Yara’s Journal

Yara writes about being in bed, curled into a ball, during a night of upheaval
The room is dimly lit, illuminated by a sliver of moonlight and a crack of yellow light from an open bedroom door
Yara's parents are engaged in a loud argument, which has become more frequent since an unspecified incident involving Yara
She notes that she shares a bedroom with her three siblings, with bunk beds for the four of them
Yara prefers the top bunk to look at the stars and ponder the limitations of her future
She reflects on societal expectations for her future roles as a cook, cleaner, wife, and mother, and laments her unattainable dreams
The fight escalates—sounds of thuds, a crash, and a strangled cough are heard
Yara tries to muffle the noises by burying her head under a pillow, but it feels as if the sounds are under her skin
After another loud thud and her mother's wail, Yara wants to help but feels immobilized
As a coping strategy, Yara tries to distract herself by focusing on the wallpaper until she feels detached from the situation
The attempt fails as she’s brought back to reality by her mother’s screams, leaving her questioning her ability to ever feel free

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