeks. Her life was nothing more than that of a servant. She was not allowed to do anything for her pleasure. She was forced to stay at home all the time. She can only meet her family if he allows her to. She has not met with any of her childhood friends, all she had heard was, all the girls were married off and were now living in their forever homes. Was this the fate of a girl? What is her fault that she is born as a female? She touched her swollen belly as she felt her baby kick. Silent tears continued to stream down her cheeks. If this was the fate of a girl, she also wished that she never gives birth to a daughter. Two weeks passed as Alice waited anxiously, silently praying for a boy. She knew, if her husband kicks her and her child out of the house, no one will help her. Not even her father. She will have to raise her on the streets. And if someone sympathises with them, perhaps they will find a place to stay or some food to eat. She was cleaning the floor when she started to feel the contractions. At first, she didn’t know what it was. There was this excruciating pain that started from her hips and it moved towards her legs. It came and then went. So she carried on with her chores. But then it came again. This time it was more intense. Once again it relaxed only to for the pain to return, each time the pain seems to increase. Alice realised that it was time for her child to come to this world. She gasped for breath and made her way towards the landline in the house. She dialled her husband’s workplace. “H..Hello?” she gasped. The contractions were becoming more and more intense. “How can I help you?” the person who received asked professionally. “I. I would like to speak with Jack.” She said. There was a pause on the other end before Jack answered the phone. “Hello?” he said. “Ja...Jack!” she gasped. Jack’s eyebrows knitted in irritation as he realised his wife had called his workplace. “This better be good.” He muttered. “I... I think it’s time... I feel the contractions.” She managed to say through her gasps of breath. His annoyed expression instantly changed to excitement. “Hold on! I am on my way.” He said in urgency and quickly made his way home after excusing himself. Alice was rushed to the only health clinic in the village. Jack paced outside the labour room anxiously. All he wanted was for it to be a boy. After 6 long hours, finally, he was called. “Congratulations.” He was told. “she gave birth to twins.” His excitement skyrocketed. Twins! “Wait. They are boys right?” he asked. The nurse sighed. She was fully aware of society’s unfair treatment of girls. “I think you should see for yourself.” She answered and lead him inside where Alice was resting. She was holding two babies in both arms, a smile spread across her face. She had never been so happy after she was wed away. Her heart leapt in joy as she held her babies close to her chest. Jack approached the three of them. He looked at his family and he couldn’t stop the smile that formed on his face. The innocent's faces of the babies were enough to melt his stone heart. “This one is a boy.” Said the nurse as she pointed at one. Jack’s smile turned into a grin. A boy! “And this one is a girl.” The nurse added. Jack’s smile faltered a little. A frown made its way to his face. He didn’t want a girl. Now what? Alice’s heart started to race as she watched her husband’s demeanour. What was he going to do? She most certainly was not going to leave any of her children alone. Jack’s eyes moved from one child to another. The nurse studied his face. She knew what might become. She cleared her throat. “This girl is one lucky girl. She had shared her mother’s womb with her brother.” She said and walked away leaving the couple alone, silently hoping that it would bring a positive outcome. Alice sighed and looked at Jack as if she was begging to show some mercy to their daughter. He smirked. “She is lucky indeed. I won’t kick you out. After all, you have given me a son as well. But you better teach her to behave.” He said and left the cubicle. Alice let out a breath, she didn’t know that she was holding. That was such a huge relief. They were not going to end up on the streets. Soon she was wheeled to a private room where all the family members were waiting for her. Everyone was happy about the new addition to the family. Everyone was filled with awe. Having twins was not a common thing. Alice’s mother kept repeating how lucky the girl was. Alice smiled. Perhaps, her prayers were answered. She looked at her sleeping children who were swaddled in a blanket right beside her. They were sleeping peacefully. She knew there would be a lot of hurdles in their lives. But one thing was certain. She would try her utmost best to give her children a better life than she had. Especially to her little daughter. “Have you named them?” his father in law asked Jack. “Oh yes. He is named Levi.” He replied. His father nodded, showing that he was pleased with it. “What about the girl?” he asked. “Ah... I haven’t thought about it yet... Alice, do you know any girl’s names?” he asked taking Alice by surprise. She was never asked anything by him. She never had a say in anything after their marriage. It was always him. She opened her mouth and stuttered as she tried to find her voice. She was not going to lose this chance. “How about Adira?” she asked in a croaked voice. Jack shrugged. “Whatever.” He said. She smiled. She didn’t care. She lovingly caressed her Adira. She will love her and her little Levi. If their father chooses to ignore their daughter, she will love her a little more. She will make sure Adira has the life she couldn’t. “What does it mean?” her mother asked her silently. Alice smiled. “Strong.” She answered, her eyes fixed on the sleeping bundles of joy. She didn’t care what others think. Her Adira will be strong. And hopefully, Levi too will make a difference.