Stream of Consciousness

Unwritten on Their Graves. Content Warning.
In a cramped California apartment, eighteen-year-old Leo lived with his mother and two younger siblings, twelve year old Jasmine and eight year old Marcus. Their mother, a woman of quiet grit, had been left to raise them alone, scraping by on the meager wages of a diner job.Life had dealt her a harsh hand, and the family’s fragile balance was further shattered by Marcus’s battle with anemia. The medical bills drained what little they had, while the constant worry gnawed at them all. Leo watched his mother fight each day with unyielding determination, and though his heart burned to ease her burden, he was just a high school senior, too young, too powerless, yet aching to do more. To ease his mother’s burden, Leo had taken a part-time job at a local diner, slipping into an apron right after school while his classmates rushed off to sports or friends. Whether it was scrubbing greasy grills, bussing tables, or running orders, he did it all without complaint.The pay was barely enough to make a dent in their mounting expenses, yet Leo clung to it with quiet determination. Every shift was not only a reminder of his struggle, but also of his dream, a dream to rise above these barriers, and build a better life not just for himself, but for the people he loved most. One evening, as his mother returned from another long shift, Leo pulled her aside. His SAT results had arrived, good enough for college. Her tired face lit up with pride as she embraced him, certain her sacrifices were paying off. But Leo’s voice wavered as he confessed the catch: his scores weren’t high enough for a full scholarship, and he refused to drag the family deeper into debt. She pressed his shoulders, assuring him they would find a way and that he should focus on his future. Still, even as she smiled, Leo couldn’t ignore the worry lingering in her weary eyes. As graduation crept closer, Leo’s excitement was overshadowed by a growing weight of anxiety. The future loomed uncertain, with college slipping further from reach.
By Munawar Sheikh5 months ago in Fiction
A successful woman
Chapter 1 ‘And, the best businessman award goes to..’ everybody was awaiting to hear the result. The hall became silent for the announcement. Everybody dropped their champagne glasses on the table and turned towards the stage. Tim Cook, the most successful entrepreneur was opening the seal of the cover to read out the name. Even the president of the country was eager to know the winner. That’s because, this is the most prestigious award in the business and entrepreneurship world. Though there are millions of people doing business and running successful companies at a competitive level, this accolade is given to only one person in a year, who is selected by the federal government from the whole world. The survey and nomination for this run round the year, and the leading entrepreneurs choose the best one from this pile of the most successful people. The microphone was handed over to Tim Cook after he opened the envelope. He chuckled after seeing the name. He said in the mic ‘This is not a man, this is a woman, whose company is the best one, running successfully till now. She has captured the whole of the medical and healthcare sector round and world and she is now sitting like a queen in the throne.’ All the faces became more curious to hear the awardee. He continued ‘I am personally following her company for the past two years. It is flourishing in an exponential rate, conquering the medical field.’ And after saying this, he held the card firmly in his hands and uttered the main part of the speech.’And this prestigious award goes to, CLARIE.’ The whole audience just rose up from their chairs while clapping their hands, and there she came, from the most last seats of the auditorium. Her hair just brushed in professionally, with a simple clip, wearing a brick red blazer and pants, and a white shirt, perfectly fitted brown lenses in her eyes, with her perfectly trimmed eyebrows. Her shoe sounds echoed along with the applauses she was getting. She was just waving her hands to everyone, while walking to the stage. The clapping sound intensified more when she got over the stage to get the award. ‘Congradulations!’ said Tim Cook as he handed over the award to Ms. Clarie. ‘Thank you.’ She whispered gently onto his ears, amongst the loud sound of clapping. The anchor said ‘ Ms. Clarie Benneth, can you share a few words about how this award is important to you.’ The clapping sound slowly faded and everyone started to take their seats as she was walking towards the podium. The anchor moved as she adjusted the microphone to give the speech. ‘This is my lifetime achievent’ started Clarie. ‘When I was doing my undergraduation, it was my dream to start a company which will discover drugs at affordable rates, to help the people who are suffering to get quality healthcare at low costs. And here I am, after completing two masters after my Undergraduation, and after breaking my head to figure out the best way to achieve this. It is really a Herculean task for a woman to run a company independently, in this male- dominated field, but special gratitude goes to my mentors and partners, who always lent me a hand when I was sinking in my career. I dedicate this award to every woman who is striving to get a recognition in her field and remember, you got this.’ Loud clapping filled the hall as she beautifully carried her award down the stage, with the prettiest smile in her face.
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whatever will be, will be.
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