Female Equality a Chimera

By Rajiv Khandelwal

As the cousin-grandfather entered

The drawing room hushed in anticipation

I, a young girl of ten

Stood up, 

Eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and respect  

And my young brother

Mirrored my manner

Cousin-grandfather's eyes scanned the room 

His glance brushed past me

                                           Showed indifference

However, his eyes lit up 

Radiated warmth like fire on a freezing night

As they settled on my brother 

Seeing the five-year-old grandson

He spoke with joy

His voice warm and affectionate

His focus

His attention

All directed towards him

My heart sank

Like a stone casually thrown in a pond

Hurt and humiliated

I felt like the blooms smothered by snow

Overlooked amidst the familial warmth

It appeared as if my presence

Held no value

I was   

A mere deaf-mute in a male-centric interaction

Where females are expected to fade into the backdrop

It was time to learn 

Females in patriarchal Indian society 

Are fated to be treated differently 

By Rajiv Khandelwal