Shackles Of Bondage

By Shreya Prasad

Shyma was sitting on the bench quietly, overlooking her granddaughter playing. She was amused by 11-12-year-olds talking in such fashion and found it difficult to understand their conversations as they mostly spoke in a mix of English and Hindi slang. Suddenly her granddaughter Navya started crying, worried Shyma hurried to her. She tried to console her, but to no avail, Navya and she headed home with tears welled up in Navya’s eyes.

Shyma’s son and daughter-in-law worked in some big corporate. She remembered their office building almost touching the sky. She repeatedly asked the child about her trouble, but she was snubbed by her every time. She went on to the balcony waiting for her son and her wife to arrive.

Dinner, as usual, was served late. Navya finally stormed at her parents at the dinner table. Navya was grieved because they had not gone for a European holiday this summer and the car, they owned was not good enough as told by her friends. Silently Shyma wondered about the word ‘friend’. Navya burst out crying that she was not fair and tall enough. Nobody had the answer to these questions. Soon promises were made to their daughter about an exquisite vacation to Europe and plans were made to buy a new car. After that, everybody went to their cocoons with smartphones.

Shyma retired to home, only wishing if she could Navya understood to be brave, to do things for her happiness not because the world wanted to do. But she was not allowed to have an opinion, as her talking was always labeled as conservative. That night was long, raining was pounding heavily, and winds were howling. Mumbai rains whenever came, took her to her own quiet, an idyllic village which was only about 200 km from the contemporary town.

Looking at her husband, who passed away a few ways, she reminisced the day when her better half came to see her. She was a child, then the same as Navya. Petite, chubby, and playful she was unaware of the marriage proposal that came for her, she cried a lot and almost revolted by not eating. But alas! All her efforts were futile she weeded off soon. It was again for the world that she was married off. It was for the people she had to bear children and most importantly a son. Woefully, she remembered throughout her life, she had done things for others, to gain acceptance and importance from other people the “SOCIETY”.

Her husband and she had educated their children, so in the eyes of society, they would deem as educated and be respected. She recalled how their daughter Seema, now a professional desired to become a teacher but was not allowed on the grounds as it would seem a very mediocre profession.

Shyma now knew although we had progressed, the women were still bonded in shackles, which could never be broken. Before it was of a different form and now it was different. Women in her times were often chained to marriages, sacrificing their desires. Women of today are no different, today they are chained to the marketing world, which shows every woman to be successful and beautiful. They all are running towards the tunnel of perfection chained by the career and beauty standards that now the world has defined for them.

Thinking about this, she fell asleep fast. The morning sun was on her face and a lot of hustle-bustle going on in the house.

She was enquired about the noise in the house. “O Mother we have got a new car delivered Navya and everybody is so excited, all the neighbours are envious, after all, we have the best car in the locality. Come down have a look!” her son retorted back. Everybody is bonded to a chain of never-ending desires; she thought and went peacefully to her room.

By Shreya Prasad