गरिबी भनेको परिवारका अत्यावश्यक आवश्यकताहरू जस्तै खाना, आवास, लत्ताकपडा र शिक्षा पूरा नहुने अवस्था हो । साक्षरता, बेरोजगारी, भोकमरी, आदि पनि गरिबीका परिणाम हुन् । संसारका लगभग सबै राष्ट्रहरू गरिबीका  बारेमा चिन्तित छन् । धेरै मानिसहरू गरिबीमा फसेका छन् । सामाजिक र आर्थिक  स्तरमाथि लैजान थुप्रै अवसरहरू हुन्छन् । यद्यपि गरिबीमा जन्मिएको मानिस सधै गरिब नै रहन्छ भन्ने पनि हुँदैन । व्यक्तिहरूलाई गरिबीबाट बाहिर निकाल्न र असमानता कम गर्न सामाजिक सहायता कार्यक्रमहरूलाई सबै तहमा शिक्षा, सिप विकास जस्ता कार्यक्रमहरू सञ्चालन गर्न सकिन्छ ।
गरिबीका विभिन्न कारणहरू छन् तर सबैभन्दा महत्त्वपूर्ण भनेको बेराेजगारी र बढ्दाे  जनसङ्ख्या हो । बढ्दो जनसङ्ख्याले देशको स्रोत र बजेटमा भार थपिरहेको छ । बढ्दो जनसङ्ख्यालाई गाँस, बास, कपास र रोजगारी उपलब्ध गराउन सरकारहरूलाई गाह्रो परिरहेको छ । बढ्दो जनसङ्ख्या सँगसँगै गरिबीका प्रमुख कारणहरू शिक्षाको अभाव, द्वन्द्व, प्राकृतिक प्रकोप, रोजगारीको अभाव, अपर्याप्त पूर्वाधार, राजनीतिक अस्थिरता, आदि हुन् ।
कामको नपाउँदा एक व्यक्तिले आफ्नाआवश्यकताहरू पूरा गर्न सक्दैन । उसको परिवारका आधारभूत आवश्यकताहरू पुरा हुँदैनन् । उसको परिवार गरिबीमा झर्छ । शिक्षाको कमी भएको व्यक्तिले कम तलबमा काम गर्नुपर्छ । जसले उसलाई आर्थिक अवस्था कमजाेर भएको मानिस बनाउँछ । गरिब परिवारले मात्र  गरिबीको अभाव अनुभव गर्न सक्छ । गरिब मानिसहरू स्वस्थ खाना र पोषण उपभोगका लागि निकै सङ्घर्ष गर्छन्, जसले तिनीहरूको काम गर्ने क्षमतालाई पनि  असर पार्न सक्छ । काम गर्ने क्षमतामा असर परेपछि त्यो परिवार आजीवन गरिबीको सिकार हुन सक्छ । न्यून आय भएका परिवारका बालबालिकाले कहिले पनि पर्याप्त पोषण वा शिक्षा पाउँदैनन् । साना साना बालबालिका पनि काम गरेर परिवार पाल्न बाध्य हुन्छन् । जसका कारण उनीहरूको बाल्यकाल बर्बाद हुन सक्छ । तिनीहरूमध्ये कोही लुटपाट, हत्या वा चोरी जस्ता अपराधहरूमा पनि संलग्न हुन सक्छन् । गरिब व्यक्ति अशिक्षित भएर स्वास्थ्यकाे पनि ख्याल गर्न सक्दैनन् । उनीहरू  बारम्बार बिरामी पर्छन् । उनीहरूको स्वास्थ्य खस्कन्छ । स्रोतसाधनको अभावमा गरिबीकाे मारमा व्यक्तिले शिक्षा हासिल गर्न नसकी रोजगारी पाउन सक्दैन । तब घरपरिवारको पनि स्वास्थ्य नाजुक हुन्छ । 
गरिबीको समस्यालाई सम्बोधन गर्न हामीले तुरुन्तै उपयुक्त कदम चाल्नुपर्छ । बढ्दो जनसङ्ख्यालाई रोक्न परिवार नियोजनको अभ्यास गर्नुपर्छ । भ्रष्टाचार उन्मूलनका लागि कदम चाल्नुपर्छ । त्यस्ता गरिबीकाे मारमा परेकालाई केही राहत स्वरूप राहत सामग्री उपलब्ध गराउनुपर्छ । शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य जस्ता आधारभूत कुरा परिचयपत्रकाे आधारमा निःशुल्क हुनुपर्छ । गरिबी व्यक्तिगत समस्याभन्दा पनि राष्ट्रिय समस्या भएकाले सबै मिलेर यसलाई निराकरण गर्नुपर्छ ।
 

During the calm and the quiet of the night, 
Embracing each other subtly tight, 
With nothing, but the sounds of our beating hearts, 
We were lost in our passionate thoughts.

A drop of sweat, so full of passion, 
Falling down my skin, as it happens, 
As we bathe in this sweat of pure desire, 
Where our eyes are locked, lips meet, and our hearts beat in unison.

The lips moving ever so swiftly towards my ear, 
With whispers of passion that provide me with a warm embrace, 
A moment of pure bliss, where nothing else exists, 
But the two of us, lost in a passionate kiss.

Looking at each other, with our hearts feeling that spark, 
With every rhythmic blink of our eyes, we got even close in our hearts.
For we were lost that night, from all the chaos of the outer world-
Yet we were enjoying the bedlam of our fervent thoughts.

The bed sheets all scattered, with the remnants of our love,
Reminding us of the passion we’re made of, 
Scent of our skins exchanged and transferred in those sheets-
Where we basked with passion and joy, with nothing else but us in sight.

A special, special night, with the moon shining so bright, 
Stars and hearts twinkling and beating with relieved thoughts, 
As time was fading, so were we,
Slowly, the whispers brought me that delight,
Reminding me that our souls were attached,
For we found ourselves that night-
Never to leave each other, for we were now eternally intertwined. 
 

सडक दुर्घटना भनेको सडक प्रयोगकर्ताका लागि हुने सबैभन्दा दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण कुरा हो । सडक दुर्घटना मानवका कमी कमजाेरीबाटै हुने एउटा ठुलाे समस्या हाे । सबैभन्दा लाजमर्दो कुरा यो हो कि हामीले सडकमा हाम्रा गल्तीहरूबाट पाठ सिक्दैनौँ । अधिकांश सडक प्रयोगकर्ताहरू सडक प्रयोग गर्दा ट्राफिक नियम र सुरक्षाका उपायहरूबारे राम्ररी सचेत छन् तर तिनीहरूको लापरवाहीका कारण सडक दुर्घटना दिनानुदिन बढ्दै गएको छ । सडक दुर्घटना हुनुका केही कारणहरू तीव्र गति, मादक पदार्थ सेवन गरी सवारी चलाउनु, चालकले ध्यान नदिने, रातो बत्तीमा अटेर गरी हाम फाल्ने, सिट बेल्ट र हेल्मेटजस्ता सुरक्षा उपकरणहरू नलगाउने, गलत तरिकाले ओभरटेक गर्ने जस्ता कारणहरूका कारण सडक दुर्घटना दिनानुदिन बढ्दै गएको छ । नेपालमा पैदलयात्रुहरूले गलत दिशाबाट  वा जहाँ पायाे त्यहीँबाट काट्दा पनि सडक दुर्घटनचा बढेका छन्।  
नेपालमा सडक दुर्घटनाका धेरै कारण भए पनि मुख्य कारण भनेकाे अव्यवस्थित सडक, अचेत यात्रु, चालकको लापरवाही र अव्यवस्थित ट्राफिक व्यवस्था पनि हुन् । सरकारी निकाय र सरोकारवाला निकायले यसलाई गम्भीरतापूर्वक लिएका छैनन्, त्यसैले यो समस्याप्रति गम्भीर भएर व्यवस्थित ट्राफिक व्यवस्था र खाल्डाखुल्डी पुर्न, सडकको व्यवस्थापन जस्ता कुरामा ध्यान पुर्याउनुपर्छ । पहाडी क्षेत्रहरूमा खुला वा फराकिलाे सडक निर्माणमा ध्यान दिनुपर्छ ।  
अहिले देशका मुख्य राजमार्गहरूकाे अवस्थासमेत चिन्ताजनक छ । सडक दुर्घटनाका कारण धेरै निर्दोषले यात्रुले ज्यान गुमाइरहेका छन् । सडक दुर्घटनाले पीडित परिवारलाई शारीरिक, आर्थिक र मानसिक असर पारिरहेकाे छ ।  सडक भनेकाे भाैतिक पूर्वाधारकाे स्राेत हाे । यसकाे सम्बन्ध हाम्राे विकाससँग जाेडिएकाे छ ।
नेपालमा हुने सडक दुर्घटनाको समस्या समाधान गर्न म केही सुझाव दिन चाहन्छु । सबैभन्दा पहिले, सम्बन्धित निकायले सडक प्रयोग गर्दा पालना गर्नुपर्ने सुरक्षा नियमहरूबारे मानिसहरूलाई सचेत गराउनुपर्छ । सडक पूर्वाधार विकासका लागि उच्च दक्ष इन्जिनियर र भरपर्दो कम्पनीलाई टेन्डर दिनुपर्छ । ट्राफिक नियम उल्लङ्घन गर्नेलाई कारबाही गर्न कडा कानुन बनाई लागु गर्नुपर्छ । ड्राइभ, लाइसेन्स छ वा छैन यसकाे कडा जाँच हुनुपर्छ । तीव्र गतिमा सवारी चलाउने सोच्नुअघि ताेकिएभन्दा बढी गतिमा सवारी चलाउनेलाई जरिवानाकाे व्यबस्था गर्नुपर्छ । यी रोकथामका उपायहरूसहितका कार्यले पक्कै पनि सडक दुर्घटनामा कमी ल्याउने छ । 
 

My soul wanders,
With the fear in the heart-
My mind ponders,
With the hope that departs.
A life that goes on,
It hurts for some-
But still it flows,
And brings us home.

Memories- are like mirrors,
That choose our sorrows-
As well as our terror,
But yet don’t know-
What really brings tomorrow.
We dwell in the darkness, hoping for the light-
The tears that cried with sadness, 
Makes room for our mind, still, probably, sinking in the madness … 
 

Celebrities are always utilizing social media, and their admirers become acquainted with them through their usage of social media. Some celebrities nowadays share things that are a little bit too much, and celebrities often demotivate their supporters indirectly as a result of their posts. Celebrities may swiftly influence their fans via social media since it is the quickest way to communicate and convey their sentiments to the rest of the world in a matter of seconds. Some posts are not well-thought-out, and as a result, they may have a negative impact on others; yet, some posts may be quite beneficial to others and may even encourage individuals to become better people. But on the other hand, celebrities may use social media to influence their fans; they can communicate about how they feel, what they're doing, encourage their fans, and more. Fans on social media may see some posts where they are engaging in harmful behaviors (like, smoking, drinking, etc.) and which fans are likely to follow.

Celebrity news dominates our local newspapers and publications, our favorite television shows, and even our Facebook news feeds. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in how people are classified as ‘celebrities’. Above all, this shift is linked to the rise in popularity and spread of social media. The "demotic shift," powered by reality television and the internet, has converted any regular Joe into a "celebrity" who is widely discussed in the media, according to Graeme Turner (2004). As a result, a new breed of ‘digital celebrities’ has emerged, with a slew of popular “bloggers, vloggers, and ‘Instafamous’ personalities” among them (Djafarova & Rushworth, 2020, p. 2). The rise of internet micro-celebrity is a fascinating phenomena that has recently gained a lot of attention. The spike in attention originates from the realization that digital superstars' powers extend beyond social media and the online world. While social media has traditionally been marketed as ‘more egalitarian and democratic than mainstream media in the sense that all users [may] equally engage and produce content,’ this is no longer the case. After several years of operation, it is clear that certain users stand out from the crowd and, with their enormous following and number of ‘likes’, modify the egalitarian concept (van Dijck & Poell, 2013, p. 6). Because these ‘superusers’ have such a large following, their online identities are frequently utilized for purposes other than self-promotions, such as promoting a product or supporting a charity. This may be shown in the instance of the ‘Instagirls’, one of the most well-known groups of superusers.
 

वर्षाैँदेखि हामीले प्रयास गरेका छौँ
प्राप्त गर्नको लागि अद्भूत लक्ष्य,
सिकाइमा जीवन अघि बढाउँदै
सकेकाे कर्ममा रमाउँदै  हिँडिरहेछाैँ ।  

अन्ततः हामी लक्ष्य भेटाउने चाहनाले
हाम्रो उज्ज्वल भविष्यको कामनासहित
हाम्रो आकाङ्क्षाको लागि अझै धेरै माथिकाे
यात्रा तय गर्दै उडान त धेरै पाे भर्नु छ ।

जीवनको बाटो अगाडि बढ्छ,
अझै अज्ञात रूपका कर्महरूमा
पछ्याऔँ साथीहरू माथितिरका,
आशाका केही पलहरू बाेकेर उठाैँ ।

आफ्नो सिकाइलाई फराकिलो पारौँ,
हाम्रो ज्ञानको क्षमता बढाउन
हाम्राे मस्तिष्क सधैँ  काम गराेस् 
कर्मको प्रशंसा हाम्राे हात लागाेस् ।
 

विज्ञानको खोजलाई वैज्ञानिक खोज भनिन्छ । विभिन्न क्षेत्रहरूमा वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारका धेरै माध्यमहरू व्यापक रूपमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ । हामी तिनीहरूलाई विभिन्न उद्देश्यका लागि प्रयोग गर्छौँ । र  हामी मानिसहरूले हाम्रो दैनिक जीवनमा तिनीहरूलाई प्रयोग गर्छाैँ । हामी बिहान उठेदेखि नसुतेसम्म सम्मवैज्ञानिक आविष्कारका विभिन्न उपकरणकाे प्रयोग  गर्छाैँ । मानव जीवनमा वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारहरूले राम्रो र नराम्रो दुवै खाले प्रभाव पारेका छन् ।

यदि हामीले वैज्ञानिक उपकरणहरूलाई राम्ररी प्रयोग गरेमा निश्चित रूपमा हामीलाई तिनीहरूबाट धेरै फाइदा हुन्छ । हामीले विभिन्न वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारहरूको माध्यमबाट कुनै पनि काम सहज र राम्रोसँग गर्न सकेका छाैँ, जस्तै: हामीले पढेको अनलाइन कक्षा, अनलाइन कक्षा पढ्नको लागि चाहिएका उपकरणहरू सबै वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारहरू नै हुन् । वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारहरूको दुरूपयोग भएमा त्यसको दुरूपयोगले  विनाश निम्त्याउँछ । जस्तै: हामीले धेरैबेर मोबाइल चलायाैँ भने हाम्राे आँखा पाेल्ने, दुख्ने समस्या हुन्छ ।

वर्तमान समय मानव विकास विज्ञान र प्रविधिमा निर्भर छ । यदि वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारका साधनहरू सही रूपमा प्रयोग गरियो भने, तिनीहरूले हामीलाई राम्रो नतिजाहरू प्रदान गर्छन् र यदि तिनीहरू दुरूपयोग हुन्छन् भने, तिनीहरूले हामीलाई विनाश र खराब प्रभावहरू प्रदान गर्छन् । तसर्थ मानव सभ्यताको समृद्धिका लागि यिनको उचित सदुपयोग गर्नुपर्छ । मानव समाजको लागि वैज्ञानिक उपकरणको ज्यादै आवश्यकता पर्दछ वैज्ञानिक उपकरणविना मानव जीवन सहज र सरल हुन सक्दैन ।
वैज्ञानिक उपकरणहरूले  मानिसका हरेक कार्यलाई सहज र सरल बनाएकै कारण आज मानिस नयाँ नयाँ उपकरणकाे खाेजीमा लागिरहेका छन् । मानिसकाे जन्म, उपचारदेखि लिएर मानिसका  हरेक काममा यसले गर्ने सहयाेग साच्चीकै प्रशंसनीय नै छ । जुन आज मानिसका आवश्यकता नै बनेका छन् ।
 

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Makes me forget the stupid things I may do to stand,
A Gypsy’s Kiss:
When I'm drowning, pushes away the hand.

A Gypsy’s kiss:
Makes me forget about grades,
It makes me take a break from blades,
Instead, it leaves me floating above;
Or perhaps gives me an illusion on what’s left to shove.

A Gypsy’s kiss:
Makes me fond of being alive or so,
It is what makes me oscillate,
For it destroys me from within,
But still can’t live without it’s whim.

A Gypsy’s kiss: 
Looks heavenly,
But casts a shadow upon me,
Digs a deeper pit for me to fall.
The pit looks appealing,
The one which calls you to dive into it;
But once inside, there seems to be no escape,
It leaves one miserable, more confused,
But in the end, one hopes that God is merciful,
For that person is of no use.

A Gypsy’s kiss:
Makes me forget about responsibilities and my future,
It is me and I know that it destroys me,
But it is still me who is blinded by my own will,
’Times I feel misunderstood and question my built image,
But it is the Gypsy’s Kiss that gives me warmth and comfort.

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Makes me want to dance in a field of sunflowers,
Or instead with time,
Prepare an umbilical noose;
Whatever the Gypsy wants, it shall get,
For I am no longer a person, but just it’s mere puppet.

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Persuades me into its core,
For it doesn't know what damage will come to me,
If I fail to score;
Score good marks and score a happy future;
But I find it hopeless to leave the arms of the Gypsy,
For I shall be in misery without it.

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Makes me look like a bum,
It stops me from doing things I need to,
Instead it drives me down a darker path,
The road full of regrets,
The road which will make me hope that god is merciful one day.

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Comforts me when I get into trouble,
It is a Gypsy’s Kiss who hugs me and comforts me ,
For I shalln’t try to seek others help,
It is the kiss that will help me damage myself.

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Listens to me, relates with me and talks with me,
For it is my best friend,
But what I find in reality, the Gypsy’s Kiss is-
A plump fruit that the devil sent.

A Gypsy’s Kiss:
Helps me momentarily fix Myself,
It helps me inhale;
And mend everything myself,
But what is mended won’t heal,
For the Gypsy’s Kiss will return with a bigger knife.

I could let go of the Gypsy’s embrace,
For I am certain it will help ruin myself with my own help,
It’s not too late to let go;
I need the help which I don't really want to seek or so.

The Gypsy’s Kiss:
Is a part of me,
Or rather,
It is myself and me … 
 

नारी शक्तिको खै बयान गरुँ कसाेरी ? 
अपार शक्तिकी नारीलाई हेरौँ।
नारीकै कोखबाट हामी जन्मियौँ
धर्ती माताको काखमा खेली हामी हुर्कियौँ ।

सुन्दरताकी खानी पनि उनी  
मोहित हुन्छ संसार नारी शक्ति भनी 
विद्या, बुद्धि भएकी सरस्वती पनि नारी
भगवती, लक्ष्मी देवी पनि उनै नारी ।

नारी नै आमा हाै तिमी जगत भरकी
पहिलो पाठशाला नै आमा तिमी
बिर्सिन सक्दैन कसैले आमाको मुहार 
नारी शक्ति नै हाे, सर्वस्व संसार ।

अनेक दुःख कष्ट बाधा सहेर
सहने शक्ति छ नारीमा तिमीमा ।
जोस र जाँगरले परिवार सम्हाल्छ्याै 
नारी तिमी महान् छ्याै कति ।
 

Movie name: 1 Litre of Tears
Author: Aya Kitō
First episode date: October 11, 2005
Final episode date: December 20, 2005
Number of episodes: 12
Original title: 1リットルの涙
Translator: Ichi Rittoru no Namida
Genres: Tragedy, Family

Review:
The movie, “1 Litre of Tears’’ is a Fuji Television’s production drama from 2005, based on the true story of Aya, a 15-year-old girl who died at the age of 25 from a degenerative disease. The script is based on Aya's diary, which she continued to write until she could not handle a pen any longer. In 1986, a collection of her journal entries was released, reflecting her experiences, enthusiasm, and perseverance in life, and the book became an instant hit. This film is beautiful, tragic, and optimistic all at the same time; the girl never gave up despite the fact that her sickness was incurable. It is also the story of a mother who does everything in her power to care for her daughter. The story illustrates how painful love could be. 
This movie gives us a perception of a realistic side of the society in which the disabled become a barrier to social advancement. People were influenced by Aya's diaries. A Litre of Tears is a film that delivers a life lesson.
Aya (Asae Onishi), a middle school student, falls to the ground one day on her way to school. Spinocerebellar degeneration is a rare and incurable neurological disease, according to experts. Aya's condition worsens when she enters high school, and physical activities become more difficult. Despite being forced to attend a special boarding school, she finds hope and happiness through her new friends and family.
Keep a box of tissue paper napkins handy while watching this movie, since “1 Litre of Tears” is sure to break the fellow viewers' hearts with its heartbreaking story and universal feelings.
 

म यस्तै छु 
तिमी मलाई घमण्डी भन या 
जे सुकै भन वा नभन,
यो सहरका मान्छेहरूभन्दा अलिक भिन्न छु ।

कहिले गल्ती गर्छु,
कहिले त्यो गल्तीलाई सुधार्ने कोसिस गर्छु,
आफूलाई एक्लै सम्हाल्छु, 
एक्लैले एक्लेलाई सम्झाउँछु ।

कसैलाई मन नपर्ने मान्छे म , 
आफूलाई आफैँलाई मन पराउँछु
तिमीले मलाई जे भने नि, 
म यस्तै छु ।

तिमी किन सोध्छौ मलाई ?
आशा त होला कोहीसँग,
म कति भनूँ, आशा राख्छु भनेर ?
आशा पूरा होस् भनेर सोच्दिँन,
चाहे कोही गुनासो किन नगरोस् 
हरकोहीसँग मिल्न नसक्ने अनि
मिल्नेहरूलाई भुल्न पनि  नसक्ने
म यस्तै छु ।

म दिनभन्दा  रातलाई मन पराउँछु,
भिडभन्दा एकान्तमा हराउँछु  
कतिसम्म सफल हुन्छु, 
त्यो त भविष्यले बताउला  ।

संसारमाथि दृष्टि छर्न, 
आफ्नै बत्ती बालेकी छु 
हो, म यस्तै छु । 
जे छु सबैभन्दा ठिक छु, 
म जे छु सबैभन्दा ठिक छु ।

 

Every second passed: tick-tock, tick-tock … the sound of the grandfather clock in the corner of the living room seemed to grow tremendously louder, as did the sound of Maria’s husband taking long, slow sips of whiskey; he sunk comfortably into the voluminous armchair with his reading glasses just above the bridge of his nose as he flicked through the newspaper. The plain white linen curtains behind him were drawn closed; it was just the dim floor lamp beside him that was still lightening the room. 
    James, their son, was hunched over the end of a low wooden table, sitting on the ground in the space between where his parents sat on opposite sofas. He kept on scribbling carelessly in his sketchbook but occasionally looked up at the incessant tapping of his mother’s feet against the floor. Her pearl necklace was tight against her neck, heaving up and down with every ragged breath she took. She had her hair in a neat bun, and her red apron on, covering the polka dotted pattern of her quilted dress. 

Tap. Tap. Tap.  

“Would you stop that?” snapped Jim, eyes briefly lifting from his newspaper to give his wife an accusing stare. This was his time of relaxation, the top buttons of his pristine white shirt unbuttoned and his tie loosened- having only to just come back from work. 
      Maria’s feet froze. She was now intrigued by her son and the number of color pencils and crayons sprawled out across the table. Then, she stared at the white curtains, devoid of any marks or dust. She looked at the fresh, red roses in glass vases on the side-tables of both ends of her sofa. The rug on which James sat was spotlessly clean, as was the wooden floor: her day’s work. 
    She sat upright and rigid on the sofa, her mind racing- how was she ever going to bring this up? It wasn’t ideal for her to find her seven-year-old son digging through the fridge, pulling out a bottle of beer and when noticing her incredulous gaze, smiling innocently, “Dad said I could have some.” It only now made sense to Maria. With the sound of whiskey pouring into his father’s flask within seconds of it being empty and the dainty crystalline wineglass a permanent fixture in his mother’s hands, it was inevitable that James would have a yearning curiosity for alcohol. 
     She could even recall an uncle offering more than an innocent sip to James, or an aunt asking him to fetch a bottle of wine from the cellar. And now, she was left here, wondering, ‘How could I have been so foolish?’  
      Maria’s gaze now fleeted to her husband, speaking up just as he turned over a page of the newspaper, “Darling…?” Jim didn’t speak a word, but looked up. Maria continued, “I had something to talk to you about. This afternoon… I found James with a bottle of beer. Claimed that you told him you could have some,” she nervously chuckled, “It’s not true, is it?”
           Jim nodded, his eyes averting back to his newspaper, “It is.” 
“It’s just… he’s a child. You shouldn’t be giving him permissi-”
         Jim cut her off, “Maria, I don’t have the patience for this. I’ve had a long day of work. I don’t expect you would understand.” 
Maria went quiet, but after a few moments, spoke again, “But you shouldn’t do tha-” Jim folded the newspaper, putting it down on his lap, “How about you make yourself useful? I’m sure there’s work to be done in the kitchen.” 
      Maria, flustered and nervous, stood up, and straightened out her apron and knee-length dress. “You’re right,” she nodded, “Would you like dinner, perhaps?”
“Yes, steak, mashed potato-”
       James looked up, glancing between his mother and father before interrupting, “Mummy? Do you want to see my drawing? I drew you!” He sat down with a red-colored pencil, holding up his sketchbook. Maria smiled, but politely declined, “Not now, sweetie. Your father’s speaking.” 
       James nodded, stared down at his artwork and just as his father was about to continue his list of suggestions, he asked again, “How about now? Can you look at my artwork now?” Jim stared at him, sternly commanding, "James! Be quiet. Your mother and I are talking.” James ignored his father, pleading to his mother, "Mummy! Please!" Without as much as sparing a glance to James’ artwork, Maria smiled in faux surprise, "Wow, James! That's incredible!"
  James persisted, "You didn't even look at it! Mummy, please!” Fists clenched and his veins protruding against his neck, Jim stood up from his seat, sending the newspaper flying to the ground. His harsh footsteps echoed throughout the room as he neared James. He towered over his son, grabbing the small boy’s neck tightly. He yanked James up from the floor and grabbed harshly at his neck. 
  Ignoring Maria’s cries of "Jim! Jim, let him go!" he seethed, "Do you have any manners? What is wrong with you, you insolent brat?" Jim’s teeth were barred as he continued the assault on his son – cold and calloused hands, capable of such unsightly violence. Maria’s cries were drowned out completely. James had fought and tried to pry away his father’s hand but Jim persisted.
     It wasn’t until Maria grabbed the vase from the side-table to her left, that James held the upper hand. She needed to do something, anything. Within seconds, she had crept behind her husband, and without as much as a second thought, she swung the glass vase to the back of her husband’s head. Jim collapsed on the ground with a loud thud. Although the vase remained intact, the rose petals fell out gracefully, gathering on the floor where his body laid motionless. 
    Although he laid peacefully, Maria knew that the second he regained consciousness, she would be in his cold and aggressive hands. She could already envision the new purple marks that would blossom over her legs and ribs the next morning. She could feel his hand coming down on her face and body, the searing pain spreading throughout her body. His knuckles came down to meet her jawline. Squirming under his grasp, and maybe, just maybe, she could leave someday. But she had a son to take care of– a blond headed, blue-eyed giggly boy. For now, her mind replayed that one moment over and over again. The violence of the crash, the impact she had made as she swung the vase in the air and towards his head - boom!  
  That was enough for her.