The Last Bangles: A Mother's Farewell in Gold
Hello everyone!
Today I am here to participate in the contest organized by @musa-gold which is about writing a story about the gold. If you want to join the contest then:
There are a number of stories related to gold but today I will quote a virtual story fro my imaginations but it will reflect the reality of Pakistani culture and the importance of gold in real life specifically for the poor families.
AI generated
The Last Gold Bangles
In Lahore the famous city of Pakistan the wedding season was in full bloom. The streets were decorated with the fairy lights. Each corner was echoing with mehndi songs. The whole city was smelling with the roses, henna and anticipation.
But in this hustle and bustle there was a home where no any music was playing but there was a complete silence. This was the house of Areeba.
Areeba was a 22 years old girl and she was getting married in the next ten days. She was the daughter of a tailor and a housewife. She never asked for much not even when it was the marriage of her sister and she was getting bridal sets and golden jewellery ornaments. Areeba was different, quiet, understanding and too mature girl for her age.
But you know the mothers know everything about their children. Her mother knew how every girl dreams secretly to shine like a queen on her wedding day.
I want to tell you that in Pakistan gold is more than just decoration. It is the unspoken apology of the mother for letting her daughter go.This is what the guests whisper about at the wedding: Dekho kitna sona diya hai maa baap ne. It is an honour, pride and a farewell.
And Areeba’s mother had nothing to give her at her wedding. The father of Areeba had passed away two years ago. After the death of her father the family survived hardly. Every penny was saved for the wedding of Areeba. The wedding dress was stitched at home. The neighbours sponsored the meal of wedding. But gold?
There was none. But one night Areeba woke up by listening to the hushed voices. In the candle-lit room she saw her mother who was opening a red cloth bundle. It was her own wedding jewellery. It included two golden bangles. These were thin and worn. It was the only thing which was left from her dowry.
"These are all we have," Ammi whispered to Areeba’s elder brother.
"They will be enough for one small set. At least she won’t go empty-handed."
Areeba did not say anything to them. She turned away quietly and cried into her pillow. The reason of her crying was not because of no gold but because her mother was giving up her last memory as a bride for her daughter.
The Wedding Day
Days passed quickly and finally the wedding day arrived on head. On the day of her nikah the wrists of Areeba were empty until before rukhsati. But at the time of rukhsati her mother pulled her aside with her trembling hands. She took out a small box and opened it infront of her.Inside the box there was a delicate chain and pendant along with small golden earrings. These were modest but glowing.
The mother of Areeba added:
“I had to melt my bangles,” she said softly. “They were the last thing I had from my wedding. But now they are yours.”
Areeba broke down not because of the gold but because her mother had taken the only memory of her own joy and turned it into a gift for her daughter's future.
That night Areeba sat in silence in her new home. She touched the pendant and whispered:
“Ammi did not give me gold. She gave me her story. Her sacrifice. Her love, her joy by melting and reshaping into something I will carry forever.”
Sad Reality of Gold Ornaments For Weddings in Pakistan
Through the story I have tried to raise awareness about the importance of gold and struggles in Pakistan especially in the poor families.
I want to add some bitter realities at the end. I have seen many cases in my life that many weddings broke just because of gold. I saw many relationships of weddings broken down because open family could not afford gold. Sometimes the gold is demanded from the family of girl and sometimes from the family of the groom before making a knot of marriage.
Many poor girls are still waiting for their marriages just because of the heavy burden of dowry where gold is a significant part. The demands of gold has made the marriages very difficult and hard for the poor families.
I would like to invite @suboohi, @mvchacin, @solaymann to join this contest.
Hola @mohammadfaisal, pues, no conozco mucho su cultura, y si he escuchado eso que manejan de la dote, pero no es algo habitual en Latinoamérica, en realidad no es algo que aquí se practica.
Pero entiendo que es parte de su cultura, y las bases no las conozco, pero he aprendido algo nuevo. Saludos. Gracias por participar en el concurso.
In Pakistan dowry refers to the goods, money or property which is given to the groom's family by the brides family.
Yes I have tried to shown the culture and traditions and the significance of gold in this culture.
Thank you for participating in the competition.
У каждого народа свои культурные особенности.
В нашей культуре (Россия) есть традиция обмениваться золотыми кольцами - жених и невеста. Приданное ... у нас есть такое понятие и может быть для кого-то оно имеет большое значение. Однако, мы больше ценим самого человека и близость с ним. Приданное замещается подарками к свадьбе, возможно изменилась только форма:)
Yes you are right in every nation something similar is going on and it has formed to new shapes.
Es una pena que el oro sea una limitante para poder efectuar matrimonios, la cultura tiene un gran peso en muchos paises.
Gracias por participar en el concurso.
Indeed in many countries there are a number of practices which are just the heavy weight and burden on people.
What a moving story, as it reveals that gold, beyond its splendor, holds within it the emotions, sacrifices, and memories of those who possess it.
The act of Areeba's mother, giving away her last bracelets to become a memento for her daughter, manifests a silent love that deserves far more than any fortune.
I was struck by how you managed to capture the reality of many families subjected to the social pressure of gold and dowry, where honor seems to be quantified in grams rather than emotions.
The scene of the mother pouring out her own happiness so that her daughter would not die empty-handed is simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful.
Exactly it happens here and it is really a shameful act but still continues....