Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
"Tell that Maharani to wake up and at least help in packing the lunch boxes for the girls. In another half an hour, the girls would be here." Anju shouted for her daughter in law.
“Tell that Maharani to wake up and at least help in packing the lunch boxes for the girls. In another half an hour, the girls would be here.” Anju shouted for her daughter in law.
The kitchen had been cleaned the night before. Next morning, food would be prepared for the ‘Goddess, Durga Ma’.
They had fasted for all 8 days for the prosperity of the family. No onions or garlic were touched for the 8 days. Anju had convinced her husband and son not to touch either alcohol or meat in these days. After all, it was important to be in the good books of the goddess.
She woke up at 4 am, took a bath, dressed in a clean red saree and took charge of the kitchen. As she prepared the halwa, the delicious smell could be detected even 3 flats away. Then she cooked the choley and puri.
In another room, Seema, her daughter in law, was trying to sleep, drenched in sweat. She had had a fever since the last two days. No one had come to ask her if she wanted even a glass of water. For them, she was nothing more than a glorified slave. Her parents could never provide the chosen gifts to boost their egos, and she was not smart enough to balance work and home, so she had not been able to please them.
Soon, it was time for the puja, and young girls dressed in their best traditional attires could be heard talking excitedly about how much they would collect today. It was the only day when they were so much in demand. ‘Kanjak’, the mini goddess, as they were called on that day.
Tia had worn her pink lehnga, matching pink and white bangles, and even worn trinkets. She had put on a small bindi, and she was looking adorable.
Seema slowly dragged herself off the bed. She wobbled a bit, but she had to stand up, or else she would be reminded for days that she was useless, and her parents “didn’t teach her even basic manners.”
Her hands were trembling as she slowly started packing up the giveaways.
“Look at her speed. Even after the night’s rest, she can’t do anything properly.”
Seema had tears in her eyes, but she did not dare to look up. It was a holy day and she did not want another fight in the house. She did not have any energy in her body as well to tell them about her condition.
Soon, the little girls started arriving. Tia was fond of Seema, and she would say, “Seema aunty is the most beautiful.” She never needed an invitation to come; the moment she spotted Seema back from work, she would come and chat with her. Tia’s mom would tease her that Seema aunty is your second mom.
The moment Tia entered, her eyes started searching for Seema. She was not interested in her feet being washed, or the goodies she was about to get. She spotted Seema and hugged her.
“Seema Aunty, you are so hot. When I’m this hot, mummy tells me I have fever.” She ran fast to call her mummy.
“Mummy, come fast, Seema aunty has fever.” Tia was shouting, so that her voice could reach her mother before her.
Up in heaven somewhere, Goddess Durga was laughing at the irony of her younger avtar being prayed to, and the older one being loathed.
Image source: By Arindam Mitra from Kolkata(Calcutta), India – Color of Joy…., CC BY 2.0, Link
A vagabond ! A lost soul ! A blank page trying to write my own story! By profession, I am a Pathologist ! A doctor behind the scenes. By passion, I am a blogger. I love reading, writing, read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
Love cannot be imposed Stalkers speak of love, which in a few minutes turns deadly when they are rejected by the woman.
Trigger Warning: This speaks of stalking, violence against women, and murder by a stalker, and may be triggering to survivors.
Justice prevailed after 6 long years.
A ‘NO’ once said or said over a thousand times holds only the same meaning when uttered by a woman.
Please enter your email address