enslaved. abused. deported. a tale of the vulnerable migrant.

“One more footstep and all these will be over” Hajara looked at the sea entreatingly

“You are too young and still have your life ahead of you” her heart remarked

“What life does she have? Is this a life?” her head jeered

“This life. She is here. Things can turn around, you know”

“Ever the Optimist” hissed her head

“Stop it, you two. You are driving me nuts! Hajara yelled into the ocean as she watched a canoe drifting towards her from the distance.  A lone man sat in it. She quickly scanned around her and realised she was alone. Fear.

When he drew parallel to her, instinct took over and she placed her palms protectively around her midriff

“Didn’t you want to die now, why are you protecting…”

“Stuff it!” she hissed at her ridiculous head

“Shalom Aleichem” the old man greeted clambering up the stone steps

“Aleikum Salaam” she responded. Her eyes darting around.

“Younglady, what are you doing here alone, tempting fate?”

“I have nothing to live for” She replied in a jaded voice as she hung her head

“Not from what I see” he eyed her middle

Silence.

As he walked around and put an arm around her, she convulsed into tears and collapsed on the ground.

It took some coaxing to tease the story out of her.

“My mistress threw me out” she sniffed wiping with her sleeve

“In this condition?” she nodded

“Who is your mistress?”

“Madame Saratu”

“Saratu, Ibrahim’s wife?” another nod

He knew the story. The scandal had gone round the village. After years of trying to conceive without success, Saratu had done the customary thing – offered her maid to her husband. And the girl had conceived right away.

However, as is the nature of unbridled youth, pride had made her forget her place. This led the scorned woman to pull the rank card.

“See the indignation you are putting me through in my own home! your concubine no longer regards me after you impregnated her?”

“Hey woman, watch your tone! you make it sound like I went in to her instead of you brought her to me”

“Well, I didn’t force you to sleep with her”

“Oh, typical woman” he groaned stalking off. “You forget how you continuously pestered me over this”

“Nevertheless, you knew how desperate I was. Your job is to protect me from my vulnerability but you failed” She shrieked following him outside the courtyard

“Well, what do you expect of me now?” he shrugged

“She has to leave”

“You are kidding right? She is carrying my child”

“She is still my maid and I no longer want her here”

“This is no longer about you alone. That young lady has no family here. Moreover, you wanted her to give you a child and she has succeeded. Now you toss her away even before the baby comes? What becomes of her then?”

“I want her out of her!

And each day, the bickering worsened until she wore him down.

“Look, I need my peace here. Do with Hajara whatever you want”

And that night, she threw Hajara out.

“I want you to go back home” the old man murmurs

“I cannot”

“I will see your master. You go home now. You are carrying a great seed and you cannot jeopardise his life”

As she walked away from the old man, she whispered a prayer;

“El-Roi. I know you really do see me”.

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What are you currently going through?

Dejected? Undervalued? Betrayed? Suicidal?

Breathe.

And you – privileged and maltreating others – He sees you too.

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Adapted from Genesis 16.