They are three siblings. The eldest daughter is studying medical,
probably in her 3rd/4th year. Next is a son, 2-3 years younger than her,
just entered into college. And, there is one more daughter, 1 years
younger than him, still in school. The father works abroad, come home
2-3 times a year. The mother along with her three children stay in
India.
The daughters go to school in car pool and so is the son. In addition,
whenever the daughters need to step out of the house, the son
accompanies them. He similarly accompanies her mother, too. I have never
seen the mother/daughters going anywhere alone. They have their own
car, but only the son drives it. He is a free bird,
he chit chats with
friends till midnight on the roads in front of their house, goes to
college with goggles on and what not.
Few months back, they had bought a bigger car. Next day was the
counseling day in son's college. He drove the new car, with dad sitting
beside him. I have never seen the eldest daughter in the driver's seat
in either of the cars, didn't she ever wish to drive, openly or secretly
in her mind? Few days back, we got a card, a marriage invitation card
for her. We had to attend the marriage, found that she is married off to
a richer family, the dream many of the girls' parent have since a
daughter is born. I don't know if she had finished her education. I
don't know if she wanted to continue her study or was happy being
married off. But I know for sure what thought process the son must have,
that he is the guardian of the house in absence of his father, that his
mother & sisters are dependent on him, that what you are as a human
being is not important, what is important is being a "son". Will he
learn respecting woman? Would he ever want a daughter as one of his
children? and even if he has a daughter, what teaching he would provide
to his offspring?
I wonder if ever, the mother or the daughter experienced what true
freedom is, at least for once. The story repeats, across families,
across generations…
