She Had It All

Yalda Afshoon

Description

The book takes you on a small but dramatic journey in the young life of Sarah. Her trials and tribulations are made our own and we see her sail through them whilst being silent spectators. This story has been inspired by true events. This book will make you feel sorry, guilty, sad, angry, and happy in a short span and live vicariously through the characters of this book.

Sujets

• Graphic Novels
• Graphic novel

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley
• Date de parution: 29 avril 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9789948825524
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

S he H ad I t A ll
Yalda Afshoon
Austin Macauley Publishers
2022-04-29
She Had It All Dedication Copyright Information © Preface Chapter 1: The Comeback Chapter 2: The Great Reveal Chapter 3: The Backstory Chapter 4: The Next Day Chapter 5: The Return to Farm Life Chapter 6: The Mysterious Kate Chapter 7: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back Chapter 8: The Fresh Family Bondings Chapter 9: The Family Tree Chapter 10: Onward and Upward Chapter 11: Unfolding of the Secrets Chapter 12: Life’s New Chapter Chapter 13: Warning of an Impending Doom Chapter 14: Unexpected Turn of Events Chapter 15: High Fall Chapter16: The End Chapter 17: The Beginning
Dedication
To my Angels and guiding lights, Anusheh and Aniseh.
Copyright Information ©
Yalda 2022
The right of Yalda to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Federal Law No. (7) of UAE, Year 2002, Concerning Copyrights and Neighbouring Rights.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to legal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The age group that matches the content of the books has been classified according to the age classification system issued by the National Media Council.
ISBN 9789948825531 (Paperback)
ISBN 9789948825524 (E-Book)
Application Number: MC-10-01-0799556
Age Classification: 17+
First Published 2022
AUSTIN MACAULEY PUBLISHERS FZE
Sharjah Publishing City
P.O Box [519201]
Sharjah, UAE
www.austinmacauley.ae
[phone]
Preface
I had just turned 13 today and my mom told me, “I need to take you to the market and get you women’s clothing which can present your body properly!” I wondered what it meant. We walked around the market, went from one shop to another, and tried so many ladies’ clothing with corsets that I could hardly breathe in. Finally, she decided to ask the tailor to take my measurements and customize a corset for me. I stood there while the tailor taped and measured my body up and down. A couple of minutes later, I was tired of staying in the tailoring shop, so I walked out of the shop while my mom was still busy.
I wandered into a bookstore nearby. I had never seen so many books together in one place before. While I picked up a book and started looking at the pages, I noticed a lady sitting at the corner of the book shop, signing books for people. I didn’t quite understand why people were so happy upon meeting her. I tried to take a closer look and the woman saw me creeping, she pointed at me to come to her. I felt shy and looked sideways to escape from the place, but she stood up, walked toward me, and asked me to join her for tea. I thought I had done something wrong by trying to sneak in on her, told her that my mom might be looking for me outside; however, she paid no attention to my fear and went on to introduce herself, additionally enquiring if I had ever read any of her books! Until that day, I didn’t even know women were allowed to write! I told her that I was not supposed to be there in a bookstore, she looked perplexed upon hearing that. I asked her why was she signing all those books and who were these people.
She laughed and replied, “These are the people who have read my books and enjoyed them. I got an invitation from the bookshop owner, to come and meet my fans and to sign a few copies of my new book for them.”
Out of nowhere, my mom came into the shop, saw me with the lady writer, and in a gentle yet stern voice exclaimed, “Please don’t spoil my daughter’s head because she has other important things to do in her life! She needs to prepare for marriage.”
I thought to myself, This is what they have trained me for, this is going to be my whole life. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to the writer. I left the shop as I followed my mom.
That night, I sat on my bed, wondering how does it feel to write. What to write? Is there something I can write about? Is there anything I can share with others? I could not sleep until morning as I kept thinking about the writer. The words that my mom said to her kept repeating in my head. I understood that the only purpose of my life was to get married, bring babies to the world, sit at home, and take care of my husband. I was disappointed but I had to accept this truth. However, I did not want to be bound to set roles, I did not want to adhere to the constraints I was supposed to live under. After that day, I made up my mind to start writing for myself. I always looked for a place to hide and write about anything that came to my mind. At the age of 15, I made up my mind that I would write my first full-fledged book.
This book is my first experience of writing. I hope you will enjoy reading it.
Chapter 1 The Comeback
It is almost the end of spring. The sun is just about to set on the farm, the birds are returning home, the flowers are going to sleep, and over the green expanse of land, you see a cottage, right next to the flowing river.
Kian:
Sarah! Sarah! Sarah, why are you not answering? I have been calling your name repeatedly.
Sarah:
I am sorry, I did not hear you properly. I was looking at the other side of the river and saw a pretty tree there. I remember there was a house or maybe a room next to the tree.
Kian:
You are correct. A few years ago, there was a room. We dismantled it as it was old and out of use.
Sarah:
The last time that I was at this farm was around ten years ago. Now that I am twenty and have been away for so long, I can hardly recognize the place!
Kian:
By the way, why did you and Aunt Nayomi never come back to the farm? Why did you two vanish into thin air? Nobody knows the reality.
Sarah:
After the news of my father’s passing reached us, Mother and I were lonely. Everyone in the family thought since I have lost my dad, we will be rendered less fortunate! People felt pity for us. Neither did I like that feeling nor my mom, so we decided to stay away from the whole community and start our new life. Although I am standing here, I am not comfortable at all. I want to go back. I want everything to come to a full stop immediately.
Kian:
I do not want to make any judgement about the decision which you made. Always remember my father – your beloved Uncle Peter – loved you more than any of us, and he always respected your mother. He used to get nostalgic and mention that you were one of the prettiest girls he had seen. He reminisced about your long, dark hair; your tan, and green eyes. He described you as the most beautiful, living barbie doll. At the same time, he felt responsible for you.
Sarah:
I know that, Kian. I missed Uncle P dearly too. Terribly sorry for my absence. Can we go somewhere else? I am interested to know what are the changes that have happened over these years here.
Kian:
No problem at all. Would you like to see the workshop? I would love to take you there.
Both started walking toward the workshop. There was a nice breeze outside and an old tree canopied over the workshop with all the branches and leaves. Sarah thought if one more year passed, the tree would grow more, and its branches would grow longer to hide the workshop forever! When they reached the workshop, Sarah had a childlike excitement. She could not believe her eyes! She was back at the place which she was always running away from.
She looked at Kian, and she found him staring at her.
Sarah:
Can I open the door?
Kian:
Let me give you the key, please.
Sarah opened the door of the workshop, got in, and Kian followed. She looked everywhere carefully, trying to remember what was there before, while comparing to what she was looking at right now. She could not believe the changes that had taken place in the workshop. It was a modern workshop now, but in the past, there used to be only one machine of clay craft that her dad and uncle used to work with.
She remembered Uncle Peter always asked her to tie her hair before entering this room to not get any clay in her hair. Right now, the workshop had around five clay-making machines and one big black sofa in the corner, and lastly, a dining table for four.
Sarah:
Everything has changed. ( She stepped out ) So strange that Kian went unnoticed walking behind her.
Sarah ( murmuring ):
Where to go?
Kian:
You were leading the way, so I did not stop you.
Sarah:
Oh yes, you are right, I was the one who was guiding you through.
This time, Sarah stood aside and asked him to lead the way. The fresh smell of clay reminded her of her childhood memories; back to when she eagerly waited to finish school homework so that she could run to the workshop, sit beside her uncle, and make new and different shapes with clay using bare hands. Suddenly, she noticed Kian was walking by the side and that pulled her back into the present time.
Sarah:
I remember this one time when Mom called me while I was hiding in the workshop without her permission, I got scared and started running. My hair was so long that it knocked down so many of your father’s clay statues. After that day, he always asked me to tie up my hair and then enter the workshop.
Kian:
My father loved you so much. Every summer, he waited for you to visit the farm. He returned disappointed. I wish he had the time to catch a glimpse of you. Is it true, what everyone is talking about? Please do not mind me asking.
(She was looking far away in the distance.)
Sarah ( in a whisper ):
I don’t know; sometimes,