There was a time when I had completed my Master’s and visited my town with an overwhelming heart. I was very glad, expecting to get a job within a few months. I booked my flight with my own money, which I saved during my college time by teaching English; however, I am trying to make my English better. It was not the first time. I visited several times by flight, but this time was something special, like I had won the battle, fought Ravana for the last two years, and was going back to my home, Ayodhya, where the whole family was waiting for me.
I got the window seat, and I was completely into fool’s paradise as I was going to be the successor, but it was just a dream. The truth was, my siblings, niece, nephew, and everyone were enthusiastically waiting for me, and I was very heartened to hug them.
In-flight, there was a lovebird next to me discussing their upcoming life; however, I came to know that they were married. Both were talking about the job, taking a new home, tours, etc. I was just listening to them and smiling, thinking about myself.
While seeing them, my flight landed in the city of Nawab Lucknow, where I hired a taxi to reach the nearest bus stop to get the bus for my home. When I got off the bus, everything was the same in my city except my tenant. He had some lisping problems at that time when I left my city to get a good education. However, I could not improve, but he had drastically changed in himself. I entered my home, and as my elder sister is extremely filmy started crying seeing me. When she hugged me, there was background music. I imagined Aaaaaaa aaaa aaa Kabhi Khushi – Kabhi Gam. No doubt I had some emotions, but not like Shahrukh. Everyone welcomed me like I was a guest over there. I was shocked because I had never ever received such a reward in my whole life.
I had a great time with my kith and kin. I explained my journey of two years, how I survived there, my friends’ circle, Maharashtra culture, etc. I was talking to everyone, suddenly my sister said, “Aaj Kuch Ladki Wale Aa Rahe hai Monu (my elder brother) Ko Dekhne Ke Liye”. I did not expect it. I was like, how did Salman agree to marry, but I thanked the deity Shiva, who changed my brother’s mind towards marriage. As time passed, very soon, Ladki Wale came to my home. My brother was busy doing something, so I thought to serve the tea to them. I entered the room and served the tea. There was a lady, the Girl’s mom, and the father. There was one more person who looked like a cunning person, but my Shanskaar did not allow me to behave badly with him, as I never behaved rudely with anyone except my lenient girlfriend, who always tolerated me, as Rahul Dravid did with Shoaib Akhtar.
They started asking me thousands of questions as I was in court in front of a lawyer, but suddenly they realized that I was not the boy they were waiting for. Out of the blue, my elder brother entered the room. He sat with them and shared plenty of thoughts. They discussed a lot of things. My younger brother and I were just listening to them. We had never seen our brother so polite, behaving in a sophisticated manner. In between the conversation, the Girl’s mother shared her narrow consideration regarding a girl’s right, where she said, “Beta Ab Ye Bhi Accha Nahi Lagta Ki Ladki Ki Height Ladke Se Zyada Ho”. I did not know how to react to this question. I thought if a girl is taller than a boy, is there any problem? Then I concluded ‘Yes’, there is a problem because we created a society which is entirely male-dominant, where a girl comes to her in-laws’ house after leaving her family, her surname, her dear stuff, just to get a perfect partner as well as a good family.
“Everyone has to participate in the fight of feminism to realize that self-respect; attitude doesn’t matter to the man only. It matters to the women as well. By the way, my elder brother rejected that family.”