Woman

By Meera

Oh my God! That was taxing, with endless workouts and practice sessions, I have been drained to death. But I can feel my confidence in the deep bone. I guess, it thrived through all these months of training and unstirred focus and I reached the cafeteria, only to find a lonely table for two at the corner, while the rest were soon getting filled up. Damn, why me?. Why I should always be the one to reach last?, thought of making new friends today, I fathomed as I dunked myself on that alone chair.

'Hello!. Can I take this seat?. By the way, I am Rishi'.

'Yeah sure, you can. I am Tara'.

'Hey, Tara. Nice to meet you. So you are into swimming too!?'.

'So, you are into Swimming. I am an Archer Rishi'.

'Alright, Archer. When is your next game?'.

'Late afternoon Rishi. When is yours?'.

'Early morning tomorrow'.

'I'm done. See you later, bye Rishi'.

What a score! Finally my hard work is paying off. With this same pace, guess I could make it to the Internationals. I could sense my coach gleaming with happiness, as he rewarded me with a

good pat on my shoulder. What a good way to finish my day!!. On my way back this late evening, I was drawn by the energetic players fighting for their spots, and I felt driven. As I strolled, I watched the spectators cheering up for the unnerving tennis match and I could spot him waving to me. Is he him?, so, he remembered my game?. Now, that's strange!.

'What are you doing?'.

'What a great finish you had! I just came to drop in between my breaks to feel energized'.

'Thank you, Rishi. I'm heading back, have a great evening'.

'Yeah Tara, you too. I'm off to eat dinner, bye'.

'See you later, Rishi'.

While I was ambling along the seats on that indoor stadium, I was tied to the ambiance which was lit and lively, alike the dispute running in my head, as I perched back. So, you got up early to be there for him, Tara?, why do you want to do something unusual?. I wanted to return the support he offered to me yesterday. Then, do just that Tara, nothing more or less. It's not the time of the day, to lose your focus and he scored first, creating a new record time. Always, have your back kicked up for your game Tara!.

'Hey, thank you so much, Tara, for showing up. I feel enthralled'.

'Hey, Rishi. I came to congratulate you on your timing, I know it isn't that easy to nail it. Also, to wish you good luck with your upcoming games. Need to head soon. See you later, Rishi'.

Few days from now

I grabbed my gold medal at last. But, I have no one to share it with. I saw him grabbing his too, we both made it through, yet seemed like he felt a bit sad in his eyes. I miss his presence. Yes, I miss him so much. No what?. No Tara, no, it was all a one-day meeting, you don't know him. Yes Tara, get your head worked out. Enough of missing him now, you are on your favorite spot and time of the day, breathe it. Yes, yes I am going to live this moment. As I got soaked up by the beautiful hues of purple sky, with a hot drink and a breezy book to read, the sun lit my skin warming my soul within, and I was interrupted by his melodies tunes, as he sang.

'I missed you so much, Tara. I felt it deep that you were avoiding me, so I backed off, to not disturb you'.

'I was just focusing on my game, and I let you do the same too!'.

'I saw you win your medal this morning and was driven to win mine and I did. So you felt the spark Tara?'.

'Yes Rishi, I felt it deep. I saw you won too'.

'It never felt like our first meeting. I would love to spend more time with you, Tara'.

'I would love that too'. & we enjoyed our evening together as the night fell.

Three months from now

Is he going to propose to me?, what is he up to?. He's been avoiding me for a week now and is so much more glued to his phone than ever. Why is his house dark at this hour in the evening?. Let me confront him and then take him to that foster care, to adopt a pup. I fidgeted with the keys to his front door and pushed open it, let alone to find him with a dimpled smile, carrying a golden pup, with sparkling eyes coming my way, with a basket full of flowers and chocolates wrapped around by fairy lights and I went spellbound.

'I fell in love with you so much Tara. Here's your pup. Let's get married soon. Let's have kids just like our pup'.

'Rishi...I never thought about marriage. Kids... I have complications Rishi, I don't think I can give birth'.

'What sort of complication?. How can you conclude that you can't give birth?'.

'I have to undergo a lot of procedures to naturally give birth Rishi. I am not up for surrogacy. I am up for adoption'.

'You can't decide it alone & you are infertile Tara. Adoption... I want my genes. You aren't a woman if you don't give birth'.

'Said who?. I very well can, Rishi. It's my body, I can decide about it. Motherhood is a feeling that can be felt without giving birth too and I have felt being a woman all my life, Rishi. Childbirth doesn't define me being a woman, it's just a part of my journey, which I can choose to opt out'.

'You aren't sounding like a woman, but a stubbornhead. Let's part ways Tara'.

'I'm very much of a woman inside out. Goodbye, Mr. Rishi'.

Author's note:

In my perspective, it is a choice that a woman who's giving birth, had to take. But that doesn't define the femininity or the humanity in her.

By Meera