You may have a tough life. But the way you choose to fight and live makes all the difference. And this woman proves that no matter what challenges life throws at you, if you are determined, you can overcome all of them.
Speaking to HoB recently, Khushboo shared her inspiring life story. She spoke about how getting married at an early age into a non-supportive family set her up for failure.
“My mother got me married at the age of 16, to someone who was 26 years old. And within 4 months of the marriage, I was pregnant.
My in-law’s wouldn’t let me study, and they’d treat me like I was a servant. Once, when I was 8 months pregnant — there was a theft in the house. And my in-law’s blamed me. They starved and tortured me till I had to beg for them to stop.”
With all the physical pressure of being pregnant at such an early age and the emotional & mental stress of being called a thief, Khushboo’s health started deteriorating. She could only find support in her own mother.
“I got so sick after that, I started vomiting blood. So I packed my bags and went to my mother’s house. My husband came along, to take care of me and our child.
Soon I gave birth — my husband was working as a driver but, we realised that his income wasn’t enough. So I took up a job as well, I was still a minor, so the only job I got was as a teacher’s assistant, with a pay of 2000 a month.”
While her husband seemed to support her during these tough times, there was a shocker waiting to happen.
“One day, suddenly, my husband said he wasn’t comfortable with me working. But I wanted to continue to earn for my child. So a few days later, he decided to move back with his parents, and soon I got a letter saying that he remarried.
I was left alone with a 2 year old child at the age of 18.”
Not being the one, who gives up easily, this brave mom decided on her next steps.
“I needed to earn more and I knew there was no way I could do it without any qualifications. So I decided to take my mother’s help, and finish my 12th grade.
I continued to work to sustain the house. And when I finally finished 12th grade, I got a job at a media company. I knew I had the potential to do more, but the fact that I didn’t have a degree, held me back. Both my mom and I had run out of money and had no savings left. I was at a dead-end, and worried that I wouldn’t be able to give my son the life he deserves.”
As they say, God favors the brave. Khushboo received support from the most unexpected person.
“One of those days, my boss sensed that something was wrong with me. She called me and asked me what had happened, I couldn’t control myself and told her everything. She asked me not to worry.
And just a few days later, she handed me an envelope of Rs.15000 — and said, ‘This is yours to use, go for it and don’t ever look back’.
That was my turning point. I finished my bachelors and even managed to get a great job as a project manager afterwards.”
Taking about how she continues to fight the life battles and making sure her son has the best chance at life, Khushboo said:
“Today, I’m 23 and single handedly running my house. I’m paying for my son’s education and saving up to secure his future.
My husband refuses to give me a divorce, till I don’t give ‘his son’ back to him. He refuses to help us and even check up on us.
But I’m okay with it, I’ve cried, stumbled and fallen but I’m standing on my own two feet now. My son and I love each other to bits, and we both know that we’re enough for each other. It’s us against the world, and if we’ve made it this far, we’ll make it to the end.”
No matter how tough life may get, its strong women like Khushboo who inspire us to face the challenges head-on!
As Robert Frost once said: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
At IForHer, we salute the brave souls like her and hope her story gives the strength to many more women who continue to suffer in silence. We hope that you will believe in yourself, and write your own destiny.
