One of Her – Delhi Poetry Slam

One of Her

By Preeti Papneja 

 

One of Her



Hide and seek — we gathered; I hid behind an old jalopy that day.

Firstly, came a faint whisper but soon a bark followed my name.

"Time-out," I drew with my hands and ran inside.

I saw fury coursing through my mum's eyes. She then quoted out loud,

"You are too old to play outside now."

I was eight then.



Teenage years to embrace — we walked back; I waved to my friend.

On the porch, I found my dad standing tall and wearing

an expression that I feared the most. Ignoring it,

I told him how I surpassed many to earn the first spot.

But he eyed me to step inside and barked his words outright,

"Our community girls don't talk to boys that freely.

I am afraid you'd rather bring shame to my name one day.

From now on, you will study in an all-girls school."

I was ten then.



Another Cinderella story — we fought; he was two years younger then.

He tried to pull the remote from my hand but somehow, I jerked it away.

He then bawled above the storm. Seconds later, mum walked in and gave me

A hard strike. She prophesied it then, "It's time to indulge in house chores,

Now. Since a girl's future is always bound behind the kitchen door."

I was twelve then.



Sunday brunch — I loathed the most; my uncle visited us that day.

I served some biscuits and tea under “my birth” obligation.

His wife then passed more of a warning than some advice,

"She is gossiped to be pretty young and clean everywhere."

Proudly, my dad suggested to her remark,

"Find a match. She only has two years of studies left, anyway."

I was sixteen then.



D-day knocked on my front door — I am sitting beside

An old-lanky boy; who flashes his Rolex smile now and then.

On the other side, his mum reeked of the same spices

That my mum does.

And his father donning the same community smirk

Which only opens and closes with a male's voice.



I am now asked to talk to the boy privately

But my mind wonders “How and what to talk about?

You never taught me about this one.”

(My heart envies the boy sitting under my father’s embrace.)

And I am finally eighteen now.


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