Sunday, 13 July 2014
My first fictional story...hope you like it.
BIRD IN A GOLDEN CAGE
"Mom,I am just 23.Give me 2 years mom.I want to complete my post graduation and be well employed."
"Shona,u will be turning 24 soon.We have to answer society when they ask about your future.And there is nothing wrong in getting engaged.The boy is well settled,owns a lavish house,car and he is good looking too.He will definitely keep you happy.You don't have to work even."
"Why don't you understand mom.My happiness lies in working,I want to be HR of reputed company.That's all i dream about."
This was daily chant in our home which was disturbance in my sweet morning sleep.Everyday there was an argument heating up between my elder sister and my mother.I never cared to sort this matter out because
Reason no.1:I was on my vacation and didn't want any disturbance in my peace of mind.
Reason
no.2 :No matter how hard you try,you cannot settle down the argument
between two ladies without any melodrama,which i wanted least.
The consequence of this argument was my sister leaving breakfast in middle,and my mother crying like a typical daily soap mom.I personally never liked my elder sister because she always carried an air of I-am-always-right-and-you-don't-understand-anything.Being youngest kid in my home,I was always target of my parents and my sister, an ideal daughter.She was daddy's good girl and I, spoiled brat.But there was one thing about my sister which i use to appreciate most.She was emotionally strong and never cried in front of anyone.That day, first time,I saw her silently wiping her eyes.
"Are you OK ?"
"I feel like a caged bird.you won't understand it.Go away."
To be very honest this was what I expected from her.But her phrase of "caged bird"took me ten years back.
I was nine,when this incident took place.The benefit of being nine year old is the only thing you have to worry about is your pending homework and the greatest treasure you own is your toys and marbles.I distinctly remember,it was hot summer afternoon and the time of my afternoon siesta.I was tired of playing in sun and my mom was because of shouting at me .She dragged me inside the house and forced me to sleep.Suddenly,I heard light knocking at our door.My confused mom went to attend the visitor and i too ran after her out of excitement.Mom's tired face brightened up with a big smile and she exclaimed cheerfully "am i dreaming?is it really you?what a pleasant surprise!!"And there she was,my most favorite aunty,my mom's younger sister,Ashu.She was a smart young woman in her early thirties,always dressed up in latest trending suite,wearing matching accessories,hairs adjusted in fashionable manner and the best part 'carrying bagful of gifts and chocolates for me and my sister.'Since my sister was busy with her summer camp i was the sole owner of chocolates bought by aunty.I felt like king of the world.I was delighted by her visit(not to mention added advantage of having extra sweets bought by her). She was a working lady,living in a big city like Pune and leading a dignified life.Unintentionally,my childish mind compared her with my mother.My mom, on other hand,always carried tensed and tired look on her face,wearing old fashioned but rich saree and dealing with household work.No one would ever believe that mom was M.COM gold medalist as she would spend her entire day either behind house maids instructing them to perform different work or in front of TV watching daily soap.
My mom warmly welcomed her sister and after having formal tea and snacks they sat together leaving me with my new toy cars to play with.
"I
am fed up of managing home and job simultaneously. It is really an
uphill task for a woman.Tai,you are indeed very lucky.You don't have to
start your day by chasing morning bus,you don't have a boss to
answer,you don't have to take care of deadlines.In fact,you can live as
you want,spend your time the way you want.All you have to do is order
your maid servants and there you go,you have what you want placed right
in front of you.I wish i had your life."Aunty started complaining.The consequence of this argument was my sister leaving breakfast in middle,and my mother crying like a typical daily soap mom.I personally never liked my elder sister because she always carried an air of I-am-always-right-and-you-don't-understand-anything.Being youngest kid in my home,I was always target of my parents and my sister, an ideal daughter.She was daddy's good girl and I, spoiled brat.But there was one thing about my sister which i use to appreciate most.She was emotionally strong and never cried in front of anyone.That day, first time,I saw her silently wiping her eyes.
"Are you OK ?"
"I feel like a caged bird.you won't understand it.Go away."
To be very honest this was what I expected from her.But her phrase of "caged bird"took me ten years back.
I was nine,when this incident took place.The benefit of being nine year old is the only thing you have to worry about is your pending homework and the greatest treasure you own is your toys and marbles.I distinctly remember,it was hot summer afternoon and the time of my afternoon siesta.I was tired of playing in sun and my mom was because of shouting at me .She dragged me inside the house and forced me to sleep.Suddenly,I heard light knocking at our door.My confused mom went to attend the visitor and i too ran after her out of excitement.Mom's tired face brightened up with a big smile and she exclaimed cheerfully "am i dreaming?is it really you?what a pleasant surprise!!"And there she was,my most favorite aunty,my mom's younger sister,Ashu.She was a smart young woman in her early thirties,always dressed up in latest trending suite,wearing matching accessories,hairs adjusted in fashionable manner and the best part 'carrying bagful of gifts and chocolates for me and my sister.'Since my sister was busy with her summer camp i was the sole owner of chocolates bought by aunty.I felt like king of the world.I was delighted by her visit(not to mention added advantage of having extra sweets bought by her). She was a working lady,living in a big city like Pune and leading a dignified life.Unintentionally,my childish mind compared her with my mother.My mom, on other hand,always carried tensed and tired look on her face,wearing old fashioned but rich saree and dealing with household work.No one would ever believe that mom was M.COM gold medalist as she would spend her entire day either behind house maids instructing them to perform different work or in front of TV watching daily soap.
My mom warmly welcomed her sister and after having formal tea and snacks they sat together leaving me with my new toy cars to play with.
My mom smiled wearily and answered her, "Ashu,grass in greener on other side.You should be happy with what you are and what you have.You are a strong,independent woman who can take control of her life by herself,who don't have to ask for money to her husband every time and moreover you have your own identity in society.I must say you are living life which i use to dream of."
Suddenly,there was a huge wave of wind followed by loud bang and continuous chirp.We all rushed to our balcony to see what happened.The cage hung by the side of our balcony fell down due to the stroke of wind.Thankfully the parrot inside the cage was not hurt but was badly scared.My mom gently picked up the cage and placed it on the table inside.She turned towards her sister and said silently,"did you see that?that's my life.I am just like a bird in a golden cage.You feed that bird,pamper him,take his utmost care ,but you don't give him strength to protect himself until you give him freedom to fly.The bird in a cage is completely dependent on its master even for its own protection.The one who cannot protect himself can never protect others.The place of bird who can fly is not in a cage,similarly,the place of woman who is highly educated is not in her home but is in office.Today i am known to the society because of my husband,tomorrow I will be known to society because of my children.Where is my own identity?Its vanished. "
I didn't understood the inner meaning of those words then,but I am feeling the depth of each sentence right now.It was hard to believe that these words were said by mom,the same lady who is forcing my elder sister to forget her dreams and get married.WHY??Just because society was questioning her??Does the society controls life of an individual??Don't we have right to live the way we want and follow our dreams??Why girls are burdened with responsibility to fulfill the dreams of her family and society by forgetting her own dreams??I felt urge to go in my past and free that caged bird.I rushed towards my sister and hugged her tightly.She broke down into uncontrollable sob."Why me??"she said in a shivering voice."Don't worry.I am with you",was all I could say..
