The silent strength of Amina

Title: The Silent Strength of Amina

At 29, Amina had never known what it felt like to live without struggle. Life had never given her a moment to breathe, nor had it handed her the simple joys others took for granted. No boyfriend. No husband. No child. No close friends. Just her and the weight of the world pressing down on her narrow shoulders.

She had been a housemaid since she was 16. Moving from one house to another, working tirelessly to make sure her family—who barely checked on her—lived a better life. Her mother never asked how she was doing. Her siblings only called when they needed money. No one ever asked if she was okay. And if she ever dared to show any sign of weakness, she was reminded, "You’re the strong one."

In some houses, she was treated worse than a stray dog. Some employers refused to pay her after months of hard work. Others insulted her, called her lazy, stupid, even useless. Some accused her of theft just to avoid paying her. She had eaten cold leftovers for days while cooking warm, delicious meals for others. She had slept on the floor while preparing cozy beds for the children she cared for.

She had thought about ending it all many times. When she lay on the hard floor at night, she sometimes wondered why she was even born. What was the point of a life filled only with pain? No love, no warmth, no one to wipe her tears when she cried in the darkness of her small, lonely space. She had stood at the edge of a rooftop once, looking down, thinking how easy it would be to just let go.

But something always held her back.

Maybe it was hope, buried deep inside her. Maybe it was the little girl she used to be, the one who once dreamed of happiness, still whispering to her, “Hold on.”

And so she did.

Every morning, she forced herself to wake up. She tied her headscarf, put on a clean dress, and stepped out with a smile—because if she didn’t, the world would eat her alive. She had learned that no one would save her, so she saved herself. She became her own strength, her own best friend.

One day, after years of being mistreated, she finally decided to choose herself. She quit a job that drained her soul and took a chance on something new. She started cleaning offices instead of homes, where no one insulted her. She saved a little money, bought herself a small radio, and found comfort in music on her loneliest nights. She learned to laugh at silly things, to dance when no one was watching, to find peace in the little victories.

Amina was still alone, but she was no longer broken.

She was her own light.

And that was enough.