There are stories that begin with ambition, but are shaped by survival. Not the kind of survival that is temporary or situational, but one that stretches across childhood, adulthood, and everything in between. For a 24-year-old woman from Calicut, freedom did not come as a milestone or achievement. It came as an escape from years of fear, control, and silence. Her journey today is marked by financial struggle and uncertainty, but also by something she says she has never felt before: safety, even in its smallest form.
In an interview with Humans of Bombay, the 24-year-old woman from Calicut spoke about her difficult upbringing, years of abuse, and her decision to leave home in search of safety and independence. She described a childhood shaped by instability and fear. According to her account, her father’s aggression was a constant presence in the household from a very young age. She recalled witnessing violent outbursts and emotional volatility that became part of her everyday reality. Attempts by others to question or understand the situation were often dismissed.
She shared that when she was 3 years old, her mother disappeared. Over time, she was told different versions of what happened, including that her mother had left to pursue a life in cinema. The absence of her mother became an unanswered question that stayed with her throughout her growing years.
Father's remarriage
Within a year, her father remarried, and her life at home became even more difficult. She described enduring years of verbal abuse, body shaming, and humiliation from relatives over small and repeated incidents. Financial dependence added to her vulnerability, as she often had to ask her father for support even for basic educational needs.
As she grew older, her health also began to deteriorate. By the age of 21, she was diagnosed with multiple health conditions, including ADHD, PCOS, and autoimmune vasculitis. These challenges added another layer of difficulty to an already unstable environment. The turning point, according to her account, came in 2022. A domestic argument escalated into physical violence, leaving her feeling completely unsafe within her own home. She described the incident as deeply traumatic, not only because of the violence itself, but also because of the silence and inaction of other family members who were present.
At 22, she ran away from home
After that incident, she made a decision that changed the course of her life. At the age of 22, she chose to leave her home, prioritising her safety over stability. She moved to Calicut and started rebuilding her life from scratch.
She found work in a call centre and slowly began adjusting to life on her own. Friends helped her find a paying guest accommodation, offering her a small but crucial sense of stability. Even then, financial hardship remained a daily reality. There were days when she struggled to afford to buy even a slice of bread. Despite these challenges, she described her current living situation as a form of freedom she had never experienced before. For her, having a small room with four walls that felt safe represented something she had long been denied.
Alongside survival, she also focused on rebuilding her future. She began saving whatever she could, despite limited income, and committed herself to studying late into the night. Her goal is to continue her education and eventually pursue subjects such as politics and philosophy.
Amid these aspirations, there remains another deeply personal goal. She expressed a desire to find her mother, who has been absent from her life for over two decades. This search, she said, is not just about reunion, but about understanding a part of her past that was taken away too early.
Looking back at her journey, she reflected on how years of hardship shaped her identity. While she acknowledges the pain she has endured, she also recognises the strength it has created within her. What was meant to break her, she says, instead pushed her toward becoming someone determined to keep moving forward, no matter how uncertain the path ahead may be.
In an interview with Humans of Bombay, the 24-year-old woman from Calicut spoke about her difficult upbringing, years of abuse, and her decision to leave home in search of safety and independence. She described a childhood shaped by instability and fear. According to her account, her father’s aggression was a constant presence in the household from a very young age. She recalled witnessing violent outbursts and emotional volatility that became part of her everyday reality. Attempts by others to question or understand the situation were often dismissed.
She shared that when she was 3 years old, her mother disappeared. Over time, she was told different versions of what happened, including that her mother had left to pursue a life in cinema. The absence of her mother became an unanswered question that stayed with her throughout her growing years.
Father's remarriage
Within a year, her father remarried, and her life at home became even more difficult. She described enduring years of verbal abuse, body shaming, and humiliation from relatives over small and repeated incidents. Financial dependence added to her vulnerability, as she often had to ask her father for support even for basic educational needs.As she grew older, her health also began to deteriorate. By the age of 21, she was diagnosed with multiple health conditions, including ADHD, PCOS, and autoimmune vasculitis. These challenges added another layer of difficulty to an already unstable environment. The turning point, according to her account, came in 2022. A domestic argument escalated into physical violence, leaving her feeling completely unsafe within her own home. She described the incident as deeply traumatic, not only because of the violence itself, but also because of the silence and inaction of other family members who were present.
At 22, she ran away from home
After that incident, she made a decision that changed the course of her life. At the age of 22, she chose to leave her home, prioritising her safety over stability. She moved to Calicut and started rebuilding her life from scratch.She found work in a call centre and slowly began adjusting to life on her own. Friends helped her find a paying guest accommodation, offering her a small but crucial sense of stability. Even then, financial hardship remained a daily reality. There were days when she struggled to afford to buy even a slice of bread. Despite these challenges, she described her current living situation as a form of freedom she had never experienced before. For her, having a small room with four walls that felt safe represented something she had long been denied.
Alongside survival, she also focused on rebuilding her future. She began saving whatever she could, despite limited income, and committed herself to studying late into the night. Her goal is to continue her education and eventually pursue subjects such as politics and philosophy.
Her dreams
She shared an ambition that extends far beyond her present circumstances. She hopes to one day work with institutions like the Swiss or Finnish parliament. Her vision includes contributing to systems that support women dealing with conditions like ADHD and PCOS, ensuring they receive better recognition, care, and protection.Amid these aspirations, there remains another deeply personal goal. She expressed a desire to find her mother, who has been absent from her life for over two decades. This search, she said, is not just about reunion, but about understanding a part of her past that was taken away too early.
Looking back at her journey, she reflected on how years of hardship shaped her identity. While she acknowledges the pain she has endured, she also recognises the strength it has created within her. What was meant to break her, she says, instead pushed her toward becoming someone determined to keep moving forward, no matter how uncertain the path ahead may be.
