For fifteen years, I thought my body was cursed. I was always tired, weak, and in pain. Doctors did many tests on me, checking my thyroid, blood pressure, and hormones.
Every time, they told me, “You’re fine.” But I didn’t feel fine. I could barely stand for long. I fainted at work more than once. People whispered that I was faking or crazy.
My family was not helpful. My mother said I was lazy. My siblings laughed at me behind my back. My father didn’t want to talk about it. I began to believe that maybe something was really wrong with me. I accepted my situation as my fate.
Then one day, everything changed because of a conversation I wasn’t meant to hear. Our new neighbour, Mama Salma, moved in next door. She was in her sixties, always cheerful, and loved to tell stories.
One afternoon, while I was walking home from the clinic (again), she called me over…. Continue reading
